July 2007
Recently, the Certification Council streamlined the application process for
those firefighters seeking certification was proposed. In the past, individuals
that were seeking certification had to submit a number of documents along with
their application thus making the application process somewhat laborious. The
decision by certification council now hopefully will make the application
process much easier for all involved. Applicants will no longer have to submit
copies of supporting certificates along with their applications. Members seeking
certification will only have to submit the letter from their Fire Chief, the
application form and the job performance skills sign off sheet. It will now be
the responsibility of the individuals requesting certification to maintain a
record of all supporting documentation.
This application package provides you with sample letters/templates and current
application forms to facilitate your department’s submissions in the
certification programs. Use of these letters and forms will make the best use of
the time you put into completing the certification paperwork and hasten the
certification process by avoiding delays related to receipt of incomplete
information.
For all the certification programs, the Office of the Fire Marshal requires the
following documentation for certification:
Cover letter from the Fire Chief
Cover letter from the applicant
Application from the candidate
Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist sign
off form (Submission for
Certification form)
Fire departments that would like to participate in the certification programs
must submit a Commitment to Participate form (Appendix A) to the Office of the
Fire Marshal (OFM) with the names of the participants and their dates of hire.
You may fax the form to 416 325-3122 or submit it by mail.
Once the OFM Certification Office has received the Commitment to Participate
form, a request for a Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist form
(Appendix K) must be submitted to OAFC.
A Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist is available in hard copy and
electronic formats from the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. Use the attached
form to place your order.
It is imperative that fire service personnel and their departments have the
Job
Experience Requirement Performance Checklist to document the candidates’
abilities to demonstrate the competencies to standard on-the-job. It is expected
that skills listed in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist will
be performed within the job experience component.
Please see the following table to assist you in providing the necessary
documentation to the OFM for certification. This will help you in ensuring that
all the requirements for certification have been met and the appropriate
documentation has been submitted.
Submission for Certification Program:
1. Cover Letter from Fire Chief (Appendix B)
This sample cover letter is provided to ensure that:
- The applications from your fire personnel for certification are properly
identified by department
- You or your designate have signed the submissions and are satisfied that the
information in them is complete and accurate
2. Cover Letters from Candidates (Appendix C)
To properly position the candidates’ applications and to provide additional
contact information, we recommend that candidates provide cover letters with
their applications.
3. Application Forms:
In order to ensure that applications are processed in a timely manner, it is
essential that the candidate fill in the application by legibly completing all
boxes. The candidate must confirm that all the required criteria for
certification have been met by checking all the appropriate boxes. You or your
designate must sign the application to verify that this has been done.
4. Job Performance Requirement:
Please copy the completed Job Performance Requirement
Submission for Certification form from the back of the
Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist.
Ensure that candidates have accurately and legibly included their identifying
information, and the names and initials of all supervisors that have attested to
demonstration of the competencies to standards. Ensure that your signature or
that of your designate and the candidate’s signature are included.
- Firefighter Certification
- Fire Prevention Officer Certification
- Company Officer Certification
- Training Officer Certification
If you have any questions or concerns, please
contact the Certification Office at 416-325-3142.
