Fire fighting training: Your burning questions answered

Becoming a firefighter is one of the most noble and heroic professions that one could choose to embark on. Running head-first into burning buildings, saving civilians and putting out roaring flames does take some experience however, and firefighters go through immense fire fighting training before they are qualified to do these dangerous things, which you may have some questions about. This short guide will answer the top burning questions that people have when it comes to fire fighting training.

What is basic fire fighting training?

Basic fire fighting training refers to the courses or training that give a basic and somewhat surface level knowledge of fire and fighting fires. Basic fire fighting training can be for professionals who are starting their journey to become a fully qualified fire fighter or for those in a place of business or household who are looking to gain a broader knowledge about fire and related aspects, and want to have the basics covered. If you are looking at basic fire fighting training, there are two courses offered by Emcare training academy which you can begin with, the Basic Fire Awareness Course (BFP) and the Basic Firefighting Course (BF1).

The Basic Fire Awareness Course can be completed in half a day and focuses on introductory fire related techniques. The course is aimed at preventing fires and educating you on how to appropriately manage a fire related emergency. The course covers the following content: -Fire introduction

• The fire tetrahedron
• The burning process
• The classes of fire
• Extinguishers and extinguishing mediums
• Personal protective equipment

• Methods of operation
• Operating procedure
• Fire prevention and how fires spread
• Care and maintenance of fire equipment
• Fire hose reels, fire buckets and fire blankets
• Lifting and carrying techniques
• Getting out alive
• Practical demonstration

The Basic Fire Fighting Course (BF1) is one step higher than the above course and can be completed in one day, with a certificate validity of 2 years. This course covers the following content:

• Fire introduction
• The burning process
• Giving warning of a fire
• The fire tetrahedron
• Personal protective equipment

• Classes of fire
• Extinguishing mediums and extinguishers
• Foam
• Water
• Carbon dioxid

• Dry chemical powder
• Methods of operation
• Fire equipment requirements
• Operating procedure
• Care and maintenance of fire equipment

• How fire spreads
• Fire prevention
• Fire buckets
• Fire hose reels
• Fire blankets

• Lifting and carrying techniques
• Getting out alive
• Fire suppression with hose and hydrant operations
• Emergency plan basics
• Types of fire attacks

What kind of training is needed to become a firefighter?

Due to the dangerous and intense nature of the job, extensive training is needed before one can actually be qualified to become a fire fighter. These individuals generally need to check off boxes in the following areas: general requirements, physical requirements and mental requirements, these are to ensure that you will be capable, safe and effective in the line of duty. Here are just a few of the requirements needed if you are looking to become a fire fighter:

• 18 years or older

• Matric: While it is not a requirement at all fire fighting training academies that you have your matric, most will ask this of you, and you would fare especially well if you have mathematics core and physical science under your belt. If you do not have a matric there are many options available in South Africa which enable you to get your matric qualification without attending a physical high school, and can be completed online.

• Physically fit: You will undergo a plethora of physical tests that assess your strength and endurance and as such, you should have an above average level of fitness, whereby you are able to carry your own body weight, run long distances in heavy gear and lift heavy hoses into burning buildings. If you are doing a learnership before starting the actual training, you will have to undergo an assessment before you are even admitted, and only if you pass will you able to continue with the more advanced courses. A learnership assessment in South Africa will usually ask that you:
  
  - Finish a 2.4km run in under 12 minutes if you are female or under 11 minutes if you are male.
  - Do 30 sit-ups in 1 minute.
  - Do 15 25kg bench press repetitions.
  - Carry another person (same weight as you) for 100 metres.
  - Ladder climb 5 floors as a vertigo test
• Mentally fit: You will also need to be mentally fit, meaning that you are calm, collected and intentional when responding to an emergency situation and that you are able to separate your personal emotions about a situation from your reaction to the situation. A fire emergency can often cause people to panic because emotions are heightened and they may need your assistance in calming them down and handling the situation, which is why it is vital that you are calm under pressure.
• Not claustrophobic: In fire fighting training you will also undergo a claustrophobia test which is to ensure that you are not afraid of enclosed spaces. This is because oftentimes when responding to a fire the main entrance and exits may be blocked or unusable which will require you to crawl through air vents and other tight spaces, all while wearing your gear and potentially carrying a hose.

• Not acrophobic: This refers to a fear of heights, which you simply cannot have if you want to be a fire fighter because you will often be called to use long ladders when responding to a fire or emergency. -Driver’s license: While it is not a requirement at every fire department across the country, it is highly recommended that you have a Code 10 license preferably with PrDP. If you do not have a licence you can apply for one and complete the test at most South African traffic departments. Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to drive a fire engine? -Characteristics: There are a few characteristics and qualities that you will need to possess in order to be the best fire fighter: - Have discipline and respond effectively to authorities.
  • Be brave but smart about when to be brave.
  • Passionate about helping others.
  • Take your role seriously as you are working with the lives of others.
  • Be honest and trustworthy.
  • Be driven by the duty not by the salary.
  • Have a positive attitude.Have problem-solving abilities.
  • Work well under pressure. 

How long is the training to become a fire fighter?

In South Africa each fire department or station will have a similar process that follows. You can approach your local branch and ask what their specific process is, but generally you will need to apply at a station and will be given an update on your application by the Human Resources Office within 3 to 4 weeks. If you are accepted into the South African state department fire training programme, you will undergo a 16 week (4 months) training course which will cover both theoretical as well as practical fire fighting training.

However, if you already have a few courses under your belt such as those offered by Emcare, they are more like to accept your application as you are more competent than someone with no prior training at all. There are also different rankings which may take further training and experience, and when you finish training you will become a Platoon Commander. From there you can become a Station Commander, then a Divisional Chief, then Deputy Chief and lasty Chief.

What disqualifies you from becoming a fire fighter?

Now that you know what you need to become a successful fire fighter, let’s take a look at some of the things that might get you disqualified as a fire fighter

• Physical disqualification: If you fail the physical fitness test you will be disqualified, and may also be disqualified if you have a serious medical condition that causes you to use ability altering medication such as steroid or narcotics. Even if you pass the physical tests in training, you could still be disqualified if you fail the physical tests that the department you’re working at sets for you.

• Substance abuse: Most fire departments will issue mandatory drug screening tests which will assess your drug usage and will generally look for narcotics or for other substances such as anabolic steroids, which are all grounds for immediate disqualification. Some substances which, if found in a blood or urine test, could get you disqualified include:

- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- PCP
- LSD
- Ketamine
- OxyContin
- Methamphetamine

• Criminal record: Most fire departments will do a background check and will see if you have a criminal record or any serious misdemeanours before admitting you into training, but if you commit a felony or misdemeanour while you are already a qualified fire fighter, you may still be disqualified. Ultimately, whichever board or authority you are reporting to will handle this on a case by case basis and will look at what the offense was, and whether or not it is grounds for disqualifying or temporarily suspending you from being a fire fighter.

• Extensive driving offences: If you have numerous or severe driving offences you may also be disqualified, and if you are caught or arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol you will also be immediately disqualified. If you have a DUI before applying for training, there is unfortunately a slim chance that you will be accepted.

How much do fire fighters make per month?

As with most noble career paths, most people do not become a fire fighter for the salary, but rather to give back and dedicate themselves to helping people. The basic salary for a fire fighter who works for the South African department of fire is R8860 per month or R106320 annually. Working for a private fire company may see a slightly higher salary as these teams are usually hired by companies to protect specific areas.

How do I start a career as a firefighter?

If you are looking at starting a career as a firefighter there are a few things to do. Firstly, you need to be prepared for the preparation, meaning that you need to in essence train before doing official training. This is especially relevant for the fitness and physical aspect, and if you are not already incredibly fit then it is recommended that you start a training programme to work on strength and endurance, which will ensure that you are able to cope in the actual 16 weeks of intensive training.

Aside from physical, it is also recommended that you look into shorter fire fighting training courses to beef up both your CV and level of expertise. Emcare is your go to training academy for this, and aside from the two courses we spoke about earlier, Emcare also offers:

• Advanced Fire Fighting Course (AFF)
• Fire Fighter 1 SP & Hazmat Awareness SP Course (FF1)
• Fire Fighter 2 SP & Hazmat Operations SP Course (FF2)
• Hazardous Material Handling Course (HMH)