Fire Fighter 1: An Introductory Guide

Have you ever wondered what it would take to be a heroic firefighter? With EMCARE's fire fighter 1 course, you no longer have to wonder but can start your journey towards becoming a professional today. There are many benefits to becoming a firefighter. Not only is it seen as a respectable profession in society today, but it also pays well and can help you build a better life.

In this article today, we will cover the first step of becoming a professional firefighter by looking at the entry-level qualification presented by us at EMCARE: "Fire Fighter 1 & Hazmat Awareness." We will look at how the course is defined, the prerequisites you will need to apply to take part, as well as highlighting some of the course contents you will be learning. There has been no better time to become a firefighter in South Africa today, and with this course, you can begin learning how to.

What Is The Fire Fighter 1 Course

Before we look at the technical aspects, we need to first define the fire fighter 1 course in order to give you a good idea of what this course can offer you and hopefully help encourage you to consider this vital job pathway.

As mentioned in the introduction, the fire fighter 1 & hazmat awareness course has been specifically designed for those who wish to become professional firefighters and is intended to give you a basic knowledge of how to fight fires, as well as provide you with an entry-level understanding of hazmat (also known as hazardous materials) awareness. The course is the first of two parts, with another more advanced course entitled Fire Fighter 2 & Hazmat Operations, that will further improve your knowledge in both the firefighting space. At the same time, also develop your skills on how to handle hazardous material correctly.

If this course definition has piqued your interest and you would like to find out more about how to apply, you are in luck, as our EMCARE website makes this easy with all the information readily available here: (https://emcare.org/training-courses/fire-and-hazmat-courses/fire-fighter-1-and-hazmat-awareness-course-(ff1)/ )

But before you sign up today, there are a few important points you should be aware of, that include the following:

• Most importantly, you must understand that signing up for the fire fighter 1 course is a full-time commitment. The course is conducted over a nine-week period and is designed to be a full-time experience, with both a written and practical side to the process.
  
  
• Another important aspect is to understand the cost of the course. On our EMCARE website, you can easily find the full price of both the fire fighter 1 (FF1) and 2 (FF2) courses as part of the application form. Currently, the costs are as follows:
  
  
  • FF1 - nine weeks full time: R13 000.00
    
    
  • FF2 - seven weeks full time: R 9 500.00
    
    
  • If you are interested in a full-time sixteen-week combined course experience, it is currently priced at - R 22 500.00
    
    
• Finally, we think it essential to note here that the FF1 course is currently only offered on a regular basis at our Polokwane branch. However, if you are in a different part of South Africa but are still interested, we do offer satellite (or remote) courses that we bring straight to you for groups of more than twenty.

Pre-Requisites To Take On Fire Fighter 1

Now that we better understand what the course is all about, how long it is and the cost, we can now turn our attention to some of the more technical aspects with regard to the fire fighter 1 course. Firstly, it must be understood that although appealing, unfortunately, the course is not for everyone, as there is a minimum set of requirements that must be met in order to be eligible to take part in the course.

Below, let us review some of the pre-requisites that we, as EMCARE, have put in place in order to keep those who wish to sign up safe:

• Because there is a theoretical aspect to this course, which is conducted primarily in English, those who join up need to have a basic proficiency in reading and writing in English. Furthermore, you will also need to prove that you have completed school up to a grade 10 level.
  
  
  • It should be noted that although primarily conducted in English, if you are interested in the course to be conducted in your home language, this is available on request for groups of ten or more.
    
    
• Due to the dangerous nature of firefighting and some of the obstacles and practical situations you may need to face during the course, it is important that you confirm that you do not suffer from either claustrophobia (a fear of enclosed or small spaces) or acrophobia (a fear of heights or being in high places).
  
  
• Finally, the course also has a practical side, and this requires a minimum level of fitness to be able to both participate in and complete the course. This is why you will be expected to make a fitness declaration before being allowed to enter the course. +

What Will You Learn

Now that you know what it takes to be able to join the fire fighter 1 course, you may be interested to find out a little more about what you will be learning during your course. As we mentioned in the definition section of this article, the course covers two important aspects of firefighting, both the basic techniques needed to fight a fire as well as becoming aware of hazardous materials.

Here are a few more specific elements that you will be trained in during your nine-week course:

• You will begin by being orientated in the firefighting space, learning about the history of the firefighting service and how both techniques and equipment have improved over time.
  
  
• You will learn about industry standards with both the health and safety aspects of the firefighting job and, how fire departments communicate with one another, and even South African legislation that impacts the industry.
  
  
• You will learn about the nature of fires, how to spot differences between different types, how to effectively control fire situations, and how to take control of emergency situations.
  
  
• You will not only be introduced to hazardous materials but will also learn how to recognise and identify different types of hazmat.
  
  
• You will be introduced to several essential pieces of equipment firefighters use. From the equipment used to control fires, like extinguishers and hose pipes, to your own protective gear.

EMCARE Your Choice In Fire Fighting Training

In this article, you were introduced to the fire fighter one course, how it is defined, what you need to be able to apply to the course and even some of the different things you will learn while participating. Firefighting is a great career choice, and we at EMCARE are passionate about providing excellent training for the next generation of brave firefighters. So, if you are interested or want more information, remember to visit our website today to see how you can start participating.