Office of the Fire Marshal

Ontario Certification Programs

January 2004


The Professional Standards Setting Body of the Ontario Fire Service gratefully acknowledges the contribution of many people in the development and operation of the Ontario Certification Program. It is impossible to recognize everyone who has helped in making this program a success. Ontario Firefighters, Fire Prevention Officers, Training Officers, Company Officers and Fire Chiefs throughout the province, and personnel from the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) all deserve credit for the development and implementation of the certification program.

Certification Council

At the time of printing this edition of the Certification Guide,
the Certification Council members were:

Robert P. French, Chairperson, Office of the Fire Marshal

Karen Booth-Moyle, Educational Consultant, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs

Lorne Bradt, Firefighter, Leamington

Craig Cunningham, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention, Toronto

Ken Eden, Fire Chief, Tillsonburg

Mike George, Chief of Inspection Services, Waterloo

Scott Heard, Acting Captain, Vaughan

Patrick Kelly, Fire Chief, LaSalle

Shawn LePage, Training Officer, Mississauga

Keith Lusk, Training Officer, Barrie

Barry McKinnon, Chief of Emergency Management and Response, OFM

Robert Myles, Fire Chief, Bradford, West Gwillimbury

Ex-officio

Lynne Lofquist, Section Manager, Academic Standards and Evaluation, OFM

Resource to Council

Leslie Kennedy, Educational Consultant, Office of the Fire Marshal

Secretary

Uyen Ha, Program Coordinator, Office of the Fire Marshal

© Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario 1998, 2003

Direct correspondence regarding this document to:

Office of the Fire Marshal

Chairperson, Certification Council

Place Nouveau Building

5775 Yonge Street, 7th floor

North York, Ontario M2M 4J1


Contents

Introduction 7

Notice 7

Definitions 7

History 13

Standards Process Model 14

Design 14

Open System 14

Professional Standards Setting Body 14

Mandate 15

Body of Knowledge 15

Job Performance Standards 15

Curriculum Development 16

Ontario Firefighter Curriculum 16

Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program 16

Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program 16

Company Officer Diploma Program 17

Delivery and Support Systems 17

Endorsement Review Board 18

Benefits of the Endorsement Process 18

Categories for Endorsement 18

Confirmation of Endorsed Offering 19

List of Endorsed Programs 19

Education Plan and Career Path 20

Validation 22

Certification 23

Authority 23

Certification Council 23

Composition 23

Criteria for Council Membership 23

Mandate 24

Role 24

Purpose of Certification 25

Benefits to Certification 25

Certification Criteria 26

Certification Requirements 26

Candidate Eligibility 27

Performance Criteria 27

Access to Certification 27

Accreditation 28

Definition 28


Benefits 28

Requirements 28

Accreditation 28

Administration 29

Fee 29

Record Keeping 29

Process and Notification 30

Term 30

Renewal 30

Lapsed Certification 31

Suspension, Revocation and Denial 31

Equivalency 31

Evaluation of the Process 32

Review of Procedures 32

For Further Information 32

Firefighter Certification Program 33

Date of Implementation 33

Route to Certification 33

Volunteer Firefighters 33

Endorsed Specialty Modules for Certification (subject to change) 34

Firefighter Certification Program 35

Requirements for Certification 35

Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist 37

Overview 37

Purpose 37

Supporting Document 37

Content 37

Performance Criteria 38

Availability 38

Completion of Document 38

Accountability 39

Submission for Certification 39

Awarding Certification 41

Firefighter Certification Renewal 42

Executive Summary 42

General Information 42

Purpose of Certification Renewal 43

Certification Renewal Criteria 43

Certification Renewal Requirements 43

Training Provided by the Fire Department 44

Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program 48

Date of Implementation 48

Critical Elements 48

Certification Requirements 48


Window of Opportunity 49

Academic Requirement 49

Job Experience Requirement 50

Application for Certification 50

Awarding Certification 50

Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program 51

Requirements for Certification 51

Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist 52

Certification Renewal 52

Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist 54

Overview 54

Purpose 54

Supporting Document 54

Content 54

Performance Criteria 55

Availability 55

Completion of Document 55

Accountability 56

Submission for Certification 56

Company Officer Certification Program 58

Critical Elements 58

Certification Requirements 58

Date of Implementation 58

Window of Opportunity 59

Academic Requirement 59

Job Experience Requirement 60

Application for Certification 60

Awarding Certification 60

Company Officer Certification Program 61

Requirements for Certification 61

Certification Renewal 62

Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist 62

Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist 64

Overview 64

Purpose 64

Supporting Document 64

Content 64

Performance Criteria 65

Availability 65

Completion of Document 65

Accountability 66

Submission for Certification 66


A Guide to the Creation of Safe, Effective Simulations
for Fire Department Training and Evaluation Exercises 68

Purpose 68

Application 68

Content 68

Downloading the Guide 69

Further Information 69

Appendices 70

Ontario Firefighter Certification Program 70

Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program 70

Ontario Company Officer Certification Program 70

Index 81


Introduction

Notice

All questions or other communication relating to this document, including proposed amendments, should be sent only to the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM,) addressed to the attention of the Chairperson, Certification Council, Office of the Fire Marshal, Place Nouveau Building, 5775 Yonge Street, 7th floor, North York, Ontario M2M 4J1.

Only written statements processed by the OFM Certification Office shall be considered the position of the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Certification Council.

Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this document, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Accreditation is a voluntarily sought status that is given to an educational institution or program that has been found to meet or exceed stated criteria of educational quality; the accrediting body establishes the minimum criteria for the assessment and validation of the process used to certify fire service personnel to professional qualifications' standards.

Act refers to The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA).

Approved means acceptable to and approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

Assessment/testing refers to the way(s) in which a candidate's theoretical knowledge of a subject and/or ability to perform a skill to an accepted standard are validated.

Career Firefighter, for the purposes of certification, means a professional Firefighter regularly employed on a full-time, salaried basis in a municipal fire department and assigned to fire protection services with a primary role of fire suppression.


Certification authoritatively validates the qualifying process and includes the issuance of a document that states that one has demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to meet a particular provincial standard of professional competency for Ontario Fire Service personnel. In Ontario, it is a voluntary program by which Ontario Fire Service personnel become individually certified. It may not be used to imply that a fire department is certified.

Certification Council is a committee comprised of OFM personnel, stakeholders and independent persons appointed by the Fire Marshal.

Certified copy refers to a copy of an original document to which the Fire Chief affixes his/her signature attesting to having viewed the original, and that the copy is unaltered.

Certifying body is the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM.)

Company Officer, for the purposes of certification, is defined as an individual who organizes, coordinates and controls an emergency response team.

Company Officer Diploma Program refers to the curriculum that was developed and is delivered by the OFM; curriculum development is based on the current Ontario Company Officer Standards.

Date of implementation, for the purposes of this document, is the date that the different role-specific certification programs commenced in Ontario.

Endorsement Review Board was established under the auspices of the Professional Standards Setting Body (PSSB;) it is administered by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) but functions within the parameters of the OAFC/OFM partnership.

Fire Chief means a Fire Chief appointed under subsection 6 (1), (2), (3) and (4) of The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA.)


Fire department as defined in Part I of The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) means a group of Firefighters authorized to provide fire protection services by a municipality, group of municipalities or by an agreement in a territory without municipal organization.

Firefighter, for the purposes of certification, means a Firefighter who provides fire protection services on a part-time basis or voluntarily for a nominal consideration, honorarium, training or activity allowance.

Fire Prevention Officer, for the purposes of certification, is a member of a municipal fire department in Ontario whose primary responsibilities include duties such as, conducting regular and specialized fire inspections, evaluating and monitoring fire safety plans, developing, implementing and evaluating public education programs, performing public relations, communicating with the public, prosecuting offenders of fire safety legislation and performing administrative duties.

Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program refers to the curriculum that was developed and is delivered by the OFM; curriculum development is based on the current Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Standards.

International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) is a peer driven, self-governing system that accredits both fire service certification programs and higher education fire-related degree programs; IFSAC is a nonprofit project authorized by the Board of Regents of Oklahoma State University.

Job performance standard is a statement that describes a specific job competency and lists the items necessary to complete the competency.

Learner Guides are Ontario Firefighter Curriculum documents for students that include performance objectives and enablers, key elements and terms, learning materials and equipment required, special precautions and considerations, work behaviours, and quizzes.


Master Trainer/Facilitator is an OFM qualified individual who may under the direction of the OFM, conduct workshops to qualify Trainer/Facilitators; has received authorization from the OFM to supervise the Trainer/Facilitator; qualified Master Trainer/Facilitators may also sign off Firefighters who satisfactorily demonstrate that they meet the criteria of the performance tests.

National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) accredits fire service training agencies that use the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA's) professional qualification standards.

Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) is a branch of the Public Safety Division of the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services; the mission of the OFM is to contribute to an environment for the residents of Ontario that is safe from fire and other public safety hazards by providing leadership and expertise in the reduction and elimination of these hazards.

Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) is a professional association comprised of chief officers who are committed to the promotion of efficient and effective management and professionalism in the fire service, as well as excellence in the areas of education and standards setting.

Ontario Fire College (OFC) is a recognized post- secondary educational institution; in operation since 1949, it is the academic arm of the Office of the Fire Marshal, whose primary responsibility is to develop and deliver academically sound educational/training programs to meet the needs of both today's and tomorrow's fire service.

Ontario Firefighter Curriculum refers to the curriculum (formerly known as Firefighter General Level Curriculum) that was developed and is delivered by the OFM; curriculum development is based on the current Ontario Firefighter Standards; upon successful completion, the candidate receives a Certificate of Achievement from the Ontario Fire College (OFC.)


Ontario Fire Services Standards are developed by the Professional Standards Setting Body for the Ontario Fire Service; they describe the roles of the fire service practitioners in Ontario in terms of general areas of competencies that were developed by selected practitioners.

Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program refers to the endorsed program offered by community colleges in Ontario; upon successful completion of all training and testing components, and securing employment with a municipal fire department in Ontario, the candidate receives a Certificate of Achievement from the Ontario Fire College (OFC.)

Portfolio, for the purposes of this document, is an individual's record of career development and collection of documents that confirm the candidate meets the requirements of certification.

Post-secondary institution, for the purposes of this document, means any school located in Ontario, whether privately or publicly owned, that has been approved by the OFM to offer a course in fire protection training or related subjects.

Prerequisite knowledge is the fundamental knowledge one must have in order to perform a specific task.

Prerequisite skills are the essential skills one must have in order to perform a specific task.

Professional Standards Setting Body (PSSB) is a standards setting body that represents the fire service and is empowered to set voluntary performance standards for all levels within the Ontario Fire Service, and is supported through a partnership between the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Shall indicates a mandatory requirement.

Should indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.

Task is a specific job behaviour or activity.


Trainer/Facilitator is an individual who, having achieved a certain level of training facilitates the delivery of the Ontario Firefighter Curriculum; the Trainer/Facilitator is qualified by and functions under the auspices of the Office of the Fire Marshal and may sign off Firefighters who satisfactorily demonstrate that they meet the criteria of the performance tests.

Trainer/Facilitator Guides are Ontario Firefighter Curriculum documents for Trainer/Facilitators that list performance tasks, objectives and enablers, key elements and terms, special precautions and considerations, work behaviours, learning materials, equipment and resources required, and learning steps; the guides detail training strategies and provide information for testing and evaluation.

Window of opportunity, for the purposes of this document, is a three-year time frame starting on the date of implementation, during which all fire service personnel within the defined role who are members of an Ontario municipal fire department when the certification program is launched, can apply for certification based on specified criteria.

Window of opportunity extension may be approved by the Certification Council upon written request from the Fire Chief; a request shall include the rationale for requesting an extension to the `window of opportunity;' approval is contingent upon regularly submitted status reports that track the progress of the fire department personnel in their quest for certification.


History

In 1988, Paradigm for Progress, a Task Force Report to the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs set out a long-term vision and strategy for the development of fire service standards, curricula and certification. The essence of the report was the standards process model.


Standards Process Model

Design

The design of the Standards Process Model recognizes that standards' setting is a dynamic, constantly evolving and continuous process. The model consists of a number of dependent and interrelated parts that allow for monitoring, evaluation and necessary change.

An open system model allows for opportunity to interpret what is happening in the world around us, predict the impact of these changes and act proactively.

The report recommended the establishment of a Professional Standards Setting Body (PSSB) that consists of members from various groups in the fire service. There are representatives from the:

· Fire Fighters Association of Ontario

· Municipal Fire Service Instructors Association

· Office of the Fire Marshal

· Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs

· Ontario Municipal Fire Departments Mechanical Officers' Association

· Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association

· Ontario Native Firefighters Society

· Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association

· The Institution of Fire Engineers, Ontario Branch, Canada

The PSSB was established in early 1989 with an objective of implementing the task force report.

Open System

Professional Standards
Setting Body


Mandate

The mandate of the Professional Standards Setting Body is to:

· Set performance standards for all levels within the Ontario Fire Service

· Meet on a regular basis to deliberate issues and take appropriate actions to develop, maintain, implement and promote fire service performance standards

· Operationalize the Standards Process Model contained in the OAFC Task Force Report, Paradigm for Progress

· Support the professionalization process for the Ontario Fire Service

For the purposes of the Standards Process Model, the body of knowledge is defined as all of the knowledge and skills that is required to meet the competency expressed in the current performance standards.

This unique body of knowledge is subject to change.

Job performance standards are the essence of the Standards Process Model. These standards give guidance to future fire service employees, persons currently employed within the fire service, trainers and educators, as well as the general public.

The PSSB was unanimous in its support for the development of the Ontario competency-based standards.

Job performance standards developed and validated are Fire Chief and Deputy Chief companion standards, Senior Officer, Company Officer, Firefighter (revised June 2000,) Fire Prevention Officer, Training Officer, Mechanical Officer and Communicator (dispatcher.)

Body of Knowledge

Job Performance Standards


Curriculum Development

The OFM/OAFC partnership is responsible for curricula, delivery standards and delivery networks.

Curricula are based on the philosophy that learning is a life-long undertaking. It is a process whereby individuals acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes and values through experience, reflection, study or instruction.

It is expected that fire service personnel, both full-time and volunteer, will accept responsibility for continuing education and development. An obligation rests upon the learner to seek out every opportunity to enhance the knowledge, skill and attitude base that leads to effective fire protection.

The Ontario Firefighter Curriculum, based on the needs of the adult learner, the professional and society was introduced in 1993. Continuing training and education are provided to help Firefighters work more safely and proficiently, and to ensure that the highest level of service is afforded the public.

The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program represents an enhancement of the previous Pre-entry Program for Firefighters, with inclusion of a significant practical skills component. Because of the linkage to workplace skills used by Firefighters, and skills practice and testing in simulated and controlled live-fire training scenarios, graduates of this program will be well prepared to perform as beginning Firefighters. The key to the successful delivery of this program is the strong partnership required between a College of Applied Arts and Technology and fire department(s) in concert with the OAFC/OFM partners.

The Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program began in 2000. Participants study legislation, leadership and communication, introductory and advanced fire prevention, fire safety plans, adult and public education, and fire cause determination.

Ontario Firefighter Curriculum

Pre-Service Firefighter
Education and Training
Program

Fire Prevention Officer
Diploma Program


Company Officer Diploma Program

The Company Officer Diploma Program was launched in 1999. Participants study legislation, leadership and communication, fire prevention, pre-incident planning, incident management, specialized operations, training and development, public education and applied administration.

The design of the delivery and support systems includes the following criteria:

· They are comprehensive educational and training systems.

· Qualified teachers/facilitators are used.

· Adult education principles are utilized.

· There is diversity to meet the needs across the province.

· Programs and courses are accessible.

· Programs and courses are cost effective.

· There is continuity and high quality.

· Alternative modes of delivery are used, with effective use of technology.

· They are motivational and provide recognition for participants.

· There is ongoing evaluation and review.

· There is theoretically and experientially based education/training.

Delivery and Support Systems


Endorsement Review Board

The Endorsement Review Board was established under the auspices of the Professional Standards Setting Body. It is administered by the OAFC but functions within the parameters of the OAFC/OFM partnership.

The purpose of the Board is to provide a structure, process and the criteria for the endorsement of educational and training programs offered by providers to the Ontario Fire Service.

The mandate of the endorsement process is to recognize quality education and training programs offered to the Ontario Fire Service.

The endorsement process:

• Provides a current listing of endorsed programs, courses and workshops to the fire service

• Provides a resource for fire departments and individuals to select offerings specific to their needs

• Promotes recognition for providers who meet endorsement criteria

• Provides profiles/templates for each specialty module for Firefighter certification for use by providers

• Provides benchmarks for current and future programs for the fire service

A. Fire Service Specific: Required for Occupation or Role/Standard/Certification

This category has very strict criteria and guidelines. It includes programs, courses and workshops that relate to the fire service occupations and reflect the fire service standards, roles and/or certification. Examples are the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program, Ontario Firefighter Curriculum and specialty modules for Firefighter certification. Advanced level courses and workshops that relate to the specialty modules for Firefighter certification are included in this category and require the purchase of the certification specialty module profile/template.

Benefits of the Endorsement Process

Categories for Endorsement


B. Fire Service Related

These are programs, courses and workshops that are of interest to fire service personnel for training and professional development purposes. Examples would include specialty courses, such as aircraft rescue, trench rescue, highrise or propane handling and exclude specialty modules for Firefighter certification. Prerequisite level workshops and courses that relate to the specialty modules for Firefighter certification are included in this category and do not require the purchase of the certification specialty module
profile/template.

C. General

These are offerings provided by academic institutions, companies, associations and organizations that are of general interest to a number of different individuals and may include Firefighters. Examples would be stress management courses, computer workshops and time management.

Look in the provider's advertising/information under the specific title of the offering that has been endorsed for a statement that reads:

'The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Office of the Fire Marshal through the Endorsement Review Board endorse the content of the program. The Board expressly does not endorse the delivery of the program, tools and/or equipment used in the delivery of the program.'

A list of currently endorsed programs is available on the OFM and OAFC Web sites, and in selected fire service publications.

Confirmation of Endorsed Offering

List of Endorsed Programs


Education Plan and Career Path

For several years, the Professional Standards Setting Body (PSSB,) under the direction of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) and the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM,) has been developing an education plan and career path for the fire service. The purpose of the plan is to provide the fire service and specifically, the learner, guidance on achieving personal and professional goals. 

Each role in the fire service has a competency-based job standard. The majority of the roles have standardized education and training programs that yield academic certificates and/or diplomas.

The entry path to the fire service begins with an endorsed Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program for potential Firefighters that is offered at several community colleges throughout the province. These colleges have partnered with the OFM, OAFC and fire departments. 

Woven through the education plan are generic community college and university credit courses leading to diplomas and degrees. The OAFC/OFM partnership with Ryerson University involves the Public Administration certificate and degree program offered at Ryerson and the Ontario Fire College through alternative modes of learning. Ongoing educational partnerships and new educational partnerships will continue to support education and training programs and courses, and provide accessible, cost effective, high quality learning opportunities.  

This facilitates the Ontario Fire Service Education Plan and Career Path academic preparation of roles specific to augment job experience in support of the individual's Ontario Fire Service Education Plan and Career Path.



Validation

Validation is a quality assurance measure used to ensure that a consistently high level of teaching, learning and evaluation is occurring uniformly in the field. The true test of the validity of the performance standards that are implemented is in the quality and consistency of on-the-job performance. In Ontario, the certification programs provide the necessary validation.


Certification

The Office of the Fire Marshal certifies Ontario Fire Service personnel to the respective Ontario Fire Services 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), in Part III, clause 9 (2) (d) provides authority to the Fire Marshal for the training and evaluation of Firefighters.

The Council is comprised of representative stakeholders from small, medium and large fire departments that are volunteer, full-time and composite; an OAFC representative; OFM personnel and educational consultants.

Members shall:

• Be committed to the goal of achieving individual certification in various fire service roles in a manner that is consistent with fair, ethical and equitable practices

• Have knowledge of the Standards Process Model and Ontario Fire Services Standards, and have experience in the Ontario Fire Service

• Have excellent communication skills, including effective listening, negotiating and clarifying

• Be willing to be open and receptive to new ideas and concepts, and be willing to share expertise and knowledge with others

• Have the ability to problem solve and apply analytical skills in a team environment

• Be able to set priorities and further the goals of Council

• Be able to function effectively as a team member to achieve the goals and promote the activities of Council

Authority

Certification Council

Composition

Criteria for Council Membership


• Declare any conflict of interest issues

• Keep all Council business confidential

The mandate of the Certification Council is to develop and recommend to the PSSB within the framework and infrastructure of the Standards Process Model, the policies and procedures required for an ongoing, voluntary certification program to acknowledge the skills, knowledge and related experience of the fire service roles according to the validated job performance standards.

The Certification Council advises and supports the OFM on the:

1. Establishment of procedures by which Ontario Fire Service personnel can demonstrate skills and knowledge for certification

2. Maintenance of a database that stores information on each candidate

3. Use of appropriate job performance standards in the certification program

4. Establishment of the prerequisites for assessment/testing

5. Establishment and publishing for the evaluators of minimum criteria used in the certification program

6. Establishment of policies and procedures to ensure that certification is in compliance with applicable statutes and is nondiscriminatory

7. Establishment of policies and procedures to be used to evaluate certification or training received in another jurisdiction

8. Establishment of a currency and certification renewal policy

9. Establishment of policies and procedures for the suspension, revocation and denial of certification

Mandate

Role


Purpose of Certification

Certification formally acknowledges that Ontario fire service personnel meet 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.

There are a number of benefits to certification.

• Certification recognizes fire service personnel as professionals with specialized skills and an ability to provide quality, competent service.

• Certification provides fire service personnel with opportunities to evaluate and document their performance, and compare their skills to each competency and the overall standard.

• Certification acknowledges fire service personnel's commitment to ongoing training and life-long learning.

• Certification provides a concrete training path to follow.

• Certification will support the credibility of fire service personnel 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.

Benefits to Certification


Certification Criteria

1. Certification assessment/testing shall be based on performance standards.

2. Certification shall be based on approved Ontario job performance standards.

3. Certification shall be developed for a number of fire service roles.

4. Certification shall consist of standardized tests and be the same for all candidates.

5. Certification availability shall be sequenced with curriculum development.

6. Certification shall be available on a

departmental, group or individual basis.
7. The certification program shall be managed by the Office of the Fire Marshal.

8. Equivalencies shall be determined.

Certification shall be based on the candidate's ability to:

a) Meet established educational/training qualifications

b) Provide proof of current employment in a municipal fire department in Ontario

c) Meet job experience requirements

d) Demonstrate competencies to the current standards

Candidates are required to submit their educational/training and job experience portfolios to the OFM Certification Office at the time of application.

Certification Requirements


Candidate Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for certification, candidates shall meet the qualifications for the specified Ontario job performance standard.

Candidates must demonstrate continuous employment 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. The Certification Council shall consider extenuating circumstances on an individual basis.

Candidates must complete the qualifying processes.

It shall be the policy and practice of the Office of the Fire Marshal to certify fire department personnel to the current Ontario Fire Services Standards as developed and/or amended by the Professional Standards Setting Body for the Ontario Fire Service. Certification, which is based on performance standards, assesses/tests performance standards in required roles.

Certification processes shall be updated within one year of the official release date of new standards or amendment of existing standards for the Ontario Fire Service.

Access to the Ontario Certification Programs is assured for individual fire service personnel whose departments are not participating in the system and will be determined on an individual basis. Fire service personnel in this circumstance are encouraged to write to the Certification Council.

Performance Criteria

Access to Certification


Accreditation

Definition

Accreditation is a voluntarily sought status that is given to an educational institution or program that has been found to meet or exceed stated criteria of educational quality.

Accredited entities are recognized as having met the criteria of an independent organization.

Candidates who have been awarded certification by an accredited agency know that they have been measured against valid criteria that meet international standards.

Certification with accreditation affords fire service personnel portability of qualifications.

The accrediting body establishes the minimum criteria for the assessment and validation of the process used to certify fire service personnel to professional qualifications' standards.

The accrediting agencies evaluated the Office of the Fire Marshal on:

• Its authority to certify fire service personnel

• The appropriateness of the standards to which the OFM certifies and how the standards compare to the relevant National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards

• The procedures for administering secure, comprehensive, valid, standardized, written and manipulative skills examinations

• The record keeping system

The Ontario Firefighter Certification Program was accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) in 1999. The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program was accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) in 2002.

Benefits

Requirements

Accreditation


Administration

The OFM Certification Office shall be responsible for the general management of the certification program.

There is no fee for certification and certification renewal, at this time.

The OFM Certification Office keeps records and other information communicated to them secure and confidential according to existing government policy and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The OFM Certification Office maintains records of all persons applying for and receiving certification and certification renewal that include:

• The practitioner's name and identifying

information
• A unique identification number

• The accrediting body's seal number, if applicable

• A notation of every suspension, revocation or denial of certification

Upon request, the OFM Certification Office shall confirm only:

• Whether or not a practitioner is currently certified

• The practitioner's certificate number

• The date of certification (certification renewal)

This information shall be available on request, in printed or oral form, during normal working hours of operation of the Office of the Fire Marshal, in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Fee

Record Keeping


Process and Notification

1. Upon successful completion of the qualifying process, the candidate completes and submits to the OFM Certification Office, the appropriate application for certification. The form requires details concerning education, current employer and performance of fire activities and/or training.

2. The application and accompanying documentation are reviewed by the OFM Certification Office and a recommendation is forwarded to the Fire Marshal.

The Certification Council may participate in the review process on an ongoing basis.

3. The candidate is notified within thirty (30) working days after the OFM Certification Office receives the application.

a) If certification is awarded, the candidate receives an Office of the Fire Marshal certificate. The candidate's records are updated accordingly.

b) If certification is not awarded, the candidate is notified and advised what is required for certification.

c) Upon receipt of the candidate's response/reapplication to the notification regarding non-awarding of certification, the OFM Certification Office has thirty (30) working days in which to again notify the candidate.

Certification is valid for five (5) years from the date of issuance.

Fire service personnel are responsible to maintain their certification and initiate renewal.

Details on renewal for the role specific certification programs follow.

To apply for certification renewal, a candidate must complete and submit the appropriate application for certification renewal within three (3) months of date of expiry.

Term

Renewal


When the information is received and verified, certification renewal is awarded and the Firefighter's file is updated.

In the event that certification has lapsed over ninety (90) days, fire service personnel need to reapply and requalify based on current competencies. The Certification Council will advise the OFM on the requirements.

The Fire Marshal may suspend, revoke or deny certification to any fire service personnel when it is found that the individual:

• Knowingly made a material misrepresentation of any information required for certification

• Knowingly by any means of false pretense, deception, fraud or cheating obtained documents or certification

• Knowingly by any means of false pretense, deception, fraud or cheating obtained documents or certification for another individual

• Failed to meet minimum requirements for any required test or examination forming part of the certification process

If fire service personnel in municipal fire departments in Ontario are from other jurisdictions and they meet the requirements established for each role specific certification program, they may be considered for certification.

Fire service personnel from other jurisdictions with IFSAC and/or Pro Board accredited certification may request a review of their credentials to determine academic equivalency.

Lapsed Certification

Suspension, Revocation

and Denial

Equivalency


Evaluation of the Process

The Certification Council is committed to evaluation of the certification programs on an ongoing basis. Every year, a formal evaluation on the success rate and certification program will take place. This may be accomplished through various activities, such as:

• Surveying a statistically valid number of applicants and fire departments

• Collecting statistical data through the Office of the Fire Marshal

• Conducting informal evaluations

• Collecting anecdotal information

Results are compiled and timely reports are given to the Certification Council and the Fire Marshal for review and consideration.

Certification procedures will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Information about the Ontario Certification Programs is available from OFM Fire Protection Advisers, and through locally conducted information sessions, brochures, articles in the Messenger and a video. Information is also available on the OFM Web site at http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca, on the OAFC Web site at http://www.OAFC.on.ca, on the Municipal Fire Service Instructors Association Web site at www.mfsia.org, on the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association Web site www.omfpoa.com, or by contacting the OFM Certification Office at 416-325-3142.

Review of Procedures

For Further Information


Firefighter Certification Program

The Firefighter Certification Program started on May 1, 1998.

The route to certification is designed for three categories of Ontario Firefighters:

1. Career Firefighters _ employed after certification was implemented on May 1, 1998 who wish to pursue and qualify for a career Firefighter certificate

2. Firefighters _ employed after certification was implemented on May 1, 1998

3. All Firefighters _ employed as of April 30, 1998 when certification was implemented and who wish to pursue certification through the `Window of Opportunity'

All candidates must meet academic and job experience requirements to be awarded certification.

Following completion of the Ontario Firefighter Curriculum, volunteer Firefighters may choose to continue with the certification process or stop after meeting the academic requirement.

Date of Implementation

Route to Certification

Volunteer Firefighters


Endorsed Specialty Modules for Certification

(subject to change)

The endorsed specialty modules for certification are:
Mandatory

• Pumper Operations

Optional

• Confined Space Entry and Rescue: Operations Level

• Electrical Hazards

• Firefighter Emergency Patient Care II

• Hazmat: Operations Level

• Vehicle Extrication _ in specialized situations

• Water/Ice Rescue _ includes: land based, water entry and ice rescue

• Aerial Operations

Endorsed specialty modules for Firefighter certification are available from a number of organizations, including the OFC, fire departments, community colleges and approved providers from the private sector.


`Window of Opportunity'

Certificate of Achievement or Certificate of Equivalency from the OFC


Three years experience, attested to by Fire Chief on the Application for Certification

Successful completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist

Firefighter Certification Program

Requirements for Certification

Firefighters

Certificate of Achievement from

the OFC


Three years experience, attested to by Fire Chief on the Application for Certification

Successful completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist

Successful completion of two endorsed specialty modules for certification - the mandatory module on Pumper Operations and one optional module from a selection of seven


Career Firefighters

Certificate of Achievement from the OFC

Must complete a minimum of 400 hours of on-the-job training; approximately 50% of this training must be in addition to the Ontario Firefighter Curriculum; some or all of the endorsed specialty modules for certification could be included in the other 50%

Three years experience, attested to by Fire Chief on the Application for Certification

Successful completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist

Successful completion of two endorsed specialty modules for certification - the mandatory module on Pumper Operations and one optional module from a selection of seven

Must have served at least 5,000 hours on duty as an emergency responder, excluding vacation and sick time

Requirement

Educational/training

qualifications


Current employment in a fire department in Ontario

Job experience requirements



Job Experience

Requirement

Performance Checklist

Overview

To meet the requirements of certification, Firefighters must complete the job experience component.

The job experience component is the final stage in the certification process. It provides Firefighters with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills after completing the academic requirement for certification.


The checklist entitled Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist is used by the Firefighter and fire department to document, on an ongoing basis, that a Firefighter has performed required skills to standard and according to prescribed conditions.
Successful completion of the checklist represents the validation of a Firefighter's knowledge, education and skills training.

It is essential that the Firefighter and the Company Officer doing the assessment have available and refer to the document entitled Ontario Firefighter Standards.

Because this document contains competencies that cover the entire spectrum of the Firefighter role, it provides the context for the competencies and skills required for certification.

The Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist lists the job competencies and skills that are required for certification.

Purpose

Supporting Document

Content


Performance Criteria

It is necessary that skills listed in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist be performed:

• To standard, according to prescribed conditions

• On-the-job (or in a simulated situation, only as specified)

• Within the job experience component

Ideally, the Company Officer will observe the Firefighter performing the skill.

The document entitled Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist and the Ontario Firefighter Standards are available through the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs in electronic or hard copy form.

To complete the document, the Firefighter's Company Officer initials the skills that have been performed to standard on-the-job and notes the date on which the skill was demonstrated.

Each skill is classified — A, A/S or S.

A means that the skill must be demonstrated 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.'

A/S means that it is definitely preferable to demonstrate the skill on-the-job. However, in exceptional circumstances where the Firefighter has not had an opportunity to demonstrate the skill on-the-job, the Firefighter may demonstrate the skill to a Company Officer in a simulated situation.

Indicate by circling A or S whether the skill was demonstrated on-the-job or in a simulated situation.

S means that the skill may be demonstrated to a Company Officer in a simulated situation.

Availability

Completion of Document


The Certification Council has determined that up to 5% (three 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 teams, for example) and describing the simulations that will be used.

By initialing/signing the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist, the Company Officer, Fire Chief and Firefighter verify that the Firefighter has performed the skill to standard and according to prescribed conditions, on-the-job (where applicable), while performing fire-related duties or in a simulated situation, as specified.

When the Firefighter has successfully completed all of the skills in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist, the form at the back of the booklet that verifies completion is filled in and signed off. The names of all Company Officers who have initialed the document are printed on the form; Company Officers initial next to their names. The Fire Chief and Firefighter sign and date the form verifying that the skills were performed to standard, on-the-job (or in a simulated situation, as specified.) This document is submitted to the Certification Office with the Application for Certification to verify completion of the job experience component.

Maintenance and filing of the completed Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist are the responsibility of the fire department.

It is recommended that Firefighters maintain their own duplicate records.

The Office of the Fire Marshal has the right to request and/or review the documentation.

Accountability

Submission for Certification


01. PERFORM FIRE GROUND OPERATIONS

GENERAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE

Perform fire ground operations by conducting incident size up, requesting assistance, searching for, rescuing and evacuating individuals, protecting exposures, confining, controlling and extinguishing the fire, salvaging and overhauling the structure and its contents so that lives are protected and property loss and damage to the environment is minimized.

* A means the skill must be demonstrated on-the-job `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.'

A/S means that it is definitely preferable to demonstrate the skill on-the-job. However, in exceptional circumstances where the Firefighter has not had an opportunity to demonstrate the skill on-the-job, the Firefighter may demonstrate the skill to a Company Officer in a simulated situation.

S means that the skill may be demonstrated to a Company Officer in a simulated situation.

Skills Specific Performance Objective Classification * Company Date
Officer's

Initials

01.01 Don Firefighter protective clothing, A

including such issued items as coat, helmet,

bunker gear, boots and gloves so that they are

correctly adjusted or fitted to provide optimal

protection during fire ground operations.
01.04 Interpret, clarify and carry out A

officer's orders in an emergency situation,
so that fire ground tactics are executed effectively,
efficiently and safely.
01.05 Secure water supply for the fire A
ground apparatus
from a pressurized or
nonpressurized source using hydrants, tankers or

a static supply so that fire ground pump operations
can be carried out safely and efficiently.

Sample Page










Awarding Certification

OFM certificates are awarded by the Ontario Fire Marshal to successful candidates.


Firefighter Certification
Renewal

Executive Summary

In developing the renewal model, the members of the Certification Council concentrated on how Ontario Fire Service candidates for certification renewal could document ongoing training and demonstrate competence to current Ontario Fire Services Standards. 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.

The process for finalization of the certification renewal model included consultation with selected departments/practitioners within the Ontario Fire Service and approval from the:

• Certification Council

• Professional Standards Setting Body

• OFM and OAFC partnership, through the Planning Committee

• Ontario government Legal Branch


There are many different factors that contribute to a Firefighter'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. "During the last century we have moved from the Industrial Age through the Information Age to the Knowledge Age. The ability to obtain, assimilate and apply the right knowledge effectively, will become the key skill in the next century. Our ability will no longer be judged solely by qualifications gained in the past, but will also be assessed by our capacity to learn and adapt in the future."1

A candidate's practical experience was also a key component of the certification process and it

General Information

1 www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk , About Learning


continues to be an important factor throughout the individual's professional career.

Renewal, therefore, is a process whereby the Ontario Fire Service practitioner demonstrates on-going maintenance and enhancements of competency.

Renewal is required every five years.

The purpose of certification renewal is the same as the purpose of certification.

Certification renewal formally acknowledges that a Firefighter in Ontario meets the recognized Ontario Fire Services 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.

1. Certification renewal is based on approved, current Ontario Fire Services Standards.

2. Candidates shall assume responsibility for their certification and initiate renewal.

3. Accountability for certification renewal requirements (for example, training) shall rest with the fire department and Fire Chief.

4. The renewal process shall include appropriate considerations to accommodate the diverse needs of practitioners.

5. The renewal process shall be adaptive to the changing nature of the profession.

Certification renewal is based on a candidate's ability to:

• Demonstrate continuous employment as a Firefighter in a municipal fire department in Ontario

• Provide documentation of ongoing training

• Provide proof of demonstrated competence to the current standard

Purpose of Certification

Renewal

Certification Renewal Criteria

Certification Renewal

Requirements


Continuous Employment

A candidate must provide proof of continuous employment as a Firefighter in a fire department in Ontario. Continuous is defined by government Human Resources, as having a break in employment of not greater than thirteen (13) weeks.

The Fire Chief (or designate2) signs the application for renewal to provide proof of continuous employment.


To maintain consistency with the certification process, which requires 5,000 hours on duty in three years, career Firefighters are required to provide proof of 8,300 hours on duty as an emergency responder within the five years from certification to renewal.

The purpose of training provided by the fire department is to ensure that Firefighters can safely perform to the level of response provided in their municipality.
The stated hours of training represent the minimum required for certification renewal. In addition, Fire Chiefs are required to meet their responsibility under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to provide training.

For Firefighters, a minimum of two hundred and sixty-five (265) hours of training is required within the five years from certification to renewal (53 hours per year.) One hundred and sixty-five (165) hours must be based on and relevant to the current Ontario Firefighter Standards. The remaining one hundred (100) hours should be dedicated to training on department-specific activities to meet local needs and circumstances, and on endorsed specialty modules for certification.

Career Firefighters

Training Provided by the Fire Department

Firefighters

2 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, having an understanding of the Ontario Certification Programs.


Career Firefighters

To maintain consistency with the certification process, career Firefighters are required to demonstrate a minimum of six hundred and fifty (650) hours of training within the five years from certification to renewal (130 hours per year.) Four hundred and fifty (450) hours must be based on and relevant to the current Ontario Firefighter Standards. The remaining two hundred (200) hours should be dedicated to training on department-specific activities to meet local needs and circumstances, and on endorsed specialty modules for certification.

Fire departments engaged in activities addressed by the endorsed specialty modules for certification should include this training. The endorsed certification specialty modules are:

Mandatory

• Pumper Operations

Optional

• Confined Space Entry and Rescue: Operations Level

• Electrical Hazards

• Firefighter Emergency Patient Care II

• Hazmat: Operations Level

• Vehicle Extrication _ in specialized situations

• Water/Ice Rescue _ includes: land based, water entry and ice rescue

• Aerial Operations

Endorsed Specialty Modules for Certification (subject to change)


The breakdown is as follows:

Revised Ontario Fire Services

Firefighter Standards Reference

Training on:

01. Fire ground operations

02. Rescue operations

03. Hazardous materials operations (to the awareness level)

04. Emergency patient care

05. Firefighter safety practices 3

06. Operation and maintenance of fire apparatus
07. Maintenance of fire equipment

08. Fire safety inspections

09. Public education and public

relations activities

10. Communication duties

11. Pre-incident plans

12. Administrative duties

Total hours of training

Firefighter

Minimum Training Requirement

(over 5 years)


40 hours

25 hours

5 hours

10 hours

30 hours
10 hours

10 hours

10 hours

10 hours

5 hours
5 hours

5 hours

165 hours

Career Firefighter Minimum Training Requirement
(over 5 years)

120 hours

75 hours
15 hours

30 hours

45 hours

30 hours

30 hours
30 hours

30 hours

15 hours
15 hours

15 hours

450 hours

Comprehensive documentation of this training must be maintained by the fire department. Candidates should also track their ongoing training and education.
The Fire Chief (or designate) and Training Officer sign the application for renewal attesting that the fire department training program meets the needs of the department and municipality.

A representative of the OFM Certification Office may audit the fire department records.

3 Training hours include those that are specifically based on the skills specific performance objectives in the Firefighter Standards and those that are included as a component of most Firefighter training.


Competence to the Current Standard

For certification renewal, competence to the current standard shall be based on the general performance objectives outlined in the Ontario Firefighter 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.

To ensure continued credibility of the certification process and program, the application for renewal requires the signatures of the candidate, Fire Chief (or designate) and Training Officer.


Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program

The Certification Program for Existing Fire Prevention Officers was launched on April 1, 2001. The Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program, which included certification through the regular route was launched on April 1, 2003.

There are six critical elements to the Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program.

• Certification is a voluntary process for individuals.

• Certification is based on the current Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Standards.

• There is a `Window of Opportunity' for existing Fire Prevention Officers.

• One route has been developed to meet the needs of future Fire Prevention Officers.

• Certification is term specific.

• There will be a renewal process.

Certification is based on a candidate's ability to:

• Meet established educational/training qualifications

• Provide proof of current employment as a Fire Prevention Officer in a municipal fire department in Ontario

• Meet job experience requirements

• Demonstrate competency to the current Standards

Candidates have three to five years to complete the certification process.

Date of Implementation

Critical Elements

Certification Requirements


Window of Opportunity

A three-year `Window' exists for Fire Prevention Officers employed with municipal fire departments in Ontario when certification was introduced.

Through the regular route, Fire Prevention Officers meet the academic requirement when they have successfully completed the Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program at the Ontario Fire College.

The Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program is a comprehensive educational/training program that supports the Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Standards. The modules and courses provide a strong academic base from which Fire Prevention Officers can deliver effective and efficient fire prevention and public education services.

In a `Window of Opportunity,' Fire Prevention Officers employed with municipal fire departments in Ontario when certification was introduced have options for achieving academic equivalency.

The Ontario Fire College determines if any advanced standing can be granted to applicants who have completed courses elsewhere. Advanced standing is determined by a comparative analysis of the learning outcomes and content of related courses to the learning outcomes and content of the Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program.

In the `Window of Opportunity,' the Ontario Fire College offers an update course to Fire Prevention Officers who qualify, to enable them to complete the academic component.

To meet the job experience requirement, a candidate must have a minimum of three years experience before being eligible for certification.

Academic Requirement
Through the Regular Route

In the `Window of Opportunity'


Job Experience Requirement

After completing the Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program or receiving academic equivalency, the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist is completed and signed off by the Fire Chief, supervisor and candidate.

Upon successful completion of the qualifying process, candidates apply for certification by submitting their educational/training and job experience portfolios to the OFM Certification Office.

The application and accompanying documentation are reviewed by the OFM Certification Office and a recommendation is made to the Fire Marshal. If certification is awarded, the applicant receives an OFM certificate.

Application for Certification

Awarding Certification


Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program

Requirements for Certification

`Window of Opportunity'

Successful completion of the Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program at the Ontario Fire College

or

Successful completion of the Update Course at the Ontario Fire College and/or awarding of equivalency from the OFC

Attested to by Fire Chief on the Application for Certification

Three years in the Fire Prevention Officer role

Successful completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist

Regular Route

Successful completion of the Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program at the Ontario Fire College



Attested to by Fire Chief on the Application for Certification

Three years in the Fire Prevention Officer role

Successful completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist

Requirement

Educational/training qualifications

Current employment in a municipal fire department in Ontario

Job Experience Requirements


The Certification Council has determined that up to 5% (three 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 teams, for example) and describing the simulations that will be used.

A certification renewal process shall be developed using the following guiding principles.

1. Certification renewal is based on approved, current Ontario Fire Services Standards.

2. Candidates shall assume responsibility for their certification and initiate renewal.

3. Accountability for certification renewal requirements (for example, training) shall rest with the fire department and Fire Chief.

4. The renewal process shall include appropriate considerations to accommodate the diverse needs of practitioners.

5. The renewal process shall be adaptive to the changing nature of the profession.

Job Experience

Requirement

Performance Checklist

Certification Renewal



Job Experience

Requirement

Performance Checklist

Overview

To meet the requirements of certification, Fire Prevention Officers must complete the job experience component.

The job experience component is the final stage in the certification process. It provides Fire Prevention Officers with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills after completing the academic requirement for certification.

The checklist entitled Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist is used by the Fire Prevention Officer and fire department to document, on an ongoing basis, that a Fire Prevention Officer has performed required skills to standard and according to prescribed conditions.

Successful completion of the checklist represents the validation of a Fire Prevention Officer's knowledge, education and skills training.

It is essential that Fire Prevention Officers and supervisors doing the assessment have available and refer to the document entitled Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Standards.

Because this document contains competencies that cover the entire spectrum of the Fire Prevention Officer role, it provides the context for the competencies and skills required for certification.

The Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist lists the job competencies and skills that are required for certification.

Purpose

Supporting Document

Content


Performance Criteria

It is necessary that skills listed in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist be performed:

• To standard, according to prescribed conditions

• On-the-job (or in a simulated situation, only as specified)

• Within the job experience component

Ideally, a supervisor will observe the Fire Prevention Officer performing the skill.

The document entitled Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist and the Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Standards are available through the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs in electronic or hard copy form.

To complete the document, the Fire Prevention Officer's supervisor initials the skills that have been performed to standard on-the-job and notes the date on which the skill was demonstrated.

Each skill is classified — A, A/S or S.

A means that the skill must be demonstrated on-the-job. On-the-job is defined as `while performing activities such as, conducting regular or specialized inspections, evaluating fire safety plans, conducting public education activities, performing public relations, communicating with the public, prosecuting offenders of fire safety legislation, performing administrative duties and other assigned fire prevention duties, exclusive of training.'

A/S means that it is definitely preferable to demonstrate the skill on-the-job. However, in exceptional circumstances where the Fire Prevention Officer has not had an opportunity to demonstrate the skill on-the-job, the Fire Prevention Officer may demonstrate the skill to a supervisor in a simulated situation.

Indicate by circling A or S whether the skill was demonstrated on-the-job or in a simulated situation.

S means that the skill may be demonstrated to a Company Officer in a simulated situation.

Availability

Completion of Document


The Certification Council has determined that up to 5% (three 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 teams, for example) and describing the simulations that will be used.

By initialing/signing the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist, the supervisor, Fire Chief and Fire Prevention Officer verify that the Fire Prevention Officer has performed the skill to standard and according to prescribed conditions, on-the-job (where applicable), while performing fire-related duties or in a simulated situation, as specified.

When the Fire Prevention Officer has successfully completed all of the skills in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist, the form at the back of the booklet that verifies completion is filled in and signed off. The names of all supervisors who have initialed the document are printed on the form; supervisors initial next to their names. The Fire Chief and Fire Prevention Officer sign and date the form verifying that the skills were performed to standard, on-the-job (or in a simulated situation, as specified.) This document is submitted to the Certification Office with the Application for Certification to verify completion of the job experience component.

Maintenance and filing of the completed Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist are the responsibility of the fire department.

It is recommended that Fire Prevention Officers maintain their own duplicate records.

The Office of the Fire Marshal has the right to request and/or review the documentation.

Accountability

Submission for Certification




A


A


* A means the skill must be demonstrated on-the-job. On-the-job is defined as `while performing activities such as, conducting regular or specialized inspections, evaluating fire safety plans, conducting public education activities, performing public relations, communicating with the public, prosecuting offenders of fire safety legislation, performing administrative duties and other assigned fire prevention duties, exclusive of training.'

A/S means that it is definitely preferable to demonstrate the skill on-the-job. However, in exceptional circumstances where the Fire Prevention Officer has not had an opportunity to demonstrate the skill on-the-job, the Fire Prevention Officer may demonstrate the skill to a supervisor in a simulated situation.

S means that the skill may be demonstrated to a supervisor in a simulated situation.

Sample Page

01. CONDUCTS REGULAR FIRE INSPECTIONS

GENERAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE

Conducts regular fire safety inspections by performing physical and visual examinations, identifying conditions and hazards, advising owner of corrective measures, preparing inspection reports and maintaining records so that the premises meet or exceed the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code, the Ontario Building Code and other relevant legislation and an acceptable degree of life safety and property protection is achieved.

Skills Specific Performance Objective Classification * Supervisor's Date Initials

01.01 Administers provincial and

municipal legislation and related codes and

standards using applicable rulings and interpretive

guidelines to ensure conformance with fire safety

legislation, codes and standards and the

consistency of application.

01.05 Inspects and/or tests fire alarm and

detection systems including components such as

bells, heat or smoke detectors, pull stations,

control panels, back-up power and ancillary

devices using performance guidelines to ensure

that all components are in place, that the system is
fully functional and performs to mandatory
standard and that the occupants respond in
accordance with the fire plan.

A

A


Company Officer Certification Program

Date of Implementation

Critical Elements

The Company Officer Certification Program was launched on May 1, 2003.

There are six critical elements to the Company Officer Certification Program.
• Certification is a voluntary process for
individuals.
• Certification is based on the current Ontario Company Officer Standards.
• There is a `Window of Opportunity' for existing Company Officers.

• Another route meets the needs of future Company Officers.

• Certification is term specific.

• There will be a renewal process.

Certification is based on a candidate's ability to:

• Meet established educational/training qualifications

• Provide proof of current employment as a Company Officer in a municipal fire department in Ontario

• Meet job experience requirements

• Demonstrate competency to the current Standards

Candidates have three to five years to complete the certification process.

Date of Implementation

Certification Requirements


Window of Opportunity

A three-year `Window' exists from May 1, 2003 to May 1, 2006 for Company Officers employed with municipal fire departments in Ontario when certification was introduced.

Company officers employed after May 1, 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 may have 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.

To meet the job experience requirement, a candidate must be a member of a municipal fire department in Ontario and have a minimum of three years in the Company Officer role.

To demonstrate competencies to standards, a candidate must complete the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist.

In the `Window of Opportunity,' Company Officers employed with municipal fire departments in Ontario when certification was introduced have options for achieving academic equivalency.

In the `Window of Opportunity,' Company Officers who have completed the Fire Protection Technology program can achieve an Ontario Fire College Certificate of Equivalency by completing the OFC Company Officer Update Course.

Academic Requirement

Through the Regular Route

In the `Window of Opportunity'


Job Experience Requirement



To meet the job experience requirement, a candidate must have a minimum of three years experience before being eligible for certification.

After meeting the academic requirement, the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist is completed and signed off by the Fire Chief and candidate.

Upon successful completion of the qualifying process, the candidate applies for certification by submitting his/her educational/training and job experience portfolio to the OFM Certification Office.

The application and accompanying documentation are reviewed by the OFM Certification Office and a recommendation is made to the Fire Marshal. If certification is awarded, the applicant receives an OFM certificate.

Application for Certification

Awarding Certification


Company Officer Certification Program

Requirements for Certification

It is assumed that in the Company Officer role, the individual builds upon the skills, knowledge and experience of a Firefighter.

`Window of Opportunity'

Successful completion of the Company Officer Diploma Program at the Ontario Fire College

or

Successful completion of the Update Course at the Ontario Fire College and/or awarding of equivalency from the OFC

Attested to by Fire Chief on the Application for Certification

Three years in the Company Officer role

Successful completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist

Regular Route

Successful completion of the Company Officer Diploma Program at the Ontario Fire College


Attested to by Fire Chief on the Application for Certification

Three years in the Company Officer role

Successful completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist

Requirement

Educational/training qualifications

Current employment in a municipal fire department in Ontario

Job Experience Requirements


Job Experience

Requirement

Performance Checklist

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 teams, for example) and describing the simulations that will be used.

A certification renewal process shall be developed using the following guiding principles.

1. Certification renewal shall be based on approved, current Ontario Fire Services Standards.

2. Candidates shall assume responsibility for their certification and initiate renewal.

3. Accountability for certification renewal requirements (for example, training) shall rest with the fire department and Fire Chief.

4. The renewal process shall include appropriate considerations to accommodate the diverse needs of practitioners.

5. The renewal process shall be adaptive to the changing nature of the profession.

Certification Renewal



Job Experience

Requirement

Performance Checklist
Overview

To meet the requirements of certification, Company Officers must complete the job experience component.

Company Officer for the purposes of certification is defined as an individual who organizes, coordinates and controls an emergency response team.

The job experience component is the final stage in the certification process. It provides Company Officers with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills after completing the academic requirement for certification.

The checklist entitled Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist is used by the Company Officer and fire department to document, on an ongoing basis, that a Company Officer has performed required skills to standard and according to prescribed conditions.

Successful completion of the checklist represents the validation of a Company Officer's knowledge, education and skills training.

It is essential that Company Officers and supervisors doing the assessment have available and refer to the document entitled Ontario Company Officer Standards.

Because this document contains competencies that cover the entire spectrum of the Company Officer role, it provides the context for the competencies and skills required for certification.

The Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist lists the job competencies and skills that are required for certification.

Purpose

Supporting Document

Content


Performance Criteria

It is necessary that skills listed in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist be performed:

• To standard, according to prescribed conditions

• On-the-job (or in a simulated situation, only as specified)

• Within the job experience component

Ideally, a supervisor will observe the Company Officer performing the skill. For sign-off purposes, a supervisor is the Company Officer's direct supervisor, Fire Chief or the Chief's designate.

The document entitled Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist and the Ontario Company Officer Standards are available through the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs in electronic or hard copy form.

To complete the document, the Company Officer's supervisor initials the skills that have been performed to standard on-the-job and notes the date on which the skill was demonstrated.

Each skill is classified — A, A/S or S. A means that the skill must be demonstrated 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.'

A/S means that it is definitely preferable to demonstrate the skill on-the-job. However, in exceptional circumstances where the Company Officer has not had an opportunity to demonstrate the skill on-the-job, the Company Officer may demonstrate the skill to a supervisor, Fire Chief or the Chief's designate in a simulated situation. Indicate by circling A or S whether the skill was demonstrated on-the-job or in a simulated situation. Please refer to the document entitled Guide to the Creation of Safe, Effective Simulations for Fire Department Training and Evaluation Exercises.

S means that the skill may be demonstrated to a supervisor, Fire Chief or the Chief's designate in a simulated situation.

Availability

Completion of Document


The Certification Council has determined that up to 5% (three 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 teams, for example) and describing the simulations that will be used.

By initialing/signing the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist, the Company Officer, Fire Chief and supervisor verify that the Company Officer has performed the skill to standard and according to prescribed conditions, on-the-job (where applicable), while performing fire-related duties or in a simulated situation, as specified.

When the Company Officer has successfully completed all of the skills in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist, the form at the back of the booklet that verifies completion is filled in and signed off. The names of all supervisors, Fire Chief or Chief's designates who have initialed the document are printed on the form; supervisors initial next to their names. The Fire Chief and Company Officer sign and date the form verifying that the skills were performed to standard, on-the-job (or in a simulated situation, as specified.) This document is submitted with the Application for Certification and other documentation to the Office of the Fire Marshal, Certification Office to verify completion of the job experience component.

Maintenance and filing of the completed Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist are the responsibility of the fire department.

It is recommended that Company Officers maintain their own duplicate records.

The Office of the Fire Marshal has the right to request and/or review the documentation.

Accountability

Submission for Certification


Sample Page

A




A/S


01. ORGANIZES INITIAL RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY SITUATION

GENERAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE

Organizes initial response to emergency situation by gathering pertinent information, determining types of apparatus and equipment to respond, notifying external agencies of emergency and confirming arrival and details of situation with dispatch or communication centres so that delays in response to emergency are minimized, the manpower, apparatus and equipment meet the requirements of the situation and communication with fire department is maintained.

* A means the skill must be demonstrated 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.'

A/S means that it is definitely preferable to demonstrate the skill on-the-job. However, in exceptional circumstances where the Company Officer has not had an opportunity to demonstrate the skill on-the-job, the Company Officer may demonstrate the skill to a supervisor, the Fire Chief or the Chief's designate in a simulated situation.

S means that the skill may be demonstrated to a supervisor, the Fire Chief or the Chief's designate in a simulated situation.

Skills Specific Performance Objective Classification * Supervisor's Date Initials

01.02 Determines emergency route using

running cards, computer printouts and detailed

maps so that the route selected is the most direct

and quickest to the emergency and delay

situations such as road construction and excessive

traffic are avoided.

01.04 Notifies dispatch of inability to respond

such as accidents or mechanical breakdowns

using radio communications equipment so that

additional equipment can be dispatched to scenes,

alternate transportation for responding crew can

be provided, and the mechanical division is aware

of disabled apparatus.

A/S


A Guide to the Creation of Safe, Effective Simulations

for Fire Department Training and Evaluation Exercises

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide Ontario Fire Service personnel who are responsible for the training and/or evaluation of Firefighters, with guidelines for the creation of safe, effective, standardized, simulated exercises. In recognition of financial constraints and the diversity of training resources across the province, practical suggestions are included for the creation of cost-effective, acceptable simulations.

This document complements and relates specifically to:

• Enablers #3 of the Ontario Firefighter Curriculum

• The Ontario Firefighter and Fire Prevention Officer Certification Programs Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklists

• Office of the Fire Marshal/Ontario Fire College courses with a practical component, for example, Fire Cause Determination, Company Officer Diploma Program, OFC Volunteer Fire Fighting Modules A and B, and Pumper Operations

The Guide includes:

• The definition of a simulation

• The goals and purposes of simulated exercises

• References to relevant legislation and resources, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act and WHMIS Regulation, the Ontario Fire Services Standards, NFPA 1403 and 1521, the OFC Occupational Health & Safety Policy, and fire department operational guidelines

• Safety considerations

• General criteria for acceptable simulations

Application

Content


• A list of required and desired trainer skills, when simulations are used
• A group-work exercise that is appropriate for fire department Trainer/Facilitators

• Helpful hints to create effective simulations

• A comprehensive bibliography

• Suggestions for completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklists

• Guidelines for creating a funding proposal

In recognition of financial constraints and the diversity of training resources across the province, practical suggestions are included for the creation of cost-effective, acceptable simulations, particularly in the areas of hoses and appliances, fire suppression, forcible entry, search and rescue, ventilation, overhaul and size-up.

The Guide is posted on and available for downloading from the OFM Web site

http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca.

For further information or to request a hard copy of the Guide, contact the Certification Office at

416-325-3142.

Downloading the Guide

Further Information


Appendices

Ontario Firefighter Certification Program

Fire Department Commitment to Participate (in the) Firefighter Certification Program

Application for Firefighter Certification

Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist: Submission for Certification

Application for Firefighter Certification Renewal

Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program

Fire Department Commitment to Participate (in the) Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program
Application for Fire Prevention Officer Certification

Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist: Submission for Certification


Ontario Company Officer Certification Program

Fire Department Commitment to Participate (in the) Company Officer Certification Program

Application for Certification

Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist: Submission for Certification












Index

A

academic equivalency 49

academic requirement 49

acceptable 68

acceptable simulations 68

access 27

access to certification 27

accountability 39,43,52,56,62,66

accreditation 7,28

act 7

administration 29

adult education 16

advanced standing 49,59

Aerial Operations 34,45

appendices 70

application (Simulations Guide) 68

application for certification 30,50

applied administration 17

approved 7

assessment/testing 7,24,26

authority 23

availability 38,55,65

awarding certification 41,50,60

B

benefits (accreditation) 28

benefits (certification) 25

benefits (endorsement process) 18

bibliography 69

body of knowledge 15

C

career firefighter(s) 7,35,44

categories for endorsement 18

certificate of achievement 10,11,35

certificate of equivalency 35

certification 8,23,25

Certification Council 8,23,24,30,32,42,52,62

certification criteria 26

certification office 26,29,30,32,46,50,52,60,69

certification program 24,29

Certification Program for Existing Fire Prevention 48

certification renewal 24,52,62

certification renewal, purpose of 43

certification renewal requirements 43

certification requirements 26,48,58

certified copy 8

certifying body 8


cheating 31

Chief's designate 65

College of Applied Arts and Technology 16

communications 7

Company Officer 8,59

Company Officer Certification Program 58

Company Officer Diploma Program 8,17,51,59,61,68

competence to the current standard 47

competencies 11

composition 23

Confined Space Entry and Rescue: Operations Level 34,45

confirmation of endorsed offering 19

content 64

continuing education 16

continuous employment 27,44

cost-effective 68

criteria 24

criteria (certification program) 26

criteria (council membership) 23

critical elements 48,58

curriculum 8,10

curriculum development 16

D

database 24

date of expiry 30

date of implementation 8,12,33,48,58

definition (accreditation) 28

definitions 7

delivery and support systems 17

delivery networks 16

delivery standards 16

denial of certification 24

design 14

downloading (Simulations Guide) 69

E

education plan and career path 20

educational/training requirements 25,43

Electrical Hazards 34,45

eligibility 27

enablers #3 68

endorsed specialty modules for certification 34,35,44,45

endorsement process 18

Endorsement Review Board 8,18,19

enhancements of competency 43

equivalency 26,31

evaluation (certification process) 32

evaluators 24

executive summary 42


F

fee 29

financial constraints 68

fire cause determination 16,68

Fire Chief 8,65

fire department 9

fire department personnel 27

Fire Fighters Association of Ontario 14

Fire Marshal 8,23,30,31,32,41,50,60

fire prevention 17

Fire Prevention Officer 9

Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program 48

Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program 9,16,49

Fire Prevention Officer Standards 9

Fire Protection Advisers 32

Fire Protection and Prevention Act 7,8,9,23

fire safety plans 16

fire suppression 69

Firefighter Certification Program 33

firefighter certification renewal 42

Firefighter Emergency Patient Care II 34,45

Firefighter General Level Curriculum 10

Firefighter(s) 9,23,35,44

forcible entry 69

fraud 31

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act 29

funding proposal 69

G

general information 42

Guide to the Creation of Safe, Effective Simulatio 65

guidelines 68

guiding principles 62

H

Hazmat: Operations Level 34,45

history 13

I

IFSAC 28.See International Fire Service Accreditation Congress

incident management 17

industrial age 42

information age 42

International Fire Service Accreditation Congress 9,28

introduction 7

introductory fire prevention 16

J

job experience requirement 49,60

Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist 35,37,39,50,51,52,54,55,56,59,60,61,62,64,65,68,69

job performance standard(s) 9,15,24,25,26,27,43

jurisdiction 24


K

knowledge 8,24

knowledge age 42

L

lack of certification 25

lapsed certification 31

leadership and communication 16,17

learner guides 9

legislation 16,17

list (endorsed programs) 19

litigation 25

M

mandate (Certification Council) 24

mandatory requirement 11

master trainer/facilitator 10

misrepresentation 31

Municipal Fire Service Instructors' Association 14

N

National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualif 10,28

National Fire Protection Association 10

new standards 27

NFPA 10,28.See National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 1403 68

NFPA 1521 68

nondiscriminatory 24

notice 7

notification 30

O

OAFC 10.See Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs

OAFC/OFM partnership 8,16,18,20,42

Occupational Health and Safety Act 44,68

OFC 10.See Ontario Fire College

Office of the Fire Marshal 7,8,10,11,12,14,19,20,23,25,27,28,29,30,32,39,43,56, 68

OFM 8,10,11.See Office of the Fire Marshal

on-going maintenance 43

on-the-job 22,38,39,47,52,55,56,62,65

Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs 8,10,11,14,19,20,23,25,38,43,55,65

Ontario Company Officer Standards 8,58,64,65

Ontario Fire College 10,51,61,68

Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Standards 48,49

Ontario Fire Services Standards 11,23,27,42,43,52,62

Ontario Firefighter Curriculum 9,12,16,33,68

Ontario Firefighter Standards 10,37,38,44,45,47,54,55,64,65

Ontario Municipal Fire Departments Mechanical Offi 14

Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers' 14

Ontario Native Firefighters Society 14

Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association 14

open system 14


other jurisdictions 31

overhaul 69

overview 64

overview (Job Performance Checklist) 37,54,64

P

Paradigm for Progress 13,15

performance criteria 27,38,55,65

performance standards 11,22

policies and procedures 24

portfolio 11,26,60

post-secondary institution 11

Pre-entry Program for Firefighters 16

pre-incident planning 17

Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Pro 11,16

prerequisite knowledge 11

prerequisite skills 11

prerequisites 24

Pro Board 10,28.See National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualif

process 30

Professional Standards Setting Body 8,11,14,18,20,27,42

professionalization process 15

PSSB 11,15.See Professional Standards Setting Body

public education 16,17

Pumper Operations 34,45,68

purpose 64

purpose (certification renewal) 43

purpose (certification) 25

purpose (Job Performance Checklist) 37,54,64

purpose (Simulations Guide) 68

Q

qualifying process 8,30

quality assurance 22

R

recommendation 11

record keeping 29

renewal 24,30

renewal model 42

requirements (accreditation) 28

requirements (certification) 35

requirements for certification 51,61

review of procedures 32

revocation 24

role (Certification Council) 24

route to firefighter certification 33

Ryerson University 20

S

search and rescue 69

shall 11

should 11


simulated exercises 68

simulations 68

size-up 69

skills 8,24

specialized operations 17

standardized tests 26

standards 23

standards process model 13,14,15,23,24

submission for certification 39,56,66

supervisor 65

supporting document 54,64

suspension, revocation and denial 24,31

T

task 11

term 30

testing 7

The Institution of Fire Engineers, Ontario Branch, 14

trainer skills 69

trainer/facilitator 10,12,69

trainer/facilitator guides 12

training and development 17

training, purpose of 44

U

unique identification number 29

update course 49,51,61

V

valid 30

validation 22

Vehicle Extrication 34,45

ventilation 69

volunteer firefighter(s) 33

W

Water/Ice Rescue 34,45

web sites 32

window of opportunity 12,35,48,49,58,59

window of opportunity extension 12