Revised to 2007-2012
April 14, 2008
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CERTIFICATION
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CERTIFICATION RENEWAL
Purpose of Certification Renewal
Certification Renewal Criteria
Certification Renewal Requirements
Company Officer Certification Renewal Requirements
Company Officer Certification Renewal Log
In developing the renewal process, the members of the Certification Council concentrated on how company officers seeking certification renewal could document ongoing professional development and demonstrate competence to the current Ontario Fire Services Standards (2007-2012). In their deliberations, members tried to be sensitive to the needs of the fire service – time and cost efficiency – while maintaining the credibility of the certification program. They also considered the diversity within the company officer role and the need to address emerging issues of importance to the role.
The process for finalization of this certification renewal process included consultation with selected departments/practitioners within the Ontario Fire Service and approval from the:
The Office of the Fire Marshal certifies firefighters to the Ontario Fire Service Firefighter Standards based on criteria developed by the Certification Council, and approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.
The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA), in Part III, clause 9 (2) (d) provides authority to the Fire Marshal for the training and evaluation of firefighters.
Certification formally acknowledges that a firefighter in Ontario meets the recognized job performance standards and educational/training requirements as approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal and agreed to by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.
Certification is not a means of determining who shall participate in the practice or profession of firefighting and its related activities. A lack of certification is only an indication that the individual has not applied for or fulfilled the requirements of certification.
For the purposes of certification of fire services personnel, a company officer is defined as an individual who organizes, coordinates and controls an emergency response team.
Certification is based on the candidate's ability to:
There are many different factors that contribute to a company officer’s development, and each adds a different, but equally important element to the developmental process.
Training and education are critical to the certification process. In renewal, there is an emphasis on maintaining currency and developing new learning.
A candidate’s practical experience was also a key component of the certification process and it continues to be an important factor throughout the individual’s professional career.
Renewal, therefore, is a process whereby the company officer demonstrates on-going maintenance and enhancements of competency.
Renewal is required every five years.
This renewal program has been updated to meet the revised standards (2007-2012).
The purpose of certification renewal is to confirm that the candidate continues to demonstrate competence to the current standards and has pursued ongoing professional development as approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal and agreed to by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.
Certification renewal is based on a candidate's ability to:
[1] The fire chief may designate signing authority for the certification program/parts of the certification process through a letter from the Chief to the Certification Office. The designate must meet established criteria, such as, an understanding of the Certification Program.
Job-related Activities and Ongoing Training and Education
The renewal process is based on a system that recognizes and gives credit for the varied training, continuing education and job-related activities of company officers across the province, making certification renewal accessible and achievable.
It the responsibility of the Fire Chief or designee to approve training and ensure that it is:
Formal training identified in a scheduled program delivered by In-house fire service instructors or by a bona fide training provider.
Comprehensive documentation of training, continuing education must be maintained by the candidate during the five-year renewal period and by the fire department at the time of application for certification renewal. (See the log that is provided.) The fire chief or his/her designate must review this documentation and attest to its accuracy by signing the application for renewal.
A representative of the OFM Certification Office may audit the fire
department records.
Competence to the Current Standard
For certification renewal, competence to the current standards shall be based on the general performance objectives outlined in the Ontario Company Officer Standards. Candidates shall demonstrate their ability to perform the requirements of the skills performance objectives for each general performance objective, preferably on-the-job but in a simulated situation, if necessary. The fire department shall determine how the competencies are documented. It is strongly recommended that the Job Performance Checklist be used for comprehensive documentation.
To ensure continued credibility of the certification process and program, the application for renewal requires the signatures of the candidate, his immediate supervisor and fire chief (or designate).
Company Officer Certification Renewal Program (pdf 65kb)
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