IMPORTANT NEWS AND INFORMATION

2010 EVENTS CALENDAR

Regional Instructor Orientation - February 16 or 17, 2010 - San Bernardino

Regional Instructor Orientation - April 14 or 15, 2010 - Rancho Santa Fe

Regional Instructor Orientation - May 10 or 11, 2010 - Riverside

Regional Instructor Orientation - June 15, 2010 - Rohnert Park

CAPSTONE TESTING

• FAQ's
• Training Instructor Task Book

STATE FIRE TRAINING FINAL DRAFT "BLUE PRINT 2020" (STRATEGIC PLAN)

• Blueprint 2020 (January 2008)

CHANGE TO EMT-I TRAINING PROGRAM - EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009

For more information please click here.

Interested in applying for Fire Officer Certification?

Make sure you have met all of the Fire Officer Certification requirements, then the process is as easy as 1–2-3.

1. Click here to access our Application for Certification Fee Schedule. (also located in our Forms and Information section).

2. Check the box for the certification type you are interested in and fill out the bottom section of the form.

3. Attach all required documentation. Check the current SFT Procedures Manual for certification requirements.

4. Mail your application package and payment to the address listed at the top of the form.

Our cashier will receive your application, process the payment, and send SFT your application for processing. Within 8 – 10 weeks you will receive your Fire Officer Certificate. These instructions apply for any certification application.

If you are applying for more than one certification type on the application, you can submit one check for the entire amount. Check or money order should be made payable to CAL FIRE. (Please do not mail cash.)

***Do not apply for any certification before you have met all requirements***

Contact Information

Remember to keep your contact information current with us so we can send you important updates regarding State Fire Training. Visit our website or click here to update your information.

SCHEDULING/RETURNING A CLASS

Scheduling a Class
Download and use the current 2009 Requests for Course Scheduling; older forms delay your request.

Fill-in the name of the "Training Facility" even if it is the same as the sponsor.

Except for one- and two-squad Confined Space Rescue Technician class deliveries, a Senior Instructor cannot also be the Primary Instructor. They must be two separate and qualified registered instructors.

Urgent requests must first be discussed with Brandon Erickson at (916) 445-8132. If the Bookstore can accommodate your request, Brandon will ask for a faxed Request for Course Scheduling at that time.

Do not complete any of the bottom section titled, "For State Fire Training Only"

Class Materials
Be sure to open and check your class materials when they arrive, not the day before the class. Any discrepancies or missing items should be reported to brandon.erickson@fire.ca.gov immediately. This allows enough time to correct any errors in the order.

Returning a Class
It is the Primary Instructor's responsibility to complete the Instructor Checklist for each class being returned to SFT. Depending upon the type of class, this checklist identifies the number of students on the roster, how many books are being returned for credit, how many Scantrons are included, and the number of unused FSTEP certificates.

If Bookstore receives a class that cannot be processed because of incomplete paperwork, it will be returned to the Primary Instructor.

CERTIFICATION

Social Security Number
SFT's database relies on a SSN to create a new record for a student. Your SSN is the only unique identifier that will ensure your subsequent course completion records are matched and included in your training record. We are in the process of obtaining a new database that will be web-based and allow us to move away from using a SSN as the unique identifier; however, the procurement and development process impose a lengthy timeframe.

Remember, SFT is a voluntary system and you do not have to provide your SSN on your Scantron if you so choose; however, by not providing it, we cannot process and store your CFSTES or FSTEP course completion record. If you have questions, contact Mary Wilshire, Manager of Certification and Registration.

Reciprocity
At this time, SFT does not offer reciprocity for certifications, including IFSAC and Pro Board, that were received in another state. In order to apply for SFT certification in California, you must meet all of the requirements listed in the SFT Procedures Manual. We recommend you contact the fire department requiring the certification to determine if they will accept your alternative certificates.

Requesting Certified Fire Fighter Application Forms
Fire Fighter Scantron applications can be requested via email to reene.dorsey@fire.ca.gov or fax to (916) 445-8128. Departments are encouraged to request a small supply so the Training Officer has them available as needed. Your request must include your name, shipping/mailing address, and the quantity requested.

Applying for Certified Fire Fighter
Simply check the box on the Scantron application for the certification level you are requesting, attach the correct fee, and submit with a signed Application Form and Fee Schedule.

You can apply for both Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II certification at the same time by adhering to the following process: A separate Scantron is required for each certification level with the appropriate box checked off. On the Fire Fighter II application, ignore the section that asks for your Fire Fighter I certification number (since you haven't received one yet). Attach one check for both certificates and submit with a signed Application Form and Fee Schedule.

Certification Turnaround Time
The average turnaround for Fire Fighter applications is six weeks. The average turnaround time for other certification applications is ten weeks.

Please print clearly on your application form. This will result in a faster process with less possibility of misspelled names on the certificates.

Fire/Chief Officer Certification Requirements
The certification training standards for Fire Officer and Chief Officer have been updated and recently adopted by the State Fire Marshal. The new standards will require modifications to these two certification tracks. All SFT registered instructors, Regional Accredited Training Programs, and Local Accredited Academies impacted by these changes will be notified when these modifications will be implemented. All other fire service personnel will be "notified" via SFT's website, so stay in touch.