1. What is a company officer?  
   For the purposes of certification, a company officer is an individual who organizes, coordinates and controls an emergency response team.
    
2. What rank qualifies as a company officer?
   Captains, lieutenants and those acting in these positions would qualify provided they meet the definition of a company officer by organizing, coordinating and controlling an emergency response team.
    
3. I sometimes work in an acting company officer role. Will I be able to certify to the standard?
   Yes. The requirements of certification include documentation that supports your ability to perform a specified number of skills to standard on-the-job. If you are able to meet this requirement and the educational/training requirement while acting in the company officer role, you can be certified as a company officer.
    
4. Who is the certifying body and what gives it the authority to certify fire service personnel?
   The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal certifies company officers on a voluntary basis to the Ontario Fire Services company officer Standards based on the criteria developed by the Certification Council, approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal and agreed to by the Ontario Association of fire chiefs.
   
   The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) provides authority in Part III, clause 9 (2) (d) to the Fire Marshal. Part III, clause 9 (2) (d) states that it is the duty of the Fire Marshal to develop training programs and evaluation systems for persons involved in the provision of fire protection services and to provide programs to improve practices relating to fire protection services.
    
5. What is the purpose of certification?
   Certification formally acknowledges that a company officer in Ontario meets the recognized job performance standards and educational/training and job experience requirements as approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal and agreed to by the Ontario Association of fire chiefs.
    
6. What is the term of company officer certification?
   A company officer certificate is valid for five (5) years from the date of issuance and subsequent renewals.
    
7. Is there a fee for certification?
   There is no fee for certification and certification renewal, at this time.
    
8. Is certification reciprocal with any other jurisdiction?
   Other jurisdictions determine their own requirements. Therefore, once the Ontario Company Officer Certification Program is in place, it will be possible for other jurisdictions to assess it against their requirements.
    
9. Where can I get copies of the material?
   Information about the Ontario Company Officer Certification Program is available through locally conducted information sessions, a brochure and articles in the Messenger. Information is also available on the OFM Web site at www.ofm.gov.on.ca or by contacting the OFM Certification Office at 416-325-3142.
    
10. Who is on the Certification Council?
    The Council is comprised of stakeholders, including representatives of the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office, the Ontario Association of fire chiefs and the Ontario Fire Service who meet established criteria.
    Please refer to: Certification Council Members
     
11. What is the mandate of the Certification Council?
    The mandate of the Council is to develop and recommend to the Professional Standards Setting Body, within the framework of the Professional Standards Process Model, the policies and procedures required for an ongoing, voluntary provincial certification program.
    
    

12. Is certification voluntary?
    Yes.
     
13. What incentives are there for company officers to pursue certification?
    There are number of benefits to certification.
    
    • Certification recognizes company officers as professionals with specialized skills and an ability to provide quality, competent service.
    • Certification provides company officers with opportunities to evaluate and document their performance, and compare their skills to each competency and the overall standard.
    • Certification acknowledges a company officer's commitment to ongoing training and lifelong learning.
    • Certification provides a concrete training path to follow.
    • Certification will support the credibility of company officers in the completion of their regular and special activities such as, dealing with litigation.
    • Highly motivated people will continue to be attracted to the fire service because of the certification program.
       
14. If I choose not to become certified, will I still be considered a qualified company officer?
    Yes, a lack of certification is only an indication that the individual has not applied for or completed the requirements of certification.
     
15. If I choose not to become certified, even though my fire department commits to the certification program, can I continue to be a company officer?
    Yes. Certification is not a means of determining who shall participate in the practice or profession of firefighting and its related activities.
     
16. Can a fire department make certification mandatory?
    Certification is a voluntary process. Any move toward mandatory certification would be a local matter.
    
    

17. Who is eligible for company officer certification?
    One route to certification has been designed for all company officers employed in an Ontario municipal fire department as of April 30, 2003 who wish to pursue certification through the `Window of Opportunity.'
    
    The regular route is designed for those employed in an Ontario municipal fire department after April 30, 2003.
     
18. What do I have to do to be certified?
    Certification is based on the candidate's ability to:

1. Meet established educational/training qualifications
    
2. Provide proof of current employment in a municipal fire department in Ontario
    
3. Meet job experience requirements
    
4. Demonstrate competence to the current Standards

19. If a fire chief applies for company officer certification, who signs the Application for Certification?
    The person to whom the chief reports would sign the Application for Certification.
     
20. Why is there a requirement for three years of experience?
    This is the minimum amount of time a company officer would need to complete the academic and job experience requirements.
     
21. What happens if there is a gap in service?
    To qualify for certification and certification renewal, a company officer must demonstrate continuous job experience in a municipal fire department in Ontario. Continuous is defined by government Human Resources, as having a break in employment of not greater than thirteen (13) weeks. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis, by the Certification Council.
     
22. If I become certified while employed in one department and with no break in employment, move to another department, do I lose my certification?
    No. Individuals are certified. You take your certification with you. That is why it is important to keep your own records of your educational/training and job experience achievements.
     
23. What if I want to be certified but my department has not committed to the training and certification process?
    To ensure access to certification for all Ontario company officers, accessibility for individuals (company officers whose department is not participating in the certification program) has been determined. company officers in this circumstance are encouraged to write to the Certification Council. Access to the system will be determined on an individual basis.
     
24. Can company officers hired from other provinces or countries use their years of experience toward certification?
    Possibly. However, they would still be required to complete the process for certification and demonstrate their ability to:

1. Meet established educational/training qualifications
    
2. Provide proof of current employment in a municipal fire department in Ontario
    
3. Meet job experience requirements
    
4. Demonstrate competence to the current Standards

25. If I am part way through one certification program, for example, firefighter, change roles and start another certification program, for example, company officer, can I get credit for the completed components of one program toward the other?
    No, because the educational and job performance requirements are based on the Standards for the role.
     

26. How should I track my educational/training activities?
    For your convenience, a log is provided at the back of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist. Its use is recommended.
     
27. How does a candidate fulfill the educational/training requirement?
    Regular Route
    Company Officers employed after April 30, 2003 when the Company Officer Certification Program was introduced are eligible to certify through the regular route. To meet the academic requirement, a candidate is required to successfully complete the Company Officer Diploma Program at the Ontario Fire College.
    
    Company Officers may be eligible for advanced standing towards the academic requirement for certification, based on courses or programs they completed in the past. On-the-job experience may also qualify toward advanced standing. Determinations of how much, if any, advanced standing to grant will be made by the Ontario Fire College. The OFC will compare the learning outcomes and content of related courses to the learning outcomes and content of the Company Officer Diploma Program to determine an individual's standing.
    
    'Window of Opportunity' May 1, 2003 - May 1, 2006
    Company Officers employed in municipal fire departments in Ontario as of April 30, 2003 when certification was introduced have options for achieving academic equivalency.
    
    The OFC will offer Company Officer Update Courses to enable candidates to meet the academic requirement. During the `Window of Opportunity,' this course will be offered only to members of fire departments that have declared for certification. The course addresses the gap in learning outcomes between the previous OFC Fire Protection Technology Diploma Program and the current Company Officer Diploma Program. Graduates of the Update Course will receive a Certificate of Equivalency, representing the completion of the academic component of certification.
    
    Graduates of the previous OFC Fire Protection Technology Diploma Program will be eligible. Those who did not graduate from this program but have been working as company officers since September 1998 may be eligible to write a challenge examination. Successful completion of the challenge exam (70%) allows individuals to enroll in the Company Officer Update Course.
     
28. How many hours are in the Update Course?
    What is required of the student in terms of preparation, and hours of class time and study?
    The in-class component of the Company Officer Update Course is two weeks, divided into week sessions. Content of the course is based on the difference between the previous Fire Protection Technology Diploma Program and the current Company Officer Diploma Program. Topics include legislation (course CO101 in its entirety); fire prevention for company officers; leadership/management/administration; hazardous materials and specialized rescue; building construction; safety officer; incident management; and adult education.
    
    Students will be sent a pre-class package, consisting primarily of reading assignments, prior to the start of the first week-long session.
     
29. What is the pass/fail criteria for the Update Course?
    Students must pass all assignments with a minimum grade of 60%. Those who successfully complete the course are issued a Certificate of Equivalency to the diploma program, signifying that they have met the academic requirement for certification.
     
30. What is a Certificate of Equivalency?
    For certification purposes, in the `Window of Opportunity,' a Certificate of Equivalency is recognized as meeting the academic requirement. A Certificate of Equivalency may not be used for certification outside the `Window of Opportunity.'
    
    Company Officers should be aware that some institutions, for example, community colleges, may not accept a Certificate of Equivalency for advanced standing because a course-by-course comparison of subject content may not be possible.
     
31. Are there any endorsed specialty modules for Company Officer certification?
    Not at this time.
     
32. Terrorism and hazardous materials awareness are essential to the company officer role. Where can I access this information?
    There is an excellent self-study program Terrorism Awareness for First Responders in Ontario: Self-Study and Hazardous Materials Awareness for First Responders in Ontario: Self-Study on the OFM web site www.ofm.gov.on.ca
     

33. At what point in the certification process is the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist completed?
    It is expected that skills listed in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist will be performed within the job experience component. Performance of skills may not predate the date of implementation of the Company Officer Diploma Program - January 1, 1999. The fire chief, the candidate's supervisor and the company officer sign off the checklist provided that:


         The completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist
         reflects performance of skills and not training

        The sign off is by an immediate supervisor and not the training officer in his/her
         training role
 
34. Who verifies that I have performed a competency to standard?
    If your direct supervisor has not witnessed you performing a competency, a decision may be based on outcome and/or peer evaluation. Your supervisors, the fire chief and you must sign the form and be accountable.
     
35. What if I do not get an 'on-the-job' opportunity to perform all the skills/performance objectives in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist?
    
It is your responsibility to maintain a log of the calls you respond to and related duties you perform. You must seek out your supervisor to sign off your Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist. It is also your responsibility, while working within the policies and procedures of your department, to seek out the opportunities you need to complete the job experience component.

The Certification Council has determined that up to 5% (five competencies maximum) that are currently designated "A" (actual) for demonstration on-the-job may be approved by the Certification Council for demonstration in simulated circumstances. The fire chief shall submit to the Certification Office a letter outlining the rationale for requesting this (low call volume in specific areas or specialized response teams, for example) and describing the simulations that will be used.
 
36. How should I record my emergency response activities?
    For your convenience, a log is provided at the back of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist. Its use is recommended.
     
37. Can full-time company officers who volunteer in other departments use experiences from both departments to complete the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist?
    Yes. They can use experiences from both departments provided both fire chiefs agree to this process and both are willing to sign the Submission for Certification.
     
38. What happens if a company officer does not successfully complete the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist?
    This is an internal issue. It is hoped that following assessment, the company officer and his/her supervisor would review the checklist. Together, they should develop a training plan and seek opportunities for the company officer to perform on-the-job.
     
39. How long do I have to complete the qualification process?
    In the `Window of Opportunity,' you have three years from the date of implementation (May 1, 2003.) New company officers have three to five years to complete the process through the regular route.
     
40. What if the time frame for completion of the certification process is nearly over and I have not had an opportunity to perform a particular job competency?
    Some skills can only be signed off if you have performed them to standard on-the-job. On-the-job is defined as, `while in attendance at an incident, inclusive of but not limited to response to, operations at and return to service after an emergency call; and other assigned fire duties, exclusive of training.' However, for some other skills, approved simulated situations can be created for you. Your supervisor, not the Training Officer in his/her training role, must sign you off.
     
41. What if the time frame expires before I complete the qualifying process?
    You could submit a letter, through your fire department, to the Certification Council requesting consideration because of extenuating circumstances. Identify the reasons for not completing the process and the time required to complete it.
    

42. What do existing company officers have to do to become certified?
    Existing company officers must meet the academic and job experience requirements. A three-year `Window of Opportunity' exists from May 1, 2003 to May 1, 2006 for all company officers who are employed by a municipal fire department in Ontario as of April 30, 2003. Options exist for achieving academic equivalency.
    
    See the answer to question 27, under the 'Window of Opportunity.'
    
    Successful completion of the academic requirement is followed by the completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist and application for certification.
     
43. What is different about the "Window of Opportunity?"
    In the "Window of Opportunity," company officers are being given credit for their years of experience and alternate ways of completing the academic requirement are offered.
     
44. How long do I have to complete the qualification process?
    In the `Window of Opportunity,' you have three years from the date of implementation (May 1, 2003.)
     
45. Can an out-of-province company officer hired in Ontario after April 30, 2003 access the "Window of Opportunity?"
    No, because the purpose of the "Window of Opportunity" is to acknowledge the experience of Ontario company officers. To access it, you must have been a company officer in a municipal fire department in the province of Ontario prior to May 1, 2003.

46. What do I have to do to renew certification?
    The model for certification renewal is being developed. The following guiding principles shall be applied to the renewal process:

• Continuous employment as a company officer in a municipal fire department in Ontario
   
• Documented ongoing training
   
• Proof of demonstrated competence to the current Standards

          For certification renewal details, visit the OFM Web site http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca or call the
          Certification Office at 416 325 3142 for a copy of the renewal document.

47. Can company officer certification qualify towards Firefighter certification renewal?
    No, because the educational and job performance requirements are based on the Standards for the role.
     
48. What happens if my certification lapses?
    In the event that certification is lapsed over ninety (90) days, the candidate will need to reapply and re-qualify based on current competencies. The Certification Council will determine the requirements.
     
49. Can certification be suspended, revoked or denied?
    Yes. The Fire Marshal, on the recommendation of the Certification Council, may suspend, revoke or deny certification to any fire service personnel when it is found that the individual:

1. Has knowingly made a material misrepresentation of any information required for certification
    
2. Has knowingly by any means of false pretense, deception, fraud or cheating obtained documents or certification
    
3. Has knowingly by any means of false pretense, deception, fraud or cheating obtained documents or certification for another individual
    
4. Fails to meet minimum requirements for any required test or examination forming part of the certification process