Training and Progression
Acknowledgements
Pohe
This document was written for the purposes of providing training and progression for
the Putaruru Volunteer Fire Police Unit in New Zealand. As such, it may not be suitable
for other Fire Police Units although if you find a use for all, or only part of the
information, feel free to use it
Training and Progression for Fire Police/Operational Support Units – Putaruru Volunteer Fire Brigade 2002
Putaruru Volunteer Fire Brigade
Fire Police/Operational Support Training Program
The program is designed to provide Fire Police/Operational Support crews
ongoing training that is beneficial to the individual and ultimately the brigade
operations.
The base for the program is personal and operational safety while providing
protection for the operational staff, other emergency agencies and the general
public involved in all manner of emergencies.
The program is a complete system and not just a manual that can be given to an
individual as a personal guide.
1. Manual
The manual has been compiled using extracts from Policy, legislation and
from the National Commanders Instructions, the Operational Management
Manual, Local Procedures and Occupational Safety and Health and
Communications manuals.
In the main, it has been written for the express use of the Putaruru
Volunteer Fire Police and reflects their activities and tasks and the way in
which they approach their duties on the Incident ground and training
progression. However, it is reasonably generic and may be adapted by
other brigades should they wish to use it as a model and construct their
own approach.
2. Training and Progression
The manual contains sections to record the progress of its’ members in
training and suggests a guide for rank progression and again this has
been developed to suit the Putaruru Volunteer Fire Police Unit. As
suggested earlier, brigades differ in their approach to support units and
the way in which they are employed. It is important that any training and
progression programme presented to Fire Police and support units
reflects the activities, tasks and rank structure expected of the unit.
Training and progression records within this manual can very easily be
moulded to suit any brigades’ requirements.
3. Acknowledgements
This manual contains information and extracts from a number of
publications. It is a result of 7 years of researching Fire Police and
“Support Units’ here in New Zealand, Europe, Canada and the United
States.
New Zealand has grasped the concept of Fire Policing with more purpose
than that of these other countries but there is one common factor that
drives us to recognise the “need” for “add-ons” such as Fire Police and in
New Zealand only, “support units”.
The common factor is one that the Americans are most concerned about
and that is “secondary incidents” causing serious harm or even death to
our firefighters. This risk is particularly high in brigades that tend to MVA
and other incidents on or near roadways.
Training and Progression for Fire Police/Operational Support Units – Putaruru Volunteer Fire Brigade 2002
4. Publications
The following publications have had a major impact on the structure of
this manual and while not all of the literature that has influenced this
document is on the list, I will try to acknowledge most in this section.
The National Commanders Instructions (NZFS)
Manual of Local Procedures (NZFS)
Operational Management Manual (NZFS)
Bay Waikato Region Community Fire Safety Manual (NZFS)
Transit New Zealand Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management
Fire Services Act (1975)
Health & Safety in Employment Act (1992)
Land Transport Act (1998)
Land Transport Management Act (2003)
Public Works Act (1981)
Gas Act (1992)
Electricity Act (1992)
Resource Management Act (1991)
Building Act (1991)
Developing Traffic Control Training Programmes
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Responder Safety Institute – Cumberland Valley USA
Protecting Emergency Service Workers on High Speed Highways
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United Sates Fire Administration/Cumberland Valley Firemen’s Association
The vehicles we choose to use are not that far removed from vehicles used in the
USA. They tend to grab hold of whatever they can so they can get the job done.
Training and Progression for Fire Police/Operational Support Units – Putaruru Volunteer Fire Brigade 2002