TRAINING WITH APEX

BC WILDFIRE SERVICE FIREFIGHTING TRAINING COURSES, POWER SAW TRAINING, AND MORE....We often organize training courses so be sure to check out our COURSE CALENDAR or Let us know your needs!
Courses Available

Why choose Apex for your training needs:

With over 30 years in wildfire suppression and 27 years of experience instructing BC Wildfire Courses, Doug Harrison delivers each course with hands-on expertise and deep, practical knowledge. Our wildfire training is designed to meet the needs of every organization, providing practical and comprehensive education rooted in real-world experience. We’re committed to flexibility in course delivery, offering on-site training to ensure a seamless experience for you and your team.

Customized Wildfire Training to Suit Your Needs

At Apex Forest & Wildfire Services Ltd., we offer flexible training options designed to fit your unique requirements. Join us at our dedicated training facility, or let us bring our expertise directly to you. We offer both public courses and customized training programs tailored specifically to your organization, provided minimum enrollment is met.

Training Dates : Spring Training dates will be posted one our Course Calendar in January of each year.

Learn More

Courses Available

Our training programs are designed to prepare you with both theory based and practical, hands-on training.

FIRE FIGHTING: Here are the BCWS Fire training courses ( Crew Member and Crew Leader) we instruct: 

  • S100 Basic Fire Suppression & Safety (S130 Fundamentals of Fire Fighting, S190 Fireline Safety S232 Portable Pumps, and Water Delivery Systems & WHMIS)
  • S185 Fire entrapment Avoidance
  • S211 Fire Weather
  • S212 Fire Communications,
  • S-213: Use of Bulldozers and Heavy Equipment
  • S230 Crew boss,
  • S235 Burning off and Backfiring,
  • S241 Fire Assessment
  • ICS 100: Incident Command System 100
  • ICS 200: Incident Command System 200

CHAINSAW: Safe Chainsaw Handling and Maintenance Training (PSO).

FALLER: Industry New Faller training (Administrated through the BCFSC as an industry based model)

Click here to see our course calendar. Or Contract us to book.

New Fire fighter training – Basic requirement

S100 and S185 Courses

S-100 Basic fire suppression and fire line safety

Upon successful completion of the course, the candidate will demonstrate a basic knowledge of wildland fire suppression organization structure, wildfire behavior, plus suppression and safety procedures. Practical skills with equipment used in BC to effectively and safely respond to wildfires are a mandatory component for initial ticket holders. Successful candidates will receive the S-100 Fire Suppression certificate.

The S-100 is a two day course the first time you take it. This course must be refreshed annually. The refresher  S-100a can easily be done by attending a 4-hour classroom session.

S-185 Fire Entrapment Avoidance

Upon completion of the S-185 course, the participant will be able to size up and evaluate potential fire entrapment situations and how to act accordingly to remove themself safely from a potentially risky situation, deploy the necessary resources using safe and efficient strategies and tactics to prevent loss of life.

The S185 is a one-time course that takes approximately 5 hours of instruction.

S100 And S185 Courses

Course Registration Information

Time and Location

  • Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Registration on day one, please arrive @ 7:45 am)
  • Location: Apex training facility – “drive past 3129 Heddle Rd”, Nelson, BC [View Map]. Facility is located on the left.
  • Parking: Available at the Apex Shop along side road – please do not block the access in and out of Apex shop.

Cost

  • Total: $325 plus tax (includes a $100 registration deposit and a student workbook)

Registration / Booking

  • To Register: Visit our course calendar online, select your preferred date, and follow the registration instructions.
  • Group Bookings: For private group bookings, please Contact Us to Register.

Instructor

  • Doug Harrison

Crew Leader / Crew Member Fire Fighting Training

Crew Leader / Crew Member Fire fighting courses

Instructor: Doug Harrison

    • S211 Fire Weather
    • S212 Fire Communications,
    • S-213: Use of Bulldozers and Heavy Equipment
    • S230 Crew boss,
    • S235 Burning off and Backfiring,
    • S241 Fire Assessment
    • ICS 100: Incident Command System 100
    • ICS 200: Incident Command System 200

Crew Member Training Consists of the following courses: –S100, S185,  S211, S212, S213, S235, & ICS100. These training courses take approximately 5 full days to instruct.

Crew Leader Training  Consists of the following courses – S100, S185, S211, S212, S213, S235, ICS100, ICS 200, S230,241. These training courses take approximately 7 full days to instruct.

Safe Chainsaw Operations and Maintenance (PSO)

This 2-day Chainsaw Course is instructed By Doug Harrison

Enhance your skills and prioritize safety with our Power Saw Training course! Whether you’re bucking, slashing, or simply cutting your own firewood, safe and effective power saw techniques are essential. Plus, adding Power Saw training to your resume can boost your employment opportunities in the forestry and wildfire industries.

During the course you will learn:

  • The work environment/surroundings
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Parts & Maintenance of the chainsaw
  • Safe work procedures & safe cutting techniques
  • Legislation, Regulations, & Standards

Day 1:  classroom session:  Review of relevant OH&S Regulations; and hands-on work covering essential saw maintenance, correct chain filing procedures, and safe cutting techniques.

Day 2: Fieldwork: including review, identification of bucking hazards, discussion of binds and practice with cuts;

There will be a written exam as well as a final field examination.

Industry based “New Faller Training” with Apex –  BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) administered.

New Faller Training program with Apex

This is an Industry based one on one program offered by Apex in collaboration with the most current curriculum provided by the BCFSC.

Course Overview:

The New Faller Training program focuses on fundamental and advanced falling techniques, emphasizing safety and precision. Through a mix of classroom instruction and practical field training, participants learn to assess risks, understand tree dynamics, and implement safety-first practices. Training follows a strict protocol to ensure faller trainees can operate efficiently and responsibly in high-risk environments.

Key points to consider:

  • Field Site: A field site that meets specific safety and training standards is required.
  • Equipment /PPE :  required is to be provided by the New Faller Trainee
  • Training Duration: A minimum of 30 days of one-on-one training with Apex and the New Faller Trainee. Trainee must pass a final audit prior to seeking industry work experience*. (*Training may take extra time depending on the skill development of the New Faller Trainee.)
  • Assessment: Written exams and weekly audits are integral to the training process.
  • Work Experience: Following the New Faller training, up to 180 days of work experience in industry is required. This would involve gathering & submitting weekly trainee progress reports (Work experience will be the responsibility of the New Faller Trainee to source)
  • Certification: After completing /passing New Faller training and fulling the work experience / weekly reports, the New Faller must pass a final falling audit to achieve certification. Additional fees will be required.

For more detailed information please visit the BCFSC Website   https://www.bcforestsafe.org/new-faller-training/

Serious inquiries only please contact Doug.

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