Ala. Admin. Code r. 360-X-2-.02

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 360-X-2-.02 - Certified Career Fire Fighter

(1) General Requirements

(a) Certified Career Fire Fighter courses shall be delivered by one of two methods: Fire Fighter I/II program or Fire Fighter I/II Bridge program.

(b) These courses may only be conducted at facilities approved by the Commission.

(c) The Fire Fighter I/II program has a minimum initial enrollment of eight (8) candidates; the Fire Fighter I/II Bridge program has a minimum initial enrollment of four (4) candidates. In every case, sufficient personnel must be available to conduct required training evolutions in a safe manner.

(d) These courses shall be conducted in an academy format and according to a schedule that is approved by the Commission and which shall include the following elements:

1. Instruction and evaluation shall occur in a group setting with at least the required minimum number of students as prescribed in this chapter.

2. This course shall be completed within a twelve-month time period.

3. Instruction shall predominantly be provided to candidates in-person. Self-paced, correspondence or predominately distance-delivery instruction is not permitted. In all cases, an approved instructor shall be physically present and responsible for the course.

4. During periods of instruction or evaluation, candidates shall be engaged solely in the educational process and shall not be subject to emergency response, administrative, maintenance, or other tasks or duties not related to the course.

5. The academy format may include alternative schedules and shall not be limited to traditional business days or hours.

(2) Entrance Requirements

(a) Prior to entering the certification course, the candidate shall meet the Entrance Requirements set out in NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, or other such successor standards, as adopted by the Commission which shall be met by the following:

1. The candidate must have on file with the Commission a Physical Statement (AFC & PSC Form 05) from a licensed practicing physician or such designee.

2. The candidate must be able to read, write and communicate the English language.

3. The candidate must be a minimum age of 18 years.

4. The candidate must have verification of successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Exam (CPAT) within 12 months of start date of Fire Fighter I/II or Fire Fighter I/II Bridge program.

5. The candidate must have a high school diploma or GED.

6. The candidate must have successfully completed emergency medical care training that included infection control, CPR, bleeding control and shock management.

7. A candidate for entry into a Fire Fighter I/II Bridge program must have successfully completed the prescribed requirements for 360-X-2-.01 Certified Volunteer Fire Fighter.

(3) Certification Requirements

(a) Prior to certification, the candidate shall meet the general knowledge, skill, performance and additional requirements for Fire Fighter, Level I and Level II as set out in NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, or other such successor standards, as adopted by the Commission.

(b) Prior to certification, the candidate shall be a certified to Hazardous Materials: Awareness and Operations and to Rapid Intervention Crew Member.

(c) Prior to certification, the candidate shall successfully demonstrate a set of Firefighter I/II Core Training Evolutions. The list of Core Training Evolutions shall be determined by a vote of the Commission.

(d) The candidate must meet the requirements for certification prior to permanent employment or a period not exceeding 12 months after the date of employment.

(4) Minimum number of training hours

(a) Fire Fighter I/II program: A candidate for this method of certification shall have completed 400 hours of training, excluding any hours of training in emergency medical services, the format and curriculum of which shall be approved by the Commission.

(b) Fire Fighter I/II Bridge program: A candidate for this method of certification shall have completed 240 hours of training, excluding any hours of training in emergency medical services, but including up to 80 hours of training in Rapid Intervention Crew Member and Fire Fighter II training, the format and curriculum of which shall be approved by the Commission.

(5) Instructor Requirements

(a) This course must be taught by an instructor who has been certified and approved by the Commission as a Fire Instructor.

(6) Course Description

(a) This course consists of specific knowledge and skill objectives as identified in the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards & Education Commission Curriculum for Fire Fighter I/II, current edition.

(7) Examinations

(a) Course Assessments

1. The instructor shall administer to the candidate a written test prepared and distributed to the instructor by the Commission at the end of each subject area of the course. The candidate must achieve a minimum of 70% on each end-of-subject examination.

2. The instructor shall train and assess each job performance requirement (JPR) during the course.

(b) State Certification Examinations

1. For candidates that complete a Fire Fighter I/II program, state certification examinations for Fire Fighter Level I and Level II, as well as a comprehensive examination covering the entire program curriculum, will be administered by the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission.

2. For candidates that complete a Fire Fighter I/II Bridge program, a state certification examination for Level II, as well as a comprehensive examination covering the entire program curriculum, will be administered by the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission.

3. Candidates that complete either program and currently hold any level of certification based on curriculum taught in the program shall not be retested for that certification.

(i) Cognitive Examination

(I) Cognitive examinations for Firefighter Level I and Level II shall be conducted in-person and under the supervision of Alabama Fire College approved test proctors/evaluators.

(II) An overall score of 70% is required for the successful completion of these examinations.

(ii) Skills Examination

(I) Skills examinations for Firefighter Level I and Level II shall be conducted in-person and under the supervision of Alabama Fire College approved test proctors/evaluators and assessed on a pass/fail basis.

(II) Two skill attempts are allowed on initial skills test day and re-tests may be taken after 30 days and within 12 months of the date of course completion.

4. Re-test may be taken after 30 days of the date of the original examination for state certification and within 12 months of course completion.

(8) Administration

(a) Scope. This standard identifies the performance requirements necessary to perform the duties of a Fire Fighter.

(b) Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to specify the minimum job performance requirements for a Certified Fire Fighter. It is not the intent of this standard to restrict any jurisdiction from exceeding these requirements.

(c) General

1. Each performance objective shall be performed safely, competently, and in its entirety.

2. It is not required for the objectives to be mastered in the order they appear.

3. The fire fighter shall meet all of the objectives for Firefighter Level I and Level II before being certified at those levels.

(9) Objectives

(a) The objectives of this standard are based on the ability of the Certified Fire Fighter to demonstrate knowledge and skills as outlined in the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission Curriculum for Fire Fighter, current edition.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 360-X-2-.02

Filed February 24, 1982. Repealed and replaced: Filed July 29, 1992. New Rule: Filed May 6, 1994, Effective Date June 10, 1994. Amended: Filed July 24, 1996; effective August 28, 1996. Amended: Filed January 22, 2001; effective February 26, 2001. Amended: Filed December 13, 2002; effective January 17, 2003. Amended: Filed May 8, 2008; effective June 12, 2008. Amended: Filed December 12, 2008; effective January 16, 2009. Amended: Filed May 9, 2014; effective June 13, 2014.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIV, Issue No. 10, July 29, 2016, eff. 9/4/2016.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 02, November 30, 2017, eff. 12/14/2017.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 04, January 31, 2019, eff. 3/4/2019.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLI, Issue No. 10, July 31, 2023, eff. 9/14/2023.

Author: Allan C. Rice

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 36-32-1, 36-32-12.