Top 10 Firefighter Refresher Courses on the TargetSolutions Platform

In the fire service, continued training isn’t just a requirement; it’s a lifeline. Firefighters face evolving hazards, dynamic calls, and growing public expectations while needing to stay sharp, safe, and compliant with agency and national standards. That’s where Vector’s online training management platform, TargetSolutions, comes in.

TargetSolutions offers comprehensive, on-demand firefighter training designed to meet annual requirements and ensure operational readiness. Here are 10 of the most impactful firefighter refresher courses available. Each of these courses has been developed to help departments strengthen skills, reduce risks, and build smarter, safer teams.

1. NFPA 1500 Respiratory Protection

Duration: 1 hour | SKU: 611f
When entering smoke-filled rooms or responding to hazmat scenes, the right respiratory protection is imperative to survival. This course provides firefighters with essential knowledge about respirator program requirements, selection criteria, and the limitations of different respirator models. It dives into hazards commonly encountered on the job and reinforces the importance of fit, maintenance, and user awareness. A strong refresher for anyone working in IDLH environments, this course is foundational for operational safety.

2. NFPA 1500 Bloodborne Pathogens Safety

Duration: 1 hour | SKU: 6002f
Firefighters and EMS personnel are at increased risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens during medical calls and rescue operations. This course aligns with OSHA standards and provides an overview of disease transmission risks, prevention strategies, and protective measures. From needle sticks to exposure in the field, it helps first responders understand the threats and how to mitigate them. It’s an essential annual refresher for all EMS providers, firefighters/EMTs, and healthcare-facing personnel.

3. NFPA 470: HAZMAT Operations Level Refresher (Modules 1–4)

Duration: 8 hours total | SKU: 506f
Hazmat situations require calculated, informed decision-making. This four-part series walks first responders through everything they need to know to respond defensively to hazardous materials events. Each module builds on the last, starting with material identification and container recognition, then moving into response planning, protective equipment usage, role clarification, and finally, incident management including terrorism-related scenarios. For any department that responds to chemical spills or unknown substances, this refresher ensures your personnel are prepared to protect themselves and others.

4. RT-130: Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher

Duration: 8 hours | SKU: 4061, 4062, 4062, 4064
Wildland firefighting presents its own unique dangers, unpredictable weather, terrain challenges, and fast-moving flames. This annual wildland firefighter refresher course keeps wildland firefighters up to date on critical safety topics, recent incident trends, and tactical best practices. Organized into four modules, the course supports both individual learning and agency-level certification through NWCG or affiliated departments. It’s a must for any team protecting the wildland-urban interface or responding during fire season.

5. NFPA 1001 Fire Behavior

Duration: 0.5 hour | SKU: 2174
To effectively fight fire, you must first understand fire. This course reviews the core science behind combustion, including the fire tetrahedron, types of fuel, phases of fire development, and the products of combustion. With an emphasis on structure fires, it helps firefighters interpret the conditions they face on the scene and choose tactics that match the fire’s behavior. It’s a quick yet essential refresher to reinforce decision-making under pressure.

6. NFPA 1001 Building Construction

Duration: 1 hour | SKU: 2179
No two fires are alike, and neither are the buildings that are burned. Firefighters must be able to identify building types and understand how fire affects different construction materials. This course outlines key construction methods and how they impact both fire behavior and firefighter risk. By understanding the integrity of a structure, firefighters can make smarter entry, ventilation, and suppression decisions, improving both outcomes and safety.

7. NFPA 1001 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Duration: 1 hour | SKU: 4023
SCBAs are lifesaving tools in IDLH environments, but they’re only as effective as the person wearing them. This course emphasizes the legal and safety requirements for SCBA use, as well as selection, inspection, and maintenance procedures. It also covers SCBA malfunctions and emergency responses, helping firefighters anticipate and respond to critical failures in the field. For teams entering hazardous atmospheres, this is a vital training piece.

8. NFPA 1001 Forcible Entry into a Structure

Duration: 1 hour | SKU: 4008
Time matters in an emergency, and knowing how to make a quick, strategic entrance can mean the difference between life and death. This course covers the knowledge and skills needed for forcible entry, including choosing the right point of entry, using tools safely, and minimizing damage when possible. It reinforces both the technique and the judgment needed to perform this high-impact task under pressure.

9. NFPA 1001 Ground Ladders

Duration: 1 hour | SKU: 2090
Ladders are essential on the fireground for access, egress, and rescue. But improper use can lead to injury or failure. This course reviews the different types of ground ladders, their construction, care, and safe handling. It also explores fireground safety protocols and common ladder hazards like metal fatigue and heat exposure. It’s a crucial course for improving performance and reducing accidents during ladder operations.

10. NFPA 1001 Ventilation

Duration: 1 hour | SKU: 2227
Smoke, heat, and toxic gases not only threaten firefighter safety; they hinder fire suppression efforts. This course explores the purpose and types of ventilation, when to apply each method, and the protective gear required to do so safely. From vertical to horizontal ventilation, this training equips firefighters with strategies that improve visibility, reduce flashover risk, and enhance overall fireground efficiency.

Benefits of Firefighter Refresher Courses

Firefighter refresher courses play a vital role in reinforcing critical skills, ensuring compliance with evolving standards, and maintaining operational readiness. These courses help first responders stay sharp on foundational knowledge while also keeping pace with updated protocols and emerging hazards. Annual refreshers reduce complacency, improve safety outcomes, and build muscle memory for high-stress situations.

With accessible, on-demand options through TargetSolutions, departments can easily deliver high-quality training that meets state requirements and supports long-term professional development.

Types of Firefighter Refresher Courses

Firefighter refresher courses cover a wide range of essential topics to maintain proficiency and safety in the field. From respiratory protection and bloodborne pathogens to hazmat operations, wildland fire safety, and building construction, each course targets a specific area of knowledge or skill. These refreshers help ensure that firefighters remain prepared for the diverse and high-risk challenges they face on every call.

Why Fire Departments Trust Vector Solutions for Streamlined, Comprehensive Training

TargetSolutions offers a powerful, all-in-one learning management system purpose-built for fire and public safety organizations. It centralizes 100 percent of your training, online courses, in-person drills, skill evaluations, ISO benchmarks, and EMS recerts into a single digital platform, drastically cutting administrative burden and boosting accuracy. With more than 450 hours of accredited fire, EMS, and OSHA content, pre-built ISO training trackers, mobile skill evaluation tools (including photos and video), and real-time analytics dashboards, your department can ensure compliance, enhance readiness, and streamline reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you take RT-130 online?

The course is offered in four online modules, which should be completed within 365 days to ensure effective learning. Students receive a certificate from TargetSolutions after finishing each module. However, to earn the final RT-130 completion certificate, you must be affiliated with a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) member agency or a sponsored fire department. A training officer or fire chief will then evaluate any additional training requirements and certify completion.

What is a refresher course?

A firefighter refresher course is a recurring training program designed to help firefighters maintain critical skills, stay updated on new procedures or regulations, and ensure operational readiness. These courses typically include a mix of classroom learning, hands-on drills, and scenario-based exercises.