Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 87-8-4 - Curriculum Approval4.1. In order for a curriculum to be approved by the Fire Commission, the following minimum levels of competency must be met:4.1.1. Firefighter 1 - NFPA 1001, the requirement for a medical exam shall be excluded.4.1.2. Vehicle and Machinery Rescue Level 1 - NFPA 1006.4.1.3. Firefighter 2 - NFPA 1001.4.1.4. Fire Officer 1 - NFPA 1021, the requirement for Instructor 1 shall be excluded.4.1.5. Fire Officer 2 - NFPA 1021.4.1.6. Driver/Operator - NFPA 1002.4.1.7. Fire Instructor - NFPA 1041. Further, if not a fire instructor employed by the West Virginia University Fire Service Extension, a fire instructor shall obtain, and maintain, an adult part-time teaching permit.4.1.8. All other training, if being presented to the Commission for approval for certification, must meet or exceed the National Standard for the corresponding training objective as set forth by NFPA.4.2. Persons seeking approval for a curriculum must submit 1 copy of the text and teaching materials, and 15 copies of the proposed curriculum outline to the Fire Commission. All course curriculum must provide for the following: 4.2.1. Course content meeting or exceeding the current National Standard as set forth by NFPA or other accrediting entity, including Job Performance Requirements.4.2.2. On-line training in the subject matter being taught, including a break down of the course content being offered on-line and an approximate timetable describing the amount of time needed for delivery of the content, or an explanation as to why this is not applicable.4.2.3. On-line testing, in a controlled, proctored environment, or an explanation as to why this is not applicable.4.2.4. In person training on the subject matter, including a break down of the course content being offered in person and an approximate timetable describing the amount of time needed for delivery of the content, or an explanation as to why this is not applicable.4.2.5. In person testing in a controlled, proctored environment, or an explanation as to why this is not applicable.4.2.6. A regional testing schedule for the course if in person testing is required, stating the general vicinity of the tests, and the minimum number of times the test shall be offered in each location.4.2.7. The procedure for administering the on-line instruction or testing, if applicable, which shall include, at a minimum:4.2.7.a. A controlled, proctored environment for testing;4.2.7.b. The party responsible for providing the computer equipment and internet service; and,4.2.7.c. Minimum equipment and service levels for the instruction and/or testing environment.4.2.8. The course content, broken down into segments, blocks or modules, and the method of testing for the course content, or an explanation as to why this is not applicable.4.2.9. The anticipated fee to be charged per student for receiving the training and testing.4.3. All materials submitted for the Courses for Certification in Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Fire Officer 1, Fire Officer 2, Vehicle and Machinery Rescue Level 1, and Hazardous Materials Awareness and/or Operations must include on-line training, as either its entire course, or as a blended course of on-line and in person training, or an explanation as to why this is not applicable.4.4. Upon receipt of the proposed curriculum, the Fire Commission Training Committee shall review the submitted materials to ensure that each curriculum complies with the minimum standards as set forth in sections 4.1 and 4.2 of this rule.4.4.1. If, after review, the subcommittee finds that the materials do not comply with the standard set forth in subsections 4.1 and 4.1 of this rule, the textbook and teaching materials, and one copy of the curriculum outlines shall be returned to the person submitting the materials, with an explanation as to why the curriculum is being returned.4.4.2. If after review, the subcommittee finds that the submitted materials comply with the standards set forth in subsections 4.1 and 4.2 of this rule, the submitted materials shall be made available to for review by the general public, upon request, and a 30 day written comment period shall be announced at the next meeting of the Fire Commission with all written comments being submitted to the State Fire Commission at 1207 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV 25031.4.4.3. Following the written comment period, but not prior to the next regular Fire Commission meeting, the Commission shall vote to accept or reject the proposed curriculum, and the person submitting the curriculum shall be notified of the results of the vote, and if approved the allow start date to provide the approved curriculum to the public for Certification.4.5. All curricula must be approved by the commission a minimum of every 5 years to ensure that training is meeting or exceeding the standards set forth in the current edition of the NFPA or applicable standard. 4.5.1 If a curriculum is not submitted for re-approval after five years have passed, the approval for the curricula will automatically be suspended.4.6. The current modular training policies, of the State Fire Commission, can be utilized as alternate methods to achieve certification as a firefighter or fire apparatus driver/operator as referenced in 3.8 of this rule.4.7. The Commission, if it has received notice that the standard for a particular curriculum has changed, shall notify the party or parties affected, and any updated curricula shall be submitted, in accordance with the standards as stated in subsections 4.1 and 4.2 of this rule within a period of time not to exceed 12 months.4.7.1. If an updated curricula is not submitted for approval after 12 months have passed, the approval for the curricula will automatically be suspended.4.8. The questions on any written test for approved curriculum shall be confirmed to be found in the textbook used for the training and confirmed to associate with the Job Performance Requirement (JPR) for the specific training.