TRAINING WITH APEX
BC WILDFIRE SERVICE FIREFIGHTING & POWER SAW TRAINING
Training Dates
Power Saw Operations
March 24th and 25th – This is a 2-day Chainsaw Course. Enhance your skills and prioritize safety with our Power Saw Training course! Learn More and Register
S100 and S185
May 14th and 15th – The S-100 is a two day course the first time you take it. This course must be refreshed annually. The S185 is a one-time course that takes approximately 5 hours of instruction. Learn More and Register
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Courses
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)
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.
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.
Intermediate Fire Fighting Courses
Crew Leader / Crew Member Fire Courses
Instructor: Doug Harrison
- S211 Fire Weather
- S212 Fire Communications
- S213: 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.
Learn safe and effective power saw techniques
Safe Chainsaw Operations and Maintenance (PSO)
This is 2-day Chainsaw Course.
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.
We organize the 2 day PSO training courses at our office or can travel to accommodate our client needs.
Day 1 is spent in the classroom, which includes;
- outlining the parts of a chainsaw,
- basic 2-stroke theory
- fuel mixing formulas
- safe handling/carrying skills,
- defining kickback hazards & management,
- tools,
- PPE,
- site hazard identification,
- identifying bind
- Legislation, Regulations, & Standards
The classroom session gets participants out of their seats regularly to handle the saw & conduct a comprehensive “hands on” maintenance section.
The classroom session finishes up with a written exam.
Day 2 is spent in the field as a full hands on session, which includes;
- an initial safety meeting,
- reviewing the Emergency Response Plan(ERP),
- 3 methods of starting the saw,
- site & weather hazard assessment/ controls,
- demonstrating & identifying bind,
- applying the basic bucking skills to address the various binds,
- boring
- chain maintenance including filing the chain,
- reinforcing safe handling/carrying skills,
- demonstrating & managing for kickback hazards.
Through the day, the participant is continuously being monitored & coached on the skills they are learning, which is then recorded & shared with the participant using a practical field evaluation document.
Annual Chainsaw Competency skills assessments can also be conducted by our instructors. Let us know if you require recertification of your training.
Fundamental and advanced falling techniques
New Faller Training
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 fulfilling 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/
