Health, Public Health & Safety
Fire Safety Training & Emergency Planning
Fire prevention, equipment use and workplace emergency planning for offices, clinics and facilities.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Fire science, causes and prevention |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Fire risk assessment in the workplace |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Extinguishers, alarms and detection systems |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Evacuation planning and drills |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Emergency roles, reporting and review |
Module breakdown
- 1
Fire science, causes and prevention
Weeks 1–2Build a shared working vocabulary for fire science, causes and prevention and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind fire science, causes and prevention
- Step-by-step methods and templates for fire science, causes and prevention
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in fire science, causes and prevention, and how to avoid them
- Applying fire science, causes and prevention in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying fire science, causes and prevention to a local scenario.
- 2
Fire risk assessment in the workplace
Weeks 3–4Work through the methods and tools used for fire risk assessment in the workplace in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for fire risk assessment in the workplace
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in fire risk assessment in the workplace, and how to avoid them
- Applying fire risk assessment in the workplace in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to fire risk assessment in the workplace.
- 3
Extinguishers, alarms and detection systems
Weeks 5–6Practise extinguishers, alarms and detection systems on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in extinguishers, alarms and detection systems, and how to avoid them
- Applying extinguishers, alarms and detection systems in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your extinguishers, alarms and detection systems work
Assessed work: Group simulation using extinguishers, alarms and detection systems under time pressure.
- 4
Evacuation planning and drills
Weeks 7–8Turn evacuation planning and drills into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying evacuation planning and drills in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your evacuation planning and drills work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind evacuation planning and drills
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use evacuation planning and drills in your role.
- 5
Emergency roles, reporting and review
Weeks 9–12Review, quality-check and improve your own emergency roles, reporting and review work with tutor and peer feedback.
What you cover
- Recording, reporting and communicating your emergency roles, reporting and review work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind emergency roles, reporting and review
- Step-by-step methods and templates for emergency roles, reporting and review
Assessed work: Guided exercise: produce a short worked example covering emergency roles, reporting and review.
Who this course is for
- • Practitioners and volunteers already working in, or moving into, this area of work.
- • Health workers, facility staff and community health volunteers.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Conduct a fire risk assessment and drill plan for a real premises.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
Certification
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Complete a workplace fire risk assessment
- Plan and run an evacuation drill
- Select and maintain basic fire equipment
Practical component
Conduct a fire risk assessment and drill plan for a real premises.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Ready to start Fire Safety Training & Emergency Planning?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.