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			Firefighter Training
			Within the Rural Fire Service there are several levels of general training, as well as a number of specialised courses. Training is presently under review, as are all aspects of rural firefighting, so courses and requirements may change.
	General Training Courses
	Basic Training This is the course which must be undertaken by all Rural Fire Service Volunteers. It combines basic fire safety and firefighting knowledge with the level of practical skill which will allow volunteers to work in the field under the supervision of others. There is a theory component which consists of 6 modules, undertaken at the Fire Station. There are two practical components. One involves pump operation and the use of other equipment and usually takes place at the Yass River crossing at the end of North Street. The other involves participation in a burnoff or similar controlled fire situation where volunteers learn to work in the field. There are no prerequisites for this course and it is also open to residents of the area who wish to learn fire safety and basic firefighting techniques to protect their own property, even if they feel unable to become volunteers with the brigade. Some younger teenagers have undertaken the course, but volunteers must be 16 years old or more before they can be called out to fires. When they have undertaken both the theory and practical components of the course, volunteers will be issued with a record book. Please be patient if you completed Basic Training but still haven't received your book, as it is not issued by our local brigade, but is issued from the central office after training information has been submitted to them.

	If you are a resident of the Sutton Rural Fire Brigade area (New South Wales, Australia) and wish to undertake Basic Training, please contact the Training Officer.

	Village Firefighter The Village Firefighter course was introduced as much Rural Fire Brigade work is no longer confined to fighting bushfires. This course covers the basic principles of structural firefighting, ie. fires in buildings, as well as principles for dealing with motor vehicle accidents. It consists of two or three theory sessions, depending on how it is organised, and a practical exercise. Participants must already have their Basic Training.

	Advanced Firefighter This course extends the Basic Training principles with further technical skills. These include map reading, understanding fire behaviour and fire weather. It consists of both theoretical and practical components. Participants must have completed Basic Training. It is a prerequisite for the Crew Leader course.

	Crew Leader What was formerly a single course for Crew Leader has now been expanded into 3 courses; Wildfire, Safety and Village. These are new courses and details will be advised when they come to hand. The whole process has been extensively expanded from the older course. The Crew Leader course allows volunteers to learn the skills to take charge of crews during emergency incidents and to serve as Deputy Captains in brigades. Participants must have completed their Basic Training and Advanced Firefighter courses.

	If you are a resident of the Sutton Rural Fire Brigade area (New South Wales, Australia) and wish to undertake any training course, please contact the Training Officer.

	Specialised Training Courses
	Chainsaw Operator This course teaches safety and maintenance of chainsaws. It does not teach elementary use and you must be able to handle a chainsaw in order to do the course. You must have Basic training and must be an active firefighter with the brigade.

	Light 4 Wheel Drive The course qualifies the participant to drive small 4 wheel drive vehicles to fire incidents. These include troop carriers, cat.9 and cat.11 vehicles. (That's firebrigadespeak for Landcruisers set up to carry passengers or little red Hiluxes or similar with a small tank and pump on the back, as used by Captains in a hurry). The participant must hold a regular current driver's licence, must have Basic Training and must be an active firefighter with the brigade.

	Heavy 4 Wheel Drive This course allows participants to drive fire tankers to fire incidents, in other words it is a truck driving course. The participant must have held a truck driver's licence for at least 12 months, must have Basic Training and must be an active member of the brigade.

	First Aid Periodically the Sutton Rural Fire Brigade organises First Aid courses through an accredited course provider. The participant gains a basic First Aid qualification that is recognised within the Fire Service. These courses are open to other members of the community as well as trained firefighters. There is a fee, which is generally reduced for active fire brigade members.

	If you are a resident of the Sutton Rural Fire Brigade area (New South Wales, Australia) and wish to undertake any training course, please contact the Training Officer.


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