Mission & Vision

The SANDF Fire Training School is a provider of professional, cost effective Fire Fighting and Rescue training in the SANDF. Our professionalism is indispensable for the optimal application of the Fire services and other personnel, on the various units in the SANDF, to protect the assets of the SANDF and it’s clients

Vision

To render the best fundamental, professional and recognized formal/functional Fire and Emergency Service training in Africa.

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 Key Values

S – Standards
A – Accept co-responsibility
N – Nerves
D – Discipline
F – Firm, Fresh, Fair, Friendly

F – Fire Safety
I – Involvement
R – Respect
E – Efficiency

S – Safe operations
C – Communications
H – Holistic
O – Open minded
O – Opportunity
L – Live

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 Courses

Fire Fighter One consist of the following modules:

• Hazardous materials awareness level
• Fire Technology

1. Fire Behaviour
2. Forcible Entry tools
3. Portable extinguishers
4. Water supply
5. Fire hoses
6. Foam
7. Ropes & Knots
8. Ladders
9. Breathing apparatus
10. Ventilation
11. Salvage
12. Rescue & Extrication
13. Fire Safety
14. Building construction
15. Alarms & Communication

• Fire Science

1. Mathematics
2. Chemistry
3. Hydraulics
4. Physics
5. Electricity

• Specialist module

1. Aircraft
2. Ships
3. Explosives

Fire Fighter two consist of the following:

• Hazardous materials awareness level
• Fire Technology

1. Fire Behaviour
2. Forcible Entry tools
3. Portable extinguishers
4. Water supply
5. Fire hoses
6. Foam
7. Ropes & Knots
8. Ladders
9. Breathing apparatus
10. Ventilation
11. Salvage
12. Rescue & Extrication
13. Fire Safety
14. Building construction
15. Alarms & Communication

• Fire Science

1. Mathematics
2. Chemistry
3. Hydraulics
4. Physics
5. Electricity

• Specialist module

1. Aircraft
2. Ships
3. Explosives

Fire Officer One consist of the following modules:

• Fire Technology

1. Fire Behavior
2. Forcible Entry tools
3. Portable extinguishers
4. Water supply
5. Fire hoses
6. Foam
7. Ropes & Knots
8. Ladders
9. Breathing apparatus
10. Ventilation
11. Salvage
12. Rescue & Extrication
13. Fire Safety
14. Building construction
15. Alarms & Communication

• Fire Science

1. Mathematics
2. Chemistry
3. Hydraulics
4. Physics
5. Electricity

• Specialist module

1. Aircraft
2. Ships
3. Explosives
4. Management
5. Law
6. Discipline and Etiquette

Fire Service Instructor

• Instructional Challenges of the 90’s
• Safety and the Instructo
• Legal Consideration
• Psychology of learning
• Planning the Instruction
• Presenting the Instruction
• Training Aids
• Evaluation and Testing
• Computers in the fire service

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 History

In order to understand the current state of affairs at the SANDF Fire Training School, it is essential to go back in its history first.

Until 1978, all training for SAAF Firemen took place at SLT (presently 68 Air School) where after they wrote a trade test, which served as a functional promotion requirement up to the rank of WO1. All training afterwards was the responsibility of the member’s home unit. Members could also further their education at SAFSI (South African Fire Services Institute) or at IFE (Institute of Fire Engineers). The required facilities to accommodate the large amount of NSM (National Servicemen), which was sent to the fire service twice a year, created huge headaches.

At the beginning of 1979, training was centralized and upgraded according to the technology and came in line with South African and International fire services. Fire training was moved to AFS Voortrekkerhoogte where two Phase 1 courses where presented at Wallmansthall, approximately 65 km from Pretoria with about 100 NSM and permanent force members as its target group.

It was later decided to present improved courses (Phase 2) for permanent force members. These courses, Phase 1 & 2, were presented according to the SAFSI Fireman and senior certificate curriculum. Numerous members passed these courses.

A Phase 3 courses was presented in 1983/1984 that prepared the more senior members for their SAFSI Senior firemen and Graduate diploma examinations.

Many problems were identified over the years that include the following:

Logistical problems with the presentation of the Phase 1 course with regards to accommodation, ablution-, mess-, transport-, office-, store-, classroom-, and practical training facilities.

The old ruins at Wallmansthall, which were used during practical training evolutions, were used up and no other facilities existed.

Although the Phase courses were presented according to SAFSI guidelines, no government approved learning plans existed and therefore no formal recognition could be given to successful members, except their individual reports.

There were no permanent posts for fire service instructors and they had to be rotated often.

Because of the lack of adequate training aids for presentations, certain problems were experienced, but these problems were slightly elleviated with the purchase of the IFE manuals.

Because of the aforementioned problems it was decided to investigate the possibility for the transfer of training from AFS VTH to a unit with adequate facilities for the development of fire training.

Central Flying School Dunnotar was identified as such a unit and training was transferred to CSF DNTR in 1986 under the name SAAF Fire Training School.

With the closure of CFS DNTR in 1991, the Fire training school and its personnel were moved to the AF Gymnasium were it is currently situated. In October 1995 the SAAF Log council officially changed the SAAF Fire Training School’s name to the SANDF Fire Training School. The council also decided to launch an investigation into the possibility of accreditation at SAESI (South African Emergency Services Institute) for the national acknowledgement of the SANDF Fire Training School courses. The workgroup’s task was completed and the SANDF Fire Training School was accredited in July 1998.

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 Current Status

The SANDF Fire Training School currently employs 11 facilitators and 2 administration ladies with knowledge in various fields and expertise.

Facilities for training consist of the following:

• Offices for 8 facilitators (and plans for 3 more offices)
• 2 Classrooms for 30 learners each.
• Training facilities at Pienaarsriver Training Centre for practical gas- and petro-chemical fires as well as Breathing Apparatus training.
• In 2001 the above-mentioned training facility was upgraded with the installation of an Aircraft fire simulator and a Flaming wall, both unique to the South African Fire Service.

The SANDF Fire Training School’s tasks consist of the following:

• Presentation of the following accredited courses, which are all formal, functional promotion requirement courses.

i. Fire Fighter 1 (Phase 1) 12 Weeks Cpl/LS – Sgt/PO

ii. Fire Fighter 2 (Phase 2) 13 Weeks Sgt/PO– Fsgt/Ssgt/CPO

iii. Fire Officer 1 (Phase 3) 13 Weeks Fsgt/Ssgt/CPO – WO1

iv. Fire Service Instructor 1 3 Weeks All ranks

v.      Hazardous materials

vi.     Awareness and Operational 3 Weeks   All ranks

• Management over and certification of the following functional courses presented at Unit/Base level.

i. Basic training for Firemen 3 Weeks

ii. Basic Fire Science 3 Weeks

ii. Controlroom Operator 1 Week

• Maintenance of courses through Research and Development (R & D).
• The design and redesign of courses as the need arises through research and development

Members of the SANDF Fire Training School are also responsible for the following:

• Visits to Units/Bases in conjunction with SOBO with regards to continues training
• Presentation of following training to SAAF Gym courses and personnel:

1. Basic Fire Prevention
2. Fire Safety
3. Basic First Aid (Buddy Aid)
• Organize the SAAF and SANDF Fire drill competition.
• Representing SANDF Fire Training School in the following

1. South African Fire Council Training Committee
2. South African Emergency Services Institute Accreditation committee