IMPORTANT NEWS AND INFORMATION

2008 EVENTS CALENDAR

• August 26 - Steac Meeting
• September 2-5 - Continuing Challenge Hazmat Workshop - www.hazmat.com
• September 22-24 - EMT Regional Instructor Orientation, Seaside, California. See Class Schedule for Registration Information.
• October 17 - Statewide Training and Education Advisory Committee, Sacramento
• November 10-14 - Training Officers Symposium

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR REGISTERED EMT INSTRUCTORS

Memo to all SFT Registered EMT Instructors

REGISTERED INSTRUCTORS

Reapplying for Instructor Registration
March 31, 2008 was the deadline for completion of Ethical Leadership in the Classroom (ELC) for all registered instructors.  If you did not complete the class and sign the Code of Ethics by that date, your privileges as an instructor have been permanently revoked and you will need to reapply to become an instructor.  Your new application must meet all current requirements with one exception; if you’ve already attended a Regional Instructor Orientation class in the past, you will not be required to attend that class again.  The Instructor Application is available under Forms and Information.  Reference our Procedures Manual for current requirements.

Change in the PACE II Application Review Process
Effective April 1, 2008, the PACE II workgroup will only be utilized for reviewing instructor application appeals. SFT staff will review all initial instructor applications on a regular basis as they are received. This new procedure and the appeals process can be found in the 2008 edition of the SFT Procedures Manual..

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 2008 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 Linda Menchaca at (916) 445-8132. If the Bookstore can accommodate your request, Linda 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 linda.menchaca@fire.ca.gov immediately. This allows enough time to correct any errors in the order.SFT Procedures Manual.

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 Christy Owen, 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 lainne.schendel@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 for the certification level you are requesting, attach the correct fee, and submit with a signed Application Form and Fee Schedule. Be sure your department's complete name is listed on the back and an authorized representative has signed the application.

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.

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

• Blueprint 2020 (January 2008)