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Certification:
Equivalency
certification for out of state transfers
To: Out-of-state fire fighters desiring Alabama
Fire Fighter I certification
From: The Certification Division, Alabama Fire College
Subject:
Fire Fighter I equivalency
Requirements to qualify for the challenge examination
Chief of Department or Chief Officer equivalency
Equivalency:
If you become employed by an Alabama fire department, state law requires
certification as Fire Fighter I by the Alabama Fire College and Personnel
Standards Commission within one year. If you were previously certified as a
Fire Fighter I in another state, and if that instruction meets all of
the Alabama requirements, you may be considered for equivalency
certification.
Reciprocity
can only be requested by the Alabama Fire
Chief from the agency where employment is being sought. Consideration for
reciprocity begins with an
Application for Certification
signed by the Alabama fire chief. Official
notification of equivalency shall not be determined until you become an
employee of an Alabama fire department.
If our evaluation confirms an
equivalency, you will be awarded the opportunity to challenge the
Firefighter I and if required the certification exam for Hazardous Materials
Awareness and Operations. Reciprocity applications shall be judged upon the
following criteria:
·
ProBoard or IFSAC
accreditation for Firefighter I and all prerequisites
·
Proper documentation by the
training facility where the certification was earned
·
Total number of hours of
training
·
Hours spent in each area of
training
·
Documented coverage of the
JPRs required by NFPA 1001 and prerequisites
Documentation of the above training must include a signed letter from a Pro
Board (National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications) or IFSAC-accredited
agency on official letterhead attesting to the hours and subjects of
instruction received (official program syllabus). Documentation will be
verified by the Certification Officer.
Should any candidate for
reciprocity fail any challenge exam, the candidate will be required to meet
the training requirements as stated in Alabama Code
360-X-1.-01(8)(a)(1)(ii).
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Orientation and Safety |
8 |
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Fire Behavior |
8 |
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Building Construction |
8 |
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Personal Protective Equipment |
40 |
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Portable Extinguishers |
8 |
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Ropes and Knots |
8 |
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Rescue and Extrication |
8 |
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Forcible Entry |
8 |
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Ladders |
24 |
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Ventilation |
16 |
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Water Supply |
8 |
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Fire Hose |
24 |
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Fire Streams |
16 |
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Fire Control |
32 |
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Sprinkler and Alarm Systems |
8 |
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Loss Control |
16 |
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Fire Department Communications |
8 |
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Prevention and Public Education |
8 |
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Hazardous Materials |
24 |
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First Responder |
40 |
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Total hours required |
320 |
Chief Officer transfers
Alabama law requires the same Fire Fighter I certification for anyone
beginning employment with an Alabama fire department. At times a fire
department may hire a chief of department or chief officer from outside of
Alabama who does not have the required certification training. With an
understanding of the broad experience and long years of service necessary
for someone to qualify for employment as a fire chief, the Certification
Division will consider equivalency issues for chief officer transfers on a
case-by-case basis.
An out-of-state transfer at the chief officer level must submit written
credentials and proof of experience and training as with other Fire Fighter
I equivalency applicants. Official determination of equivalency is done only
after an individual becomes an employee of an Alabama fire department. Any
transferring chief officer with demonstrated broad experience will receive
full and cooperative consideration.
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