S100 and S185 – Fire Ready

Course Details

The Fire Ready course is the two training courses required to be a Wildland Firefighter facilitated over a weekend, followed by an optional fitness test. With successful completion of all 3 parts, the candidate will be Fire Ready and able to work as a Wildland Firefighter in the province of British Columbia.

S100 – Basic Wildfire Suppression and Safety
S185 - Wildfire Entrapment Avoidance & Safety
Type 3 Fitness Test

Course Fee: $275

Learning Objectives & Specific Outcomes:

Upon completion of these courses, the participant will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the wildland fire suppression organizational structure, the wildland fire environment, suppression and safety procedures and equipment, as well as a basic knowledge of fire entrapment avoidance and fire entrapment survival.

Course Outline:

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 hand tools to further understand the duties and prepare the attendee to be a Wildland Firefighter.

Upon successful completion of the course, the applicant will have the opportunity to participate in a fitness test, which must successfully be passed under the supervision of the BC Wildfire Service to be registered as a Firefighter. The fitness test comprises carrying a 45lb pack over a 3.2km course within 30 minutes.

Course Topics

• Wildfire detection and reporting
• Forest Fuels and Fire Behaviour
• Fireline organization
• Fireline safety
• Fire entrapment avoidance
• Fire entrapment survival
• Emergency fireline communications
• Fire suppression
• Ignition operations
• Hand tools
• Fireline heavy equipment
• Water delivery systems
• ​Helicopter use and safety
• Fireline aircraft
• Wildland/Urban interface safety