All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: |
National Certificate: Emergency Services Supervision: Fire and Rescue Operations |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
64390 | National Certificate: Emergency Services Supervision: Fire and Rescue Operations | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
SGB Fire and Rescue | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
LG SETA - Local Government and related Services Sector Education and Training Authority | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
National Certificate | Field 11 - Services | Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 130 | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | Regular-Unit Stds Based |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered" |
SAQA 9999/99 | 2018-07-01 | 2023-06-30 | |
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
2026-06-30 | 2029-06-30 |
In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise. |
This qualification replaces: |
Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
48855 | National Certificate: Emergency Services Operations | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 120 | Complete |
PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
Purpose:
This qualification is intended for persons who are working at a supervisory level, or intending to work in supervisory level within the emergency services. The qualification recognises the competencies of people who have the responsibility of performing management and supervisory functions relating to emergency services in the context of fire and rescue including risk and hazard identification at operational incidents. It will enable learners to take charge in incidents in the workplace in order to make tactical spontaneous decisions. Learners will be provided with competencies to lower risks and mitigate negative circumstances thus increasing safety for the individual and the broader community. Learners completing this qualification will be able to conduct basic fire safety inspections, risk assessment fire investigations, and pre-incident planning using applicable legislation and evaluate safety plans. This qualification can further employment and/or advancement to a supervisory position in the fire and rescue operations environment and provides learners with knowledge and skills in meeting a range of emergency, fire and rescue needs. The qualifying learner will be able to supervise and coordinate the effective use of resources in the workplace. On achieving this qualification the learner will be able to: Rationale: Emergency services in fire and rescue operations is a priority function in the country and plays an important role to ensure the safety of all citizens from fire and any disastrous situations. Currently there is no formal qualification that is targeted for persons working in the emergency and fire and rescue services at a supervisory level. This qualification is for learners who are pursuing supervisory careers within emergency services in fire and rescue operations. Amongst other things, fire fighting requires supervisors who will provide tactical and operational plans in order to perform emergency and fire safety activities by team members. The qualification provides underpinning knowledge and understanding required to save lives and minimise disruptions caused by fire or any emergency occurrences that will have a negative impact for the economy, infrastructure and the general environment. Learners will acquire supervisory skills to lead the emergency response team and coordinate fire and rescue operations including risk and hazard identification at operational incidents. This qualification will contribute to the economy of South Africa in that it will create job opportunities for those individuals who are working in, or intending to work in, the emergency response and fire and rescue services sector. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
It is assumed that the learner attempting this qualification is competent in:
Recognition of Prior Learning: This Qualification and the entire fundamental, core and elective Unit Standards associated with it can be achieved by any learner through the recognition of prior learning, which includes learning outcomes achieved through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Learner and assessor will jointly decide on methods to determine prior learning and competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in the qualification and the associated unit standards. This Recognition of Prior Learning may allow for: All Recognition of Prior Learning is subject to quality assurance by the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA. Access to the Qualification: There is an open access to this qualification for learners who have successfully completed the Further Education and Training Certificate: Fire and Rescue Operations, NQF Level 4. Learners will find it difficult to achieve this qualification if they do not meet the industry norms and standards for physical fitness. |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
Fundamental:
All the unit standards in the fundamental component to the value of 16 credits are compulsory. Core: All the unit standards in the core component to the value of 86 credits are compulsory. Electives: Learners must choose a minimum of 28 credits from the elective component in order to complete the qualification requirements. |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Respond to and supervise firefighting, rescue and hazardous material incidents.
2. Apply an Incident Management System at an incident. 3. Apply supervisory skills in the workplace. 4. Coordinate and undertake basic workplace fire safety activities in accordance with applicable legislation. Range: Fire safety activities include but are not limited to inspections, risk survey, fire investigation and pre-incident planning. Range: Applicable legislation refers to but is not limited to Occupational Health and Safety Act, Fire Brigade Services Act, Labour Relations, Basic Conditions of Employment Act. 5. Conduct reinforcement training in the workplace. 6. Provide customer service in an emergency service and fire rescue context. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: Unit Standard CCFO Problem-Solving: Unit Standard CCFO Working Effectively in a Team: Unit Standard CCFO Organizing and Managing: Unit Standard CCFO Communicating: Unit Standard CCFO Understanding the World as a Set of Related Systems: > Understanding that incidents involving fire and rescue operations have tremendous impact in the global system in context of social and economic relationships by impacting on the safety of the public, infrastructure and the environment. Unit Standard CCFO Science: |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Range: Emergency service appliances include but are not limited to pumps (portable, light, medium and heavy), aerial apparatus, off-road vehicles and special appliances. Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Range: Resources include but are not limited to facilities, services, material and support to all the agencies. Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Range: Management principles refer to leading, organising, controlling, planning, communicating, reporting, coordinating and delegating. Range: Activities refer to but are not limited to emergency incidents and daily duties. Range: Organisational standards operational processes and procedures may refer to conducting disciplinary enquiries and staff development in accordance with applicable legislation. Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Integrated Assessment: Assessment at qualification level requires a combination of assessment approaches reflecting three major forms of learning. This includes a common summative assessment of sample theoretical understandings explicitly stated or embedded in the core and fundamental unit standards, the practical application of this theory demonstrated though performance observed and recorded by an instructor/registered assessor, and a workplace learning experience record of some kind, i.e. logbook, workplace coach/supervisor's witness statement and/or assessor's records of observations of applied competence. Integrated assessment at the level of qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across the various bodies of knowledge and practice to achieve applied competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment must judge the quality of the observable performance, but also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will be of a more practical nature while others will be of a more theoretical nature. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but will vary according to factors such as the learners involved, the resources available and policies and practices of the provider. A broad range of functionally orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place. As each situation is different, it will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools that are appropriate to the contexts in which practitioners are working. These activities and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment, formative and summative assessment. In assessing for applied competence and critical cross-field outcomes as described, the assessor must design a holistic assessment focused at the competence described in the purpose statement of this qualification. Because of the nature of emergency services, demonstrations of applied competence will normally take place in simulated emergency situations. It is important that the conditions be simulated effectively in order to reproduce as far as possible a stressful context in which a clear head and quick thinking are required. The qualifying learner must demonstrate achievement in the following areas of applied competence: The learner must demonstrate an ability to consider a range of options and make decisions regarding: The learner must demonstrate understanding and knowledge in the relevant bodies of knowledge as listed under `Essential Embedded Knowledge: The learner must demonstrate an ability to learn from her/his actions and to adapt to changes by: |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
Comparability with leaders in the field:
Many countries implement training programmes according to international codes and standards developed by National Protection Fire Association (NPFA) which is a professional fire organisation comprising specific industries to set forth widely accepted standards of care and operations for certain practices with 140 member countries. When selecting the countries in conducting international comparability, it is noted that they were chosen, firstly, because they are all members of the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and they offer training and development in the field of emergency services and fire rescues based on the NFPA standards that accredits over 100 Fire Service Providers internationally as a custodian of certification and quality assurance, basing its accreditation on NFPA standards. The search therefore indicated that most training programmes and/or qualifications or courses offered in the USA and UK as leading countries have been found to be comparable with the South African qualification although they are based on the NFPA levels. Comparability with USA standards: Membership in IFSAC currently consists of more than 80 organizations, including more than 40 states, the U.S. Department of Defense and armed forces branches, the Canadian Department of Defense, several Canadian provinces, the British Fire College, the South African Fire Service Institute, and the Australian Fire Trainers Association, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq. This qualification is therefore developed with the input of the representative of the South African Emergency Services Institute, which is a voting member in IFSAC which is believed to be developed with the highest standards that meet international requirements. In addition, the Confederation of Fire Protection Associations-International (CFPA-I), which is a body of leading fire protection organizations from around the world also fosters improved international fire safety codes and standards with the primary aim to reduce the global fire problem and increase life safety. The CFPA-I meets every three years at which time some of the more challenging global fire problems are debated in which South Africa is a member and has given reference to current trends in emergency fire fighting practices that also informed the development of the qualification by taking cognisance of the current trends in fire prevention and protection by means of shared experiences, research, technical know-how, and fire statistics. It must be borne in mind also, that the qualification has been developed in the manner that is in compliance with the relevant provisions of South African National Standards (SANS 10090:2003) respectively which give reference to the seven National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards that are registered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This qualification has therefore been benchmarked with the following NFPA certificates: The qualification content therefore compares well with the competencies of the different NFPA levels identified, although the qualification is not position/designation specific but more comprehensive in addressing key competencies required at supervisory level for emergency services and rescue operations explicitly covered by the following core and elective unit standards: Comparability with the United Kingdom: In the United Kingdom, Edexel Awarding Body has been accredited to provide BTEC Certificates in different sectors. BTEC Awards, Certificates and Diplomas are designed to provide focused and specialist work-related qualifications in a range of sectors. "BTEC in Emergency Fire Services in the Community", which is offered by Edexel targeting fire fighters under the auspices of a Short Course Framework and covers a number of countries, including Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, to name but a few. This is the only formal qualification that could be compared with the South African qualification that has an equivalence of NQF Level 4 or 5. Another group of countries base their fire and rescue qualifications on the UK model such as the Scottish Fire Services College (SFSC) which provides work-related Emergency Fire Services training programmes for fire fighters such as 'Emergency Fire Services: Operations in the Community, Level 3 (G6LY23' respectively. The unit standards that were found to compare favourably with the South African qualification are: These unit standards were found to compare well with the unit standards in the South African qualification as they address the same competencies required for fire and rescue personnel as identified in the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Comparability with SADC countries: Qualifications searches have been conducted in the SADC region in Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, Angola, Swaziland and Zimbabwe through qualifications authorities and/or Fire Brigades. Unfortunately there were no qualifications found from their national qualifications framework that relate to the field except the fact that most Fire Services institutions get their Fire Officers trained either in the UK or USA. Comparability with other countries: New Zealand: In New Zealand, the Fire and Rescue Services Industry Organisation (FRSITO) is an organisation that is responsible for setting national standards to cover the skills, knowledge and experience required for fire and rescue industry, as well as moderating internal and external training provision. Their National Qualifications Framework has unit standards pegged from levels 2-6 and a number of qualifications pegged at Level 2-4 in specialist fire and rescue services. The following are the qualifications for fire and rescue services registered on the NZ NQF. The equivalent qualification (in terms of level and competencies) is the National Diploma in Fire and Rescue Services (Urban Fire and Rescue Operations)(Level 5). The majority of unit standards contained in this qualification compare favourably with the unit standards in the South African qualification as follows: Conclusion in terms of international comparability: In conclusion, the qualifications examined compare extremely well to the South African qualification in both leading and other countries such as New Zealand taking into account the fact that some have been developed specifically for fire and rescue officers and/or firefighters already practicing in the field, whereas the South African qualification focuses on generic competencies in the core component and specialised competencies in the elective component, thus providing open access to persons who wish to enter the field and those who are already practicing in the field. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This qualification articulates vertically with:
This qualification articulates horizontally with: |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
> The ETQA`s policies and guidelines. > Agreements reached concerning assessment and moderation between ETQAs. > Moderation guideline detailed below. |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
REREGISTRATION HISTORY |
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. |
NOTES |
This qualification replaces qualification 48855, "National Certificate: Emergency Services Operations", Level 5, 120 credits. |
UNIT STANDARDS: |
ID | UNIT STANDARD TITLE | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | CREDITS | |
Core | 119676 | Apply the skills of customer care in a specific work environment | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 4 |
Core | 242853 | Perform support operations at a fire incident | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 10 |
Core | 242855 | Perform vehicle rescue operations | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 4 |
Core | 242851 | Render assistance during a technical rescue incident | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 5 |
Core | 115225 | Communicate at the scene of an emergency | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 3 |
Core | 260119 | Conduct a fire safety inspection | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 6 |
Core | 115217 | Deal with hazardous materials | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 8 |
Core | 115223 | Demonstrate awareness and take initial actions at a hazardous materials incident | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 8 |
Core | 115222 | Inspect, care for and operate fire service equipment | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 15 |
Core | 260121 | Supervise a fire fighting and rescue operation | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 4 |
Core | 260118 | Supervise an emergency operation involving trenches | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 5 |
Core | 260131 | Supervise a hazardous materials incident | Level 6 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6 | 14 |
Fundamental | 7876 | Conduct on-the-Job-Training | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 8 |
Fundamental | 10053 | Manage customer requirements and needs and implement action plans | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 8 |
Elective | 123231 | Manage a crew during wildfire suppression | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 7 |
Elective | 15234 | Apply efficient time management to the work of a department/division/section | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 4 |
Elective | 260134 | Conduct an aircraft firefighting and rescue operation | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 7 |
Elective | 260127 | Direct a rescue operation in a marine incident | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 9 |
Elective | 260132 | Perform an elementary swift water rescue operation | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 3 |
Elective | 260130 | Supervise a foam firefighting operation | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 8 |
Elective | 260117 | Supervise a heavy vehicle rescue operation | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 5 |
Elective | 260122 | Supervise and apply ventilation at a fire and rescue | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 8 |
Elective | 260139 | Undertake an emergency rescue operation in a confined space | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 5 |
LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification. |
NONE |
PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: |
This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here. |
1. | Asiphokuhle Training and Research Institute |
2. | Buffalo City Fire & Emergency Services Trainig Academy |
3. | City of Johannesburg Emergency Services Training Academy |
4. | Ekurhuleni Metropolitian Municipal Emergency Services Training Academy |
5. | ETS Emergency Training Solutions (PTY) LTD |
6. | Fire Fit |
7. | Goldfields Emergency Fire Services Training Academy |
8. | Isibuko Group Pty Ltd |
9. | Josmap Training Institute |
10. | KHOSITHI TRAINING |
11. | LO Tantsi Fire Consultants CC. |
12. | Mortarboard Training Solutions |
13. | Msunduzi Municipality |
14. | Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) |
15. | PTDEV (Pty) Ltd |
16. | Rural Metro Emergency Management Services (PTY)LTD |
17. | Sebenzisanane Human Capital |
18. | South African Corporate Training Association |
19. | Thinking Mind Trading |
20. | Thubelihle Graduate Institute |
21. | Tshwane Training Institute (PTY) LTD. |
22. | Tsiku Consulting |
23. | Umbuso Training Services |
24. | Vhutshilo Health And Training Organisation |
All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |