" In order to carry on your business properly, it is necessary for those who practice it to understand not only what they have to do, but why they have to do it; and the whole course of my instructions is framed to lead to this end. No fireman can ever be considered to have attained a real proficiency in his business until he has thoroughly mastered this combination of theory and practice.

Sir Eyre Massey Shaw, KCB

'Fire Protection' 1876

In Australia legislative requirements outline the "Duty of Care" of both employers and employees and their responsibilities to contribute to workplace safety. The employer has responsibility to ensure that hazards are identified,  risk is assessed, and appropriate actions are put in place to remove or reduce the risk. This involves not only the appropriate protective clothing, but safe systems of work and adequate training. Many Fire Services have seen  realistic training  as necessary to prepare and develop firefighters for their operational tasks.

The traditional approach to Live Fire Training has been conducted using external props to simulate the conditions experienced during petrochemical and gas firefighting operations. Tactical hot fire training is carried out in purpose built buildings to simulate the conditions experienced during structural firefighting, ship firefighting, aircraft etc. These are mostly fuelled by LPG, because it is relatively inexpensive and burns cleanly. The problem with using these facilities to teach compartment fire behaviour is that LPG does not allow the firefighter to witness and experience the development of an ordinary combustible fire from incipient to the rollover phase the occurs before flashover, or to experiment with the effects of the introduction of water spray into the smoke, flame zone or the combustible linings that are producing the energy rich gases. 

Every Fire Service in Australia has recognised the need for firefighters to have the opportunity to witness fire development and learn extinguishing techniques in a controlled environment. Fire behaviour training is seen as the foundation for the understanding of fire behaviour in compartments. This can be achieved by the use of Flashover Fire Simulators (FFS). These are modified shipping containers designed to allow for the burning of 4 to 6 sheets of particle board. This is based on the tried and proven methods pioneered by Station Officer Anders Lauren (Stockholm Fire Service) and Fire Engineers Krister Giselssen and Mats Rosander, which was endorsed by the Swedish National Rescue Board and has formed the basis of all "Indoor Firefighting" training.

For information about CFBT training email info@cfbt-au.com

If you would like to have your practical Fire Training seminar or conference listed here, contact the webmaster with the details.

REALISTIC TRAINING - For Success and Safety. On the job training works well for most occupations and trades. However, Emergency Service teams or crisis response workers can find themselves in hostile environments or severe crisis situations. Realistic training is required to physically and mentally prepare for these special challenges.

PRACTICAL TRAINING PROGRAMS    

2008

SEPTEMBER

Extreme Wildland Fire Behaviour - Monday 15th September, 15.30 - 17.30, QFRS Brisbane Region HQ, Level 3, TC Beirne Building, 315 Brunswick Street Mall, BRISBANE

OCTOBER

Fire Australia 2008 Conference and Exhibition 13-15 October, 2008 - Australian Technology Park, NSW Sydney

PUASAR001A Participate in a Rescue Operation - October 18 and 19, 2008 (2 days) Adelaide

Rope Rescue II - October 25 and 26 2008 (2 days), Adelaide. Pre-requisite: Rope Rescue I

NOVEMBER

Confined Space Rescue - November 17 to 21 2008  (5 days), Adelaide, Pre-requisite:Rope Rescue I or equivalent

2009

APRIL

International Fire Instructors Conference - Thursday April 30 and Friday May 1, 2009 Sydney

MAY

Positive Pressure Attack Instructors Course - Sydney May 4 -6, 2009

2010

JUNE

Interschutz 2010 - June 7 to 12, 2010, the Exhibition Centre in Leipzig