Course Overview
The Emergency Response Skills Maintenance course is designed for workers who have maintained and need to confirm their operational readiness across the core disciplines of high-risk industry emergency response. Over 3-days of intensive practical training, learners validate skills in firefighting, breathing apparatus operation, confined space entry, working at heights and rescue, the disciplines that form the backbone of effective Emergency Response Team (ERT) performance.
ERGT Skills Maintenance programs are intended for people who have already completed formal training in a specific area and continue to use those skills regularly in their job.
These programs are designed to help workers validate their existing skills and knowledge, ensuring they remain competent and up to date in the workplace. Because of this, the program does not teach skills from the beginning and is not designed to fill major gaps in knowledge. It is also not suitable as a catch-up or remedial course for people who have not been regularly using these skills.
To get the most value from the program and to meet the required standard learners need to already have a high level of skill and knowledge in the relevant discipline. Learners who cannot demonstrate this baseline may be unable to safely participate and may be required to complete relevant training before attending.
If you are unsure whether your experience is suitable, please contact ERGT before enrolling.
Key details
Learning Objectives
- By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Conduct pre-donning checks, operate breathing apparatus in accordance with AS/NZS 1715, and complete post-use maintenance procedures.
- Apply firefighting techniques and emergency response procedures in simulated industrial fire scenarios.
- Work safely at heights using fall prevention and fall-arrest systems in accordance with relevant safety procedures.
- Enter a confined space safely, maintain atmospheric monitoring, comply with permit requirements, and exit safely.
- Perform rescue from heights using appropriate rigging, lowering and retrieval techniques.
- Extricate a casualty from a confined space, minimising further injury to the casualty and to other team members.
- Work effectively as part of a team emergency response, maintaining communication and role clarity under pressure.
Prior Skills & Knowledge
Training standard prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites from the training standard for this course.
Prior skills and knowledge
While there are no formal entry prerequisites for this course, however, given the course's pace and scope, it is essential that learners hold current certification in the below skill areas before enrolling.
Learners who arrive without prior training in these disciplines may be unable to demonstrate the required performance criteria within the course timeframe. Evidence of prior certification in each of these areas must be provided before course commencement :
Breathing Apparatus
- MSMWHS216 Operate breathing apparatus, or
- PUAFIR207 Operate breathing apparatus open circuit
Confined Space Entry
- MSMPER205 Enter confined space, or
- RIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces
Height Safety
- RIIWHS204E Work safely at heights
Firefighting and Emergency Response
- PMAWHS213 Undertake fire control and emergency rescue
Confined Space Rescue
- PUASAR025 Undertake confined space rescue
Rescue from Heights
- ERGT Australia Rescue from Heights (RFH)
Evidence of prior certification in each area must be provided before course commencement. Learners who have not previously completed training in one or more of these disciplines should contact ERGT Australia to discuss the appropriate accredited courses before enrolling in Emergency Response Skills Maintenance.
Alternatively, prior completion of an ERGT Australia-approved skills maintenance course in the relevant areas is accepted in lieu of the above units.
What to expect
ERGT Australia's Emergency Response Skills Maintenance course is delivered across three full days at a purpose-built safety training facility. The course is intentionally fast-paced, reflecting the performance expectations of active ERT members. Each day combines classroom review with substantial practical time, and learners should expect to spend significant portions of each day in PPE, operating equipment in realistic simulation environments.
The practical components are physically demanding. Learners will work in breathing apparatus, enter confined spaces, work at heights, and participate in live-fire and rescue scenarios. Facilitators are experienced emergency response practitioners who will guide learners through each discipline with clear demonstration before practical application.
Assessment is ongoing and performance-based. Learners who do not demonstrate the required performance criteria in any discipline may need to repeat that component before a Certificate of Currency can be issued.
Learner Support
ERGT Australia is committed to providing a training environment where every learner can engage fully and safely. The following support is available across three areas.
Physical Support
Learners with an injury, physical limitation, or health condition that may affect their ability to participate in practical exercises are encouraged to declare this at registration. ERGT Australia will work with you to identify reasonable adjustments where possible. Some practical tasks, including breathing apparatus use, confined space entry and working at heights, have non-negotiable safety requirements that cannot be modified; where this is the case, ERGT Australia will advise you clearly before the course begins. No medical certificate is required, but a health questionnaire and declaration of fitness must be completed at registration.
Psychological Support
Learners who are concerned about any of the psychological demands described above, including confined space entry, heights work, or participation in live-fire scenarios are encouraged to contact ERGT Australia before enrolment. Our facilitators are experienced in supporting learners through challenging training environments and we can discuss your concerns and explore options before the course commences. During the course, learners may speak with their facilitator at any time if they are finding a particular activity distressing. No learner will be required to continue an activity that poses a genuine risk to their psychological safety.
Cognitive Support
This course covers six distinct emergency response disciplines over three days. The volume of content is significant, and learners with prior operational experience in these areas will consolidate their knowledge more effectively than those approaching the content fresh. To support learning across the full scope of the course, ERGT Australia delivers content progressively, revisiting foundational principles before moving to applied practice in each discipline. Facilitators use consistent terminology and step-by-step demonstration before practical application, and scenario-based exercises are structured to build from individual skill practice toward integrated team response. Learners who would benefit from additional time to review a particular skill or procedure are encouraged to speak with their facilitator.
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