Fire Fighting Course: Education Across South Africa

Fire fighting is a gruelling job that requires immense training and preparation before stepping into the field professionally. However, it's also a very rewarding job, and plenty of young South Africans across the country are eager and invested in becoming fire fighters themselves. This is where EMCARE steps in, offering everything from fire fighting training to first aid, health and safety courses, prepping the next generation of fire fighters, health and safety officers, and medical professionals for work in the emergency care field.

In this quick read, we'll be covering where our fire fighting training centres are located as well as what you can expect from a fire fighting course from EMCARE.

Fire Fighting Course: Training Courses Available With EMCARE

At EMCARE, students undergoing a fire fighting course have two options available to them. You can start with Fire Fighting Training 1, an introduction to fire fighting as well as hazmat awareness and defence. Following your first fire fighting training course, you can move on to Fire Fighting Training 2, a comprehensive career course aimed at anyone wishing to expand their expertise and pursue a job in fire fighting.

These courses are recommended for anybody interested in pursuing fire fighting professionally, and cover all the basics of fire fighting as well as how to handle hazardous materials in the case of a fire. This kind of training is vital for first responders who will need to assess a situation and act fast in a defensive posture to protect bystanders as well as the environment from the effects of unplanned hazardous material.

These fire fighting courses include a combination of classroom study, drill field practice, and training evolutions that will prepare the prospective fire fighter to perform most fireground functions under the supervision of an officer or experienced firefighter. It prepares you for working with a fire fighting team under direct or general supervision and equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate hazardous environments.

Both fire fighting courses 1 and 2 are internationally accredited by SAESI and based on NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and supplemented by information from government agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Transportation (DOT).

These courses take place over nine weeks and participants will earn a certificate upon completion, allowing them to take the first step toward their fire fighting career with the know-how needed to get the job done safely and effectively.

EMCARE Branches: Find A Fire Fighting Training Near You

From humble beginnings in 1997 to country-wide educational courses, we have expanded our footprint nationally. There's no need to worry about crossing the country to get your accreditation. We have multiple training facilities set up across South Africa, so all you have to do is head to the one nearest to you and start your fire fighting course today!

Our world-class training centres have trained many candidates and healthcare professionals across South Africa, offering all the knowledge and expertise needed for our students to get a foot in the door and learn more about health and safety regulations, how to handle medical emergencies, height and safety training, as well as fire fighting and emergency response.

Furthermore, all of our training courses are fully accredited by the relevant local accreditation authorities, and although the training material is in English, our facilitators can teach in Sepedi, Tsonga, Zulu, SiSwati, Shangaan, and English to meet our learners' needs.

Fire Fighting Course: Johannesburg
Our Johannesburg branch is positioned centrally to all of our other branches, located at Constantia Office Park, Weltevreden, Roodepoort, Gauteng. Situated near the 14th Avenue highway interchange, it allows for easy accessibility from all parts of the Gauteng Province, making for an easy commute to your training course.

Fire Fighting Course: Durban
Our KZN branch is the newest addition to the EMCARE National footprint, and is situated in Overport/Berea ridge, about 5 km north-west of Durban's CBD, just off the M13/Ridge Road corridor. This location means you have easy access from central Durban, the N2, and M4, so heading over to complete your training course is a breeze.

Fire Fighting Course: Nespruit
Situated in the vibrant Sonheuwel area, our Nelspruit training centre is easily accessible via the N4 highway, just minutes from Sonpark Shopping Centre, Kiaat Private Hospital, and key routes to Kruger National Park and Mozambique. This prime location means peak convenience for commuters situated in Mbombela, White River, Hazyview, and surrounding areas.

Fire Fighting Course: Polokwane
Once our original headquarters, established back in 1997, our Polokwane branch is still operating to this day, and has earned a reputation as Limpopo's leading emergency care training provider. The 8.5-hectare campus sits about 5 km east of Polokwane's CBD, right next to the R71 Tzaneen road (close to the R71/R81 interchange), so it's an easy 10-minute drive from the N1 or Savannah Mall.

Fire Fighting Course: Gqeberha In the Eastern Cape, we have another branch situated in Gqeberha, with the training centre fronting directly onto the William-Moffett Expressway (M7). From the CBD, it's roughly a 10-minute, 8 km drive via Walmer Boulevard (M4) and the M7; from Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, it's about 5 km north-west along Heugh Road, then left onto William-Moffett.

Fire Fighting Course: Hoedspruit
The Hoedspruit branch is another one of our oldest branches, operating for over ten years in Office N5, Maroela Park, 53 Koedoe Street - one block south-east of the R527 (Klaserie Road) at the Leadwood Corner turn off. Commuters can expect a quick two-minute hop from the R40/R527 junction and roughly 20-minutes' drive from Eastgate Airport; look for the low-rise Maroela Park complex with free parking right in front of the reception entrance. We also provide on-site training in the Lowveld area, which extends as far as Ermelo.

Fire Fighting Course: Cape Town
Our Cape Town branch is situated at 23 Brug Street, Busaf Park, Triangle Farm, Unit 6, 7 & 8, Bellville. Sable Square is accessible from all major highways, including the N1, N2, N7 and M5.

Start Your Course With EMCARE

We strive to deliver high standards of emergency response training for individuals and corporations nationwide, preparing newcomers for work in the industry and helping companies keep up with compliance and regulatory standards. Whether you're hoping to get your employees educated on first aid and emergency response or are interested in becoming a safety officer, EMCARE offers a variety of health and safety courses to suit your needs.