Exterior Firefighters

The following guidelines are the recommended minimum training protocols as set forth by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC).

All firefighters should complete a training program(s) addressing these core competencies:

1. Complete a training program addressing the subject areas/core competencies associated with OSHA 29 CFR1910.120 requirements or Hazardous Materials Fire Responders Operations.
2. Complete a training program addressing the subject areas/core competencies associated with Infection Control to achieve compliance with OSHA 29CFR1910.1030
3. Complete the objectives for Basic First Aid
4. Complete the objectives for Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
5. Completion of the latest version of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses IS-700 and ICS-100
6. Fire safety principles familiarization
7. Tool and scene safety awareness
8. Building Construction in relation to fire service operations
9. Understanding fire behavior and development
10. Familiarization with personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as assigned
11. Familiarization with fire service communication operations
12. Familiarization with incident management principles
13. Familiarization with fire prevention principles
14. Arson Awareness
15. Familiarization with fire extinguisher operations
16. Familiarization with hose practices, nozzles and fire streams (excluding interior structural fire attack)
17. Understanding of water supply operations
18. Familiarization with ground ladder operations; and
19. Ropes and knots

These competencies are presented within the Firefighter I Scene Support Operations course instructed by the Suffolk County Fire Academy.  In addition, a Hazardous Materials Operations level training program will need to be completed.

Interior Firefighters

In addition to core competency training provided for all exterior firefighters, interior firefighters should complete a training program(s) addressing the following core competencies: 

1. How to initiate a response to a reported emergency
2. Fire Service communication operations
3. Familiarization with assigned self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) during emergency operations
4. Safe fire apparatus response to an emergency incident
5. Scene safety and operating at an emergency incident
6. Familiarization with forcible entry techniques
7. Operating as a team member within a hazardous area
8. Familiarization with ground ladder operations
9. Familiarization with safe operations at vehicle fires
10. Understanding outside or exterior fires and defensive operations
11. Familiarization with structure fire search and rescue operations
12. Familiarization with interior fire attack operations
13. Familiarization with horizontal and vertical ventilation operations
14. Understanding overhaul operations
15. Familiarization with salvage and property conservation techniques
16. Familiarization with water supply operations
17. Understanding of fire chemistry and behavior
18. Familiarization with fire extinguisher operations
19. Ground cover fires
20. Fire equipment, hose and PPE inspection and maintenance
21. Building construction related to interior structural firefighting operations

These competencies are presented within the Firefighter I course instructed by the Suffolk County Fire Academy

Apparatus Operators

In addition to core competencies for exterior firefighters, apparatus operators should complete a training program addressing the following core competencies:

1. Performing routine preventive maintenance, inspection and being capable of initiating the service of vehicle systems, components, equipment, tools and appliances assigned to the vehicle and be capable of initiating correction of any deficiencies noted.
2. Be capable of documenting routine maintenance, inspection and service of the vehicle’s systems, components,equipment, tools and appliances mounted on or assigned to vehicle.
3. Be capable of initiating correction of any deficiencies noted during this process or any corrective actions required to address deficiencies.
4. Be capable of demonstrating safe operation of the vehicle in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards during routine driving and emergency responses.
5. Be capable of demonstrating defensive driving practices.
6. Be capable of demonstrating safe maneuvering of the vehicle around obstructions and in restricted spaces both forward and reverse.
7. Be able to demonstrate safe backing procedures and the user of a spotter
8. Be knowledgeable of operational capabilities and limitations of the vehicle, its systems and components, equipment, tools and appliances mounted on or assigned to that vehicle.
9. Understand the operation of the functional systems, tools, equipment and appliances mounted on or assigned to the vehicle; and
10. Be capable of demonstrating the ability to operate the pump or other functional systems on the apparatus.

These competencies are presented within the following courses instructed by the Suffolk County Fire Academy:

• Apparatus Operator-Pump Operator-Aerial Devices
• Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC)
• Ladder Company Operations

Incident Commanders – Line Officers and Fire Chiefs

In addition to the core competencies required for interior firefighters and apparatus operators, incident commanders should have a demonstrated knowledge and experience in the following core competencies:

1. Safe and effective assignment and supervision of tasks, or responsibilities to managing unit officers at emergency incidents (including those on highways and roadways), during training and under routine and non-emergency circumstances.
2. Be capable of communicating clear direction and supervision of members during training.
3. Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures and records management including incident reports
4. Knowledge of building construction and fire behavior including structural soundness and the significance of fire load
5. Be capable of evaluating and implementing scene security and evidence preservation
6. Be capable of developing and implementing an incident action plan
7. Be capable of conducting a post incident analysis
8. Be knowledgeable of safety principles, including injury and accident prevention
9. Be familiar with fire department injury and accident reporting requirements according to department policies
10. Be familiar with firefighter health and wellness for recognition of issues; e.g. stress, heart attack and other issues that would hinder firefighter’s response capabilities.
11. An understanding of strategy, tactics and operations in fire suppression;
12. An understanding of vehicle extrication procedures and department capabilities and limitations;
13. Awareness of other situations expected to be encountered in the department’s immediate response area.
14. Be capable of initiating scene size-up procedures
15. Be familiar with initial arrive report (“C.A.N [Conditions, Actions, Needs] – Report”) protocols
16. Be familiar with radio communications operations
17. Be capable of communicating fire-ground reports (location of fire, water on fire, searches, knock-down, etc.) and
18. Be familiar with urgent and mayday communication protocols
19. Be familiar with how to mitigate miscellaneous emergencies (gas leaks, CO, electrical, elevator rescues, hazmat containment, etc.)
20. Understand RIT/FAST Operations and how to implement them
21. Obtain a certificate for the latest version of NIMS ICS-200
22. Understand the use and limitations of special fire department equipment, e.g. gas meters, thermal imaging cameras, self-escape equipment, gas powered tools etc.

These competencies are presented within the following courses instructed by the Suffolk County Fire Academy:

• Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Operations (STICO)
• Intro to Fire Officer
• Fire Officer I
• ICS300/ ICS400

Guidance for Fire Department Training Insructors

Fire Department training instructors must receive a higher level of training and education than the fire department members they will be instructing. This includes being more knowledgeable about the functions to be performed by the fire department and the hazards involved. Instructors should be qualified to train fire department members and demonstrate skills in communication, methods of teaching and instructional motivation.

Training Instructors should demonstrate and possess the following skill set core competencies to instruct personnel effectively, which includes, but is not limited to:

1. Preparation
2. Presentation
3. Application
4. Testing
5. Summary
6. Knowledge of relevant subject matter, applicable policies, rules and regulations.

These competencies are presented within the following courses instructed by the Suffolk County Fire Academy:

• Principles of Instruction
• Fire Instructor I