West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

1 Overview

Fire safety in the workplace is a legal requirement for employers, owners, landlords, occupiers, building managers, managing agents, or anyone else with control of business or non-domestic premises.

Remember, you are equally accountable and liable for site safety, including visitors, customers, staff and anyone who is lawfully allowed to be on your premises.

Using the expert knowledge of our Fire & Rescue Service trainers, who are all serving or retired operational firefighters, you will receive the very best in fire safety training - direct from the professionals.

Courses can be tailored to suit your business and are designed to complement the findings in your fire risk assessment. Running them on your premises also ensures that the training is specific to your workplace.

Courses are competitively priced and we also offer places on our regular open courses held at various locations throughout West Sussex.

View and download our latest fire and safety training booklet.

We can also provide:

• fire safety advice to assist you in meeting the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
• a full fire extinguisher service including annual testing, supply and installation of new portable firefighting equipment and stock management in accordance with BS5306 part 8, for businesses and schools, supporting compliance with Fire Safety Regulations and your building fire risk assessment.

For more information, please contact us.

Related information

2 Courses at your premises

Professional face-to-face training courses delivered on-site, at your premises, by currently serving and retired fire service personnel. This training helps schools and businesses to meet compliance with fire safety risk assessments requirements and includes hands-on experience using extinguishers on live fire in a safe and controlled environment.

The following courses can be provided:

Fire safety awareness

Recommended for all employees as a minimum level of fire safety knowledge. This 1 hour session provides staff with a basic understanding of fire and the actions to take in the event of a fire, such as evacuation procedures and human behaviour in fire.

• Duration: 1 hour (presentation only)
• Maximum number of attendees: 20
• Price per course: £385

Fire extinguisher

This 2 hour course is recommended for all staff and gives an overview of fire safety awareness as well as key information about the different types of firefighting equipment available and their uses. Informative and engaging, this session also provides attendees the opportunity to use the most common types of fire extinguishers on a live, controlled fire in a safe environment.

• Duration: 2 hours (presentation and practical)
• Maximum number of attendees: 15
• Price per course: £485

Fire warden

This 3 hour course includes the foundational overview of general fire safety awareness as well as key information about the different types of firefighting equipment available.

The session then builds on this knowledge to provide fire wardens with a greater understanding of fire safety provisions, as well as their additional responsibilities before and in the event of a fire. It will also give attendees the opportunity to use portable firefighting equipment on a live, controlled fire in a safe environment.

• Duration: 3 hours (presentation and practical)
• Maximum number of attendees: 15
• Price per course: £645

Evacuation and equipment

This course provides appointed members of staff with a greater understanding of the action to be taken in the event of a fire. This course can be tailored to your premises requirements and can include evacuation procedures, looking at your building construction and current fire protection and the practical use of any evacuation equipment, if present.

• Duration: 1-2 hours, depending on requirements
• Maximum number of delegates: 15
• Price per course: from £485

Management of fire risk assessment

Aimed at assisting those whose responsibility it is to carry out fire risk assessments. It will cover all aspects of fire safety in a school environment and includes legislation that may assist you with compliance as well as your individual responsibilities.

As the enforcing authority, we are not able to conduct your fire risk assessment for you. This course will provide you with information and guidance on managing your fire risk assessment.

• Duration: 3 hours
• Maximum number of attendees: 15
• Price per course: £645

Manual handling

This course covers all aspects of manual handling and responsibilities in the workplace. It includes the most common causes of injuries at work and covers the structure of the human skeleton and how to use lifting and carrying techniques safely.

• Duration: 3 hours
• Maximum number of attendees: 15
• Price per course: £645

Booking information

Bookings can be made using our online form below, or by emailing frsct@westsussex.gov.uk.

Prices quoted are the cost per group and are correct as of April 2024.

Other services

As well as the training courses outlined above, we offer:

• a full fire extinguisher servicing, maintenance and sales service for businesses and schools
• an online fire safety awareness course. This has been designed so that businesses and staff can keep up to date with their basic fire safety training requirements.

3 Courses held at fire stations

Open to anyone, these professional face-to-face training courses are delivered at fire stations across the county by currently serving and retired fire service personnel.

This training helps schools, businesses and individuals to meet compliance with fire safety risk assessments requirements and includes hands-on experience using extinguishers on live fire in a safe and controlled environment.

The following courses are currently available to book with additional dates being added throughout the year:

Fire extinguisher

This 2 hour course is recommended for all staff and gives an overview of fire safety awareness as well as key information about the different types of firefighting equipment available and their uses. Informative and engaging, this session also provides attendees the opportunity to use the most common types of fire extinguishers on a live, controlled fire in a safe environment.

• Date(s), time and location:
• Wednesday 26 March 2025, 1.15pm to 3.15pm at Shoreham Fire Station
• Thursday 8 May 2025, 1.15pm to 3.15pm at Worthing Fire Station
• Tuesday 24 June 2025, 1.15pm to 3.15pm at Horsham Fire Station
• Duration: 2 hours
• Price per head: £90

Fire warden

This 3 hour course includes the foundational overview of general fire safety awareness as well as key information about the different types of firefighting equipment available. This session then builds on this knowledge to provide fire wardens with a greater understanding of fire safety provisions, as well as their additional responsibilities before and in the event of a fire.

It will also give attendees the opportunity to use portable firefighting equipment on a live, controlled fire in a safe environment.

• Date(s), time and location:
• Wednesday 26 March 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm at Shoreham Fire Station
• Tuesday 10 June 2025, 1.15pm to 4.15pm at Bognor Regis Fire Station
• Duration: 3 hours
• Price per head: £145

Fire safety - Care

Aimed at fire wardens working within a care setting; this 3 hour course takes our standard fire warden training and applies it to residential care homes and other related settings using real-life case studies to understand their unique risks and potential hazards.

• Date(s), time and location:
• Thursday 1 May 2025, 1.15pm to 4.15pm at Shoreham Fire Station
• Duration: 3 hours
• Price per head: £145

Fire safety - Early Years

Aimed at fire wardens working within an early years setting; this 3 hour course takes our standard fire warden training and applies it to the Early Years and other related settings using real-life case studies to understand their unique risks and potential hazards.

• Date(s), time and location:
• Tuesday 10 June 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm at Bognor Regis Fire Station
• Duration: 3 hours
• Price per head: £145

Fire safety - Schools

Aimed at fire wardens working within a school setting; this 3 hour course takes our standard fire warden training and applies it to schools and other education settings using real-life case studies to understand their unique risks and potential hazards.

• Date(s), time and location:
• Tuesday 11 March 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm at Crawley Fire Station
• Thursday 1 May 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm at Shoreham Fire Station
• Tuesday 24 June 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm at Horsham Fire Station
• Duration: 3 hours
• Price per head: £145

Management of fire risk assessment

Aimed at assisting those whose responsibility it is to carry out fire risk assessments. It will cover all aspects of fire safety in a school environment and includes legislation that may assist you with compliance as well as your individual responsibilities.

As the enforcing authority, we are not able to conduct your fire risk assessment for you. This course will provide you with information and guidance on managing your fire risk assessment.

• Date(s), time and location:
• Thursday 13 March 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm at Horsham Fire Station
• Friday 9 May 2025, 9.30am to 12.30pm at Bognor Regis Fire Station
• Duration: 3 hours
• Price per head: £145

Booking information

Other services

As well as the training courses outlined above, we offer:

• a full fire extinguisher servicing, maintenance and sales service for businesses and schools
• an online fire safety awareness course. This has been designed so that businesses and staff can keep up to date with their basic fire safety training requirements.

4 Online courses

Online fire safety awareness

This course is recommended for all employees. It provides staff with a basic understanding of fire and the actions to take in the event of a fire, such as human behaviour in a fire.

• Price per user: £18.50

Booking information

5 Specialist training courses

These are the specialist training courses that are available:

Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) - Fire prevention and mitigation at waste and resource management facilities

The course is designed to provide knowledge and understanding of fire prevention and mitigation at these complex process facilities. The course focuses on waste and resource management facilities receiving, processing and storing combustible waste materials, including:

• household waste recycling centres
• waste transfer station
• material recover facilities
• the storage and processing of waste materials, including wood, paper, plastic, tyres, metals, and end-of-life vehicles

The training is for anyone with responsibilities for fire safety at waste and resource management facilities, including developing and implementing fire prevention and mitigation strategies:

• managers
• supervisors
• advisors and consultants

Refreshments are available throughout the day, along with a buffet lunch included. Please notify us at the time of booking of any dietary requirements.

Available dates to book

2025

• TBC

Booking details

• Location: Horsham Training Centre, Macfarlane Way, Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex, RH12 1YA.
• How to book: Phone 033 022 24658 or email frsct@westsussex.gov.uk quoting ‘course title’ with your details.

Breathing apparatus training

For businesses that require their employees to wear breathing apparatus as part of their day-to-day activities, or as a member of onsite emergency teams. Using our experienced specialist instructors and facilities we create a training package to suit your precise needs. Competitively priced and using either your own or our equipment, we can cater for all of your breathing apparatus needs.

• Duration: 1-14 days
• Maximum number of delegates: 12

Confined space training

For businesses who require their employees to operate in confined spaces as defined by the Confined Space Regulations 1997. This course provides managers and supervisors with an overview of the legislation and the various safety procedures which need to be put in place when working in confined spaces.

• Duration: Half-day or 1 day
• Maximum number of delegates: 12

Business Continuity course

Further information will be available shortly.

 Hoist training

This practical course, aimed at the care market, covers a range of operational aspects, such as how best to reduce the risk of injury, safe access and movement whilst operating equipment.

• Duration: Half-day
• Maximum number of attendees: 15

Safe working at heights training

We can put together a training package to suit your precise needs. This enables employers to comply fully with the Working at Height Regulations 2005.

• Duration: Half-day or 1 day
• Maximum number of delegates: 12

Water safety and swiftwater rescue training

For employees who work on or near water. We can create a training package to suit your precise needs, with training courses to DEFRA Levels 1-3.

• Duration: Varies depending on the type of course.
• Maximum number of delegates: 12

Booking information

Other courses

As well as the specialist training courses outlined above, we offer:

• a full fire extinguisher servicing, maintenance and sales service for businesses and schools
• an online fire safety awareness course. This has been designed so that businesses and staff can keep up to date with their basic fire safety training requirements in a way that is safe while under stricter COVID-19 restrictions

6 Incident command and leadership training

Our incident command and leadership training is delivered by West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. Held in Platinum House, our Horsham Fire Station. The Platinum House Incident Command Suite is known as a training centre for excellence.

The training suite uses state of the art technology to simulate emergencies and high-pressure situations. Training happens in a safe environment allowing you to think about your actions and decisions. These situations challenge your skills in teamwork, command and control.

Our suite is based on the research led by Chief Fire Officer, Dr Sabrina Cohen Hatton, Cardiff University and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

Dr Hatton's research looks at the psychology of incident command and decision making when under pressure. This approach has won international awards. It influences incident command worldwide.

The suite has two classrooms and four pods for delivering our training to fire service colleagues. We can also tailor to your business incident emergency continuity plan.

Incident command training (for fire colleagues)

Level up your fireground leadership with West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

• Are your firefighters aspiring to take on leadership roles?
• Are you looking to refresh your fire service officers' incident command knowledge? Do you want to hone their command skills?
• Do you want to embrace an award-winning, nationally recognised, data-driven approach?
• Do you want to improve effective leadership in critical moments?
• Do you need to put firefighter and public safety at the top of your service priorities?

Incident command level 1 to 2

Our training empowers your fire and rescue personnel to excel in critical moments. Our Incident Command Training leads the industry and:

• is built on award-winning research
• uses extended virtual reality (XVR) technology

This immersive environment allows your team to:

• practice real-world scenarios by training in simulated emergencies
• practice high-pressure events
• develop skills in critical incident command. like teamwork, leadership, and resource management
• practice in a safe place
• gain valuable insights and reflect on their actions and decisions in the simulation. This builds self-awareness and improves future decisions

Benefit summary 

The benefits of the level 1 to 2 course are:

• practical experience. Our command suite replicates real fire scenarios
• expert instruction. Learn from seasoned fire service professionals. Who are passionate about knowledge transfer
• confidence and preparedness. Emerge from the course ready to excel in your next incident command role
• enhanced operational performance. Give your firefighters the skills to analyse situations. They must make sound judgments and avoid traps under pressure. These skills translate to:
  • improved response times
  • reduced risks
  • more effective incident resolution
• stronger leadership development. Develop your future leaders. Give them the core skills and decision-making abilities they need for promotion and command.
• improved team dynamics. Foster clear communication and coordinated action. This leads to more cohesive and efficient operations

For specific Level course details and available dates contact our team.

Leadership and incident command training (for non fire staff)

Elevate your leadership and decision-making under pressure.

• Are you looking to empower your team to excel in high-pressure situations?
• Do you want to improve organisational resilience?

This incident command training focuses on team dynamics. It emphasises communication, collaboration, and joint effort. These lead to a more cohesive and efficient team under pressure.

We can tailor our training to support your needs. We can use our advanced technology to make interactive simulations. The simulations aim to address your unique challenges. They prepare your team for high-pressure situations.

Learning outcomes

The course will support:

• enhanced decision-making. This course will improve your decision-making. Giving your team the skills to analyse situations. They will learn to make good judgments and avoid traps under pressure
• improved collaboration during high pressure scenarios. Foster clear communication and coordinated action in your team
• increased resilience. Enhance your ability to handle unexpected emergencies. Maintaining business continuity
• improved cognitive and interpersonal skills. Understand yourself and others in high pressure situations
• recognizing the behaviours, judgements, and actions that drive decisions

This course will give your team leadership skills. It will empower them to handle pressure with confidence. It creates a stronger and prepared team ready to overcome any challenge.

Duration: Tailored to your requirements

Maximum delegates: 12

Contact our team for further information.

7 Coming soon

In addition to a range of fire safety training, we will launch new fire safety training for specific markets in 2025, including:

• Transport and garages
• Historic tourist attractions
• Open air and stately homes
• Hotels
• Marine and boat yards
• Museums and theatres
• First aid at work
• Emergency first aid at work

8 Customer testimonials

Below are some of the testimonials we have received from people who have attended our training courses.

"Thank you for all your professional help in providing the fire extinguishers for our shops, the technician was brilliant with his advice. With the professionalism of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service we feel perfectly protected for any eventuality. Great service and advice" - South Downs Bikes

"We use West Sussex Fire and Rescue for fire extinguisher training and have always found the trainers to be both personable and extremely knowledgeable. The use of real-life examples really brings the course to life. Staff often comment on how much they have learnt that will positively impact not only their work, but their home environment too." - Ardingly College

"It was a well-placed and excellently delivered course. All attendees are now confident to tackle a fire." - West Chiltingon School

"The training was informative and thought-provoking, making you aware of how innocent behaviours and habits can in fact impart a great deal of risk." - Southern Piling Ltd

"West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service are always my first call for our fire marshal training needs. It’s reassuring to have real experts train my staff and I find their combination of real-world experience, expertise, competitive pricing and friendly manner hugely reassuring. I would recommend WSF&R training to anyone." - Mark Ellis, Blue Helix

"We use FRSCT for all our Fire awareness, Fire marshalls and extinguisher training. The trainer was very informative and knowledgeable in his field. I feel my staff always gain from his training sessions and I feel confident they will know what to do in the event of fire alarms sounding." - Warren Drive Care Home

"Working with fire and rescue was a great experience. The firefighters were absolutely brilliant - clearly very good at what they do! Practical as well as theoretical training kept it more engaging and the trainers were very good at engaging us and keeping our attention." - RSPCA, West Sussex

"Our Science teachers and technicians enjoyed refreshing their fire extinguisher skills – WSFRS delivered an engaging practical fire safety session." - Worth School

"I left feeling that I had learnt something, having operated a fire extinguisher for the first time ever. The trainer kept us focused and engaged throughout the course." - Switch Signs

"This course was great for all our staff members to feel comfortable and confident to be able to deal with different fires within our site. The course was well organised and we couldn't recommend the training highly enough." - Arena Sports Centre

"We really enjoyed our fire extinguisher training with FRSC. It was informative and well delivered. The booking process was really straight forward with very helpful staff who answered all of our questions and needs." - Cowdray Estate

9 Contact us

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