At the Region is an ongoing feature that discusses the state-by-state training, certification and employment requirements of first responder departments across the nation. In this issue, At the Region looks at Firefighter requirements in FEMA Region VIII: Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado and Utah.

FEMA Region VIII - Firefighters

Colorado

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
http://dfs.state.co.us/

All firefighters must complete certification examinations and requirements within 12 months to receive certification at the level qualified. Each certification granted by CDFPC is valid for three years.

Firefighter I Certification:

   •   Must meet requirements in NFPA 1001
   •   Must be Colorado certified minimally in HazMat Materials Operations NFPA 472
   •   Pass a 100 question written exam with a 70%
   •   Pass a practical exam with 100%
   •   Pass a live burn practical exam with 100%
   •   Renewals must be made every 3 years, or the certification will lapse.

Firefighter II Certification in Colorado requires one year of documented fire service, and a Colorado Firefighter I certification. A written exam must be passed at 80% and the practical exam at 100%. All personnel seeking Firefighter II certification must be affiliated with an Colorado Emergency Services Agency.

For a copy of the policy and procedures (published in 2012) visit:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B67htTDuFr48cU5hTGpicTJGZ1U/edit?pli=1

For Reciprocity information, see section 7, page 53: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B67htTDuFr48cU5hTGpicTJGZ1U/edit?pli=1

Or contact:
Division of Fire Prevention and Control
690 Kipling Street, Suite 2000
Denver, CO 80215
(303) 239 - 4600

Montana

The Montana State Code 7-33-4107 lists the following qualifications of firefighters:
   (1) must be a citizen of the United States;
   (2) must be at least 18 years of age;
   (3) must be a high school graduate or have passed the general educational development test and have been issued an equivalency certificate by the superintendent of public instruction or by an appropriate issuing agency of another state or of the federal government;
   (4) must possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver's license;
   (5) shall pass a physical examination by a qualified physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, who is not the applicant's personal physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, appointed by the employing authority to determine if the applicant is free from any mental or physical condition that might adversely affect the applicant's performance of the duties of a firefighter;
   (6) must be fingerprinted and a search must be made of the local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record; and
   (7) may not have been convicted of a crime for which the applicant could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary.

The Montana Firefighting Testing Consortium conducts annual testing typically conducts a joint testing process every year during the month of June for development of a list of qualified candidates for the position of entry-level firefighter with its member-departments. (The registration dates for June 2014 testing close on February 14, 2014) For more information, please visit: https://www.mtfiretesting.org/?page_id=46

North Dakota

The state of North Dakota does not have specific legislative requirements for firefighter certification. North Dakota Title 18 covers Firefighting in the state. http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t18c03.pdf?20131222095220. Each fire department has its own qualifications and guidelines for training and certification.

Under 18-03, the North Dakota Firefighter’s Association holds annual training and sets standards in the state. http://ndfa.net/ . The schedule of North Dakota State Fire School and Statewide National Fire Academy classes can be found http://ndfa.net/index.html

South Dakota

Certification and qualifications for firefighters is determined by individual departments. Generally, firefighters must be 18 years old, in good health, and will train to become state certified, earning the “Blue Card” from the State Fire Marshal. Under the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, through the South Dakota State Fire Marshal’s Office, The State Fire Service Training Program coordinates training for state fire school, district fire schools, National Fire Academy courses, and other special training classes. The program provides for the certification of firefighters, fire instructors, fire apparatus driver/operators, and fire officers through certified training programs. http://dps.sd.gov/emergency_services/state_fire_marshal/training.aspx

The South Dakota Legislation under Title 33 has provided: 9-17-6. South Dakota Firefighters' Association, Incorporated continued. The furnishing of fire protection is a governmental function and the South Dakota Firefighters Association, Incorporated, composed of the members of the municipal fire departments, is hereby continued as a public state institution of this state. http://www.sdfirefighters.org/

The SDFA is charged with holding annual State Fire Schools and promoting fire safety in the 7 state regions. A listing of the classes offered by the SDFA and course descriptions can be found here: http://www.sdfirefighters.org/pdf/2013%20Fire%20School%20Class%20Descrip...

Utah

The state of Utah does not have specific legislative requirements for firefighter certification. Requirements for testing and employment vary by city and county. Applicants for most agencies are required to hold a Utah Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification from the Utah Department of Health. http://health.utah.gov/ems/certification/exams.html

Wyoming

The State of Wyoming has a voluntary firefighter training program, administered by the Wyoming State Fire Marshall. Entrance requirements for applicants vary by location. For more information contact: http://wyofire.state.wy.us/training/

For the Firefighter I standards visit: http://wyofire.state.wy.us/pdf/FirefighterI.pdf

For a complete list of certifications, prerequisites, and curricula visit: http://wyofire.state.wy.us/pdf/prereqandrequ.pdf

Wyoming residents interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter should fill out this request: http://wyofire.state.wy.us/training/form.html