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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a commonly asked question, you may find the answer here

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What are your hours of operation?

    We are open from Monday to Friday.

    Where are your training locations

    TasFire Training North Location

    339 Hobart Road, Youngtown, TAS 7249

    Contact: Peter Ockerby

    Tel: 03 6434 6705

    Mobile: 0419 529 753

    Peter.Ockerby@fire.tas.gov.au

    TasFire Training South

    (Cambridge is approx. 13.5 kms East of the Hobart CBD)
    1040 Cambridge Road, Cambridge TAS 7170
    Contact: Rod Vallance

    Tel: 03 6214 8802
    Fax: 03 6248 5136
    Mobile: 0418 123 200
    E-Mail: r.vallance@fire.tas.gov.au

    TasFire Training North West

    15 Three Mile Line, Burnie, TAS 7320

    Contact: Peter Ockerby

    Tel: 03 6434 6705

    Mobile: 0419 529 753

    Peter.Ockerby@fire.tas.gov.au

    How many wardens do I need?

    The number of wardens needed in a workplace will depend on a number of key aspects including but not limited to; the complexity of your workplace, how many and the type of building occupants your workplace has, the nature and hours of work at your workplace, the installed fire safety features in your workplace and most importantly what your workplace emergency plan requires in terms of the roles your staff are responsible for. More information can be gained from the relevant Australian Standards.

    Can I have training delivered at my workplace?

    Yes you can if you have 8 or more people who require training and your venue is suitable and safe for the type of training required. If your workplace is defined as isolated requiring two or more hours travel from our nearest regional training centre additional charges may apply, this will be assessed by your regional training consultant.

    Does TasFire Training write or develop emergency plans for workplaces?

    In short no, we encourage workplace places to develop their own emergency plans, as this provides strong ownership by the stakeholders and there is greater chance of the plan addressing all relevant risks and being effective and therefore save lives. Our consultants are happy to provide advice as required and also TFS provides free templates and further advice and web links for emergency plans in respect of fire at tfs@fire.tas.gov.au.

    How many people can I have on a training course?

    Generally TasFire Training recommends a maximum of 12-15 participants depending on course to maximise adult learning, however this can vary. If participant numbers are less than 6 the benefits of group learning reduce and the training is not as cost effective to the employer as minimum changes apply for single employer groups. In the same way larger groups are also problematic as the larger the group the learning experience can diminish depending on the type of course. Larger groups can be split into manageable group sizes and may require additional instructors and co-ordination of groups on the day.

    I need training in more than one region, who do I contact?

    You may be able to find the course you are after in our regional courses menu, however if you call your local training consultant they will co-ordinate the training in both regions.

    I have lost my certificate, can I get a copy?

    Yes, simply contact your local training consultant by email, refer to the contact details in the location menu and provide, your full name, your employer when you attained the competency, your date of birth and your mailing address.

    Do I need a unique student identifier (USI)?

    You need to provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI) if you are completing a nationally accredited unit of competency resulting in the Issuance of a Statement of Attainment.  Participants must obtain a USI prior to commencing the program. The USI will be recorded along with the required enrollment information in our secure training database. If you require assistance to obtain a USI the following link provides a guide https://www.usi.gov.au/students/how-do-i-create-usi.

    TasFire Training delivers a number of short courses that result in a Certificate of Completion, these are not nationally accredited units of competency therefore a USI is not required.

    Do I have to be re-trained?

    It is important that once trained, Wardens and Chief Wardens engage in some form of Skills Refresher activity.  This may be achieved by one or a combination of the following:

    • Re-training
    • Evacuation/response exercises
    • Table top emergency exercises
    • Revision of roles and responsibilities
    • Training/revision on any communication system in the workplace, (DECT phones, EWIS, Radios, etc.)
    • Any other activity deemed necessary by the EPC (Emergency Planning Committee)

    Emergency exercises should be designed to test not only staff knowledge but also to ensure that the emergency procedures serve their purpose

    The decision to undertake formal re-training should be made on an organisational basis and should be based on factors such as the level of risk and how regularly Wardens and Chief Wardens have practised their skills and knowledge. All measures taken to test the effectiveness of emergency procedures should be reviewed and documented.  This should also include documenting any of the refresher activities listed above.

    Whilst it is common practise to undertake training every two to three years this decision should be made on an organisational basis and there is no legislative requirement to undertake re-training at prescribed intervals. For further information regarding compliance refer to Regulation 43 of the Workplace Health & Safety Regulations:

    https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sr-2012-122#HC3@HP3.2@HD4@EN

    What Workplace Emergency Planning Legislation applies?

    All workplaces are subject to some form of Emergency Management legislation.

    Workplace Health and Safety Regulations” (WHSRs)

    https://worksafe.tas.gov.au/laws/the_legislation/acts_and_regulations

    The Regulations apply to all workplaces and detail broad requirements for emergency preparedness and response. There are also a number of Codes of Practice such as Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Part 5 Emergency Plans that are useful tools.

    General Fire Regulations 2010 (GFRs)

    https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sr-2010-136

    What do we need to do to comply with Legislation?

    All workplaces fall under the WHSRs whilst only some fall under the GFRs therefore you should enquire to see if the GFRs apply to your workplace.

    If your workplace falls under the GFRs your emergency plan should be drafted in accordance with Australian Standard AS3745 as it applies to Tasmanian workplaces. AS3745 gives a good source of information regarding; the initial scope of training, the requirement for the initial training to be conducted by a competent person and the need to establish an Emergency Planning Committee.