Ohio Admin. Code 4765-20-02 - Qualifications for a firefighter certificate

[Comment: For dates and availability of material incorporated by reference in this rule see rule 4765-25-02 of the Administrative Code.]

(A) An applicant for a volunteer firefighter certificate shall satisfy all the following requirements listed in the "Volunteer Firefighter Course Packet" to be eligible for certification, including the following:

(1) Shall be at least eighteen years of age.

(2) Shall successfully complete the following federal emergency management agency training courses:

(a) "National Incident Management System Course IS-700";

(b) "National Incident Management System Course ICS-100" or the online equivalent.

(3) Shall successfully complete a volunteer firefighter training course through a chartered program, and receive a certificate of course completion at the volunteer firefighter level.

(4)(1) Shall pass Pass the practical skills examination as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code prior to being eligible to sit for the knowledge examination;.

(5)(2) Shall pass Pass the knowledge examination as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code within one hundred eighty days of volunteer firefighter training course completion prior to submission of a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application";.

(6)(3) Shall submit Submit a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application" within ninety days of passing the knowledge examination.

(B) The requirements listed in paragraphs (A)(2) to (A)(4) of this rule shall be successfully completed to be eligible to sit for the knowledge examination.

(C) The requirements listed in paragraphs (A)(2) to (A)(5) of this rule shall be successfully completed prior to submission of a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application."

(D)(B) An applicant for a firefighter I or firefighter II certificate shall satisfy all of the following requirements listed in the corresponding course packet on the division website to be eligible for certification, including the following:

(1) Shall be at least eighteen years of age.

(2) Shall successfully complete the following federal emergency management agency training courses:

(a) "National Incident Management System Course IS-700";

(b) "National Incident Management System Course ICS-100" or the online equivalent.

(3) Shall successfully complete a firefighter I or firefighter II training course through a chartered program and receive a certificate of course completion at the level for which the certificate of firefighter training is sought;

(4) Shall successfully complete an emergency vehicle operations course meeting the following:

(a) The course training shall consist of a minimum of sixteen hours, including a minimum of eight hours classroom and a minimum of six hours hands- on driving;

(b) The course training shall be consistent with the intent of "NFPA 1002" and "NFPA 1451" and shall meet the course objectives as approved by the executive director, with advice and counsel of the committee;

(c) The training shall meet the course objectives as set forth in the "Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Packet" approved by the executive director, with advice and counsel of the committee.

(5) Shall successfully complete hazardous materials awareness and operations level training in accordance with the following:

(a) The training shall consist of a minimum of twenty-four hours;

(b) The training shall meet the mission-specific competencies specified in "NFPA 1072" as required by "NFPA 1001";

(c) The training shall meet the course objectives as set forth in the "Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Course Packet" approved by the executive director, with advice and counsel of the committee;

(6) Shall successfully complete emergency medical care training in accordance with the following:

(a) The training shall consist of a minimum of eight hours;

(b) The training shall meet the performance capabilities specified in "NFPA 1001" chapter 1.

(7)(1) Shall pass Pass the practical skills examination as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code prior to being eligible to sit for the knowledge examination;

(8)(2) Shall pass Pass the knowledge examination as set forth in rule 4765-20-06 of the Administrative Code within one hundred eighty days of firefighter I or firefighter II training course completion, prior to submission of a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application ";

(9)(3) Shall submit Submit a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application" within ninety days of passing the knowledge examination.;

(E) The requirements listed in paragraphs (D)(2) to (D)(6) of this rule shall be shall be successfully completed to be eligible to sit for the knowledge examination.

(F) The requirements listed in paragraphs (D)(2) to (D)(7) of this rule shall be successfully completed prior to submission of a completed "Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, or Hazard Recognition Officer Initial Application."

(G)(C) In addition to the requirements set forth in paragraphs (A) to (F) (B) of this rule, as applicable, an applicant for firefighter:

(1) For initial certification, shall pass a criminal history review.

(1)(2) For certificate renewal and reinstatement, the applicant Shall shall not have been convicted of any of the following:

(a) Any felony;

(b) A misdemeanor committed in the course of practice;

(c) A misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

(2)(3) Shall not have committed fraud, misrepresentation, or material deception in applying for or obtaining a certificate issued under section 4765.55 of the Revised Code and this chapter.

(3)(4) Shall not have been previously revoked or denied a certificate by the executive director or the licensing organization in another state.

(H)(D) In deciding whether to grant a firefighter certificate, the executive director, with the advice and counsel of the committee, has the following options:

(1) The executive director shall issue a firefighter certificate to an applicant who meets all of the requirements listed in paragraphs (A) to (G) (C) of this rule, as applicable;

(2) The executive director shall refuse to grant a firefighter certificate to an applicant who fails to meet one or more of the requirements listed in paragraphs (A) to (F) (C) of this rule, as applicable;

(3) The executive director may grant, refuse to grant, or restrict a firefighter certificate to an applicant who meets the requirements listed in paragraphs (A) to (F) (B) of this rule, as applicable, but fails to meet one or more of the requirements listed in paragraph (G) (C) of this rule.

(I)(E) Credit shall be given for successful completion of the emergency vehicle operations course specified in paragraph (D) of this rule if all of the following are met:

(1) The training is recognized by the program director of a chartered program; and

(2) The training is consistent with the course requirements set forth in paragraph (D)

(4) of this rule the "Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Packet."and;

(3) The training was completed not more than twelve months prior to the firefighter training course start date.

(J)(F) Credit may be given for successful completion of hazardous materials awareness and operations level training specified in paragraph (D) of this rule if all of the following are met:

(1) The training is recognized by the program director of a chartered program; and

(2) The training is consistent with the course requirements set forth in paragraph (D)(5) of this rule the "Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Course Packet.".

(K)(G) Credit shall be given for successful completion of hazardous materials awareness and operations level training specified in paragraph (D) (B) of this rule if the training was completed as part of an Ohio firefighter I training course.

(L)(H) Credit shall be given for successful completion of emergency medical care training that includes healthcare provider cardio pulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid. State certification at any EMS provider level meets this requirement.as set forth in paragraph (D) of this rule if the training meets or exceeds eight hours and any of the following apply:

(1) The training resulted in certification as an Ohio emergency medical responder;

(2) The training resulted in certification as an Ohio emergency medical technician;

(3) The training resulted in certification as an Ohio advanced emergency medical technician;

(4) The training resulted in certification as an Ohio paramedic.

(M)(I) No person shall hold a firefighter certificate at more than one level.

(N)(J) A firefighter certificate issued pursuant to this rule shall be issued in accordance with the certification cycles and pro-rated renewal requirements set forth in rule 4765-20-16 of the Administrative Code.

Notes

Ohio Admin. Code 4765-20-02

Effective: 7/7/2024
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 10/26/2023 and 10/01/2028
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4765.55
Rule Amplifies: 4765.55
Prior Effective Dates: 06/30/1975, 05/01/1979, 01/01/1989, 01/01/1996, 09/25/2000, 05/29/2003, 07/25/2004, 01/24/2008,01/01/2011, 04/07/2014, 01/01/2018, 04/01/2019