Operational Support Training and Progression Programme

  1. Recruit Operational Support (ROpS)

Section ROpS1
Qualifying Criteria / The Candidate must attend at least 4 training musters as an observer / The dates of all musters attended must be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome of this section is for the Candidate to gain an understanding of the training requirements of both Operational Support and Operational Staff
Section ROpS2
Interviews / The Candidate will attend interviews with firstly the OIC and the Station Manager and secondly with the CFO and DCFO / The dates and details of the interviews must be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The OIC and Station Manager are to look for goals and aspirations of the candidate while the CFO and DCFO are the official entrance interview.
Section ROpS3
Approval / The Candidate must pass the New Zealand Fire Service application process / The dates and copies of notices etc. must be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The process is standard NZFS policy for recruitment and the candidate can also dispute the results if they feel it necessary
  1. Operational Support (OpS)

Section OpS1
Qualifying Criteria / The candidate must have completed at least 3 months service as a Recruit Operational Support. / Starting dates of ROpS and OpS service must be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome is to know whether or not the candidate is happy to progress to full Operational Support training status.
Section OpS2
Units 1-5 Basic Skills and Induction / Unit 1
Station Familiarisation
  1. Facilities
  2. Duty Roster
  3. Cleaning Roster
  4. Musters & Special Musters
  1. Safety & First Aid
  2. Hazardous substances
  3. First Aid Kits
  4. Fire Safety
  5. Station Manuals and their purpose
  6. Location of Manuals
  7. How to access procedures
  8. Interpretation
  9. Responding to the station
/ The candidate will show competence in finding, accessing and understanding
  1. The National Commanders Instructions Manual
  2. The Local Procedures Manual
  3. The Operational Management Manual
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome is for the candidate to show that they know how to access all of these manuals, find a particular section and interpret its meaning.

Operational Support (OpS) (continued)

Section OpS2
Units 1-5 Basic Skills and Induction / Unit 2
Rank Structure
  1. Know the Operational Rank Structure of the NZFS
  2. Know the Regional and Area Structure of the NZFS
  3. Know the Operational Rank Structure of the Local Brigade and how it relates to the Fire District
/ The candidate will show a knowledge of the overall operation and Rank Structure of the New Zealand Fire Service
  1. Listing the Rank Structure
  2. Defining the Local Brigade Structure
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome of the unit is that while the candidate will have knowledge of the overall structure of the NZFS they can display a working knowledge of the local brigade and how it relates to the Fire District.
Section OpS2
Units 1-5 Basic Skills and Induction / Unit 3
Personal Safety
  1. Know the theory of the Safe Person Concept
  2. Know & Understand the Personal Protective Equipment issued to Support personnel
  3. Know the issues involved with FP PPE
/ The candidate will display an understanding of the Safe Person Concept and knowledge of Personal Protective Equipment issued to Operational Support.
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome of the unit is that the candidates will have a basic knowledge of the Safe Person Concept and will be familiar with the PPE and the reasons for its issue to every member.

Operational Support (OpS) (continued)

Section OpS2
Units 1-5 Basic Skills and Induction / Unit 4
Vehicle Familiarisation
  1. Understand the equipment stowed on the support vehicle
  2. Display a basic knowledge of the equipment on the vehicle
  3. Display a basic knowledge of how the equipment is used on the incident ground
  4. Understand the placement of equipment in the lockers
  5. Display knowledge of the location of equipment on the vehicle
  6. Know the reasons for placement and location of equipment.
  7. Understand the seating arrangements in the vehicle
  8. Know who occupies each seat in the vehicle
  9. Know the tasks and roles of OpS occupying each seat
/ The candidate will display an understanding of the equipment and the reasons for the locker locations of each item.
The candidate will display knowledge of the seating allocations within the vehicle and the roles and tasks of Operational Support who occupy those seats.
The candidate will understand the “operational” advantages of both sections 1 & 2 of this unit.
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome from this unit is that the candidate will show a basic knowledge of the equipment and the uses for that equipment and understand the importance of each items locker location.
Similarly the candidate will understand the reasons for seat allocation within the vehicle that automatically allocates tasks and the role of Operational Support in an “operational” sense.

Operational Support (OpS) (continued)

Section OpS2
Units 1-5 Basic Skills and Induction / Unit 5
Operational Safety
  1. Understand the basics of Incident ground Command & Control
  2. Know the incident ground command structure
  3. Know the difference between “command” & “control”
  4. Understand the use of “Nominal Roll tallies”
  5. Know the value of roll tallies on the incident ground
  6. Know the reasons for roll tallies on the incident ground
  7. Know the Local Procedure for Operational Safety
  8. Locate and access the appropriate procedure
  9. Show a working knowledge of Operational Safety as it applies to Operational Support
  10. At Structure Fires
  11. At Motor Vehicle Accidents
  12. Hazardous substances
/ The candidate will complete an exercise “Incident ground Command & Control” and be assessed on the accuracy and knowledge of Command & Control.
The candidate will show an understanding of the use of roll tallies and the reasons for their implementation on the Incident ground.
The candidate will complete 3 scenarios with the emphasis being Command & Control and the use of roll tallies at given incidents.
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / Expected outcomes are knowledge and understanding of the role that Operational Support play on the incident ground at all incidents and the show a working knowledge of the command structure and the value of Nominal roll tallies offer operational safety on the incident ground.

Operational Support (OpS) (continued)

Section OpS3
Equipment Related Tasks /
  1. Know how to use equipment by completing 3 desktop scenarios covering the following situations
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of equipment used in “traffic management” at an MVA
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of equipment used in “scene protection” at a Structure Fire
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of equipment used in “perimeter control” at a Hazardous substance incident
  5. Show competence in using equipment on the vehicle
  6. Complete a practical scenario for using equipment for traffic management
  7. Complete a practical scenario for using equipment for scene protection
  8. Complete a practical scenario for using equipment for perimeter control.
/ The candidate will display an understanding of the theory behind the three major tasks of Operational Support at Incidents by completing desktop scenarios 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3
The candidate will show competence in physically handling the equipment used in the practical scenarios 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The expected outcomes for this section are that the candidate will gain knowledge of the equipment and show competence in using the equipment for the full range of incidents.

Operational Support (OpS) (continued)

Section OpS4
Basic communications /
  1. Personal Communications (Uniden)
  2. Understand the functions of the Uniden Handheld Radio
  3. Understand the channels and their uses
  4. Understand the reasons for Personal communications
  5. Show competence in sending and receiving messages on the Uniden Handheld Radio
  1. Fire Ground communications (Simoco)
  2. Understand the functions of the Simoco Handheld Radio
  3. Understand the channels and their uses
  4. Understand the reasons for Fire ground communications
  5. Show competence in sending and receiving messages on the Simoco Handheld Radio
/ The candidate will complete theory and practical exercises showing competence in using both the Uniden and the Simoco Handheld Radios.
Theory and practical exercises will be determined by the Instruction manuals of both Radios and the messaging will follow New Zealand Fire Service protocol for Fire ground Communications
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome of this section is for the candidate to understand the differences between the two types of Handheld radios and to develop an acceptable level of operation that fits with Incident communications.

Operational Support (OpS) (continued)

Section OpS5
Fire Service Promotional Topics /
  1. General Fire Safety
  2. The candidate will attend the Bay Waikato Fire Region Community Fire Safety Course (when the course is available)
  3. Smoke Alarms
  4. Understand the function of an accredited Smoke Alarm
  5. Show competence in planning the placement of Smoke Alarms in domestic dwellings
  6. Show competence in the installation of Smoke Alarms
  7. Escape Planning
  8. Explain the procedure for leaving a building on fire
  9. Explain the fire risks and dangers that present themselves in a domestic dwelling
  10. Show competence in planning escape routes and deliver a presentation to small groups explaining the virtues of escape route planning.
/ The candidate will attend the course and show knowledge of the Fire Service Community Fire Safety promotions and the Fire Safety resources made available to their brigade.
The candidate will show knowledge of and a high level of competence in the planning and installation of domestic Smoke Alarms.
The candidate will show knowledge of and a high level of competence in the planning and execution of planning escape routes for domestic dwellings.
The candidate will show sufficient knowledge of 1, 2 and 3 to enable them to deliver “public” presentations to small community groups with confidence.
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome of this section is for the candidate will develop on ongoing approach to Community Fire Safety and have the knowledge and the ability to deliver Community Fire Safety presentations to community groups and groups that seek station visits.

Operational Support (OpS) (continued)

Section OpS6
Brigade Approval /
  1. Final Review & Assessment
  2. The training schedule and notes will be reviewed by the Officer in Charge and the Brigade Training Officer.
1.2.The candidate will receive a copy of the review and recommendations for further training (if any)
1.3.The candidate will be interviewed by the Chief Fire Officer and Deputy Chief Fire Officer to discuss the Final assessment and the training recommendations with the view to determine the level of competence reached. / The overall training is assessed by the training officers in order to determine the need (if any) for ongoing training that will develop the candidates approach and/or levels of competence are at an acceptable level to the brigade
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The outcome from this process is to determine whether or not the candidate has reached a level of knowledge and understanding that is acceptable to the brigade and the brigade’s operational safety standards.
  1. The candidate will be given the following options
1.1.To undergo retraining (if recommended) or
1.2.Make an informed decision on whether to remain in the brigade or not.

The brigade approval process is designed to give the applicant every opportunity to understand the level of competence required by the Brigade and the standards that are acceptable to operational safety and personal safety in general.

Qualified Operational Support (QOpS)

Section QOpS1
Qualifying Criteria /
  1. The candidate must have completed at least 12 months service at OpS level 1.
  1. The candidate must have trained and achieved the required levels of competency set for OpS level 1.
  1. The candidate must have gained the approval of the Brigade Training Officers and the Chief Fire Officer and Deputy Chief Fire Officer
/ This process is to ensure that the required levels of training and competency have been completed to a standard that is acceptable to the Brigade’s Operational requirements and that the candidate has proven to all members that their ability to respond as part of a “team” is evident.
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome is that the candidate has proven their ability to perform the duties and tasks of Operational Support in an “operational sense” and that the candidate fits with the team focus and approach to Operational Safety.

This criteria is signed off at the interview with the Chief Fire Officer and the Deputy Chief Fire Officer prior to any advanced training or any further training for the candidate begins.

Qualified Operational Support (QOpS)

Section QOpS2
Basic Skills /
  1. The candidate will attend the Bay Waikato Regional 2 day “Basic Skills for Fire Police/Operational Support” training course.
  2. Policy and Legislation
  3. Area Structure
  4. Vans
Responding to emergencies
1.4.Safe Person Concept
1.5.Lighting Plant
1.6.Traffic Management
1.7.Operational Support differences
1.8.Practical Salvage
1.9.Incident Ground Management
1.10.Radio procedures and practical exercises.
1.11.Portable Dams
1.12.PPV
Positive Pressure Ventilation
1.13.Media Liaison
1.14.Debrief. / The candidate must take their Personal Training records to the course and have each topic signed off by the trainer/presenter delivering the subject.
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome of attending the course is that the candidate will gain a general knowledge of the course subjects which can then be expanded on during Station Training maintenance

Qualified Operational Support (QOpS)

Section QOpS3
Workplace First Aid / The candidate must complete a New Zealand Fire Service First Aid course or alternatively complete an approved workplace First Aid training course with their employer or St John Ambulance. / Every member of the New Zealand Fire Service must have the Basic workplace First Aid qualification.
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records
Section QOpS4
Safe Person Concept /
  1. Understand the aims of the Safe Person Concept.
  2. Explain the pattern of the SPC flowchart
  3. Display an ability to create a presentation that delivers the SPC message.
  4. Show competency in delivering the NZFS concept presentation to small groups.
  5. Complete 2 desktop scenarios that demonstrate the Safe Person Concept as it would relate to Support Unit operations.
/ Demonstrate an understanding of the concept and how it applies to Fire Police in an operational situation
Show the ability to use desktop scenarios in a “practical” sense for training Support Crews.
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The outcome must be the ability to train others in the use of the concept in a practical sense and to create an effective training programme.

Qualified Operational Support (QOpS)

Section QOpS5
NZFS Policy and Agreed Support Activities /
  1. NZFS Policy
Know the NZFS Policy on Support Units attached to Brigades.
  1. Agreed Support activities
  2. Explain the agreed list of activities and the way that they relate to your brigade.
  3. Show knowledge of the Agreed activities giving reference to the Operations Management Manual
/ The candidate will have knowledge of the New Zealand Fire Service Policy on Support activities.
The candidate will know how to access the Policy and the agreed list of activities in the Station Manuals.
All dates and details of the candidates training and results of that training are to be recorded in the candidates personal training records / The desired outcome is a full review of Policy and Agreed activities.
The ability to access and build on training delivery for Probationary Recruit Operational Support (ROpS)
1 / SSO Wayne Pohe – Putaruru Volunteer Fire Police Unit - Bay Waikato Fire Region - 2009