Fire warden or chief fire warden — which course does your workplace need?
One trains the wardens who run an evacuation, the other trains the person who leads it. What each course covers, and where extinguisher training fits.
Written byEdway
The short answer
Fire Warden is for people who carry out an evacuation. Chief Fire Warden is for the person who leads the emergency response. Fire Extinguisher is separate training for safely confining a small emergency.
A new chief warden completes Fire Warden before Chief Fire Warden.
Compare the roles
| Your workplace role | Course to choose |
|---|---|
| Floor, area or deputy warden | Fire Warden |
| Chief or deputy chief warden | Fire Warden, then Chief Fire Warden |
| Worker expected to use first-attack equipment | Fire Extinguisher |
Fire Warden carries out the plan
Fire Warden trains floor, area and deputy wardens. It covers preparing for an emergency, responding to alarms, helping people evacuate and following the workplace emergency plan.
The nationally recognised unit is PUAFER005 Operate as part of an emergency control organisation. There is no earlier course you need to complete.
Chief Fire Warden leads the response
Chief Fire Warden is for the person who coordinates the response. That can include directing the wardens, communicating with emergency services and closing the incident safely.
The unit is PUAFER006 Lead an emergency control organisation. You must already hold the Fire Warden unit before taking this course, and you need to provide the Statement of Attainment as evidence.
Fire Extinguisher is separate
Fire Extinguisher covers first-attack equipment and small emergencies. It does not train someone to organise an evacuation and it does not replace either warden course.
Your workplace emergency plan decides who needs this extra skill. A warden may hold both types of training, but they serve different purposes.
What your workplace needs
The business is responsible for its emergency plan and worker training. Your appointment—warden, chief warden or first-attack responder—is the best starting point for choosing the course.
All 3 courses are nationally recognised and are delivered and issued by Training Aid Australia (RTO 91411).
Next step
If you have been appointed a warden, start with Fire Warden. Chief wardens then continue to Chief Fire Warden.
Add Fire Extinguisher only when your workplace requires first-attack training.
Sources
- Safe Work Australia — Emergency plans and proceduresThe employer duty to have an emergency plan and to arrange training for workers on it
- AS 3745 — Planning for emergencies in facilitiesThe emergency control organisation structure and the 6-monthly skills-retention recommendation
- training.gov.au — PUAFER005, PUAFER006 and PUAFER008Unit codes and official titles