69A-37.056. Specifications for Certifiable Training

(1) To be recognized for certification as a firefighter by the Bureau, training must be obtained under the conditions specified herein. A designated instructor or member of the Bureau staff must certify a firefighter has completed the prescribed training, instruction, and standards. Certification by a designated instructor or a member of the Bureau staff of completion of the prescribed training, instruction, and standards is required.

(2) Part I curriculum set forth in paragraph 69A-37.055(2)(a), F.A.C., taught independent of Part II curriculum set forth in paragraph 69A-37.055(2)(b), F.A.C., may be conducted through fire departments or facilities other than approved training centers, but must be compliant with or have access to all facilities, equipment, and instructors required for the delivery of the curriculum, in accordance with Rule 69A-37.060, F.A.C. Curriculum set forth in paragraphs 69A-37.055(2)(a) and (b), F.A.C., taught as the Minimum Standards Course must be taught at a facilitity approved pursuant to Rule 69A-37.060, F.A.C. All courses to be taught using any alternative delivery method other than traditional classroom delivery must be approved by the Bureau and provide for verified complete compliance to the skill and knowledge objectives.

(3) The training must be given by instructors certified by the Bureau.

(4) All subjects listed in the Minimum Standards Course must be included in the curriculum.

(5) Each student enrolled in Minimum Standards Course must receive instruction and training in every course subject of the curriculum. Knowledge-based curriculum shall not be less than the number of hours specified for each subject. Skill-based curriculum hours are based upon a class size of 30 with a student to instructor ratio of one instructor for every six students, and a student to equipment ratio of one piece or set of equipment for every six students. If a class has less than 20 students, the hours may be adjusted to shorten the class hours by no more than ten percent (10%) of the scheduled class period.

(6) One aspect of training is psychomotor skills development, which includes the demonstrated ability to perform individually and as a member of a team or group all tasks and operations associated with the training in a manner that does not present a threat to the safety of the trainee, co-workers, or others and that contributes to the successful achievement of the purpose for which the task or operation is being performed. Students must achieve a final course grade of 70% of higher in all psychomotor skills assessments to be eligible for certification examination.

(7) Each subject area within the Minimum Standards Course must be tested, and students must achieve a final course grade of 70% or higher to be eligible for certification examination.

(a) In order to sit for the state examination, the information required by Sections 633.412 and 633.408, F.S., must be furnished to the Bureau.

(b) State examinations, consisting of a written and a practical part, shall be administered by a Field Representative of the Bureau, or designee, and shall encompass all components of the Minimum Standards Course. The applicant must attain a score of 70 percent on both the written and practical examinations to receive a certificate of compliance.

(c) The state practical examination will be administered at the local training facility. Whenever possible, the Bureau will schedule the state examination date at the convenience of the training facility. The written examination will be administered electronically at the local training center facility or local testing center if the training center lacks the capacity to support electronic testing.

(8) In general classroom work, the number of students per certified instructor will be determined by the instructor on the basis of complexity of the subject. In general classroom work, there must be at least one certified instructor for each 40 students.

(9) In demonstrations involving the use of equipment and performance of tasks under non-hazardous conditions, whether in the classroom or in the field, there shall be no less than one certified instructor for each ten students.

(10) At least two certified instructors must be present when field work occurs under hazardous conditions that can present an immediate danger to life or health. At all other times, there must be at least one certified instructor for each six students during field work. The instructors must be placed to oversee the safety and effectiveness of the training. Live Fire Training must be conducted in accordance with Rule 69A-37.405, F.A.C.

(11) In those instances in which the scheduled time does not allow for compliance with the foregoing limitations, the time allotted to those classes must be extended as necessary to ensure compliance with this rule chapter. If completion of course work is not feasible due to circumstances beyond the instructor’s control within the scheduled time frames for a course, the time frames must be extended to complete the training.

Rulemaking Authority 633.128, 633.408 FS. Law Implemented 633.128, 633.408, 633.412 FS. History–New 9-7-81, Formerly 4A-37.16, 4A-37.56, Amended 11-26-85, 1-3-90, 6-30-91, 3-20-95, 12-10-01, Formerly 4A-37.056, Amended 3-19-09, 1-4-22.