Climate Change: managing the operational impact on fires and other weather-related emergencies
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This report focuses on the SFRS’s operational activity due to climate change and presents the Chief Inspector’s independent view of the current arrangements.
Appendix A - Overview of water level system training
Overview of water level system training
Water Level 1 - training to safely effect shore-based rescue and work safely near water.
- Initial course consisting of nine hours which is valid for three years, after which refresher training may not be required if skills maintenance can be evidenced.
- Maintenance is nine hours annually by means of an online training module in LCMS.
Water Level 2 – Undertake wading rescue and response, working safely near or in water to wading height.
- Initial training consists of Water Level 1 training plus 12 hours instructor contact over 2 days. This is valid for 3 years.
- Maintenance training is 18 hours annually, which covers a range of relevant subjects and is required to be recorded.
Water Level 3 – Undertake rescues from water using a range of technical water rescue equipment.
- Initial training consists of Water Level 1 plus 4 days or 21.5 hours. This is valid for 3 years.
- Maintenance training is 30 hours annually, quarterly training and 1 day every 2 years as a team at a water rescue training facility is recommended. This training covers a range of relevant subjects and is required to be recorded.
Water Level 4 – Undertake rescues utilising a powered vessel
- In addition to Level 3 qualification, initial training consists of 30 hours over 5 days. This is valid for 3 years.
- Maintenance training is 35 hours annually, spread across 3 occasions per year plus 1 day spent every 2 years as part of a team at a water rescue training facility is recommended. This training covers a range of relevant subjects and is required to be recorded
On Water Training
For those trained to Levels 2, 3 and 4, on water training shall be carried out on suitable and appropriate water.
Where water-based training is involved, this will take place in an extensively assessed and approved environment. All practical elements will be under the direct supervision of the SFRS instructor at all times.
For Level 2 trained personnel, this shall be no more than Class II.
For Levels 3 and 4, this shall be minimum Class II swift water or marine equivalent with appropriate hydrological conditions for all aspects of training to be carried out safely and effectively.
Water Class Definitions:
| Class I | Easy | small waves passage clear no serious obstacles |
| Class II | Medium | rapids of moderate difficulty passages clear |
| Class III | Difficult | waves numerous, high and irregular rocks and eddies rapids with passages clear though narrow |
| Class IV | Very Difficult | long rapids waves high irregular dangerous rocks boiling eddies best passage difficult to scout |
| Class V | Extremely Difficult | exceedingly difficult long and violent rapids following each other almost without interruption riverbed extremely obstructed big drops violent current very steep gradient |