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Permalink Reply by ashfire on December 4, 2011 at 9:36am

Our county started a program for anyone that leaves the fire service and returns after a certain time to retake needed classes before they are allowed to respond on calls.

 

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Permalink Reply by 55 TRUCK on December 4, 2011 at 11:14am

  Courtney, What if anything have you and the other officers decided to do?

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Permalink Reply by big o on December 4, 2011 at 11:16am

Ok I am From Indiana, and I have first hand experience with this I left the fire service for a few years and came back the department i joined said oh your already certified here is your gear here is your pager make runs. Different department from the one left mind you. Nothing was the same had to go over everything by myself and learn the new techniques luckily I kept going to the FDIC and the IERC so I wasn't to far behind the curve mainly it was getting back in shape to be a firefighter. After eight years the person in question needs at least refresher training and the state does mandate a four hour in service with his "new" department. All this will probably change in the next year or two, there will be legislation introduced this year to require re certification similar to in service EMS requirements for all fire certs.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on December 4, 2011 at 1:43pm

For the most part, state certifications are earned through a school and are similar to a degree or other certification. The certificate should be good for life, the continuing education should be up to the dept. and individual.

 

So for the sake of this discussion, I see no problem that a certification maintains, however, it is the onus of the dept taking a person in to ensure any and all new members are trained and up to standards. For the most part, what is learned in FF certs is the basics, that is it. It takes nothing for a dept to establish a check list and orientation for a new member to go through before being allowed to respond.

 

Before being allowed to respond, a FF should be:

intimently familiar with the depts SCBA

Be familiar with the dept's radio and procedures

locate equipment and understand the uses on all rigs

Check off on basic skills

               Hose advancement and packing

                Ladder set up, roof ladder ops

               HAZMAT awareness and DOT guidebook reorientation

               

Most of anything else can be done through regular training.

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Permalink Reply by Courtney Marx on December 4, 2011 at 4:21pm

The officers have decided to put him through a 4 hour mandatory per state requirements.  Once that is complete, he will be tested on each of the skills required for passing FF I /II.  Once he passes his skills, he will be on a year probationary period.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on December 4, 2011 at 10:49pm

How many FF1s do you know that their cert is only useful for doing paperwork in the head/loo/bathroom.

I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all approach. Some guys/gals will only need a slight refresher and others will need a full academy.

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