Ohio Sets Precedent by Filing Rules Establishing Training and Education Standards for Firefighters
The Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services, with the advice and counsel of the Firefighter and Fire Safety Inspector Committee, recently filed rules establishing training and education standards and certification and renewal requirements for firefighters, fire safety inspectors, fire instructors and fire charters. These rules will also establish disciplinary guidelines and procedures for all certificate holders. The rules are expected to be in effect by late January, 2008.
“The new rules will allow better training and tracking of certificate holders as well as enhance the skills of the firefighters that ultimately improve the level of care for Ohioans,” said Rucker.
The Ohio Fire Alliance spearheaded the legislation [Fire Bill 401] that now requires ongoing training and certification for firefighters. Previously, firefighters were certified once upon initial approval of their application. State Representative Randy Law and Senator Gary Cates introduced legislation in May 2006, and it became effective in April of this year.
“The efforts of our legislature and partners like the Ohio Fire Alliance and the Firefighter and Fire Safety Inspector Committee are a great step toward ensuring we can provide a comprehensive response to fire that includes education, training, certification and strategic planning,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Henry Guzmán.
The Ohio Division of EMS will have a public hearing on the rules on Dec. 11, 2007. All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing and present oral or written testimony. Details of time and place will be announced.
Firefighters can pre-register online to renew their fire cards. If a firefighter is also an EMT, his/her card will expire on their birthday in the same year as their EMT card expires. If a firefighter is solely a firefighter and not an EMT, there is a process in place to issue a card in a given year determined by the month in which they were born.
Summaries of the rules by chapter
Chapter 11 - Charter
This chapter contains information regarding charter schools (application, renewal, revocation) and required curriculum for members of fire service.
Chapter 20 - Certification
Chapter 20 sets forth the requirements to obtain fire service certification, including renewal, reinstatement, equivalency, and continuing education. This is the section where the new expiration rules can be found.
Chapter 21 - Instructor
This chapter implements the requirements and qualifications necessary to become certified to teach fire service training, including initial certification, renewal, and reinstatement.
Chapter 22 - Professional Standards
This chapter sets forth the professional standards of conduct with which the fire service industry is expected to comply.
Chapter 23 - Investigations
Chapter 23 explains the investigation process, including administrative actions that can be taken and detailing a report of investigations released by the Division on an annual basis.
Rules can be viewed in detail at www.ems.ohio.gov/rules.htm . The Division of EMS will also take comments on the rules by e-mail. Contact information is listed on the Web site.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety, through the Division of EMS, oversees the certification of emergency medical technicians and firefighters and provides that these people in lifesaving roles are properly trained, educated and prepared for emergency situations.