Fire Technician Training

Lesson 1 • Chemistry of Combustion

Covers oxidation reactions, fuel types, and ignition thresholds. Establishes the chemical basis for all fire behaviour concepts in this chapter.

Lesson 2 • Fire Development Stages

Traces fire progression from ignition through flashover to decay. Connects stage recognition to tactical fire suppression timing.

Lesson 3 • Heat Transfer Mechanisms

Explains conduction, convection, and radiation as fire spread pathways. Supports structural fire behaviour and exposure protection decisions.

Lesson 1 • Hazard Recognition and Risk Assessment

Trains systematic identification of structural, chemical, and environmental hazards. Applies risk-benefit analysis to entry and fire suppression decisions.

Lesson 2 • Personal Protective Equipment Overview

Introduces structural, proximity, and wildland PPE categories and their design standards. Connects equipment selection to specific hazard environments.

Lesson 3 • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Covers SCBA components, donning sequence, and emergency procedures. Ensures respiratory protection competency in immediately dangerous atmospheres.

Lesson 1 • Hose Lines and Nozzle Operations

Trains hose selection, coupling, and nozzle pattern adjustment for interior and exterior attack. Builds foundational water delivery skills.

Lesson 2 • Power Rescue and Cutting Tools

Introduces hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric rescue tools for extrication and ventilation. Emphasises safe operation near energised systems.

Lesson 3 • Ladders and Elevated Access Equipment

Develops safe ladder selection, placement, and climbing technique for rescue and ventilation. Addresses aerial device ground support roles.

Lesson 4 • Portable Extinguishers and Suppression Agents

Covers extinguisher classifications, agent properties, and PASS technique. Prepares technicians for incipient-stage fire control.

Lesson 1 • Rural and Alternative Water Supply

Covers tanker shuttle operations, drafting from static sources, and portable tank use. Addresses water supply challenges in low-infrastructure areas.

Lesson 2 • Fire Pump Principles and Operation

Introduces centrifugal pump mechanics, priming, and cavitation prevention. Builds operator competency for appliance-mounted pump panels.

Lesson 3 • Municipal Water Distribution Systems

Explains grid mains, hydrant types, and static vs. residual pressure. Connects system knowledge to hydrant selection and flow testing.

Lesson 1 • Search and Rescue Operations

Develops primary and secondary search patterns for victim location in zero-visibility conditions. Coordinates rescue with fire suppression to minimise victim exposure.

Lesson 2 • Defensive Operations and Exposure Protection

Covers master stream deployment, collapse zone establishment, and exposure cooling. Applies when interior attack is unsafe or ineffective.

Lesson 3 • Incident Size-Up and Initial Actions

Trains rapid scene assessment to determine fire location, life hazard, and resource needs. Drives initial tactical assignments and appliance positioning.

Lesson 4 • Interior Attack Techniques

Covers offensive attack line advancement, door control, and nozzle technique for room-and-contents fires. Builds coordinated crew movement skills.

Lesson 1 • Hazmat Incident Notification and Reporting

Trains proper agency notification, incident documentation, and regulatory reporting requirements. Ensures legal compliance and resource coordination.

Lesson 2 • Decontamination Procedures

Covers emergency and technical decontamination methods for responders and civilians. Prevents secondary contamination of personnel and equipment.

Lesson 3 • Hazard Classes and Material Properties

Covers the nine hazard classes, toxicology basics, and reactivity hazards. Connects material properties to protective action decisions.

Lesson 4 • Hazmat Recognition and Identification

Trains use of placards, labels, shipping papers, and reference guides for hazmat identification. Establishes recognition as the first defensive action.

Lesson 1 • Patient Assessment Fundamentals

Establishes scene safety, primary survey, and vital sign assessment as the foundation of patient care. Connects assessment findings to care priorities.

Lesson 2 • Airway Management and Ventilation

Covers manual airway manoeuvres, adjunct insertion, and bag-valve-mask ventilation. Addresses airway compromise as the highest-priority intervention.

Lesson 3 • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and AED Use

Trains high-quality CPR technique and AED operation for cardiac arrest management. Emphasises minimising interruptions and early defibrillation.

Lesson 1 • Incident Command System Structure

Introduces ICS organisational components, span of control, and unity of command. Establishes the management framework used throughout all fire operations.

Lesson 2 • Post-Incident Analysis and Documentation

Trains incident report writing, hot wash facilitation, and corrective action tracking. Converts operational experience into organisational learning.

Lesson 3 • Radio Communications and Reporting

Develops clear radio discipline, standard terminology, and progress report formats. Reduces communication errors that compromise firefighter safety.

Lesson 4 • Multi-Agency Coordination

Addresses unified command, agency representative roles, and interoperability challenges. Prepares technicians for complex incidents requiring multi-agency response.