NEW FIRE CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING STRUCTURE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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1 NEW FIRE CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING STRUCTURE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Why has fire experience been removed from the requirements? Fire experience was removed based on the recommendation of the Fire Certification and Training Working Group. The decision was based on the following factors. First was the Council s mandate to align Alberta certification requirements with NFPA, which does not have firefighting experience as a requirement. In addition, there were no objective measurements for assessing the quality of fire experience. Second was the difficulty for otherwise qualified applicants to obtain firefighting experience. A third reason was that employers were reluctant to allow potential Fire SCO applicants to expose themselves to fire experience training because of the possibility of injury and resulting insurance issues. The Working Group assessed the scope of work for a Fire SCO and determined that inspections can be completed by an SCO using code knowledge and NFPA job performance requirements. Where investigations are concerned, employers as always have the choice of who to hire and must make those choices based on the requirements of the Quality Management Plan (QMP). How was the decision made to change the certification requirements for Fire SCOs? The Fire Certification structure was last examined in A review was needed to examine gaps and ensure that SCOs have clarity on what they can or cannot do within the scope of their Group and/or Level. The Fire Sub-Council proposed changes to the Fire SCO certification structure based on recommendations by the Fire Certification and Training Working Group. This Working Group was made up of stakeholders representing fire officials, firefighters, the fire safety industry, municipalities, training institutions, and other fields that relate to Fire certification. A survey was circulated in September 2016 and the results, along with the vast number of comments from survey respondents, were analyzed.

2 Why are the changes being made? The Fire certification structure has been under review for several years. The Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Safety Codes Council were aware of issues raised within the fire services, most of which related to lack of clarity about the scopes of practice for each certification group and level. Fire services also expressed concern about the lack of training for petroleum tank inspections. Training has been redesigned so that each new scope of practice is supported by the right training. What are the changes to the Fire Certification structure? The new training courses align closely with NFPA. This makes it easier for someone with NFPA certification to become an SCO, or for an SCO to take the NFPA exam and add NFPA certification to their credentials Scopes of practice for each Group and Level are now clearly defined. The scopes are in line with the structure and requirements of the Alberta Fire and Building Codes. The training continues to align with NFPA 1031 (Inspector) and NFPA 1033 (Investigator) job requirements. If you take the Council courses, you will have the training to write the NFPA exam. Group A will be a prerequisite for Groups B and C. Fire experience will not be an entry requirement. Group D will be phased out. Those currently working as Group D SCOs may continue to work as Group D SCOs; however, no new applications for this group will be accepted. Group E will be a new certification group that will only inspect petroleum storage tanks. This group will work closely with PTMAA (Petroleum Tanks Management Association of Alberta). What changes have been made to the Fire SCO Training program? The Fire SCO training program has undergone significant revision and reorganization, to align with new scopes of practice, new NFPA Standards and the 2014 Alberta Fire Code.

3 Training builds on prior learning as SCOs acquire certification at different Groups and Levels. In the previous structure courses taken for Group A did not count towards requirements for other certifications. Group A now has a requirement for written and verbal communication training and the Fire Prevention course has been replaced by Introduction to Inspections, which includes training on fire prevention as well as inspections. For Inspectors, the Fire Protection Equipment and Water Supplies course was moved from Level 2 and content incorporated into the Level 1 course, Building Construction and protection Systems as this was considered to be a more suitable requirement for Level 1. Content from the Alberta Codes and Standards course has been incorporated into Alberta Codes and Standards (Group A) and Inspection Procedures (Group B Level 1). The Fire Evaluating Alternative Solutions course has been moved from being a Group B Level 1 requirement to Group B Level 2, as Group B level 1 Fire SCOs cannot issue variances/alternative solutions. The IFSTA textbook Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement, 8 th Edition will be the primary text book for the new fire training program. The Practicum for Investigations is now only a C2 requirement. This change was made to better align with NFPA requirements. What changes have been made to Fire SCO Training Delivery? The theory components of the Fire SCO training will now be delivered online directly through the Council, rather than by classroom delivery through the Emergency Training Centre at Lakeland College. Lakeland College will still offer the practical components of the training at their campus in Vermillion that involve conducting inspections and investigations. Practicums can also take place at fire departments where students are employed.

4 Why are courses being delivered online instead of through Classroom training? In the past, the training of Fire SCOs in a classroom setting at Lakeland College has resulted in delays in accessing training. There are many other benefits to taking training through elearning: No need to travel: courses can be taken at home or at work, resulting in savings in travel and accommodation costs. Self-paced learning: people learn at different speeds, so completion of courses can be tailored to your own needs. Access to mobile learning: course content can be accessed through tablets and smart phones. Greater interactivity: the learning content includes access to different mediums, including video, animations and links to additional resources. Course advisor: each student taking an online course will be assigned a course advisor to answer questions and provide mentoring support. Consistency of training: most SCO training in the other disciplines is delivered directly by the Council. By moving delivery of courses and exams to the Council there will be more consistency across the disciplines in terms of quality and service. How does NFPA 1031 and 1033 correspond to Fire SCO certification? Individuals can obtain both ProBoard and IFSAC certifications and Council certification for Fire SCOs with a minimum duplication of effort. Partial Equivalences will be granted to holders of ProBoard and IFSAC certifications (NFPA 1031 and NFPA 1033) towards Fire SCO certification. Council certified Fire SCOs who want to gain ProBoard and IFSAC certifications, can take qualifying exams through the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

5 The Council and the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) have worked together to ensure that the practical requirements for Fire SCO certification and certification relating to the NFPA 1031 and NFPA 1033 Standards will be identical, so that one set of practicum requirements meet both certifying bodies requirements. Fire departments will also be able to provide the practicum components of the training if they can provide suitable supervisors and evaluators. Relevant documentation can be requested either through the Council or the OFC. How should I prepare for the new Fire certification structure? We encourage all SCOs to review the new scopes of practice for their current Group and Level as soon as possible. Talk to your QMP manager and employer to ensure that the new scope will cover your existing and anticipated duties. If not, the Council can help you determine what group or level you need to move to, and what training may be needed to accommodate the new scope of practice. For many SCOs, nothing additional will be required. Will there be any training equivalencies in the new structure? Yes, there will be partial equivalencies for Pro Board and IFSAC certification. What courses will I need to take for a new Group or Level? See Council website for a detailed list of courses for each scope and level. You will need to complete Group E requirements if you wish to inspect Petroleum Tanks. After May 2019, petroleum tank inspections will no longer be a part of the Group B Level 2 scope of practice. If you are a Group A you may need to take Group B or C certification if your duties under your QMP are more in alignment with these scopes of practice.

6 If I am currently a Group A SCO or have almost completed my Group A training, how does this affect me? If you are an existing Group A SCO, you will be able to continue to work in that Group without any additional training, provided that the new scope of work for Group A covers the requirements of your employer s QMP. If an accredited organization s QMP requires inspection of buildings that exceed the scope of practice for the certification you now hold, you may have to move to a new level to provide those inspections. On the other hand, if the duties you are required to perform in your community are within the defined scope of practice for Group A, additional training will not be needed. If you currently perform fire investigations on a regular basis you may need to be certified as a Group C Investigator which would require additional training. If you are part way through your SCO training, we recommend that you begin taking the new courses as soon as they become available. The Council s existing courses, which have been delivered by Lakeland College, will not be offered after December 31, 2017, and if there is not sufficient enrollment for the remainder of 2017, courses are not guaranteed to run. If I am currently a Group B SCO, or have almost completed my Group B training, how does this affect me? If you are an existing Group B SCO, you will be able to continue to work with your current certification without needing any additional training, provided that the new scope of work covers the requirement of your organization s QMP. The focus of Group B training is on inspections, and Group B SCOs will have limited authority to conduct investigations. If you are a Group B Level 1 SCO and your accredited organization s QMP requires inspection of buildings that exceed the scope of practice for Level 1, you will have to move to Level 2 to provide those inspections. However, if the duties you are required to perform in your community are within the defined scope of practice for Group B, additional training will not be needed. If you currently perform fire investigations on a regular basis, you may need to be certified as a Group C Investigator which would require additional training.

7 If you are already certified as a Group B SCO and would like to add certification in Group C, you will not have to take the Group A training that will be a prerequisite for SCOs who move through the new program once it is in effect. If you are part way through your training for certification in Group B, we recommend you complete your courses before the new structure takes effect. Group A will become the prerequisite for Groups B and C after May 1, 2017 unless you have completed or are part way through completion of training for groups B and C. The Council s existing courses, which have been delivered by Lakeland College, will not be offered after December 31, 2017, and if there is not sufficient enrollment for the remainder of 2017, courses are not guaranteed to run. If I am currently a Group C SCO, or have almost completed my Group C training, how does this affect me? If you are an existing Group C SCO you will be able to continue to work with your current certification without needing any additional training, provided that the new scope of practice covers the requirement of your organization s QMP. The focus of Group C is on investigation, and Group C SCOs will have limited authority to conduct building inspections. If your accredited organization s QMP requires inspection of buildings that exceed the scope of practice for the certification you now hold, you may be need to add Group B certification which would require additional training. However, if the duties you are required to perform are within the defined scope of practice for Group C, additional training will not be needed. If you are part way through your SCO training, we recommend that you complete your courses before the new structure takes effect in Group A will become the prerequisite for Groups B and C after May 1, 2017, unless you have completed or have partially completed training requirements for Group B or Group C certification, The Council s existing courses, which have been delivered by Lakeland College, will not be offered after December 31, 2017, and if there is not sufficient enrollment for the remainder of 2017, courses are not guaranteed to run.

8 I am currently Group D SCO. How does this affect me? There will be no effect on existing Group D SCOs, however, no new certifications in Group D will be issued. If you are currently certified as a Group D SCO, you may continue to work in that Group, provided you continue to meet the requirements for renewal. You can continue to work under your existing Designation of Powers (DOP), or you can work for another employer under a new DOP. The scope of practice that you were originally certified to inspect remains the same. What is the new Group E Petroleum Tanks certification level? Group E will focus exclusively on inspection of above ground and underground petroleum storage tanks. It will not require Group A as a prerequisite. Petroleum tanks will be removed from a Group B Level 2 scope of practice and any B Level 2 SCO will need to complete a course to inspect petroleum tanks. Entry qualifications for Group E are certification as a Group B Level 2 SCO or PM1 or PM2 certification from the Canadian Petroleum Construction Association (CPCA). Group E will have its own specialized training, including a practicum component. Group E will work closely with the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta (PTMAA). What do I need to know if I am just starting my SCO training or am part way through? After December 31, 2017, the existing Council courses delivered through Lakeland College will not be offered. The new courses, delivered through the Council, will be available in May of Group A will become the prerequisite for Group B and Group C; in other words, courses required for Group A will be required to apply for Group B and Group C certification. Anyone beginning training after December 31, 2017 will need to take the new courses.

9 What if I am an experienced SCO with more than one Group or Level of certification? Will I need to take more courses? The new certification structure is based on a clear scope of practice for all SCOs. If your current certification allows you to complete the work required by your employer, you will not need to take more courses. If you currently perform inspections or investigations that will be outside the new scope of practice, you will need to complete the necessary training to become certified in the Group and Level your organization needs. When do the changes take effect? The Council understands the need to provide as much time as possible for SCOs to get any additional training they need to meet the requirements of their accredited organizations QMP, so there will be a two year transition period before the new certification scopes are in effect. The new certification structure will be in effect May 1, 2019.