Fire Fighter I Certification Procedures Guide Based on NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 Edition © Copyright 2009, Fire Service Training Bureau Division of State Fire Marshal, Iowa Department of Public Safety
Fire Fighter ICertification Procedures Guide
Based on NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 Edition
© Copyright 2009, Fire Service Training BureauDivision of State Fire Marshal, Iowa Department of Public Safety
Introduction to Fire Fighter I Certification
Each individual seeking certification within the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification System must submit an application and the appropriate fee to secure entrance into the system. Candidates are given six months in which to complete the certification process. An application form is included in this document and may be used and/or duplicated at the local level. Application forms may also be downloaded at:
http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/fstb/certific.shtml
A list of current fees may be obtained by calling 1-888-469-2374. Purchase orders from cities/organizations will be accepted. The Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau will not “bill” individuals for the certification fee. Checks or credit cards are accepted from individuals.
Applicants may register for an exam site at the time of application by completing the appropriate block on the application form. Candidates will receive a confirmation letter by mail upon receipt of the application. A current list of test sites may also be downloaded from the website.
After July 1, 2000 all Fire Fighter I certification candidates must document SCBA face piece fit testing in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.134. Persons with beards or facial hair in the area of the SCBA face piece seal will not be allowed to participate in the skills exam for Fire Fighter I. Candidates must be visibly clean shaven without stubble.
Certification candidates are given three (3) attempts at each component, written and practical. If the candidate takes either component of the exam three (3) times without passing, the candidate is required to resubmit a certification application form as well as an additional certification fee.
Candidates failing the written exam are responsible for notifying the Fire Service Training Bureau of their desire to retest and enroll at the next scheduled exam that has available space. Candidates may not take the written exam more than once per day.
Candidates are responsible for all of the skills required by the applicable standard during the practical exam. An exact list of specific skills is at the end of this study guide. A minimum of four (4) skills per standard will be selected to be tested at each exam site. Candidates should be prepared to test on any skill outlined in the standard. The intent of this process is to insure that candidates are prepared to test on all skills required by a standard.
Practical skill exams are graded on a pass/fail basis. Candidates must successfully complete all skill stations at an exam site to receive a passing grade for the practical exam. Each candidate is allowed three (3) attempts at each station.
Candidates failing the practical exam are responsible for notifying the Fire Service Training Bureau of their desire to retest by pre-registering for another regularly scheduled exam. Candidates may not take the practical exam more than once per exam day.
An official picture ID must be shown for admittance to a written or practical exam. Bring personal protective equipment and an SCBA.
Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification Unit
Fire Fighter I- NFPA 1001-2008 Edition
Prerequisites:Candidates seeking certification, for Fire Fighter I, within the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification System must meet the following:
1. Be a current member of an Iowa fire, emergency or rescue organization. In addition to the membershiprequirement, all persons must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Verification of the following by Fire Chief or Employer:• Medical care training in infection control, bleeding control and shock management.• CPR
3. Candidate must be competent in all objectives listed in:• NFPA Standard 1001, 2008 Edition for Fire Fighter I• NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations Level
Written Examination:The written certification exam is based on knowledge objectives listed in NFPA 1001 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications and NFPA 472 Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents Operations Level. Candidates are required to score a minimum of 70% on the written examination.
Practical Examination:The Fire Fighter I practical certification exam is based on skill objectives listed in NFPA1001 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications and NFPA Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents Operations Level. Candidates are required to pass the practical examination with 100%. Practical skill checklists are available online.
References/Textbooks:• IFSTA, Essentials of Firefighting, 5th Edition• IFSTA, Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Edition• North American Emergency Response Guidebook, Current Edition
Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification Unit
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Fire Fighter 1-NFPA 1001 - 2008 EditionLocal Verification
Candidate’s Name: _________________________________________ ID#: __________________________
The candidate must have completed the emergency medical care performance capabilities listed below to meet the objectives of NFPA 1001-2008 Edition. These requirements must be developed and validated at the local level as per local department protocol. Documentation of the requirements contained below is subject to verification by the Fire Service Training Bureau in written form and/or a hard copy of the document(s).
The candidate identified above has met minimum emergency medical care requirements, developed and validated by local department protocol for entry level personnel, including CPR, Infection Control, Bleeding Control and Shock Management According to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
___________________________________________________Typed or Legibly Printed Name of Fire Chief or Training Officer
___________________________________________________Signature of Fire Chief or Training Officer
Date: _________________ Department: ______________________________________________________
Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification Unit
Local Documentation Form
The skills listed on this page must be verified by a chief officer from the candidate’s fire department. By “signing off” the skill, the chief officer will be verifying that the fire fighter has participated in actual performance of these skills. These skills can be accomplished through training.
The performance of these skills is not required to occur after the application is submitted, therefore the firefighter may have all of these requirements completed prior to submitting the application. It is strongly suggested that these skills be documented prior to application for certification.
Candidate’s Name: _______________________________________________________________________
ID # : ___________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________
Please check each skill (listed below) that has been performed by the candidate.
Fire Extinguisher Skills
Extinguishment of a class “A” fire using appropriate portable fire extinguisher Extinguishment of a class “B” fire using appropriate portable fire extinguisher
Fire Extinguishment~ Hose Line Skills
Extinguish or control piles/stacks of class “A” combustible materials (exterior) Extinguish or control open pans of combustible liquids (exterior) Extinguish or control a vehicle fire Extinguish or control a storage container fire (exterior dumpster/trash bin) Extinguish or control a class “A” combustible material within a structure (interior attack)
The candidate listed above has met the minimum emergency medical care requirements developed and validated by local department for entry personnel, including Infection Control, Bleeding Control and Shock Management.
_________________________________________ _________________________________________ Chief Officer’s Signature Candidate’s Signature
Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification Unit
Fire Extinguisher Skills: a. Chose correct extinguisher for the class and size of fire to be extinguished
b. Activated the extinguisher (pulls pin or punctures cartridge)
c. Tested operation of extinguisher by brief discharge of agent
d. Safely carried portable fire extinguisher
e. Approached fire correctly
f. Correctly executed extinguisher-handling techniques (sweeping motion directed at the base of fire)
g. Completely extinguished fire
Fire extinguishment – Hose line skills for exterior/interior fires: a. Recognized hazards associated with fire
b. Advanced 1 ½ inch or larger attack line
c. Approached fire safely as a member of a team
d. Used effective water application practices
e. Techniques used facilitated fire suppression
f. Checked materials for complete extinguishment
g. Performed all steps in a safe manner
h. Operated effectively as a member of a team
Vehicle Fire: a. Identified automobile fuel type
b. Identified and controlled hazards
c. Approached burning vehicle from proper angle
d. Advances 1 ½ inch or larger attack line
e. Adjusted flow and pattern on nozzle correctly
f. Used effective water application practices
g. Maintained flash fire protection (fog pattern)
h. Performed all steps in a safe manner
i. Operated effectively as a member of a team
Fire Fighter I Homework Assignment
Candidate’s Name: ________________________________________ ID #: __________________________
Candidate’s Fire Department: _______________________________________________________________
This homework assignment must be completed prior to Fire Fighter I certification. Fire fighters have two options on when to complete this assignment.
OPTION 1: Complete homework assignment prior to applying for certification. If you choose Option 1, please attach the completed assignment to your application.
OPTION 2: Complete the homework assignment after submitting your application. If you choose Option 2, you must complete the assignment within the 6 month certification window for Fire Fighter I.
If additional room is needed for your answers, please place your answers on additional sheets and attach them to this assignment.
WARNING!
INDIVIDUAL WORK IS REQUIRED ON THIS ASSIGNMENT. Due to the ease of mass creationofnumerous“original”copiesfromcomputerbasedfiles,NOCOMPUTER PRINTOUTSOFASSIGNMENTSWILLBEACCEPTED.EACHCANDIDATEMUSTDO THEIR OWN WORK!
I have read the information on this page and understand the requirement for original work on this assignment.
_____________________________________________________Candidate’s Signature
I have read this homework assignment and verify that the answers are correct and reflect the policies, rules, and procedures of our fire department.
_____________________________________________________Fire Chief Signature
Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification Unit
Homework Questions
Write your answers in the space provided by each question. Question 1 will require additional pages to be attached to this assignment. If your response to other questions needs more room, attach separate sheets.
Do not attach copies of your fire departments rules, regulations, or SOGs as a response to any question. The answers must be in your own words.
Question 1: NFPA 1001. 5-2.1: Describe the organization of the fire department.NFPA 1001. 5-2.2: Explain the Fire Fighter I role as a member of the organization.
On a separate sheet of paper, draw an organizational chart of your department showing the structure of your department.
• Label each level in the organization with the rank required for that position.• Describe the duties personnel have for each level and rank in your department. • Include all elements of the department (prevention, investigation, suppression, inspection, EMS, etc.). • Label the top of each page used for this question with “QUESTION 1.” • Multiple drawings may be necessary to meet this requirement.
Question 2: NFPA 1001. 5-2.3: Explain the mission of the fire service and of the local fire department.
a. What is the mission of the fire service?
b. Does your department have a mission statement (circle one)? Yes No
c. Write your fire department’s mission statement below. If your department does not have a written mission statement, explain the department’s mission as you understand it.
Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification Unit
Question 3: NFPA 1001. 5.1.1.1: Explain fire department rules and regulations that apply to the position of fire fighter.
Summarize the rules and regulations that your department has that govern the responsibilities, duties, and actions of fire fighters. Include requirements relating to meetings, non-emergency duties, fireground duties, and all other duties referred to in your rules and regulations. If more room is needed, please attach additional sheets of paper labeled “Question 3.”
Question 4: NFPA 1001. 5.1.1.1: Describe the responsibilities of a fire fighter as required by NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, and adopted by the authority having jurisdiction.
a. Has your department adopted any of the NFPA 1500 standard for use in your operations?
b. What parts of the standard have you adopted?
c. Briefly explain the elements of NFPA 1500 that relate to fire fighter responsibilities.
d. How does your department use the elements of NFPA 1500 that relate to fire fighter responsibilities?
Question 5: NFPA 1001. 5-3.2: Describe the elements of a personnel accountability system demonstrate the applica-tion of the system at an incident.
a. Explain what a personnel accountability system is and the purpose of such a system.
b. Does your department use a personnel accountability system? If so, explain how your department’s system works (if different that what is stated in 4a. above)? Include information about the procedures used to account for personnel on the scene (i.e. tags, labels, etc.).
Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification Unit
Question 6: NFPA 1001. 5.2: Explain the procedures for a citizen to report a fire or other emergency.
What methods are available for a citizen to report a fire or other emergency in your city/jurisdiction? Include information about the “911 dispatch center” if applicable (where it is located, how it operates, etc.). If a 911 dispatch center is not utilized, how and where are calls received?
Question 7: NFPA 1001. 5.2.1: Explain the procedures for receiving an alarm from dispatch or a report of an emergency from the public and demonstrate appropriate action.
a. What are your department’s procedures (required action by you), upon receiving a call? Include information about the procedures for units to respond (order, staffing, who is in command, responding units, etc.) and specific actions required of fire fighters.
b. Explain your fire department’s procedures for gaining access to primary use of the radio frequency if a member has emergency radio traffic on the scene of an incident. Include the radio “call” used to gain primary access, and the structure of the communications process required by your department procedures.
c. Explain the emergency evacuation signals used by your department in the event of the need to conduct an emergency evacuation of fire fighters operation inside a building (or other hazardous environment). Include information on exactly what type of signal is used, what the process is to initialize the signal, who has authority to activate the signal, etc.
d. Explain you department’s procedures for receiving and processing personal calls at the fire station.
e. Explain your department’s procedure for receiving and processing business calls at the fire station. Include information on how the telephone is answered, and the procedure followed if the person the call is intended for is not available.
Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification Unit
Question 8: NFPA 1001. 5.2.2. Define the purpose and function of all alarm receiving instruments and personnel alerting equipment provided to the department and its member.
Give a description of (and define the purpose of) alerting equipment a the fire station and personal equipment used to notify the department, stations and individual fire fighters of alarms (pagers, telephone, etc.).
Question 9: NFPA 1001. 5.2.1: Identify the method of contacting the poison control center that serves the localjurisdiction.
a. List the name of the poison control center that serves your area.
b. How would you contact the poison control center from the scene of an accidental poisoning?
c. What is the phone number for your poison control center?
Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau Certification Unit
Copies of the Practical Skills Exam Study Guidesheets(NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 Edition)
are available on the FSTB webpage: www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/fstb