Fire protection specialist training - What are the possible disadvantages?
Fire protection specialists work primarily in companies in the construction industry, in architectural and engineering offices, for fire protection authorities or as independent consultants or planners. They create and check fire protection concepts, advise various interest groups, ensure quality in the implementation of fire protection measures and check their effectiveness. Fire protection specialist training is an important higher vocational training in Switzerland, but it may also have one or two disadvantages. Those who are familiar with these can better assess whether the training is the right choice.
The most important disadvantages of fire protection specialist training are:
Although the course is offered by various organizations,the entire fire protection specialist training course only takes place at a few locations in Switzerland.This is because the responsibility for safety and legislation is high. There are also high expectations in terms of physical and mental resilience.
After obtaining the federal certificate, holders must undergo further training every five years.This is because regulations and standards change regularly. This involves a corresponding amount of work - even after training for fire protection specialists. In addition, irregular on-call duties, inspections, events and exercises outside of normal working hours are necessary.After all, fire protection specialists bear responsibility for human life and property.
As a fire protection specialist with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education, you may only create fire protection concepts up to quality assurance level 2 (QSS 2).The QSS 3 and QSS 4 levels require successfully completed training as a fire protection expert, i.e. the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) - or at least an equivalent qualification.
The nervous strain of the annual Federal Professional Examinations, which take place every two years at the latest, is generally high.Anyone who suffers from test anxiety is at a disadvantage here. During the fire protection specialist training, however, you will be prepared for exactly that.
Federal professional qualifications are not generally recognized abroad.Anyone wishing to work abroad must obtain official proof of this professional qualification from the State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation SERI.
If you want to acquire knowledge of the basics of fire protection, structural and technical fire protection and building technology, the fire protection specialist course is the right choice. After obtaining the federal certificate, various specializations are possible, e.g. in water extinguishing systems, intumescent fire protection systems or lightning protection. Further training includes, for example, the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for fire protection experts with a federal diploma or a degree in building services engineering from a university of applied sciences.
