Initial training
- If you are selected to join County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, whatever your educational achievements, you and other new recruits. At the commencement of your employment with the service you will undergo your Phase 1 training and will be classed as a Trainee Firefighter. You must attend the Stations’ weekly training session and either conduct Modular based training on station or attend a 5-day Foundation Course.
Once your Phase 1 training has been completed, you will be assessed by either a trainer or a member of your Divisional Management Team and when you are deemed to be safe to ride you can then respond to operational incidents as the 5th Person.
Phase 2 training:
During phase 2 training you will be required to attend the following Risk Critical courses:
Working at Height
3 days (Friday 11st, Saturday 12th Sunday 13th of August)
Road Traffic Collision (RTC)
3 days (Friday 28, Saturday 29, Sunday 30th of July)
BA Course
10 days (Candidates must attend all 10 days)
Week 1 - Monday 18th September – Friday 22nd September
Week 2 Monday 25th September – Friday 29th September)
Risk Critical training alternative dates for RDS1
Road Traffic Collision (RTC)
3 days (Friday 27th, Saturday 28th, Sunday29th October)
Working at Height
3 days (Friday 10th, Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th November.)
BA Course
10 days (Candidates must attend all 10 days)
Week 1 – Monday 11th March – Friday 15th March
Week 2 – Monday 18th March – Friday 22nd March
After completion of the above courses, you will be able to respond to operational incidents as the 4th person.
Continuous training
Once you finish phase 1 and phase 2 training you will be required to gather and record evidence to complete your development plan and become a fully competent fire fighter. Evidence gathering is done via attending operational incidents, attending drill periods, carrying out community protection and fire prevention work.