Office of the Fire Marshal
Ontario Certification Programs
February 2007
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
Programs. It is impossible to recognize everyone who has helped in making
these programs 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 programs.
Certification Council
At the time of printing this edition of the Certification
Guide,
the Certification Council members were:
Doug Goodings, Chairperson, Office of the Fire Marshal
Lorne Bradt, Firefighter, Leamington
Craig Cunningham, (A) District Chief of Fire Prevention, Toronto
Kevin Foster, Fire Chief, Midland and OAFC representative
Rocco Volpe, Training Officer, Richmond Hill
Robert Simmons, City of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services
Stephane Malo, Training Officer, Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services
Carol-Lynn Chambers, Operations Manager & A/Chief, Fire Protection Services,
Office of the Fire Marshal
Jim Sawkins, Fire Chief, Township of Muskoka Lakes
Michael Seth, Fire Chief, Six Nations Fire Department
Jeff Weber, Training Officer, Kitchener
Ex-officio
Ed Godden, Academic Manager, Ontario Fire College
Lynne Lofquist, Section Manager, Academic Standards and Evaluation, OFM
Secretary
Uyen Ha, Program Coordinator, Office of the Fire Marshal
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Contents
Introduction
Notice
Definitions
History
Standards Process Model
Design
Open System
Professional Standards Setting
Body
Mandate
Body of Knowledge
Job Performance Standards
Curriculum Development
Pre-Service
Firefighter Education and Training Program
Ontario Firefighter Curriculum
Fire Prevention Officer
Diploma Program
Company Officer Diploma Program
Delivery and Support Systems
Endorsement Review Board
Benefits of the Endorsement
Process
Categories for Endorsement
Confirmation of Endorsed Offering
List of Endorsed Programs
Education Plan and Career Path
Validation
Certification
Authority
Certification Council
Composition
Criteria for Council Membership
Mandate
Role
Purpose of Certification
Benefits to Certification
Certification Criteria
Certification Requirements
Candidate Eligibility
Performance Criteria
Access to Certification
Accreditation
Definition
Benefits
Requirements
Accreditation
Administration
Record Keeping
Process and Notification
Term
Renewal
Lapsed Certification
Suspension, Revocation and Denial
Equivalency
Evaluation of the Process
Review of Procedures
For Further Information
Firefighter
Certification Program
Date of Implementation
Route to Certification
Volunteer Firefighters
Specialty
Modules for Certification
Firefighter
Certification Program
Requirements for Certification
Job Experience
Requirement Performance Checklist
Overview
Purpose
Supporting Document
Content
Revised Firefighter Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist and the
Addendum
Use of the Addendum
Performance Criteria
Availability
Firefighter Responsibility
Completion of Document
Accountability
Submission for Certification
Awarding Certification
Firefighter
Certification Renewal
Executive Summary
General Information
Purpose of Certification Renewal
Certification Renewal Principles
Certification Renewal Requirements
Training Provided by the
Fire Department
Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program
Date of Implementation
Critical Elements
Certification Requirements
'Window of Opportunity'
Academic Requirement
Job Experience Requirement
Application for Certification
Awarding Certification
Company Officer
Certification Program
Requirements for Certification
Job Experience
Requirement Performance Checklist
Job Experience
Requirement Performance Checklist
Overview
Purpose
Supporting Document
Content
Performance Criteria
Availability
Completion of Document
Accountability
Submission for Certification
Company Officer Certification Renewal
Executive Summary
Purpose of Certification
Certification Renewal Requirements
Certification Renewal Principles
Job-related Activities and Ongoing Training and Education
Competence to the Current
Standards
Training Officer Certification Program
Date of Implementation
Registering in the Program
Certification Requirements
`Window of Opportunity'
Academic Requirement
`Window of Opportunity'
Job Experience Requirement
Application for Certification
Awarding Certification
Certification Renewal
Training Officer Certification Program
Requirements for Certification
Overview
Purpose
Supporting Documents
Content
Performance Criteria
Availability
Accountability
Submission for Certification
A Guide to the Creation of Safe, Effective Simulations for
Fire Department Training and Evaluation Exercises
Purpose
Application
Content
Downloading the Guide
Further Information
Appendices
Ontario Firefighter Certification Program
Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program
Ontario Company Officer Certification Program
Ontario Training Officer Certification Program
Index
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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.
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.
Associate instructor is an individual designated by the OFC to teach OFC diploma level courses. To earn the designation, individuals must demonstrate a high level of competence in adult education principles and practices, as well as technical knowledge and competence in the subject area(s) being taught.
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, and job experience 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.
Endorsed, for the purpose of this document, means an educational or training offering is recognized as a quality program for the Ontario Fire Service.
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 Experience Requirement Performance Checklist (JERPC), available from the OAFC, the role-specific document is used by firefighters, fire prevention officers and company officers to document their ability to perform essential competencies to standard on-the-job.
Job Experience Requirement Demonstration of Competence to the Standards, available from the OAFC, this document is used by training officers to document their ability to perform essential competencies to standard on-the-job.
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.
Training officer, for the purposes of this document, is an individual who develops and evaluates training plans and programs, which include participant evaluation; coordinates the delivery of training; delivers training; and manages the training environment.
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.
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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.
Professional Standards
Setting Body
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
Office of the Fire Marshal
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
Ontario Association of Fire Training Officers
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.
Body of Knowledge
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
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 (revised 2003), Training Officer (revised 2003), Mechanical Officer and Communicator (dispatcher).
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 professional 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.
Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program
The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program represents an enhancement of the previous Pre-entry Program forFirefighters, 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.
Ontario Firefighter Curriculum
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.
Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program
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.
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. |
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Delivery and Support Systems The design of the delivery and support systems includes the following criteria: They are comprehensive educational and training systems. 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. Benefits of the Endorsement Process The endorsement process:
Provides a current listing of endorsed programs, courses and workshops
to 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. Confirmation of Endorsed Offering 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. 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
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  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.
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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.
Criteria for Council Membership
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
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 ongoing, voluntary certification programs 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
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.
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.
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.
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 evaluate 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
Accredited Certification Programs and Courses
Ontario Standards recognized by IFSAC:
1. Firefighter Standards
2. Company Officer Standards
3. Senior Officer Standards
4. Deputy Fire Chief Standards
5. Fire Investigator Standards
6. Fire Protection Advisers Standards
7. Training Officer Standards
8. Fire Prevention Officer Standards
IFSAC accredited programs/courses:
1. Ontario Firefighter Certification Program
2. Company Officer Certification Program
3. Advanced Fire Cause Determination and Investigations Course
4. Public Fire and Life Safety Educators Certification Program
5. OFM Fire Investigators Certification Program
6. Hazardous Materials Operations Level Course
7. Hazardous Materials Technician Level Course
8. OFM Fire Protection Advisors Program
9. Training Officer Certification Program
10. Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program
Pro Board accredited OFM programs/courses:
1. Ontario Firefighter Certification Program
2. Advanced Fire Cause Determination and Investigations Course
3. Public Fire and Life Safety Educators Certification Program
4. Hazardous Materials Operations Level Course
5. Hazardous Materials Technician Level Course
6. Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program
The OFM Certification Office shall be responsible for the general management of the certification program.
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 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.
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 granted, the candidate is awarded 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 or subsequent renewal(s).
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.
When the information is received and verified, certification renewal is
awarded and the candidate'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.
Suspension, Revocation and Denial
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.
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 programs 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 www.ofm.gov.on.ca, on the OAFC Web site at www.OAFC.on.ca, on the Ontario Association of Fire Training Officers Web site at www.firetraining.ca, on the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association Web site www.omfpoa.com, or by contacting the OFM Certification Office at 416-325-3142.
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Firefighter Certification
Program
Date of Implementation
The Firefighter Certification Program started on May 1, 1998.
The route
to certification is designed for two 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
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.
Specialty Modules for Certification (subject to change)
The specialty modules for certification are: Hazardous Materials: Operational Level
Vehicle Extrication - in specialized situations
Water/Ice Rescue - includes: land based, water entry and ice rescue
"The Fire Marshal and the president of the Ontario Association of Fire
Chiefs have decided, in consultation with the Certification Council, to
increase the number of certification specialty modules for firefighter
certification. This decision was made in order to address concerns expressed
by the fire service, in particular, concerns relating to the accessibility
and availability of the specialty modules, and also to the limited selection
and lack of specialty modules on certain types of fire department services.
"The requirements for firefighter certification through the `regular route'
and for renewal after certifying through the `Window of Opportunity' are
successful completion of the mandatory Pumper Operations course and one
other certification specialty module.
"The list of certification specialty modules also includes
Terrorism/Hazardous Materials Awareness for First
Responders in Ontario: Self-Study Course, available on the OFM Web
site at www.ofm.gov.on.ca.
"Once the Fire Marshal and OAFC president have had an opportunity to conduct
a program review, other modules will be added to the approved list of
certification specialty modules.
"The OFM and the OAFC welcome input and embrace change so that the system
may evolve to meet the progressive needs of the Ontario Fire Service."1
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.
1 Fire Marshal's Communiquι, Ontario
Firefighter Certification Program: Certification Specialty Modules,
OFM, 2005-14, June 23, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
Requirement |
Career Firefighters |
Firefighters |
| Education/training | Certification of Achievement from | Certificate of Achievement from |
|
qualifications |
the OFC |
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 specialty | ||
| modules for certification could be | ||
| included in the other 50% | ||
| Current employment in a fire | Three years experience, attested | Three years experience, |
| department in Ontario | to by fire chief on the Application | attested to by the fire chief on |
| for Certification | the Application for Certification | |
| Job experience requirements | Successful completion of the | Successful completion of the |
| Job Experience Requirement | Job Experience Requirement | |
| Performance Checklist | Performance Checklist | |
| Successful completion of two | Successful completion of two | |
| specialty modules for certification- | specialty modules for certification- | |
| the mandatory module on Pumper | the mandatory module on Pumper | |
| Operations and one optional | Operations and one optional | |
| module from the approved list | module from the approved list | |
| Must have served at least 5,000 | ||
| hours on duty as an emergency | ||
| responder, excluding vacation | ||
|
and sick time |
||
Job Experience
Requirement
Performance Checklist
To meet the
requirements for firefighter certification, candidates must complete the job
experience component.
The job experience component is the final stage in the certification
process. It provides the firefighter with the opportunity, after completing
the academic requirement for certification, to demonstrate knowledge and
skills.
The
Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist
is used by the firefighter and his/her fire department to document, on an
ongoing basis, that the firefighter has performed required skills to standard
and according to prescribed conditions.
Successful completion of the checklist represents the validation of the
firefighter's knowledge, education and skills training.
Firefighters can also use their copy of the Job
Experience Requirement Performance Checklist as a portfolio to document
and track their continuing education/training, fire calls and other duties.
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.
Revised
Firefighter Job
Experience Requirement
Performance Checklist and
the Addendum
History
In November 1991, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs issued the
first Ontario Fire Services Firefighter Standards.
In 1998, the Office of the Fire Marshal launched the
Ontario Firefighter Certification Program. One of the components of
the certification program is on-the-job performance of
essential competencies from the firefighter
standards. Therefore, the Job Experience Requirement
Performance Checklist was developed by the OFM Certification Council
and issued by the OAFC for use by fire service certification candidates.
In March 2000, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs issued a revised
edition of the Ontario Fire Services Firefighter
Standards, with minor changes. Not only did some skills-specific
performance objectives change but section numbers changed, for example, 05
Apply First Aid became 04 Perform Emergency Patient Care. 05 Perform
Firefighter Safety Practices was added. Therefore, the OFM Certification
Council developed a revised Job Experience Requirement
Performance Checklist - again listing
essential competencies.
The Needs of the Fire
Service and Candidates Partway
through the Process
To assist candidates who were part way through the certification process
and their Job Experience Requirement Performance
Checklist, and to minimize costs for candidates and fire departments,
an addendum to the Job Experience Requirement
Performance Checklist was created.
Many essential skills identified in the revised standards were the same or
similar to those in the original standards. The addendum reflects only those
skills from the revised standards that were not in the original
Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist
or those whose classification (actual performance or simulated) changed.
The addendum is intended for use only by those firefighters who were
part way through the process when the revised standards and new
Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist
were issued, and who are submitting for certification after December 31,
2005.
Candidates who are entering the certification process and/or who have not
started or gotten very far through their Job Experience
Requirement Performance Checklist should be issued the full revised
edition of the checklist, which is available from the OAFC.
Before a company officer attests to a skill being performed,
documented training for the competency being signed off must be completed.
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 company officer will observe the firefighter performing the
skill.
The Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist and the Ontario Firefighter Standards are available through the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. The addendum is available on the OFM Web site.
It is the firefighter's responsibility to maintain a log of fire calls responded to and related duties performed. The firefighter must seek out the company officer to sign off the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist.It is also the firefighter's responsibility, while working within the policies and procedures of his/her department, to seek out the opportunities needed to complete the job experience component.
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. Please refer to the document entitled
A 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
company officer in a simulated situation.
On the fire log pages, firefighters record the major calls responded to, and
the individual and team actions that were taken. This information is used
when firefighters and their company officers complete the
Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist.
Pages are also provided for firefighters to maintain their
educational/training records. This should become part of their professional
development portfolio.
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.
OFM certificates are
awarded by the Ontario Fire Marshal to successful candidates.
Firefighter
Certification
Renewal
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."2
A candidate's practical experience was also a key component of the
certification process and it
2 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.
Purpose of Certification Renewal
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.
Certification Renewal 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.
Certification Renewal Requirements
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
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 designate3) signs the application for renewal to provide
proof of continuous employment.
Career Firefighters
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.
Training Provided by the Fire Department
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.
Firefighters
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 specialty modules for certification.
3 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 specialty modules for certification.
Specialty Modules for
Certification
(subject to change)
Fire departments
engaged in activities addressed by the specialty modules for certification
should include this training. The certification specialty modules are:
Mandatory
Pumper Operations
Optional
Confined Space Entry and Rescue: Operations Level
Firefighter Emergency Patient Care II
Hazmat: Operations Level
Vehicle Extrication - in specialized situations
Water/Ice Rescue - includes: land based, water entry and ice rescue
Terrorism/Hazardous Materials Awareness for First Responders in Ontario:
Self-Study Course
| The
breakdown is as follows:
|
||
| Revised Ontario Fire Services | Firefighter Minimum | Career Firefighter |
| Firefighter Standards | Training | Minimum Training |
| Reference | Requirement | Requirement |
|
(over 5 years) |
(over 5 years) |
|
|
Training on: |
||
| 01. Fire
ground operations |
40 hours |
120 hours |
| 02. Rescue
operations |
25 hours |
75 hours |
| 03.
Hazardous materials operations (to the awareness level) |
5 hours |
15 hours |
| 04.
Emergency patient care |
10 hours |
30 hours |
| 05.
Firefighter safety practices 4 |
30 hours |
45 hours |
| 06.
Operation and maintenance of fire apparatus |
10 hours
|
30 hours
|
| 07.
Maintenance of fire equipment |
10 hours |
30 hours |
| 08. Fire
safety inspections |
10 hours |
30 hours |
| 09. Public
education and public relations activities |
10 hours
|
30 hours
|
| 10.
Communication duties |
5 hours |
15 hours |
| 11.
Pre-incident plans |
5 hours |
15 hours |
| 12.
Administrative duties |
5 hours |
15 hours |
|
Total hours of training |
165 |
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.
4 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 was 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 is 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.
Academic Requirement
Through the Regular Route
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.
To meet the job
experience requirement, a candidate must have a minimum of three years
experience in the fire prevention officer role before being eligible for
certification.
After completing the Fire Prevention Officer Diploma
Program or receiving acade
