BCWS Fire Services Training Opportunities

Description

This is a 'train the trainer' course, designed for Fire Departments with a declared level of service (Exterior, Interior, Full Service) to certify Training Officers to teach and deliver the WFF-1 (S100/185 equivalency) to their departments. This course is intended for existing fire service instructors with structural and wildland firefighting experience to be able to provide the WFF-1.

The SPP-WFF1 program consists of 3 parts:

1. Core Program (SPP-WFF1) 16-hour program, which students successfully complete in its entirety, to certify. [available for download in the resources tab]
2. Annal Refresher (SPP-A-WFF1), which students are required to complete annually, subsequent years after to maintain certification. [available for download in the resources tab]
3. Trainer Program ( SPP-T-WFF1), to certify instructors to provide the SPP-WFF1 to their department.

Prerequisites

• Level 1 Fire Service Instructor or equivalent training and experience,
• Exterior Operations Level (minimum), and
• Minimum five years experience as a firefighter.
• WFF1 - Wildland Firefighter 1 or S100/185

Contents

• Become certified to deliver the SPP-WFF1
• Practical use of wildland firefighting equipment
• Instructor materials such as manuals and PowerPoints

Delivery:

WSPP-WFF1 'Train the Trainer' is delivered in person to a hosting fire department over the course of two days (about 16 hours total). About half of the instruction is conducted in classroom and the other half is practical application.

To apply to host or attend a WSPP-WFF1 'Train the Trainer' offering, email SPCO@gov.bc.ca with your qualifications (must meet the above requirements).

Description

This course is intended for Fire Department personnel, BCWS wildland firefighters and structure protection contractors. Participants will learn exterior sprinkler application and other structure protection techniques utilizing FireSmart principles. WSPP-115 is a prerequisite for all structural firefighters to be deployed and participate on Structure Protection Crews (SPC).

Prerequisites

• WSPP-WFF1 (Wildland Firefighter - Level 1) for structural firefighters OR
• S-100 (Basic Fire Suppression and Safety) and S-185 (Fire Entrapment Avoidance) for wildland firefighters

Contents

Installation and application of sprinklers on structures using wildfire pumps, hose, and hydrants to stop the structure from catching fire when wildfire approaches. This technique creates a humidity bubble over the structure and dampens flammable materials around the structure.

Course learning Objectives

• Safe work practices in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
• Equipment and personal items required for deployment
• Triage of structures and completion of paperwork
• Overview of equipment inventory in Type 1 and Type 2 Structure Protection Units (SPU)
• Overview of FireSmart principles and their role in structure protection
• Equipment inventory in Type 1 and Type 2 SPU
• FireSmart principles for structure protection
• Portable pump operation and troubleshooting
• Hoselays and sprinkler selection and placement
• Tactical response before, during and after fire impingement 
• How to deliver an effective crew briefing

Delivery

• Pre-learning student manual is provided before course delivery
• 16 hours in person over two days
• Combination of practical exercises and theory
• Training is led by qualified BCWS instructors

Certificates of course attendance are issued to all participants who attend the course.

To apply to host or attend a WSPP-WFF1 for your fire department, email SPCO@gov.bc.ca (must meet the above requirements).

Note: Course hosts are responsible for filling seats through their department and surrounding departments. The ideal number for optimal course delivery is 15-25 participants. Host departments will need to provide a suitable classroom space with PowerPoint capabilities, as well as a location for practical components of the course. The host fire department will also need to ensure the availability of a Structure Protection Unit (SPU) for practical course work. 

Description: 

The Task Force Leader (TFL) directs any combination of personnel, crews and different types of Incident Command System (ICS) equipment in performing tactical missions on a division or segment of a division, on wildland fire incidents. The TFL reports to a Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), Incident Commander (IC), or other assigned supervisor. The TFL works in the operations functional area when requested by the BCWS.  

The TFL Level - 1 course is designed for BC Municipal Fire Departments to meet BCWS training and practical requirements for local deployment within your municipality or region. The program focuses on wildland structural fire defense, BCWS specific documentation, risk management, tactical operations, and safety. 

Completion of this course does not place individuals on the BCWS provincial TFL call out list.

Prerequisites:  

• Minimum 5 years experience in the fire service with experience leading crews and tactical assignments
• Current member of a British Columbia Fire Department
• WSPP-FF1
• Engine Boss
• Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training  
• ICS 200
• ICS 300 (preferred) 
• Fire Officer 1 (preferred)

Course learning Objectives:

• Activation from the Structure Protection Coordination Office (SPCO) where to go, who to see, what to do
• Understand deployment readiness
• Understand crew and fire apparatus manifest, and the Inter-Agency Agreement
• Review ICS, focusing on structure branch breakdown and unity of command
• Task Force Leader mindset, responsibilities and duties
• Understand the Incident Action Plan (IAP), how to use it as an operational and safety resource
• Practice accountable and applicable documentation practices
• Using mapping programs and BCWS radio communications
• Review fire behaviour, environmental conditions, situational awareness and aircraft
• Demonstrate the ability to apply risk management process found in the BCWS guide to municipal structure protection organization and tactics for wildland deployment
• Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate tactics with assigned resources organized into the task force

Delivery:

The TFL course is delivered regionally each year throughout the province. Fire departments may send qualified members to course offerings in their area. The TFL Level-1, is a two-day/16-hour course designed to meet the training needs of a Task Force/Strike Team Leader.  It is delivered in person at the hosting fire department. Minimum 16 participants to a maximum of 20 participants. 

To Host or send participants: Email SPCO@gov.bc.ca to inquire about hosting a TFL course for your region.

SPP-S231 Engine Boss (ENGB) – Awareness

Description

This course provides foundational knowledge of the Engine Boss (ENGB) role within Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations, with a focus on structure defence. It is designed for municipal and regional fire department personnel, as well as BC Wildfire Service personnel at all levels, to support operations in or alongside engine-based structure defence by improving understanding of command structure, tactics, and operational expectations.

The course is open to all personnel operating in the WUI environment and is not limited to only those pursuing supervisory of Engine Boss roles. It supports improved situational awareness, integration, and operational effectiveness across all responding resources.

This course also serves as a prerequisite for the SPP-S231 Engine Boss Operations course and must be completed within one year prior to attending the Operations component. Additionally, it can be used as an annual refresher for qualified Engine Boss and supervisory personnel, and as a general awareness refresher for personnel working in the WUI environment, both in- and out-of-jurisdiction.

Prerequisites

• WSPP-WFF1 or S100/S185
• ICS 100

Contents

Topics include:

• Overview of the Engine Boss role and responsibilities
• WUI operational context and structure defence concepts
• Command and control within ICS
• Pre-deployment and pre-dispatch considerations
• Incident organization and integration into structure branch operations
• Tactics, safety, and risk management
• Entrapment avoidance and situational awareness
• Case studies and scenario-based decision-making
• Understanding appropriate action vs. freelancing

Delivery

• Approximately 6-hour online course
• Self-paced, completed on the student’s own time

Access & Registration

• Access the course
• Participants can self-register and complete the course independently

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SPP-S231 Engine Boss (ENGB) – Operations

Description

This course is designed to provide municipal and regional fire department personnel, as well as BC Wildfire Service personnel, with the applied skills and knowledge required to perform in the position of Engine Boss (ENGB) in a structure defence capacity. This leadership level is intented to support Wildland Urban Interface operations within jurisdiction, and in mutual aid or provincial deployments. Building on the foundational knowledge from the Awareness course, this component emphasizes practical application, leadership, supervision, and decision-making within a Task Force or Strike Team during WUI incidents.

Prerequisites

• SPP-S231 Engine Boss Awareness (completed within the last 12 months)
• WSPP-WFF1
• BC Firefighter Minimum Training Standards – Exterior Level FF and Team Leader
• BC Firefighter Minimum Training Standards – Interior Level FF and Team Leader (preferred)
• ICS 100
• ICS 200 (preferred)
• Fire Officer I or higher (preferred)
• S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (preferred)
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in fire apparatus pumping and establishing static and/or hydrant water supply

Contents

Topics include:

• Engine Boss role application in structure defence operations
• Pre-deployment and incident-level responsibilities
• Supervision and crew leadership within engine-based operations
• Task Force and Strike Team integration
• Tactical decision-making in WUI environments
• Risk management and firefighter safety
• Communications, coordination, and span of control
• Incident documentation, administration, and reporting
• Scenario-based exercises emphasizing decision-making and accountability

Delivery

• One-day, in-person practical field session
• Field-based training using a mix of structure engines, tenders, and wildland engines configured as a Task Force or Strike Team
• Students will rotate through Engine Boss and crew roles to simulate real WUI response conditions

Hosting & Registration

To host a course, contact: SPCO@gov.bc.ca
To register participants, refer to the provincial training calendar.

An introductory course on weather and its impact on the wildland fire environment. Accessible through the link below.

S-211 Weather & the Fire Environment

Annually, at the Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit SPP-STAM, SPP-339 Division/Group Supervisor and SPP-SPS are delivered. For more information visit  Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit | FireSmart BC

All SPP-WFF 1 training must be provided by a certified Trainer (attended the BCWS SPP- WFF1 Train the Trainer course)

For updated class exams and certificate templates email SPCO@gov.bc.ca along with a copy of your WFF-1 Trainer Certificate.

Course content is available for download:

• WFF-1 Registration Form (PDF 1MB)
• Presentation Powerpoints (Zip File)
• Lesson Plan (PDF 860KB)
• Manual (PDF 5MB)

For updated student exams and certificate templates please email SPCO@gov.bc.ca.