Once you’ve established an Emergency Response Team (ERT) and defined clear Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) for your firefighters, the next step is to find a suitable firefighting training provider. While there are no mandatory regulations in Malaysia requiring the appointment of workplace firefighters, providing your employees with essential firefighting skills can significantly reduce potential damage in the event of a fire. For environments with higher fire risks, having properly trained personnel can help control the fire until professional help arrives. Therefore, selecting a reputable training provider that delivers engaging and effective training tailored to your firefighters’ JPRs is crucial.
1. Review Training Modules Of The Firefighting Training
Firefighting involves a variety of skills, ranging from using a portable fire extinguisher to operating a fire hose as part of a team, with each skill suited to different emergencies. The training modules designed should align with the JPRs of your firefighters, which are influenced by the specific fire hazards and firefighting resources available at your workplace. This means that, depending on your workplace’s risks, you may need to request additional focus on certain areas or even include specialized modules, such as handling pressurized gas fire.
While standardized firefighting training modules are more convenient, ensuring that your firefighters are trained to handle the specific risks of your workplace will allow them to respond more effectively in the event of a fire. Therefore, reviewing the training modules is the first critical step when selecting the right provider for your ERT.
2. Understand How Firefighting Training Participants Are Evaluated Post-Training
Completing both the theoretical and practical components of firefighting training alone does not necessarily qualify firefighters as fully competent in their roles within the ERT. A thorough evaluation is essential to assess the knowledge and skills they have gained during the training. If their evaluation results fall short, they should undergo additional refresher training to refine their abilities before officially joining the ERT. A simple firefighting exercise or a sudden fire drill is also a good way to evaluate the performance of training participants.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the post-training evaluation process is fair and accurately reflects the proficiency of your firefighters. Therefore, the evaluation process—covering the types of questions asked, skills tested, and the grading method—should be clear and transparent, so you fully understand how the assessments are conducted.
3. Evaluate The Firefighting Training Provider’s Accreditation And Trainers’ Qualifications
While many firefighting training providers may offer similar training modules, it’s important to verify the provider’s accreditation and the qualifications of the individual trainers. Accredited providers and certified instructors are recognized by authoritative bodies in the firefighting industry, such as the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) International. These organizations set strict guidelines that the providers must follow to ensure the delivery of high-quality training.
Additionally, you should seek training providers offering firefighting training that is HRD Corp claimable, as this indicates that the trainers have undergone Train-The-Trainer certification through the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRDC), ensuring their competence in conducting effective training.
4. Assess Pre- and Post-Training Support
A reputable firefighting training provider offers ongoing support to ensure the training is effective and that your JPR objectives are successfully met. Prior to the training, the provider should clearly communicate any necessary preparations, such as ensuring a projector is available for the theoretical session or arranging a training venue equipped with fire hydrants, if applicable. This is particularly important if this is your company’s first time organizing firefighting training.
After the training, the provider should remain available to offer assistance or guidance, particularly if any firefighters need additional resources or wish to retake the evaluation. While the quality of the training itself is crucial, it’s equally important to evaluate the pre- and post-training support to ensure that you will have access to the help and resources you need when it counts.
5. Consider Firefighting Training Formats and Flexibility
Scheduling and training formats can be challenging, particularly for industries where employee absence due to training could disrupt production and operations. Factors such as shift schedules and the number of available firefighters for training at any given time must be considered. For example, if employees are unable to commit to two full days of training, the modules might need to be divided into shorter, half-day sessions. It’s crucial to work with a training provider who can accommodate such flexibility.
Providing your employees with essential firefighting skills may also be a key objective in your fire drill planning. This requires additional coordination, potentially involving external agencies like the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), to ensure that the session is productive and effective.
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When organizing firefighting training for a large organization with firefighters spread across multiple locations, it’s important to conduct a pilot session with the training provider to assess the quality of the training before making a full commitment. Alternatively, you can participate in several public classes with different providers to evaluate the training firsthand. A reliable firefighting training provider will align with and support the successful implementation of your emergency response plan (ERP). Choose wisely.
