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Location:  Certification > FPO Certification Program > Certification Program for Existing Fire Prevention Officers - Questions and Answers

FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 
Q's AND A's

1. What is a fire prevention officer?

For the purposes of certification of fire prevention personnel, a fire prevention officer 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.
 
2. I work in a fire prevention bureau but my primary role is not as a fire prevention officer. Will I be able to certify to the standard?

Your primary responsibilities must include the duties included in the definition of a fire prevention officer, and you must meet the recognized job performance standards, and educational/training and job experience requirements.
 
3. Who is the certifying body and what gives it the authority to certify fire service personnel?

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal certifies fire prevention officers on a voluntary basis to the Ontario Fire Services fire prevention officer Standards based on the criteria developed by the Certification Council, approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal and agreed to by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) provides authority in Part III, clause 9 (2) (d) to the Fire Marshal.
Part III, clause 9 (2) (d) states that it is the duty of the Fire Marshal to develop training programs and evaluation systems for persons involved in the provision of fire protection services and to provide programs to improve practices relating to fire protection services.
 
4. What is the purpose of certification?

Certification formally acknowledges that a fire prevention officer in Ontario meets the recognized job performance standards and educational/training and job experience requirements as approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal and agreed to by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.
 
5. What is the term of fire prevention officer certification?

A fire prevention officer certificate is valid for five (5) years from the date of issuance and subsequent renewals.
6. Is there a fee for certification?

There is no fee for certification and certification renewal, at this time.
 
7. Is the certification reciprocal with any other jurisdiction?

Other jurisdictions determine their own requirements. Therefore, now that he Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program is in place, it is possible for other jurisdictions to assess it against their requirements.
 
8. Where can I get copies of the material?

Information about the Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program is available through locally conducted information sessions, a brochure and articles in the Messenger. Information is also available on the OFM Web site at http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca, on the Ontario Municipal fire prevention officers Association Web site at http://www.omfpoa.com or by contacting the OFM Certification Office at 416-325-3142.
9. Who is on the Certification Council?

The Council is comprised of stakeholders who meet established criteria and includes representatives of the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, the Ontario Fire Service and the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association. For a list of current members, consult the OFM Web site at www.ofm.gov.on.ca.
 
10. What is the mandate of the Certification Council?

The mandate of the Council is to develop and recommend to the Professional Standards Setting Body, within the framework of the Professional Standards Process Model, the policies and procedures required for an ongoing, voluntary provincial certification program.
 
11. Is Certification voluntary?
    Yes.
     
12. What incentives are there for fire prevention officers to pursue certification?
    There are a number of benefits to fire prevention officer certification.
    Certification recognizes fire prevention officers as professionals with
         specialized skills and an ability to provide quality, competent
         service.

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

    Certification acknowledges a firefighter's commitment to ongoing
        training and life-long learning.

    Certification provides a concrete training path to follow.

    Certification will support the credibility of fire prevention officers in the
        completion of their regular and special activities such as, dealing
        with litigation.

    Highly motivated people will continue to be attracted to the fire
        service because of the certification program.

13. If I choose not to become certified, will I still be considered a qualified fire prevention officer?

Yes. A lack of certification is only an indication that the individual has not applied for or completed the requirements of certification.
 
14. If I choose not to become certified, even though my fire department commits to the certification program, can I continue to be a fire prevention officer?
    Yes. Certification is not a means of determining who shall participate in the practice or profession of fire prevention and its related activities.
     

15. If a fire department commits to the training and certification process, must every new firefighter, hired after April 30, 1998 apply for certification?
    No. However, the documentation of training and ability to perform to the standards is a legitimate, valuable process for fire departments to follow. Because certification is a voluntary process, fire prevention officers may or may not choose to apply for certification, even though they meet the criteria.
     

16. Can a fire department make certification mandatory?

Certification is a voluntary process. Any move toward mandatory certification would be a local matter.


 
17. Who is eligible for fire prevention officer certification?
    To start the Ontario Fire Prevention Officer Certification Program, a route to certification was designed for all fire prevention officers employed in an Ontario municipal fire department as of March 31, 2001 who wished to pursue certification through the 'Window of Opportunity'.
    
    In March 2003, the regular route to certification was introduced for fire prevention officers whose start date with a municipal fire department in Ontario was April 1, 2001 or after.
     
18. What do I have to do to be certified?
    Certification is based on the candidate's ability to:
     
    1. Meet established educational/training qualifications
        
    2. Provide proof of current employment in a municipal fire department in Ontario
        
    3. Meet job experience requirements
        
    4. Demonstrate competence to the current standards
        

19. Why is there a requirement for three years of experience?
    This is the minimum amount of time a fire prevention officer would need to complete the academic and job experience requirements.
     
20. What happens if there is a gap in service?
    To qualify for certification and certification renewal, a fire prevention officer must demonstrate continuous job experience in a municipal fire department in Ontario. Continuous is defined by government Human Resources, as having a break in employment of not greater than thirteen (13) weeks. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis, by the Certification Council.
     

21. If I become certified while employed in one department and with no break in employment, move to another department, do I lose my certification?
    No. Individuals are certified. You take your certification with you. That is why it is important to keep your own records of your educational/training and job experience achievements.
     
22. What if I want to be certified but my department has not committed to the training and certification process?
    To ensure access to certification for all Ontario Company Officers, accessibility for individuals (Company Officers whose department is not participating in the certification program) has been determined. Company Officers in this circumstance are encouraged to write to the Certification Council. Access to the system will be determined on an individual basis.
     

23. If a fire chief applies for certification, who signs the Application for Certification?
    The municipal CAO would sign the Application for Certification.
     
24. What if I want to be certified but my department has not committed to the training and certification process?
    To ensure access to certification for all Ontario fire prevention officers, accessibility for individuals (fire prevention officers whose department is not participating in the certification program) has been determined. Fire prevention officers in this circumstance are encouraged to write to the Certification Council. Access to the system will be determined on an individual basis.
     
25. Can fire prevention officers hired from other provinces or countries use their years of experience toward certification?
    Possibly. However, they would still be required to complete the process for certification and demonstrate their ability to:
     
    1. Meet established educational/training qualifications
        
    2. Provide proof of current employment in a municipal fire department in Ontario
        
    3. Meet job experience requirements
        
    4. Demonstrate competence to the current standard
    
    
     

26. How do I met the educational requirement if I apply for certification through the regular route?
    You must successfully complete the Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program, which is delivered through the Ontario Fire College.
     
27. I have taken fire prevention related courses (some are building construction courses through the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs) and have several years experience in the role. Can I get advanced standing toward my academic certificate?
    
    The Ontario Fire College will determine if any advanced standing can be granted to applicants who have completed courses elsewhere. Advanced standing will be 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 at the OFC.  Those who are granted advanced standing will also be informed of what they must cover to complete the academic requirement for certification.
    
    Upon request, the Ontario Fire College will also assess other prior learning, on an individual basis, to determine if any credit can be granted for partial completion of the academic component of certification.
     

28. What is a Certificate of Equivalency?
    For certification purposes, in the `Window of Opportunity,' a Certificate of Equivalency is recognized as meeting the academic requirement. A Certificate of Equivalency may not be used for certification outside the `Window of Opportunity.'
    
    Fire prevention officers should be aware that some institutions, for example, community colleges, may not accept a Certificate of Equivalency for advanced standing because a course-by-course comparison of subject content may not be possible.
    
    
     
29. At what point in the certification process is the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist completed?
    
    It is expected that skills listed in the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist will be performed within the job experience component. Performance of skills may not predate the date of implementation of the Fire Prevention Officer Diploma Program - April 1, 2001 for those certifying through the 'Window of Opportunity' and for those in the regular route. The supervisor signs off the checklist provided that:
    
             The completion of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist
             reflects performance of skills and not training
    
             The sign off is by an immediate supervisor and not the training officer in his/her
             training role
     

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

The Certification Council has determined that up to 5% (five competencies maximum) that are currently designated "A" (actual) for demonstration on-the-job may be approved by the Certification Council for demonstration in simulated circumstances. The Fire Chief shall submit to the Certification Office a letter outlining the rationale for requesting this (low call volume in specific areas or specialized response teams, for example) and describing the simulations that will be used.
 
32. Where do I get an activity log to record my activities?
    It is in the back of the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist.
     
33. What happens if a fire prevention officer does not successfully complete the Job Experience Requirement Performance Checklist?
    This is an internal issue. It is hoped that following assessment, the fire prevention officer and his/her supervisor would review the checklist. Together, they should develop a training plan and seek opportunities for the fire prevention officer to perform on-the-job.
     

34. What if the time frame for completion of the certification process is nearly over and I have not had an opportunity to perform a particular job competency?
    Some skills can only be signed off if you have performed them to standard on-the-job. On-the-job is defined as, 'while in attendance at an incident, inclusive of but not limited to response to, operations at and return to service after an emergency call; and other assigned fire duties, exclusive of training.' However, for some other skills, approved simulated situations can be created for you. Your supervisor, not the training officer in his/her training role, must sign you off.
     
35. What if the time frame expires before I complete the qualifying process?
    Your fire chief must have submitted a letter to the Certification Council, prior to April 1, 2004, when the 'Window of Opportunity' closed, requesting consideration because of extenuating circumstances. The Chief must have indicated why the extension was needed, how much additional time was needed to complete the requirements for certification and the plans for meeting the requirements. 
    
    
     

36. What do I have to do to renew certification?
    The model for certification renewal is being developed. The following guiding principles shall be applied to the renewal process:
     
    • Continuous employment as a Company Officer in a municipal fire department in Ontario
       
    • Documented ongoing training
       
    • Proof of demonstrated competence to the current standard

    For more information, visit the OFM Web site at www.ofm.gov.on.ca or call the Certification Office at 416 325 3142 for a copy of the renewal document.
     

37. What happens if my certification lapses?
    In the event that certification is lapsed over ninety (90) days, the candidate will need to reapply and requalify based on current competencies. the Certification Council will determine the requirements.
     
38. Can certification be suspended, revoked or denied?
    Yes. The Fire Marshal, on the recommendation of the Certification Council, may suspend, revoke or deny certification to any fire service personnel when it is found that the individual:
     
    1. Has knowingly made a material misrepresentation of any information required for certification
        
    2. Has knowingly by any means of false pretense, deception, fraud or cheating obtained documents or certification
        
    3. Has knowingly by any means of false pretense, deception, fraud or cheating obtained documents or certification for another individual
        
    4. Fails to meet minimum requirements for any required test or examination forming part of the certification process