The Fire Officer Program
Division of the State Fire Marshal (Division) has updated the Fire Officer program. This is an advanced training and certification program designed for firefighters having supervisory and management responsibilities. The foundation of this program is based on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications (2009). The Division now recognizes four levels of Fire Officer; Fire Officer I, II, III, and IV. This is a voluntary program.
Applicants who meet the job performance requirements, demonstrate requisite skills, and possess the requisite knowledge set forth in subsection 69A-37.039 F.A.C., are qualified to receive the respective Fire Officer Certificate of Competency from the Division. Additionally, recipients of a Florida Fire Officer certification may qualify for National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualification (Pro Board) certification.
This Fire Officer Program recognizes key consensus standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications; the National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative; the International Association of Fire Chief’s Officer Development initiative; and the accreditation standards of the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board).
Program Overview
The Division defines a Fire Officer I as a person having the responsibilities of a Company Officer who supervises a single fire suppression unit or small administrative group within a fire department. The Fire Officer I may also be referred to as a Supervising Fire Officer.
Certification Requirements
Applicants for certification as a Fire Officer I shall submit Form DFS-K4-1447 “Application for Fire Officer I Certification”, and Form DFS-K4-2106, “Fire Officer I Task Book”, to the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training (Bureau) within the Division. Application can also be completed online at FloridaStateFireCollege.org. If the applicant documents compliance, the Division shall issue the certificate.
To qualify for certification as a Fire Officer I, the applicant shall:
• Possess an active Firefighter Certificate of Compliance issued by the Division or have met the curriculum requirements for Firefighter Part I as defined in 69A-37.055(1) F.A.C.
• Meet the job performance requirements of NFPA 1021 – Fire Officer I (2009).
• Complete the Fire Officer I Curriculum.
• Complete the “Fire Officer I Task Book” with required signatures.
• Pass the Fire Officer I Exam with a score of 70% or higher.
• Complete the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation course titled “Courage to Be Safe” or a course determined by the Division to be equivalent.
Completing the Application
Applicants should evaluate their eligibility as set forth in paragraph 69A-37.065(2) (a) F.A.C. and submit Form DFS-K4-1447 “Application for Fire Officer I Certification” to the Bureau. Complete all sections of the application. Attach the completed DFS-K4-2106 “Fire Officer I Task Book” and a copy of course completion certificates or official academic transcript that lists requisite courses. Application can also be completed online at FloridaStateFireCollege.org.
Note: Effective July 1, 2013, certification courses must appear on student’s Course History at FloridaStateFireCollege.org.
Task Book
The Fire Officer I Task Book provides the applicant an opportunity to demonstrate key job performance requirements while working in their respective organization. This task book is an evaluative tool designed to document that a candidate has demonstrated certain requisite skills required to meet a specific NFPA 1021 job performance requirement. Selected skill objectives in the task book are a supplement to the student learning outcomes and objectives met by successfully completing the Fire Officer I program curriculum. The applicant is responsible for the maintenance, completion, and submission of this document, including obtaining the required signatures.
The evaluator is a direct supervisor, training officer or person designated by Fire Chief or Agency Head who is responsible for overseeing the performance or activity of the candidate. The evaluator documents first hand observation of the requisite skills of candidate, and attests by signature when task(s) has been demonstrated. Evaluator must sign and enter their Florida Instructor ID Number (or Florida Fire Officer Certification Number if evaluator does not have Instructor ID) on this form.
The Division shall designate an alternate evaluator independent of the candidate’s employing Fire Service Provider at the request of the candidate. This alternate evaluator shall be a Florida Certified Fire Officer and Florida Certified Instructor.
Exam
The Fire Officer I Exam is a randomly generated 100 question test. Exam questions are developed and referenced to the subject, content, and learning objectives in the Company Officer course and are matched to the NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I job performance requirements.
A person is eligible to take the Fire Officer I Exam upon successful completion of the required coursework, application, and task book.
Program Overview
The Division defines a Fire Officer II as a person having the responsibilities of a Company Officer whose duties include supervising a multi-unit emergency incident. The Fire Officer II may also be referred to as a Managing Fire Officer.
Certification Requirements
Applicants for certification as a Fire Officer II shall submit Form DFS-K4-1448 “Application for Fire Officer II Certification”, and Form DFS-K4-2107, “Fire Officer II Task Book”, to the Bureau. Application can also be completed online at FloridaStateFireCollege.org. If the applicant documents compliance, the Division shall issue the certificate.
To qualify for certification as a Fire Officer II, the applicant must:
• Possess an active Firefighter Certificate of Compliance issued by the Division or have met the curriculum requirements for Firefighter Part I as defined in 69A-37.055(1) F.A.C.
• Possess an active Fire Officer I Certificate of Competency issued by the Division.
• Meet the job performance requirements of NFPA 1021 – Fire Officer II (2009).
• Complete the Fire Officer II Curriculum.
• Complete the “Fire Officer II Task Book” with required signatures.
• Pass the Fire Officer II Exam with a score of 70% or higher.
• Complete the prerequisite course titled “ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents” or a course determined by the Division to be equivalent.
• Complete the Florida State Fire College “Florida State-Wide Emergency Response Plan (SERP)” course.
• Complete the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation course titled “Courage to Be Safe” or a course determined by the Division to be equivalent.
Completing the Application
Applicants should evaluate their eligibility as set forth in paragraph 69A-37.065(2) (b) F.A.C. and submit Form DFS-K4-1448 “Application for Fire Officer II Certification” to the Bureau. Complete all sections of the application. Attach the completed Form DFS-K4-2107 “Fire Officer II Task Book” and a copy of course completion certificates or official academic transcript that lists requisite courses. Application can also be completed online at FloridaStateFireCollege.org.
Note: Effective July 1, 2013, certification courses must appear on student’s Course History at FloridaStateFireCollege.org.
Task Book
The Fire Officer II Task Book provides the applicant an opportunity to demonstrate key job performance requirements while working in their respective organization. This task book is an evaluative tool designed to document that a candidate has demonstrated certain requisite skills required to meet a specific NFPA 1021 job performance requirement. Selected skill objectives in the task book are a supplement to the student learning outcomes and objectives met by successfully completing the Fire Officer I program curriculum. The applicant is responsible for the maintenance, completion, and submission of this document, including obtaining the required signatures.
The evaluator is a direct supervisor, training officer or person designated by Fire Chief or Agency Head who is responsible for overseeing the performance or activity of the candidate. The evaluator documents first hand observation of the requisite skills of candidate, and attests by signature when task(s) has been demonstrated. Evaluator must sign and enter their Florida Instructor ID Number (or Florida Fire Officer Certification Number if evaluator does not have Instructor ID) on this form.
The Division shall designate an alternate evaluator independent of the candidate’s employing Fire Service Provider at the request of the candidate. This alternate evaluator shall be a Florida Certified Fire Officer and Florida Certified Instructor.
Exam
The Fire Officer II Exam is a randomly generated 100 question test. Exam questions are developed and referenced to the subject, content, and learning objectives in the Company Officer course and are matched to the NFPA 1021 Fire Officer II job performance requirements.
A person is eligible to take the Fire Officer II Exam upon successful completion of the required coursework, application, and task book.
Program Overview
The Division defines a Fire Officer III as a person having the responsibilities of a Chief Officer. The Fire Officer III may also be referred to as an Administrative Fire Officer.
Certification Requirements
Applicants for certification as a Fire Officer III shall submit Form DFS-K4-2104 “Application for Fire Officer III Certification” to the Bureau. Application can also be completed online at FloridaStateFireCollege.org. If the applicant documents compliance, the Division shall issue the certificate.
There are two methods available for a qualified applicant to obtain Fire Officer III certification. Individuals should evaluate their eligibility and utilize one of the following options as set forth in paragraph 69A-39.065(2) (c), F.A.C.:
Option A – Direct Program Delivery.
The first option is designed for persons who have at least five years of full-time equivalent experience as a Florida certified Fire Officer. This method is the traditional model to achieve Fire Officer III Certification. To qualify for certification as a Fire Officer III, using the Direct Program Delivery method, the applicant shall:
• Possess an active Firefighter Certificate of Compliance issued by the Division or have met the curriculum requirements for Firefighter Part I as defined in 69A-37.055(1) F.A.C.
• Possess an active Instructor I Certificate of Competency issued by the Division.
• Possess an active Fire Officer I or II Certificate of Competency issued by the Division prior to November 18, 2013; or,
• Possess an active Fire Officer II Certificate of Competency issued by the Division after the November 18, 2013.
• Meet the job performance requirements of NFPA 1021 – Fire Officer III (2009).
• Complete the Fire Officer III Curriculum.
• Complete the prerequisite course titled “ICS-400: Advanced ICS Command and General Staff: Complex Incidents” or a course determined by the Division to be equivalent.
• Pass the Fire Officer III Exam with a score of 70% or higher.
• Complete the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation course titled “Courage to Be Safe” or a course determined by the Division to be equivalent.
Option B – Portfolio Program.
The second option is designed for persons who have at least five years of full-time equivalent experience as a Florida certified Fire Officer. This method is intended to reduce the redundancy in courses taken by crediting the applicant’s educational experience to the objectives required by the NFPA 1021 Fire Officer III standard and the Fire Officer III curriculum as evidenced by documentation in the Fire Officer III Portfolio. To qualify for certification using the Portfolio Program, the applicant shall:
• Hold an active Firefighter Certificate of Compliance issued by the Division or have met the curriculum requirements for Firefighter Part I as defined in 69A-37.055(1) F.A.C.
• Hold an active Instructor I Certificate of Competency issued by the Division.
• Hold an active Fire Officer I or II Certificate of Competency issued by the Division prior to November 18, 2013; or,
• Hold an active Fire Officer II Certificate of Competency issued by the Division after November 18, 2013.
• Meet the program prerequisites, the objectives required by the NFPA 1021 Fire Officer III standard and the Fire Officer III curriculum as evidenced in the Fire Officer III Portfolio.
• Pass the Fire Officer III Exam with a score of 70% or higher.
Completing the Application
Applicants should evaluate their eligibility as set forth in paragraph 69A-37.065(2) (c) F.A.C. and submit Form DFS-K4-2104 “Application for Fire Officer III Certification” to the Bureau. Complete all sections of the application. Attach a copy of course completion certificates or official academic transcript that lists required courses. Application can also be completed online FloridaStateFireCollege.org.
Note: Effective July 1, 2013, certification courses must appear on student’s Course History at FloridaStateFireCollege.org.
• Applicants using Option A – Direct Program Delivery shall complete Section A and Section B of Form DFS-K4-2104 “Application for Fire Officer III Certification” along with a copy of course completion certificates or official academic transcript that lists required courses.
Note: Effective July 1, 2013, certification courses must appear on student’s Course History at FloridaStateFireCollege.org.
• Applicants using Option B – Portfolio Program, shall complete Section A and Section C of DFS-K4-2104 “Application for Fire Officer III Certification” and attach the completed Form DFS-K4-2108 “Fire Officer III Portfolio Workbook”.
Task Book
There is no Task Book requirement.
Portfolio
The Fire Officer III Portfolio Workbook enables a candidate to document that their educational experiences meet the program prerequisites, the objectives required by the NFPA 1021 Fire Officer III standard and the Fire Officer III curriculum.
The Division recognizes that a Fire Officer III candidate may have already met requisite job performance requirements and student learning outcomes when achieving certain academic and professional development accomplishments. This method is intended to acknowledge these accomplishments, and reduce any professional development redundancy. Through a portfolio review process, the candidate can evaluate and document their accomplishments in any combination of three experiential areas; Academic Degree & Course Work, Executive Fire Officer Designation, and Chief Fire Officer Designation.
Academic Degree & Course Work. Fire Officer III candidates that have an academic degree or completed academic coursework are encouraged to assess the applicability of their course work and to correlate the respective course learning objectives and student learning outcomes to the respective Fire Officer III job performance requirements. Correlation can be demonstrated by submitting a copy of the academic institutions course description including the objectives and student learning outcomes and itemizing this information in the Fire Officer III Portfolio Workbook.
Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Designation. Fire Officer III candidates that have obtained the designation of EFO from the National Fire Academy (NFA) are encouraged to assess the applicability of their course work and independent research, and to correlate these to the respective Fire Officer III job performance requirements and student learning outcomes. Correlation can be demonstrated by submitting a copy of the Executive Fire Officer course descriptions including the objectives and student learning outcomes and itemizing this information in the Fire Officer III Portfolio Workbook.
Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Designation. Fire Officer III candidates that have obtained the designation of CFO from the Center for Public Safety Excellence are encouraged to assess the applicability of their CFO portfolio elements and correlate these to the respective job performance requirements and student learning outcomes. Correlation can be demonstrated by submitting a copy of the CFO designation and itemizing the elements of the applicant’s CFO portfolio in the Fire Officer III Portfolio Workbook.
Exam
The Fire Officer III Exam is a randomly generated 100 question test. Exam questions are developed and referenced to the subject, content, and learning objectives in the Chief Officer course and are matched to the NFPA 1021 Fire Officer III job performance requirements.
A person is eligible to take the Fire Officer III Exam upon successful completion of the required coursework, application, and portfolio workbook if applicable.