S-100 / S-185Firefighter Training

S100 Fire Suppression is an Emergency Services Training course required for anyone who wants to work as a wildfire firefighter.

Learning Objectives & Specific Outcomes:

Wildfire Fire Suppression refers to the firefighting tactics used to control, manage and suppress wildfires, which have different characteristics than urban fires and require specialized firefighting techniques and equipment. The S100 Fire Suppression course give an overview of wildfire suppression techniques and prepares trainees to fight wildfires.

Topics Include:

The two-day fire suppression course consists of one day of in-class training and one day of practicum training. In the classroom, trainees learn about wildfire behaviours and how environmental factors such as wind and foliage can affect the spread of a fire. They learn the fundamentals of fighting forest fires, including suppression tactics, fireline organization, effective communication, and how to manage personal safety in and around wildfires. In the practicum, trainees use real-world fire suppression tools, including hoses, pumps and Class A foam. 

S185 Fire Entrapment Avoidance is an advanced Emergency Response Training course required for wildfire firefighters under contract with the BC government and recommended for all other wildfire firefighters. S-100 Fire Suppression is a prerequisite for Fire Entrapment avoidance. 

Learning Objectives & Specific Outcomes:

Fire Entrapment occurs when an individual such as a firefighter places themselves in the direct line of a wildfire, often with fatal consequences. This can occur, for example, when firefighters misjudge crosswinds or fail to leave themselves alternate escape routes should the fire suddenly shift. The S-185 Fire Entrapment Avoidance course teaches trainees strategies to help avoid these situations.

Topics Include:

The focus of the S-185 course is personal safety, and it is usually offered as a partial-day course added onto S-100 training.  Participants learn about the hazards that can lead to entrapment situations (i.e. limited escape routes, fuel hazards) and how to evaluate these hazards before it is too late. They also learn when and how to remove themselves from risky situations and other strategies to help prevent a loss of life.