Training and development

Firefighters must be well-trained, skilled, and knowledgeable if they are to work safely and effectively in the wide range of operational incidents they are called upon to attend. 

Full training is provided and on-call firefighters are trained to deal with the same situations and incidents as full time firefighters. This includes how to use the latest equipment and techniques to undertake a wide range of duties from firefighting to animal rescues and from floods to road traffic collisions. 

Initial training gives new on-call firefighters the necessary basic core competencies to enable them to safely attend incidents. Training is delivered in a number of modules spread out over the first three years of service –  although some on-call firefighters are able to complete the programme more quickly than this.  

The main modules undertaken are: 

  • On-call firefighter initial
  • Breathing apparatus initial
  • Fire behaviour and tactical firefighting development
  • Tactical ventilation (PPV) initial
  • Road traffic collision (RTC) development
  • Hazardous materials and environmental protection
  • Safe working at height, level 1
  • Water rescue
  • Manual handling
  • Radio communication

After successfully passing your two-week induction, you will become a development on-call firefighter. 

Ongoing training involves on-call firefighters attending their station for a two-hour drill (training) period once a week during the evening. After successfully completing on-call development programme, on-call firefighters have the opportunity to undertake courses, both internally and externally, to broaden their existing knowledge of firefighting and rescue. 

Development Opportunities 

Within WFRS there is a clear career progression route, as follows: 

  • Trainee Firefighter  
  • Development Firefighter (after successful completion of Induction course) 
  • Competent Firefighter (after three years of service) 
  • Crew Manager 
  • Watch Manager 
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