Course overview and learning outcomes

This 8-week intensive course will provide delegates with the foundation skills required to respond, prevent and adapt to the needs of the community they will serve. The course sets the foundation for further development and a successful career in the Fire and Rescue Service.

Running through the course there is a strong element of self-learning, activities will include research projects and action learning. Delegate self-study will be supported through Instructor facilitation throughout the course but this approach will help to develop a sense of ownership for the learning.

Modules and Learning Outcomes

The course is broken down into a series of modules, each with their own key learning outcomes. A summary of these is provided below.

1. Basic Fire Ground Core Skills

At the end of this module delegates will be able to:

• Demonstrate competent use of a range of fire service pumps and associated equipment
• Demonstrate competent use of a range of fire service ladders
• State and apply the fundamental principles of working safely at height
• Safely use and display a working knowledge of Fire Service lines and ancillary equipment
• Be able to prepare foam making equipment and apply finished firefighting foam and various extinguishing agents
• Have an understanding of current Fire Service legislation and how it relates to the role of the firefighter
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of command and control within the Fire Service
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of building construction and electricity
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of trench collapse and confined space working, including lift rescue
• Demonstrate an understanding of the tactics used when handling and controlling acetylene and LPG incidents
• Have completed Level 1 Safe Working Near Water

2. Breathing Apparatus

At the end of this module delegates will be able to:

• Perform to a safe and competent standard as a BA wearer in line with the current operational guidance for BA. This will incorporate:
• Employing effective search and rescue techniques in carbonaceous atmospheres
• Understand how to use positive pressure ventilation
• Use search and rescue techniques utilizing thermal imaging equipment
• Employing practical and effective use of Fire Service guidelines and associated equipment
• Using high-rise and basement firefighting procedures
• Complete an introduction to compartment fire behaviour training

3. First Response Emergency Care

At the end of this module delegates will be able to:

• Understand the principles of scene management in pre-hospital care
• Demonstrate the principles required for effective and safe patient assessment in the pre-hospital care setting
• Assess patient's levels of consciousness
• Recognise and manage a patient with a catastrophic bleed
• Assess and manage a patient's airway and recognise and manage a patient with a suspected spinal injury
• Know the principles of exposing the patient for further assessment and acting upon environmental considerations
• Recognise and manage a range of medical emergencies in the pre-hospital setting
• Know how to recognise and manage a range of trauma related emergencies in the pre-hospital care setting
• Recognise emergency care equipment to assist the health care professional
• Apply trauma care at road traffic related incidents
• Demonstrate the ability to manage a variety of trauma incidents
• Demonstrate triage and life support procedures

4. Road Traffic Collision

At the end of this module delegates will be able to:

• Follow a casualty centred team approach
• Understand the phased approach to working at Road Traffic Collisions
• Use hydraulic rescue equipment safely and effectively
• Apply appropriate extrication techniques
• Recognise associated hazards relevant to RTCs
• Implement stability and glass management
• Demonstrate HGV awareness

5.  Hazardous Materials

This module will provide delegates with an introduction to hazardous materials at an initial responder level and will include:

• Introduction to Physical properties Hazmats and UN classes
• Use of ERG and Emergency Action Code Book
• Chemical Protection Clothing and Decontamination
• Hazmat Incident management for First responders
• Environmental Protection

6. Scenarios

At the end of this module delegates will:

• Have been exposed to a variety of realistic scenarios on the FSC Incident Ground
• Have a working knowledge of the incident command system used in UKFRS
• Have an appreciation of the lines and methods of communication at incidents
• Have an awareness of the risk assessment model
• Have an understanding of the safe person concept.

Who should attend and key benefits

This course is designed as a foundation training programme and is open to both whole time and retained recruits. Due to the intensive nature of the programme delegates will need to:

• Have been through a robust recruitment and selection process
• Be fit for full operational duties in accordance with Service requirements
• Attend with full fire kit, which conforms to current standards
• Be open to self-study, including team and individual project work.

This recently devised course offers a modernised and practical approach to firefighter training and provides both recruits and the FRS with a number of key benefits:

• The course is highly practical and focuses on getting delegates to apply core firefighting skills in realistic scenarios
• Theoretical input focuses on the essential knowledge that recruits need, and supports this through discovery based learning
• The course integrates robust assessment of both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Sessions are delivered and assessed by highly skilled and experienced recruit Instructors
• The course replicates a station based living environment and all its supporting facilities, helping delegates to familiarise themselves with the residential work environment they will typically experience in Service.
• The self-disciplined approach to learning that underpins the course will help to instil a strong sense of ownership for an individual's own learning. This is an invaluable asset that can be transferred back to Service.

How is the course assessed and accredited?

The course follows a robust and vigorous assessment process, incorporating:

• Observations and practical assessments on core firefighter skills throughout the programme, carried out against specific assessment criteria
• Verbal assessment through regular Q&A sessions and 1:1 reviews and professional discussions
• A series of written subject matter assessments, and a final written course assessment
• Assessment of individual project work
• Assessment of delivery of presentations and research data.

This course is underpinned by National Occupational Standards:

• CFF 01: Respond to Operational Incidents Requiring Breathing Apparatus
• CFF 02: Extricate Casualties from Situations of Entrapment
• CFF 03: Operate Fire Service Water Pumps
• CFF 04: Provide a First Response to Water Based Incidents
• FF 3: Save and Preserve Endangered Life
• FF 4: Resolve Fire and Rescue Operational Incidents
• FF 5: Protect the Environment from the Effects of Hazardous Materials.

and by:

• NFPA Standard 1006.

Our FFDP is accredited by the Skills for Justice Awards and the Royal Society for Public Health for the following qualifications:

• SFJ Level 3 Diploma in Fire Service Operations in the Community
• RSPH Level 2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement.

The College is an approved SFJ centre for the delivery of:

• Fire Service Foundation Skills
• Using BA in Fire and Rescue
• Trauma Care for the First Person on Scene
• Dealing with Hazardous Materials
• Dealing with Road Traffic Collisions.

Dates and prices

For further information or to make a booking on this course please contact the Business Development Team on 01608 812984 or email sales@fireservicecollege.ac.uk

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