Operational Training and Assurance
The Operational Training & Assurance team is part of the Operational, Policy and Assurance Department.
The Operational Training & Assurance team is responsible for a wide range of activity designed and focused on supporting the safe and effective delivery of the operational response from initial and ongoing firefighter training and driver training, through to command competence of the Service Operational, Tactical and Strategic Managers.
There are two sections within the Operational Training & Assurance team:
Command Training Group (CTG)
The Command Training Group (CTG) is central to our comprehensive Incident Command System (ICS) Training. The CTG provides a safe and effective means of enhancing the ICS skills through training, development and assessment.
The CTG is responsible for the development and ongoing assessment of command competence through simulated assessment and an exercise programme designed to demonstrate practical application of command skills and ability.
The CTG also provide Incident Command awareness training to local business and industry to ensure an integrated approach to incident management, and also provide command training and assessment to colleagues in other Fire and Rescue Services on request.
Operational Training Group (OTG)
The Operational Training Group (OTG) is pivotal to delivering initial and ongoing training and development of operational personnel as detailed in the Service’s operational training strategy and underpinned in the operational training policies; all of which provides the Service with a resilience which underpins community health, safety and welfare.
The OTG plans, delivers and reviews core and refresher operational training and development on an annual basis to staff that are in their trainee, development or maintenance phases of their careers and it also assures the quality of workplace assessments.
The OTG ensures that all members of staff located at all the Services fire stations are able to arrive safely at emergency incidents and demonstrate operational competence.
All Instructors are qualified assessors and assess competence in the work environment, these assessment decisions are verified by competent Instructors who are trained to the level 4 Internal Quality Assurance award.
The Driver Training School sits with the OTG and provides initial/refresher LGV and blue light driver training and assessment to all operational drivers including Flexible Duty System (FDS) officers.
The Accredited Centre is a key part of OTG. The Accredited Centre manages the Service’s accredited National Vocational Qualifications, Vocational awards and BTEC awards which staff work towards acquiring. These awards support people in the workplace in undertaking their day to day role.
Last updated: Wednesday 12 February 2020