This course is designed to give the new Volunteer Fire Fighter an opportunity to be exposed to the basics of fire fighting and to provide a standardized minimum training level in order that they may assimilate into their respective departments and be able to function safely at the fire scene. This course is the foundation for all other fire fighting training offered by the RDNO Fire Training Centre.

The highly successful RDNO Recruit Firefighter course has been re-formatted and re-designed to provide more hands-on and practical fire suppression training. The same high quality Recruit Firefighter program used by the RDNO Fire Training Centre for the past thirteen years training has now become even better.

The course content is based on NFPA 1001, Firefighter Standard (2002), NFPA 1403, Live Fire Training Evolutions, and the RDNO Firefighter Training Program. The “Recruit Fire Fighter” Course is the first in a series of courses offered by the RDNO Fire Training Centre to train Fire Fighters to this international standard. The “Recruit Fire Fighter” Course is the prerequisite and foundation for the “RDNO Firefighter Training Program” Courses. Students successfully completing this course will have basic knowledge in the subjects listed below:

ORIENTATION & SAFETY                                     FIRE BEHAVIOR

SMALL TOOLS & EQUIPMENT                            GROUND LADDERS

HOSE & FIRE STREAMS                                       FORCIBLE ENTRY

VENTILATION                                                         RESCUE

SALVAGE AND OVERHAUL                                   FIRE SUPPRESSION

ROPES AND KNOTS                                             FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

UTILITY SAFETY & AWARENESS

SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (S.C.B.A.)

The minimum training level in the subjects above are a requirement of N.F.P.A. 1403, before any Fire Fighters may participate in LIVE FIRE and TRAINING CENTRE TRAINING.

The instructors, assistants, equipment and facilities used for this course have been drawn from the RDNO area Fire Departments and the RDNO Fire Training Centre.

The course duration is approximately 42 hrs. Training is held on Monday/Thursday evenings and three full day Saturdays over a four-week period. Weekday sessions are 3 ¼ hours and Weekend sessions are 7 hours in duration.

During the course the candidates will be given practical and written evaluations to assess their level of training. Written exams are given at the beginning of each training session, covering the previous topic/session. Candidates are required to achieve a minimum pass mark of 70% in all written exams. Exam re-writes will only be held on scheduled re-test sessions during the course. Students unsuccessful in evaluations or exams at the conclusion of the course will be given an “incomplete” on their course report. Candidates requiring re-test/evaluation after the final training session must undergo documented local department training/review in the unsuccessful subject/skill. Upon completion of local department training, Fire Department Training Officers may arrange for re-testing. Failure at this re-test/evaluation will result in course failure. Candidates absent for more than one ( 1 ) evening sessions or either full day session will be given an “incomplete” on their course report until additional documented local training and evaluation is conducted and the candidate has successfully passed all exams and evaluations as required by the FTC. A report of weaknesses and strengths will be provided for the candidates department. Certificates will sent to candidates upon successful completion of the course.

This course is designed, compiled and written by the RDNO Fire Training Centre. No part of the course may be reproduced, distributed or used for training beyond its original intended use and/or audience in any way without the express written permission of the Regional District of North Okanagan.

This manual has been compiled from local, provincial, national, and international fire service related/topical sources. This manual is under continual review and update. Extensive research and effort has been made to ensure that all material/information is both current and accurate. The primary standard source used to determine the manual topic and information content is NFPA 1001, Fire Fighter Standard (2002). Additional information may be included because of its relevance and/or for material clarification purposes.

Any errors or omissions in this manual should be brought to the attention of the RDNO F.T.C.

This course has been approved by the RDNO Area Fire Chiefs, the course coordination and implementation is the responsibility of the RDNO Fire Training Coordinator.

All questions and inquiries are to be directed to the Fire Training Centre:

 (250) 550-3712 (OFFICE)         (250) 550-3173 (FAX)                  ftc@rdno.ca(EMAIL)

All training is conducted at the RDNO Fire Training Centre ( FTC Map ).

Fire Departments wishing to enroll firefighters in the Recruit Fire Fighter Course should contact the Fire Training Centre

(250) 550-3712 (OFFICE)         (250) 550-3713 (FAX)                  ftc@rdno.ca(EMAIL)