IMPORTANT NEWS AND INFORMATION

2009 EVENTS CALENDAR

National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), The Los Angeles Firemen’s Credit Union & The “Nobody Gets Left Behind” Training Group presents: "Fire Dynamics"

• June 17 - San Jose -
For information on registration please click here.


• June 18 - West Sacramento -
For information on registration please click here.

Office of the State Fire Marshal Master Calendar.
Click here for more Information.

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.

FIRE COMMAND 2B - UPDATED CURRICULUM NOW AVAILABLE

For more information please click here.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL REGISTERED FIRE CONTROL 3 INSTRUCTORS

For more information please click here.

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE FIRE INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION AND MASTER INSTRUCTOR REGISTRATION

For more information please click here

• DEADLINE FOR FIRE INSTRUCTOR I EXTENDED
• FAQ's

Interested in applying for Fire Officer Certification?

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’re interested in and fill out the bottom section of the form.
3. Mail the form and your payment to the address listed at the top of the form.

Our cashier will receive your application, process your payment, and will then send us your application to begin a file for you. Within 8 – 10 weeks you’ll receive an Application for Certification checklist that will show what you need to do to complete your certification. These instructions apply for any certification application. If you’re 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.)

***There are no immediate changes pending for the number of courses required for Fire Officer Certification***

DRIVER OPERATOR 1A/1B INSTRUCTORS

A correction has been made on page 7 of Topic 2-1: Types of Fire Pumps. The net pump pressure has been reduced from 75 to 50 psi to match the IFSTA textbook. For corrected instructor guide page click here.

For more information please click here

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL REGISTERED FIRE PREVENTION 1A/1B INSTRUCTORS AND ACCREDITED ACADEMIES

Memo to all SFT Registered Prevention 1A/1B Instructors

FIRE PREVENTION 1A AND 1B INSTRUCTORS
Fire Prevention 1A and 1B Bridge Courses
Updated curricula has been completed on the Fire Prevention 1A and 1B Bridge courses. Thank you to those instructors who let us know what needed to be fixed and provided us with their comments and suggested revisions. In early April, we will be sending a CD-ROM with the 2009 edition of the instructor guides and student supplements to all who purchased the 2008 edition.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR REGISTERED EMT INSTRUCTORS

Memo to all SFT Registered EMT Instructors

REGISTERED INSTRUCTORS

Instructor Registration in Suspense Status
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 placed in suspense and your contact information has been removed from our on-line database.  You will not be approved to teach any classes while your record is in suspense.  In order to be removed from suspense and have your registration status restored as active, you must complete the class and sign the Code of Ethics.  Once the class records are received and processed, your record will be automatically updated.  If you have any questions, please contact Christy Owen.

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.

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.