TRAINING PROGRAM

Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) – 2 DAYS

Prerequisites:

• Task Force/Strike Team Leader (TFL)
• S-231 Engine Boss
• Fire Officer-I or Exterior Ops TL
• ICS 200
• ICS 300 is recommended
• Fire Officer-II is recommended
• Previous field experience as TFL is recommended
• S290 – Intermediate Wildland Fire Behaviour is recommended

Course Description:

The Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) workshop is designed for qualified Task Force Leaders or Task Force Leader-Trainees. Students will plan out tactical operations based on strategies assigned by the Structure Branch Director.  The Division/Group Supervisor implements assigned portion of the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and is responsible for all operations conducted in the division/group on wildland urban interface/intermix fires. The DIVS supervises assigned resources and reports to the Structure Branch Director, Operation Sections Chief or other assigned supervisor within the Operations functional area.

Course Structure:

The DIVS, is a two-day/16-hour course designed to evaluate and improve on skills learned as a TFL through prior training and field experience. The course is presented in a lecture/discussion format with group and field exercises. This course meets the BCWS training requirements for the position of Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) Structure Branch (Trainee). This course covers specific issues related to structure protection design, utilizing Strike Teams and Task forces to protect communities from wildfire. Students will be evaluated and present their reasoning for tactical operations based on safety zones, expected fire behaviour, water supplies, interface environment, and resources available.  Safety will be the primary focus while understanding the operating environment in which a DIVS may be deployed.

Course Learning Objectives:

• Leaders intent mindset, responsibilities, and duties. 
• Understand and apply the Inter-Agency Agreement (IAA).
• Review ICS, IMT/EOC/PREOC responsibilities focusing on Structure Branch, and unity of command.
• Understand the Incident Action Plan (IAP), and how to use it as an operational and safety resource.
• Demonstrate risk management processes within strategic and tactical decision-making.
• Ability to apply appropriate tactics with assigned resources organized into the task force.
• Review fire behaviour, environmental conditions, situational awareness, and aviation resources.
• Understand Structure Protection Specialist (SPS) roles and responsibilities.
• Understand technology: Survey123, Avenza maps, BCWS radio communications.
• Understand BCWS camp environment, deployment readiness, Protocols, Camp Etiquette etc.
• Pre-deployment responsibilities; concept of the position; pre-dispatch preparation; Task Force, Strike Team Development; Resource Requests.
• Incident responsibilities; administration; supervision; response; assignment; demobilization; bases safety; risk management.

Task Force/Strike Team Leader (TFL) – 2 DAYS

Prerequisites:

• S-231 Engine Boss
• ICS 200
• ICS 300 is recommended
• Fire Officer 1 is recommended
• Previous field experience on BCWS deployment is recommended
• S290 – Intermediate Wildland Fire Behaviour is recommended

Course Description:

The Task Force Leader (TFL) workshop is designed for BC Municipal Fire Departments to meet BCWS training and practical requirements for local, regional, or provincial wildfire deployments. The program will focus on wildland structural fire defence, BCWS specific documentation, risk management, tactical operations, and safety.

Course Structure:

The Strike Team/Task Force Leader (TFL), is a two-day/16-hour course designed to meet the training needs of an assigned Task Force/Strike Team Leader.  The Task Force Leader (TFL) directs any combination of personnel, crews and different types of Incident Command System (ICS) equipment in performing tactical missions on a division or segment of a division, on wildland fire incidents. The TFL reports to a Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), Incident Commander (IC), or other assigned supervisor. The TFL works in the operations functional area when requested by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

Course Learning Objectives:

• Activation from the Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre (PWCC)/Structure Protection Coordination Officer (SPCO), where to go, who to see, what to do.
• Understand BCWS camp environment, deployment readiness, protocols, camp etiquette etc.
• Understand crew and fire apparatus manifest, and the Inter-Agency working agreement.
• Review ICS, focusing on Structure Branch breakdown, and unity of command.
• Task Force Leader mindset, responsibilities, and duties. 
• Understand the Incident Action Plan (IAP), and how to use it as an operational and safety resource.
• Practice accountable and applicable documentation practices.
• Understand Structure Protection Specialist (SPS) roles and responsibilities.
• Understand technology: Survey123, Avenza maps, BCWS radio communications.
• Review fire behaviour, environmental conditions, situational awareness, and aircraft.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply Risk Management Process found in the BCWS Guide to Municipal Structure Protection Organization and Tactics for Wildland Deployment to various situations.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate tactics with assigned resources organized into the task force.

Staging Area Manager (STAM) - Structure Branch – 2 DAYS

Prerequisite courses:

• ICS 100
• Wildland Fire Fighter-1 or S-100/S-185
• ICS 200 is recommended.
• S290 – Intermediate Wildland Fire Behaviour is recommended

Course Description:

The Staging Area Manager (STAM) is responsible for managing all activities within the Structure Branch Staging Area and Structure Group; communication, accountability, check-in/ check-out procedures, administration, DTR’s and camp logistics. Under the direction of the Structure Branch Director, the base manager organizes Strike Teams and Task Forces for the Structure Defense/Protection Group. The STAM is responsible for coordinating general resource requests, financial reporting, and acts as an administrative liaison with the Incident Management Team.

Course Structure:

The Structure Protection Base Manager course is a two-day/16-hour course designed to meet the training needs of a BCWS Staging Area Manager (STAM).

Course Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate the ability to identify and assemble materials and tools required for STAM responsibilities when dispatched to an incident.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships and lead by example while exhibiting the principles of respect and integrity.
• Demonstrate ability to manage check-in/ check-out procedures and administration documentation required for incident response.
• Distinguish procedures a STAM is responsible to adhere to when dispatched to an incident.
• Identify information that is presented during the briefings and gathered from the IAP.
• Identify factors necessary to establish and organize a suitable staging area.
• Identify and adhere to established procedure(s) for operating a staging area, using the proper chain of command according to ICS.
• Demonstrate ability to appropriately respond to resource and site support requests.
• Describe processes STAM must follow when coordinating with Incident Management Team.
• Identify the responsibilities of the STAM when it comes to demobilizing and closing out a staging area.

Prerequisites:                                                                      

• Wildland Fire Fighter-1 (WFF1) or S-100/S-185
• WSPP-115 Wildland Structure Protection Program
• ICS 100
• Previous field experience on BCWS deployment is recommended
• Wildland Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Course Description:

The Structure Protection Crew Leader (SPCL) course is designed for personnel with field experience working on a Structure Protection Crew (SPC). Overall objective is to enhance abilities and working knowledge of an SPCL to lead crews in the field and support Structure Protection Specialists.  SPCL’s supervise SPC personnel and are responsible for the crew safety and for achievement of assigned objectives on Wildland Urban Interface/Intermix (WUI) events. Typically SPCL reports to Structure Protection Specialist, Group Supervisor, Incident Commander (IC), or other assigned supervisor.

Aim of the SPCL course is to substantiate leadership skills and tools relating to deployments on WUI incidents, while promoting enhanced structure protection practices; protection system design, single structure and multi value considerations, water delivery designs skills and knowledge, all needed to perform in the position of SPCL.

Course Structure:

The SPCL is a one-day/8-hour course designed to evaluate and improve on skills learned as a SPC through prior training and field experience. The course is presented in a lecture/discussion format with group and field exercises. Students will present their reasoning for structure protection operations based on safety zones, expected fire behaviour, water supplies, interface environment, and resources available.  Safety is a primary focus while understanding the operating environment in which a SPCL may be deployed.

Course Learning Objectives:

• Safe work practices in the Wildland Urban Interface.
• Leadership theory, crew management principles
• Understanding and integrating structure defence tactics with structure protection plans
• Building construction awareness
• Water supply systems design
• Area pre-plan and triage
• Weather / Environmental Considerations
• Tabletop Exercises (Structure Protection Plans)
• Pump trouble shooting / BB4/B2X operations – Mass water system familiarization
• Danger Tree Awareness (DTA) review 
• Documentation required (DTR/214). Review and practice
• Techology applications (Avenza, Survey123)
• Overview of equipment inventory in BCWS Type-1 Structure Protection Units (SPU)
• FireSmart principles for structure protection
• Delivering an effective crew briefing.