How do I qualify as a Fire Safety Trainer?
The qualifications required to teach accredited fire safety awards and become a fire safety instructor have changed over the last couple of years. You can no longer teach accredited fire safety awards with just a fire safety trainer award, as this will not be accepted by any of the UK awarding bodies.
Teaching Qualification
First and foremost if you want to be a trainer you will need to have an entry-level teaching qualification. The PDLSG – Planning and Delivering Learning Sessions to Groups Award or the ETA – Level 3 Award in Education and Training qualification gives the teaching award accepted by all awarding bodies. This course is nationally accredited and by its conclusion will allow the successful candidate to teach any subject they have experience in.
Fire Safety Qualification
You now have a teaching qualification either PDLSG or ETA that proves your competence as a trainer. What next is to match it up with some relevant fire safety experience. The easiest way to do this is to obtain the Level 3 Health and Safety for Supervisors award or a current fire safety qualification. Holding the teaching qualification and current fire safety experience will allow you to teach the following courses:
- Fire Safety Awareness
- Fire Warden / Marshal Training
- Fire Safety Management
Insurance
Trainers will require public liability insurance to gain approval from awarding bodies and to protect them in case of claims. Professional indemnity insurance is also advised. Both of these insurances are around £120 to £140 per year.
Equipment
Fire safety training requires specific equipment:
- Fire Safety PowerPoint presentations
- Fire extinguisher training units (various types)
- Fire blanket for demonstrations
- Evacuation chair (for comprehensive courses)
Fire Safety Trainer Courses with Teaching Award
If you do not already have a teaching award, Abertay International Training offers comprehensive Fire Safety Trainer courses that include the PDLSG teaching award. Our courses provide everything you need in one package.