Valuable  as a forum in industry, it was not until JOIFF started to develop its Training Policy in 1999 and introduced Certificates of Competence to successful trainees that JOIFF grew into the major international organisation it is today. 
Until the first JOIFF-accredited courses took place in December 2000, there was no accredited fire training available to industrial emergency services personnel. Much of the training that was carried out did not result in any certification at all and any certificates issued were Certificates of Attendance only. A Certificate of Attendance has no relevance when trying to establish competencies.
In 1999, the members of JOIFF in partnership with the JOIFF Secretariat Fulcrum Consultants appointed a Training Standards Committee (TSC) which, since then, has been working to establish training courses and programmes for emergency services personnel which can be accredited under the JOIFF Standard.
All training being developed is within a Competency-Based Training (CBT) framework. CBT for Emergency Services Personnel is a system of training with the key objective being the development and use of training and assessment systems that contribute to the efficient delivery of services whilst reducing risks to the lowest possible levels. This includes risks to the employing organisation, its staff and equipment, the local community and the environment.
Professional qualifications
The JOIFF Training Standards Committee initially looked at the training of firefighters in high-risk industry and developed a number of courses for both full time and auxiliary firefighters.
The current portfolio of JOIFF training courses and programmes is now extensive across a wide range of disciplines in industry.  It leads to United Kingdom National Occupational Standards to provide a career training path which can award professional qualifications for the emergency responder.
Work on the development and accreditation of courses is ongoing as needs are identified and the JOIFF TSC is increasingly receiving requests for accreditation of site-specific courses, as the emphasis of training increasingly highlights the necessity for personnel to be competent in dealing with incidents that occur with the equipment that is available to them on site.
Accreditation and requirements
Course content alone is not sufficient as the facilities of the training provider / training establishment and the capabilities of the instructing staff are also critical to the effective provision of training. The JOIFF TSC has developed systems of accreditation for training providers and minimum instructional requirements for instructors. Currently, audit visits are taking place in training establishments which require JOIFF accreditation through 2007, to ensure that they meet and continue to meet the requirements of the JOIFF Standard for Training.
All students who successfully complete a JOIFF-accredited course are issued with a JOIFF Certificate of Competence. Each certificate has its own unique number and records are retailed of all successful students and the courses in which they qualify.
JOIFF Guidance Handbook for PPE
JOIFF members have completed the consultation process which has approved the final draft handbook for PPE to protect against heat and flame. Work is in progress on the final edition of the Guidance Handbook to take account of comments and issues for clarification received during the consultation.
It is expected that before the end of 2006, the Guidance Handbook will be placed in the Members Area of the JOIFF website for free download by JOIFF members. This will become part of the JOIFF Standard for Best Industry Practice in this area of activity.
E-mail JOIFF at joiff@iol.ie. Further detail about JOIFF is on the JOIFF web site at www.joiff.com.

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