OAR 259-009-0062
Fire Service Professional Certification

(1)

A fire service professional affiliated with an Oregon fire service agency may be certified by:

(a)

Satisfactorily completing the requirements specified in section (2) of this rule;

(b)

Through participation in a fire service agency training program accredited by the Department;

(c)

Through a course certified by the Department; or

(d)

By evaluation of experience as specified in OAR 259-009-0063 (Credit for Experience).

(e)

The Department may certify a fire service professional who has satisfactorily completed the requirements for certification as prescribed in section (2) of this rule, including the Task Performance Evaluations (TPE) if applicable.

(2)

The following standards for fire service professionals are adopted by reference:

(a)

The provisions of the NFPA Standard 1001, 2019 Edition, entitled “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications,” are adopted.

(A)

For certification as NFPA Fire Fighter I the candidate must:

(i)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 4.1 through 4.5 of the NFPA 1001 Standard;

(ii)

Successfully complete a task performance evaluation or a Department-approved task book for NFPA Fire Fighter I. The evaluation or task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer; and

(iii)

Have a minimum of six months of experience as determined by the AHJ.

(B)

For certification as NFPA Fire Fighter II the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire Fighter I;

(ii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 5.1 through 5.5 of the NFPA 1001 Standard;

(iii)

Successfully complete a task performance evaluation or a Department-approved task book for NFPA Fire Fighter II. The evaluation or task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer; and

(iv)

Have a minimum of one year of experience as determined by the AHJ.

(b)

The provisions of the NFPA Standard 1002, 2017 Edition, entitled “Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications," are adopted subject to the following definitions and modifications:

(A)

4.1 General. The requirements and job performance requirements defined in Sections 4.2 through 4.4 must be met prior to certification as a Fire Service Agency Driver/Operator.

(B)

5.1 General. The job performance requirements defined in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 must be met prior to certification as a Fire Service Agency Driver/Operator-Pumper.

(C)

6.1 General. The requirements of NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter I and NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, as specified by the Department and the job performance requirements defined in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, must be met prior to certification as a Fire Service Agency Driver/Operator-Aerial.

(D)

7.1 General. The requirements of NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter I and NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, as specified by the Department and the job performance requirements defined in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 must be met prior to certification as a Fire Service Agency Driver/Operator-Tiller.

(E)

8.1 General. The requirements of NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, as specified by the Department and the job performance requirements defined in Sections 8.1 and 8.2, must be met prior to certification as a Fire Service Agency Driver/Operator-Wildland Fire Apparatus.

(F)

9.1 General. The requirements of NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter II, NFPA 1003 Airport Fire Fighter and NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, as specified by the Department and the job performance requirements defined in Sections 9.1 and 9.2, must be met prior to certification as a Fire Service Agency Driver/Operator-Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Apparatus (ARFF).

(G)

10.1 General. The requirements of NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, as specified by the Department and the job performance requirements defined in Sections 10.1 and 10.2, must be met prior to certification as a Fire Service Agency Driver/Operator-Mobile Water Supply Apparatus.

(H)

Delete “the requirements of NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program”.

(I)

All applicants for certification must complete a task performance evaluation or a Department-approved task book for: NFPA Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, NFPA Apparatus Equipped with Fire Pump, NFPA Apparatus Equipped with an Aerial Device, NFPA Apparatus Equipped with a Tiller, NFPA Wildland Fire Apparatus, NFPA Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Apparatus or NFPA Mobile Water Supply Apparatus. The task books must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer before an applicant can qualify for certification.

(c)

The provisions of the NFPA Standard 1003, 2019 Edition, entitled “Standard for Airport Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications,” are adopted. For certification as NFPA Airport Fire Fighter the candidate must:

(A)

Be certified as NFPA Fire Fighter II;

(B) Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 4.1 through 4.4 of the NFPA 1003 Standard; and

(C) Complete a Department-approved task book for Airport Fire Fighter. The task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(d) The provisions of NFPA Standard 1005, 2019 Edition, entitled “Standard for Professional Qualifications for Marine Fire Fighting for Land Based Fire Fighters,” are adopted.

(A)

For certification as NFPA Marine Land-Based Fire Fighter, the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire Fighter II, or be both an Advanced Exterior Facility Fire Brigade Member and an Interior Structural Facility Fire Brigade Member as defined by Chapters 5 and 6 of NFPA 1081;

(ii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 4.1 through 4.5 of the NFPA 1005 Standard; and

(iii)

Complete a Department-approved task book for Marine Land-Based Fire Fighter. The task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(B)

Historical Recognition and Transition from the 2007 Edition to the 2019 Edition. Prior to adoption of the 2019 Edition of NFPA Standard 1005, this standard was administered as two separate certifications titled NFPA Marine Fire Fighting for Land-Based Fire Fighter I and NFPA Marine Fire Fighting for Land-Based Fire Fighter II.

(i)

Any person who holds active Department-issued NFPA Marine Fire Fighting for Land-Based Fire Fighter I and II certifications will be recognized as equivalent to holding the NFPA Marine Land-Based Fire Fighter certification.

(ii)

Any person who holds active Department-issued NFPA Marine Fire Fighting for Land-Based Fire Fighter I and II certifications may keep the certifications active by completing the certification maintenance requirements.

(iii)

Effective January 1, 2023, no new certifications will be issued for NFPA Marine Fire Fighting for Land-Based Fire Fighter I and NFPA Marine Fire Fighting for Land-Based Fire Fighter II. After January 1, 2023, DPSST will permanently lapse any Level I certifications without a Level II certification.

(e)

The provisions of the NFPA Standard 1031, 2014 Edition, entitled “Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner” are adopted subject to the following definitions and requirements:

(A)

All applicants for certification as an NFPA Fire Inspector I must:

(i)

Successfully complete a Department-approved task book;

(ii)

Furnish proof that they have passed an exam demonstrating proficiency in the model fire code adopted by the State of Oregon or an equivalent; and

(iii)

Furnish proof that they have successfully completed all required course work or have provided equivalent training documents.

(B)

All applicants for certification as an NFPA Fire Inspector II must:

(i)

Hold a certification as a NFPA Fire Inspector I;

(ii)

Successfully complete a Department-approved task book; and

(iii)

Furnish proof that they have successfully completed all required course work or have provided equivalent training documents.

(C)

All applicants for certification as an NFPA Fire Inspector III must:

(i)

Hold a certification as a NFPA Fire Inspector II; and

(ii)

Successfully complete a Department-approved task book.

(f)

The provisions of the NFPA Standard 1033, 2014 Edition, entitled “Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator” are adopted subject to the following definitions and requirements:

(A)

Applicants for certification as NFPA Fire Investigator must:

(i)

Successfully complete a Department-approved task book;

(ii)

Achieve a passing score of 75% or better on the Department’s written Fire Investigator exam unless exempt from the exam as defined in the following paragraph (2)(f)(B); and

(iii)

Furnish proof that they have successfully completed all required course work or have provided equivalent training documents.

(B)

Upon submission of proof of valid certification, applicants for certification as NFPA Fire Investigator are exempt from the requirement to complete the Department’s written Fire Investigator exam if they currently hold any of the following certifications:

(i)

International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) Certified Fire Investigator (CFI); or

(ii)

International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) Fire Investigation Technician (FIT); or

(iii)

National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI).

(g)

The provisions of the 2015 Edition of NFPA Standard 1035 entitled “Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications” are adopted.

(A)

All applicants for certification as an NFPA Fire & Life Safety Educator I must:

(i)

Successfully complete a Department–approved task book; and

(ii)

Furnish proof that they have successfully completed all required course work or have provided equivalent training documentation.

(B)

All applicants for certification as an NFPA Fire & Life Safety Educator II must:

(i)

Hold a certification as an NFPA Fire & Life Safety Educator I;

(ii)

Successfully complete a Department–approved task book; and

(iii)

Furnish proof that they have successfully completed all required course work or have provided equivalent training documentation.

(C)

All applicants for certification as an NFPA Fire & Life Safety Educator III must:

(i)

Hold a certification as an NFPA Fire & Life Safety Educator II;

(ii)

Successfully complete a Department–approved task book; and

(iii)

Furnish proof that they have successfully completed all required course work or have provided equivalent training documentation.

(D)

All applicants for certification as an NFPA Public Information Officer must:

(i)

Successfully complete a Department–approved task book; and

(ii)

Furnish proof that they have successfully completed all required course work or have provided equivalent training documentation.

(E)

All applicants for certification as an NFPA Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist must:

(i)

Successfully complete a Department–approved task book; and

(ii)

Furnish proof that they have successfully completed all required course work or have provided equivalent training documentation.

(F)

All applicants for certification as an NFPA Youth Firesetter Intervention Program Manager must:

(i)

Hold a certification as a Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist;

(ii)

Successfully complete a Department–approved task book; and

(iii)

Furnish proof that they have successfully completed all required course work or have provided equivalent training documentation.

(G)

Task books must be monitored by a Field Training Officer approved by the Department. The Field Training Officer must be certified at or above the level being monitored.

(h)

The provisions of the NFPA Standard 1041, 2019 Edition, entitled “Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications,” are adopted.

(A)

For certification as NFPA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I the candidate must:

(i)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 4.2 through 4.5 of the NFPA 1041 Standard; and

(ii)

Complete a Department-approved task book for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I. The task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(B)

For certification as NFPA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I;

(ii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 5.2 through 5.5 of the NFPA 1041 Standard; and

(iii)

Complete a Department-approved task book for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II. The task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(C)

For certification as NFPA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor III the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II;

(ii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 6.2 through 6.5 of the NFPA 1041 Standard; and

(iii)

Complete a Department-approved task book for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor III. The task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(D)

For certification as NFPA Live Fire Instructor the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I;

(ii)

Be certified as NFPA Fire Fighter II or be an Interior Structural Fire Brigade Member as defined by NFPA 1081;

(iii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 7.2 through 7.3 of the NFPA 1041 Standard; and

(iv)

Complete a Department-approved task book for Live Fire Instructor. The task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(E)

For certification as NFPA Live Fire Instructor in Charge the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II;

(ii)

Be certified as NFPA Live Fire Instructor;

(iii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 8.2 through 8.4 of the NFPA 1041 Standard; and

(iv)

Complete a Department-approved task book for Live Fire Instructor in Charge. The task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(i)

The provisions of the NFPA Standard 1021, 2020 Edition, entitled “Standards for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications,” are adopted.

(A)

For certification as NFPA Fire Officer I, the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire Fighter II;

(ii)

Be certified as NFPA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I;

(iii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 4.1 through 4.7 of the NFPA 1021 Standard; and

(iv)

Complete a task performance evaluation or a Department-approved task book for NFPA Fire Officer I. The evaluation or task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(B)

For certification as NFPA Fire Officer II, the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire Officer I;

(ii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 5.1 through 5.7 of the NFPA 1021 Standard; and

(iii)

Complete a task performance evaluation or a Department-approved task book for NFPA Fire Officer II. The evaluation or task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(C)

For certification as NFPA Fire Officer III, the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire Officer II;

(ii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 6.1 through 6.8 of the NFPA 1021 Standard; and

(iii)

Complete a task performance evaluation or a Department-approved task book for NFPA Fire Officer III. The evaluation or task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(D) For certification as NFPA Fire Officer IV, the candidate must:

(i)

Be certified as NFPA Fire Officer III;

(ii)

Meet the job performance requirements defined in Sections 7.1 through 7.7 of the NFPA 1021 Standard; and

(iii)

Complete a task performance evaluation or a Department-approved task book for NFPA Fire Officer IV. The evaluation or task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer.

(j)

Hazardous Materials Responder (DPSST-P-12 ¹⁄₉₆).

(k)

Fire Ground Leader.

(A)

This is a standard that is Oregon-specific.

(B)

An applicant applying for Fire Ground Leader must first be certified as an NFPA Fire Fighter II.

(C)

An applicant applying for Fire Ground Leader must document training in all of the following areas:

(i)

Building Construction: Non-Combustible and Combustible;

(ii)

Emergency Service Delivery;

(iii)

Fire Behavior;

(iv)

Fire Ground Safety; and

(v)

Water Supply Operations.

(D)

All applicants for certification must complete a task performance evaluation or a Department-approved task book for Fire Ground Leader. The evaluation or task book must be approved by the Agency Head or Training Officer before an applicant can qualify for certification.

(E)

Effective December 31, 2019, no new certifications will be issued for Fire Ground Leader. All active certifications for Fire Ground Leader will lapse after December 31, 2022.

(l)

NWCG Wildland Fire Operations Certifications.

(A)

The Department recognizes completion of the NWCG National Incident Management System: Wildland Qualification System Guide (PMS 310-1) as meeting the minimum requirements for the following certifications:

(i)

NWCG Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2);

(ii)

NWCG Firefighter Type 1(FFT1);

(iii)

NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB);

(iv)

NWCG Crew Boss, Single Resource (CRWB);

(v)

NWCG Heavy Equipment Boss, Single Resource (HEQB);

(vi)

NWCG Felling Boss, Single Resource (FELB);

(vii)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB);

(viii)

NWCG Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN);

(ix)

NWCG Task Force Leader (TFLD); and

(x)

NWCG Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS).

(B)

The NWCG PMS 310-1 and the task books required for each certification are available online at https://www.nwcg.gov/.

(C)

Training completed after January 1, 2019 to satisfy a requirement for certification as identified in the NWCG PMS 310-1 must have been instructed under the prescribed guidelines of the NWCG Field Manager Course Guide (PMS 901-1) publication.

(D)

All applicants for certification must complete, and submit documentation for, the required training and meet the required experience for each certification as outlined in the NWCG PMS 310-1. When determining eligibility for a Wildland Fire Operations Certification, the Department will review the NWCG standards in place at the time of application for certification.

(m)

Maritime Fire Service Operator Professional Qualifications. The following Maritime Fire Service Operator Certifications are Oregon-specific standards:

(A)

For certification in Maritime Fire Service Basic Awareness the candidate must demonstrate aquatic stability as defined in the Maritime Fire Service Operator Standards Professional Qualifications and be trained and certified in Basic First Aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

(i)

All applicants for certification must complete a Department-approved task book for Maritime Fire Service Basic Awareness.

(ii)

The task book must be approved by a certified Maritime Fire Service Operator of the same or a higher Maritime Fire Service Operator certification.

(B)

For certification in Maritime Fire Service Deck Hand the candidate must be certified as a Maritime Fire Service Basic Awareness and possess a current Oregon Boater Education Card.

(i)

All applicants for certification must complete a Department-approved task book for Maritime Fire Service Deck Hand.

(ii)

The task book must be approved by a certified Maritime Fire Service Operator of the same or a higher Maritime Fire Service Operator certification.

(C)

For certification in Maritime Fire Service Boat Operator the candidate must be certified as a Maritime Fire Service Deck Hand.

(i) All applicants for certification must complete a Department-approved task book for Maritime Fire Service Boat Operator.

(ii)

The task book must be approved by a certified Maritime Fire Service Operator of the same or a higher Maritime Fire Service Operator certification.

(D)

For certification in Maritime Fire Service Rescue Boat Operator the candidate must be certified as a Maritime Fire Service Boat Operator.

(i)

All applicants for certification must complete a Department-approved task book for Maritime Fire Service Rescue Boat Operator.

(ii)

The task book must be approved by a certified Maritime Fire Service Operator of the same or a higher Maritime Fire Service Operator certification.

(E)

For certification in Maritime Fire Service Fire Boat Operator the candidate must be certified as a Maritime Fire Service Boat Operator.

(i)

All applicants for certification must complete a Department-approved task book for Maritime Fire Service Fire Boat Operator.

(ii)

The task book must be approved by a certified Maritime Fire Service Operator of the same or a higher Maritime Fire Service Operator certification.

(n)

The provisions of the 2017 Edition of NFPA 1006 entitled “Standards for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications” are adopted subject to the following modifications:

(A) For certification in NFPA Confined Space Rescue, the candidate must be certified in NFPA Rope Rescue Operations Level and complete the job performance requirements defined in sections 7.1.1 through 7.1.6, 7.2.1 through 7.2.18 and 7.3.1 through 7.3.6.

(i) All applicants for certification must complete a Department–approved task book for the NFPA Confined Space Rescue Technician.