Firefighter I Curriculum Changes

1. Firefighter I Curriculum Changes

2. Background • Last re-write was in 2001 (1997 NFPA 1001) • Specifies 348 hours Instruction & undefined manipulative and testing hours. Included: • 40 hours EMS • 12 hours ICS (I-200) • 8 hours Confined Space • 27 hours wildland • 17 hours extrication

3. Background • Jan 2013 latest edition of NFPA 1001 released • In April, a cadre began to review existing FFI & II with new standards to develop Certification Training Standards (CTS) & lesson plans. • In July, a validation team reviewed the material and forwarded to STEAC • Presented to STEAC on July 19

4. Summary of Changes • NFPA 1001 sec. 4.3 has EMS as an entrance req. making EMS a prerequisite (Min Std. H&SC 1797.182) removing 40 hours from program.* • NFPA 1001 does not address ICS, but cadre felt necessary (+ SEMS & NIMS req.). Settled on IS-100 and IS-700 as co-requisites (classroom delivery & on-line test. SEMS training to be determined by AHJ). • Confined Space Awareness is a co-requisite. * Concurrent EMT/First Responder not allowed

5. Summary of Changes (cont). • Haz-Mat FRO to align with NFPA 472 & include WMD’s. Certification testing will be done by SFT (not CSTI - more information pending). • Wildland aligned with NFPA 1051 and increased to 53 hours to meet S-130 & 190, CICCS & CALFIRE requirements (candidates will meet NFPA Wildland FFI & CICCS Type 2 FF). • Extrication moved to FFII (to align with 1001, Chap 6) • Flammable liquids & gas moved to FFII. • Separate Unit for Passenger Vehicle Fires.

6. Summary of Changes (cont) ____________________________New Hours Old Hours______________ Lecture: 126:30 (348) Skills/Activities: 227:00 (not identified) Testing: 36:00 (not identified) Total: 389:30*(not identified) * Based on a class size of 50 students (hours may vary for different sizes)

7. Summary of Changes (cont) Admin. & Procedural • Addition of skills & activities hours is new to reinforce basic competencies • Addition of testing hours to satisfy IFSAC & Pro-Board requirements. • Skills testing sheets developed to satisfy IFSAC & Pro-Board requirements. Sheets will become the standardized testing documents state-wide.

8. Sample Skills Sheets

9. Summary of Changes (cont) New Required Equipment (As found in draft course Plan) • NFPA 1403 Compliant Burn Room • Vehicle Fire Prop • Two portable tanks with water transfer equip. • Class B fuels & 16 sq ft burn pan (extinguishers)

10. Summary of Changes (cont) Impacts Details being finalized. What we do know is agencies wishing to sign-off on FFI will need to: Have enrolled student’s pay registration fee up front to SFT (similar to enrollment in CO program). Fee to include IFSAC & Pro-Board costs. Use approved forms (Skill Sheets & Summary Sheet for testing, Task Book to be taken to agency for completion - timeframe TBD). Conduct Skills testing on 5 standard topics and 5 random ones Provide adequate time to conduct testing (36 hours for written & skills) Evaluator in test process cannot be the Instructor for that topic Evaluators will need to be approved by SFT (attend class similar to current SFT Instructor Update courses – min. qualifications TBD). Agencies will need to meet certain requirements TBD (most likely incorporated into the SFT accreditation process).

11. Firefighter I Capstone Testing

12. FFI Capstone Testing Background SFT is pursuing IFSAC & Pro-Board recognition. (Students will receive SFT, IFSAC & Pro-Board certs upon completion) Both IFSAC & Pro-Board require Capstone written & skills tests to satisfy their certification requirements Consistent with SFT Strategic Plan (Capstone testing is Goal 3 in Blueprint 2020) Focus will be shifted to how an (accredited) agency develops, validates, proctors and scores and process’ these tests (no requirements for curriculum, lesson plans, etc.).

13. FFI Capstone Testing Testing Changes Details being finalized. What we do know is agencies wishing to sign-off on FFI will need to: Have enrolled student’s pay registration fee up front to SFT (similar to enrollment in CO program). Fee to include IFSAC & Pro-Board costs. Use approved forms (Skill Sheets & Summary Sheet for testing, Task Book to be taken to agency for completion - timeframe TBD). Conduct Skills testing on 5 standard topics and 5 random ones Provide adequate time to conduct testing (36 hours for written & skills) Evaluator in test process cannot be the Instructor for that topic Evaluators will need to be approved by SFT (attend class similar to current SFT Instructor Update courses – min. qualifications TBD). Agencies will need to meet certain requirements TBD (most likely incorporated into the SFT accreditation process).

14. FFI Capstone Testing Mandatory vs. Voluntary: PROS SFT proposing requiring candidates at ARTPs* & ALA** to make written & skills testing Mandatory. FFI Candidates usually lack understanding of certification system which can lead to confusion & uninformed choices. Provides the best setting to capture students as they start their fire service career & education Aligns with testing process used by other professions Provides consistency with other State certification systems promoting portability Eliminates a two-tier system (some would pursue the IFSAC/Pro-Board certification, some would not). * Accredited Regional Training Program ** Accredited Local Academies

15. FFI Capstone Testing Mandatory vs. Voluntary: CONS SFT proposing requiring candidates at ARTPs* & ALA** to make written & skills testing Mandatory. Adds another requirement for those not interested in IFSAC/Pro-Board certification. Will result in higher cost for participants (current $40 fee expected to rise by $60-$70) Participants do not like change Increase the administrative and procedural requirements for ARTP’s and ALA’s. Make it more difficult for small agencies to award FFI. * Accredited Regional Training Program ** Accredited Local Academies

16. Questions