TITLE 655 BOARD OF FIREFIGHTING PERSONNEL STANDARDS AND EDUCATION
Notice of First Public Comment Period
LSA Document #24-59
The Board of Fire Personnel Standards and Education (BFPSE) is soliciting public comment on the repeal of rules at
655 IAC 1 and the addition of rules at
655 IAC 2,
655 IAC 3,
655 IAC 4,
655 IAC 5, and
655 IAC 6, concerning the administrative rules governing testing and certification of fire service personnel and the best practices fund. The BFPSE seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 655 that may be affected by this rulemaking.
Basic Purpose and Background
Title 655 provides the rules and regulations of the BFPSE. Title 655 sets the minimum standards for firefighters in Indiana and establishes voluntary certifications for other disciplines and advanced certifications. The proposed new rules clarify the overall training and certification framework for first responders to better understand the requirements.
The proposed new rules: update the safety standards for first responders; provide a better reporting structure for criminal issues; clarify expectations for fire investigators' continuing education to line up with the updated NFPA standards; establish a framework for the best practices fund; simplify the overall training and certification framework for first responders to better understand requirements; close the gap between the minimum firefighting training standards and NFPA standards for interior firefighting operations to better protect volunteer firefighters and provide recruitment incentives; and update the NFPA standards so that these standards no longer need to be updated through the emergency rulemaking process every two (2) years.
The impacted parties include the: state of Indiana; Indiana department of homeland security and its staff; local fire departments; individuals holding and obtaining fire certifications; and public-at-large being served.
For purposes of
IC 4-22-2-28.1, small businesses affected by this rulemaking may contact the Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:
Alyssa Schroeder
Legislative Director
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
302 West Washington Street, Room E208
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 775-2607
aschroeder1@dhs.in.gov
Matthew Jaworowski
Small Business Ombudsman
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
One North Capitol, Suite 700
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 650-0126
majaworowski@iedc.in.gov
Resources available to regulated entities through the small business ombudsman include the ombudsman's duties stated in
IC 5-28-17-6, specifically
IC 5-28-17-6(9), investigating and attempting to resolve any matter regarding compliance by a small business with a law, rule, or policy administered by a state agency, either as a party to a proceeding or as a mediator.
REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
The BFPSE is soliciting public comment on the proposed rule. Comments may be submitted in one of the following ways:
(1) By mail or common carrier to the following address:
LSA Document #24-59
Hillary Egan
Deputy General Counsel
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
302 West Washington Street, Room E208
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(2) By electronic mail to hegan@dhs.in.gov. To confirm timely delivery of submitted comments, please request a document receipt when sending the electronic mail. PLEASE NOTE: Electronic mail comments will not be considered part of the official written comment period unless they are sent to the address indicated in this notice.
(3) Attend scheduled public hearing.
All comments must be postmarked or time stamped not later than March 22, 2024.
The rule, Regulatory Analysis, appendices referenced in the Regulatory Analysis, and materials incorporated by reference (if applicable) are on file at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, 302 West Washington Street, Room E208, Indianapolis, Indiana and are available for public inspection. Copies of the rule, Regulatory Analysis, and appendices referenced in the Regulatory Analysis are available at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security office.
If the Indiana Department of Homeland Security does not receive substantive comments during the public comment period or public hearing, the rule may be adopted with text that is the same as or does not substantially differ from the text of the proposed rule published in this notice.
SECTION 1.
655 IAC 2 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Rule 1. Definitions
655 IAC 2-1-1 Applicability of definitions
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this title.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-1-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 2. "Certification" means a document approved by the education board verifying that an individual has successfully met the qualifications set by the education board for any training and education program approved by the education board.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-1-2)
655 IAC 2-1-3 "Certification course" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 3. "Certification course" means a course of instruction in firefighting or related emergency services established under 655 IAC 4 for which an individual may receive a certification on successful completion.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-1-3)
655 IAC 2-1-4 "Certification standard" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 4. "Certification standard" means the standard adopted by the education board on which a certification course is based and may be issued.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-1-4)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 5. "Certified" means authorized by the education board through the issuance of a certification to perform or otherwise provide providing firefighting or related emergency services.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-1-5)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 6. "Department" refers to the department of homeland security established under IC 10-19.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-1-6)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 7. "Education board" refers to the board of firefighting personnel standards and education.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-1-7)
655 IAC 2-1-8 "Education board rules" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 8. "Education board rules" means the rules set forth in this title.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-1-8)
655 IAC 2-1-9 "Executive director" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 9. "Executive director" refers to the executive director of the department of homeland security appointed under IC 10-19-3.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-1-9)
Rule 2. Certification Procedures
655 IAC 2-2-1 Certification required for service
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 1. (a) An individual shall not perform or otherwise provide firefighting or related emergency services unless the individual is certified by the education board under 655 IAC 3-1.
(b) An individual shall not perform firefighting or related emergency services for which a certification may be obtained under 655 IAC 4-3 unless the individual is certified by the education board to provide those services.
(c) An individual less than eighteen (18) years of age may not be certified by the education board to provide firefighting or related emergency services.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-2-1)
655 IAC 2-2-2 Application for certification
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 2. (a) A certification shall not be issued without approval of a completed application for certification.
(b) An application for certification must be made in a form prescribed by the department and include the following information:
(1) The name and contact information of the applicant.
(2) Department affiliation, if the applicant is affiliated with a department.
(3) Public safety identification number of the applicant.
(4) Prerequisites met, if required for training.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-2-2)
655 IAC 2-2-3 Approval of application for certification
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 3. (a) The education board, or the department on the education board's behalf, shall review each application for certification.
(b) Before a certification is issued, the department shall verify the applicant has completed the prerequisite training or certifications required under the education board rules.
(c) If an application is approved, a certification shall be issued to the successful applicant.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-2-3)
655 IAC 2-2-4 Denial of application for certification
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 4. The education board, or the department on the education board's behalf, may deny an application for certification if informed that:
(1) an application provided to the education board was falsified; or
(2) an applicant has failed to:
(A) comply with the education board rules; or
(B) otherwise meet the qualifications for obtaining a certification.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-2-4)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 5. (a) If the education board receives the information described in section 4 of this rule after issuing a certification, or is informed that an individual has:
(1) failed to uphold or respect another individual's privacy, dignity, or safety;
(2) committed a breach of examination security or integrity;
(3) been convicted in a court of any crime; or
(4) failed to comply with the education board rules;
(b) The department or education board may initiate a review of an individual's certification status in the absence of external written requests or complaints for review.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-2-5)
655 IAC 2-2-6 Reporting of a criminal conviction
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 6. (a) An individual certified by the education board must provide written notice to the department within ninety (90) days of a misdemeanor or felony criminal conviction, except traffic related misdemeanors other than operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol.
(b) The notice required by subsection (a) must be submitted in a form approved by the department and include the following:
(1) The name of the individual certified by the education board.
(2) Contact information for the individual certified by the education board.
(3) A certified copy of the order or judgment of conviction.
(4) A letter of explanation from the individual certified by the education board.
(c) This section applies only to criminal convictions occurring on or after the date this rule is promulgated.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-2-6)
Rule 3. Variances
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 1. (a) An individual may request a variance to a rule the education board has adopted.
(b) Variance requests must be filed with and determined by the department under IC 22-14-2-7.5.
(c) At the education board's first meeting following a variance determination by the department, the department shall notify the education board of its determination.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-3-1)
655 IAC 2-3-2 Variance request; form and contents
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 2. A request for a variance must be submitted in a form approved by the department and include the following information:
(1) The name and address of the individual requesting the variance.
(2) The citation to the rule of the education board from which the individual requests the variance.
(3) The basis for the request, including an analysis of the hardship imposed on the applicant if the variance request were denied, and whether there would be an adverse impact to the public health and safety if the variance request were granted.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-3-2)
655 IAC 2-3-3 Petition for review; notice
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 3. (a) An individual aggrieved by a variance determination may petition for review of that determination under the applicable provisions of IC 4-21.5-3.
(b) Not later than the next regular meeting of the education board, the department shall notify the education board of any administrative review proceeding initiated following a variance determination by the department.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-3-3)
Rule 4. Reciprocity
655 IAC 2-4-1 Certification based on reciprocity
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. An individual who meets the requirements of this rule shall qualify for a certification based on reciprocity.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-4-1)
655 IAC 2-4-2 Application for certification based on reciprocity
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. (a) An individual applying for a certification based on reciprocity must file an application on a form prescribed by the department.
(b) An application must be filed for each certification based on reciprocity.
(c) An application for a certification based on reciprocity must include the following:
(1) Identifying information about the applicant.
(2) Evidence the applicant has completed the same or substantially similar training and testing for the certification as that required by the education board, including:
(A) a certification at the same level by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications, or United States Department of Homeland Security; or
(B) proof of successful completion of a certification program based on the same certification standards as the certification approved by the education board.
(3) A sworn statement by the applicant affirming the information provided is true and accurate.
(4) A nonrefundable processing fee of fifty dollars ($50) under IC 22-14-2-7(d).
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-4-2)
655 IAC 2-4-3 Application for instructor certification based on reciprocity
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. (a) In addition to the application requirements in section 2 of this rule, an individual applying for certification based on reciprocity for any of the following is required to pass a written examination on the education board rules with a minimum score of seventy percent (70%):
(1) Instructor I.
(2) Instructor II.
(3) Instructor III.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 2-4-3)
SECTION 2.
655 IAC 3 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 3. MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT
Rule 1. Emergency Response Support Training Program
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. The emergency response support training program is established.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 3-1-1)
655 IAC 3-1-2 Emergency response support training program requirements
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. (a) The emergency response support training program shall consist of a minimum of thirty (30) training hours.
(b) The emergency response support training program shall include training in the subjects described in IC 36-8-10.5-7.
(c) In addition to the training described in subsection (b), successful completion of the emergency response support training program includes:
(2) demonstrated competency in practical skills.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 3-1-2)
655 IAC 3-1-3 Certification for completion of emergency response support training program
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. (a) On successful completion of the emergency response support training program, an individual may apply for a certification as prescribed by 655 IAC 2-2-2.
(b) On approval of an application submitted under subsection (a), the successful applicant shall be certified to perform the emergency response duties of a volunteer firefighter, excluding interior firefighting operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 3-1-3)
Rule 2. Vehicle Emergency Response Driving Safety Instruction Course
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. The instruction course on vehicle emergency response driving safety is established.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 3-2-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. The department shall develop the vehicle emergency response driving safety instruction course as part of the emergency response support training program.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 3-2-2)
SECTION 3.
655 IAC 4 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 4. CERTIFICATIONS IN FIREFIGHTING AND RELATED EMERGENCY SERVICES
Rule 1. Definitions
655 IAC 4-1-1 Applicability of definitions
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this article.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-1-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. "NFPA" means the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-1-2)
655 IAC 4-1-3 "NFPA publication" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. "NFPA publication" means a document published by the National Fire Protection Association and developed through a consensus standards development process approved by the American National Standards Institute.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-1-3)
Rule 2. Adoption By Reference
655 IAC 4-2-1 Publications adopted by reference
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. The NFPA publications described in this article are adopted by reference and made part of this article as if fully set forth in this article.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-2-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. The documents, and applicable portions of those documents, referenced in a certification standard described in this article are considered part of the requirements of that certification standard.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-2-2)
Rule 3. Certifications
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. (a) The certification standard for Firefighter I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Hazardous Materials-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. (a) The certification standard for Firefighter II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Firefighter I.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-2)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. (a) The certification standard for Driver/Operator-General shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 2017 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a valid driver's license.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-3)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 4. (a) The certification standard for Driver/Operator-Pumper shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 2017 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a:
(1) valid driver's license; and
(2) certification in Driver/Operator-General.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-4)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 5. (a) The certification standard for Driver/Operator-Aerial shall be as set forth in Chapter 6 of the NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 2017 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a:
(1) valid driver's license; and
(2) certification in Driver/Operator-General.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-5)
655 IAC 4-3-6 Driver/Operator-Mobile Water Supply
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 6. (a) The certification standard for Driver/Operator-Mobile Water Supply shall be as set forth in Chapter 10 of the NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 2017 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a:
(1) valid driver's license; and
(2) certification in Driver/Operator-General.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-6)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 7. (a) The certification standard for Airport Firefighter shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1003, Standard for Airport Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Firefighter II prior to the date the certification course begins.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-7)
655 IAC 4-3-8 Technical Rescue-Awareness
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 8. The certification standard for Technical Rescue-Awareness shall be as set forth in Sections 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, 13.1, 17.1, 18.1, 20.1, and 23.1 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-8)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 9. (a) The certification standard for Rope Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 5.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-9)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 10. (a) The certification standard for Rope Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 5.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Rope Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-10)
655 IAC 4-3-11 Structural Collapse Rescue-Operations
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 11. (a) The certification standard for Structural Collapse-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 6.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-11)
655 IAC 4-3-12 Structural Collapse Rescue-Technician
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 12. (a) The certification standard for Structural Collapse Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 6.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Structural Collapse Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-12)
655 IAC 4-3-13 Confined Space Rescue-Operations
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 13. (a) The certification standard for Confined Space Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 7.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in:
(1) Technical Rescue-Awareness; and
(2) Rope Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-13)
655 IAC 4-3-14 Confined Space Rescue-Technician
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 14. (a) The certification standard for Confined Space Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 7.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Confined Space Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-14)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 15. (a) The certification standard for Vehicle Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Sections 8.2 and 8.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-15)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 16. (a) The certification standard for Vehicle Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Vehicle Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-16)
655 IAC 4-3-17 Animal Technical Rescue-Operations
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 17. (a) The certification standard for Animal Technical Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 10.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in:
(1) Technical Rescue-Awareness; and
(2) Rope Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-17)
655 IAC 4-3-18 Animal Technical Rescue-Technician
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 18. (a) The certification standard for Animal Technical Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 10.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Animal Technical Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-18)
655 IAC 4-3-19 Wilderness Search and Rescue-Operations
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 19. (a) The certification standard for Wilderness Search and Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 11.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-19)
655 IAC 4-3-20 Wilderness Search and Rescue-Technician
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 20. (a) The certification standard for Wilderness Search and Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 11.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Wilderness Search and Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-20)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 21. (a) The certification standard for Trench Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 12.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-21)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 22. (a) The certification standard for Trench Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 12.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Trench Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-22)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 23. (a) The certification standard for Machinery Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 13.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-23)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 24. (a) The certification standard for Machinery Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 13.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Machinery Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-24)
655 IAC 4-3-25 Surface Water Rescue-Operations
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 25. (a) The certification standard for Surface Water Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 17.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-25)
655 IAC 4-3-26 Surface Water Rescue-Technician
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 26. (a) The certification standard for Surface Water Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 17.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Surface Water Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-26)
655 IAC 4-3-27 Swift Water Rescue-Operations
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 27. (a) The certification standard for Swift Water Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 18.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in:
(1) Technical Rescue-Awareness;
(2) Rope Rescue-Operations; and
(3) Surface Water-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-27)
655 IAC 4-3-28 Swift Water Rescue-Technician
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 28. (a) The certification standard for Swift Water Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 18.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in:
(1) Swift Water Rescue-Operations;
(2) Rope Rescuer-Technician; and
(3) Surface Water Rescuer-Technician.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-28)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 29. (a) The certification standard for Ice Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 20.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-29)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 30. (a) The certification standard for Ice Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 20.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Ice Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-30)
655 IAC 4-3-31 Floodwater Rescue-Operations
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 31. (a) The certification standard for Floodwater Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 23.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in:
(1) Technical Rescue-Awareness;
(2) Surface Water Rescue-Operations; and
(3) Swift Water Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-31)
655 IAC 4-3-32 Floodwater Rescue-Technician
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 32. (a) The certification standard for Floodwater Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 23.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Floodwater Rescue-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-32)
655 IAC 4-3-33 Fire Officer-Strategy and Tactics
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 33. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer-Strategy and Tactics shall be as set forth in Sections 4.6.1 and 4.6.2 of Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Firefighter I prior to the date the certification course begins.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-33)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 34. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold:
(1) a certification in Firefighter II for at least one (1) year prior to the date the certification course begins;
(2) a certification in Fire Officer – Strategy and Tactics; and
(3) an active certification in Instructor I.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-34)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 35. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Officer I.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-35)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 36. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer III shall be as set forth in Chapter 6 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Officer II.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-36)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 37. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer IV shall be as set forth in Chapter 7 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Officer III.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-37)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 38. The certification standard for Fire Inspector I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner, 2014 edition.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-38)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 39. (a) The certification standard for Fire Inspector II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner, 2014 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Inspector I.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-39)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 40. (a) The certification standard for Fire Investigator shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, 2022 edition.
(b) A Fire Investigator certification expires two (2) years after:
(1) the date this article was adopted, for individuals to whom this certification was issued before the adoption of this article; or
(2) the date of the certification's issuance, for individuals not described in subsection (1).
(c) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (b), an individual must comply with the:
(1) continuing education requirements; and
(2) certification renewal request submission requirements;
described in this article.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-40)
655 IAC 4-3-41 Fire and Life Safety Educator I
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 41. The certification standard for Fire and Life Safety Educator I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1035, Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist, and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications, 2015 edition.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-41)
655 IAC 4-3-42 Fire and Life Safety Educator II
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 42. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Life Safety Educator II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1035, Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist, and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications, 2015 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire and Life Safety Educator I.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-42)
655 IAC 4-3-43 Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 43. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Firefighter II for at least one (1) year prior to the date the certification course begins.
(c) A Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I certification expires two (2) years after the date of its issuance unless it is renewed before expiration.
(d) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (c), an individual must comply with the:
(1) continuing education requirements; and
(2) certification renewal request submission requirements;
described in this article.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-43)
655 IAC 4-3-44 Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 44. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I or Instructor I.
(c) A Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II certification expires two (2) years after the date of its issuance unless it is renewed before expiration.
(d) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (c), an individual must comply with the:
(1) continuing education requirements; and
(2) certification renewal request submission requirements;
described in this article.
(e) Renewal of the certification described in subsection (c) automatically renews an individual's prerequisite certification in Instructor I or Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-44)
655 IAC 4-3-45 Fire and Emergency Services Instructor III
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 45. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor III shall be as set forth in Chapter 6 of the NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Instructor II or Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II.
(c) A Fire and Emergency Services Instructor III certification expires two (2) years after the date of its issuance unless it is renewed before expiration.
(d) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (c), an individual must comply with the:
(1) continuing education requirements; and
(2) certification renewal request submission requirements;
described in this article.
(e) Renewal of the certification described in subsection (c) automatically renews an individual's prerequisite certifications in Instructor I and II or Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I and II.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-45)
655 IAC 4-3-46 Hazardous Materials-Awareness
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 46. The certification standard for Hazardous Materials-Awareness shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 470, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2022 edition.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-46)
655 IAC 4-3-47 Hazardous Materials-Operations
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 47. (a) The certification standard for Hazardous Materials-Operations shall be as set forth in Chapter 7 and Sections 8.2, 8.3, 8.6, and 8.7 of the NFPA 470, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2022 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Hazardous Materials-Awareness.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-47)
655 IAC 4-3-48 Hazardous Materials-Technician
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 48. (a) The certification standard for Hazardous Materials-Technician shall be as set forth in Chapter 11 of the NFPA 470, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2022 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Hazardous Materials-Operations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-48)
655 IAC 4-3-49 Hazardous Materials-Incident Commander
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 49. (a) The certification standard for Hazardous Materials-Incident Commander shall be as set forth in Chapter 17 of the NFPA 470, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2022 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Hazardous Materials-Technician.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-49)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 50. The certification standard for Health and Safety Officer shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-50)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 51. (a) The certification standard for Incident Safety Officer shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition.
(b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Officer I.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-51)
655 IAC 4-3-52 Fire Chief Executive Leadership
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 52. The certification standard and curriculum for Fire Chief Executive Leadership shall be developed by the department and approved by the education board under IC 36-8-10.6-5.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-52)
655 IAC 4-3-53 Fire and Emergency Services Live Fire Instructor
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 53. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I shall be as set forth in Chapters 7 and 8 of the NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition.
(b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in:
(1) Firefighter II for at least one (1) year prior to the date the certification course begins; and
(2) Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II.
(c) A Fire and Emergency Services Live Fire Instructor certification expires two (2) years after the date of its issuance unless it is renewed before expiration.
(d) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (c), an individual must comply with the:
(1) continuing education requirements; and
(2) certification renewal request submission requirements;
described in this article.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-3-53)
Rule 4. Certification Expiration; Renewal
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. On expiration of a certification described in this article, an individual is prohibited from performing or otherwise providing firefighting or related emergency services unless the certification is renewed or reinstated.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-4-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. A certification described in this article based on expiration following its issuance by the education board may be renewed as prescribed in this rule.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-4-2)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. (a) Renewal of an expiring certification may be requested by submitting:
(1) a certification renewal request containing the information required by the department; and
(2) documentation that proves the individual has completed the required continuing education hours before the date the certification expires.
(b) A certification renewal request must be submitted in compliance with a submission procedure established and administered by the department.
(c) The department shall approve certification renewal requests that meet the requirements set forth in this rule.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-4-3)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 4. A submission required by this rule must be completed before the expiration of the certification.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-4-4)
Rule 5. Certification Reinstatement After Expiration
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. A certification that has expired may be reinstated as prescribed in this rule.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-5-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. (a) Reinstatement of an expired certification may be requested by submitting:
(1) a certification reinstatement request containing the information required by the department;
(2) documentation that proves the individual completed the required continuing education hours before the expiration of the certification; and
(3) a fifty dollar ($50) nonrefundable reinstatement fee.
(b) A certification reinstatement request must be submitted in compliance with a submission procedure established and administered by the department.
(c) The department shall approve certification reinstatement requests that meet the requirements set forth in this rule.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-5-2)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. (a) A submission described in this rule must be completed within one hundred twenty (120) days of the date the certification expired.
(b) Failure to comply with the deadline described in subsection (a) prohibits the reinstatement of a certification.
(c) An individual prohibited from reinstatement of an expired certification shall be required to obtain a new certification under the education board rules.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-5-3)
655 IAC 4-5-4 Effective date of reinstatement
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 4. (a) A certification shall be reinstated effective on the date the reinstatement is approved.
(b) A reinstated certification must be renewed before the expiration of the period described in 655 IAC 4-4.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-5-4)
Rule 6. Continuing Education
655 IAC 4-6-1 Continuing education hours required; subject matter
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. (a) As a prerequisite to each renewal of a certification requiring continuing education and based on expiration, an individual shall complete at least sixteen (16) hours of continuing education or instruction.
(b) The eligible continuing education subject matter for each certification course described in subsection (a) shall be:
(1) established by the department;
(2) approved by the education board; and
(3) published by the department on the education board's webpage.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-6-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. The department shall report continuing education as required under a reporting procedure established and administered by the department.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-6-2)
Rule 7. Validity of Prior Certifications; Equivalency
655 IAC 4-7-1 Validity of prior certifications
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. Certifications issued by the education board before the adoption or readoption of this article shall remain valid, based on the renewal requirements set forth in this article.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 4-7-1)
SECTION 4.
655 IAC 5 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 5. CERTIFICATION COURSE INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION PROCEDURES
Rule 1. Definitions
655 IAC 5-1-1 Applicability of definitions
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this article.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-1-1)
655 IAC 5-1-2 "Authority having jurisdiction" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. "Authority having jurisdiction" means the organization, office, or individual responsible for administering a certification course.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-1-2)
655 IAC 5-1-3 "Advanced level instructor" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. "Advanced level instructor" means an individual certified in Indiana in firefighting instruction at or above the level of Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II, Instructor II, or Instructor II/III.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-1-3)
655 IAC 5-1-4 "Job performance requirement" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 4. "Job performance requirement" means a professional qualification standard that must be achieved by a student in a certification course, based on a written statement describing a specific job task, lists the items necessary to complete the task, and defines measurable or observable outcomes and evaluation areas for the specific task.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-1-4)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 5. "Lead evaluator" means the individual who coordinates and supervises the administration of practical skills examinations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-1-5)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 6. "Lead instructor" means the individual who manages and oversees the delivery of a certification course.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-1-6)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 7. "Proctor" means an individual who monitors or supervises students during examinations.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-1-7)
Rule 2. Personnel Qualifications
655 IAC 5-2-1 Lead instructor qualifications
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. To qualify as a lead instructor, an individual must be certified in:
(1) Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I or as an advanced level instructor; and
(2) the subject matter for which the certification course is offered, at or above the level for which that course is offered.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-2-1)
655 IAC 5-2-2 Lead evaluator qualifications
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. To qualify as a lead evaluator, an individual must:
(1) be certified as an advanced level instructor;
(2) be certified in the subject matter for which the certification course is offered, at or above the level for which that course is offered;
(3) have prior experience evaluating practical skills; and
(4) have completed an evaluator qualification program annually, developed by the department.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-2-2)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. To qualify as a proctor, an individual must have completed an annual proctor qualification program developed by the department and be:
(1) certified in Instructor I or as an advanced level instructor;
(2) a holder of an active Indiana educator license;
(3) a faculty member in postsecondary education; or
(4) a staff member of an organization administering certification courses.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-2-3)
Rule 3. Authority
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. (a) Only a lead instructor may deliver a certification course.
(b) A lead instructor may engage one (1) or more subject matter specialists to assist in the delivery of a certification course.
(c) A lead instructor may be assisted by one (1) or more additional instructors in the delivery of a certification course.
(d) An instructor assisting the lead instructor in the delivery of a certification course must be certified in:
(1) Instructor I or as an advanced level instructor; or
(2) the subject matter for which the certification course is offered, at or above the level for which that course is offered.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-3-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. (a) Only a lead evaluator may supervise the administration of a practical skills examination.
(b) A lead evaluator may be assisted by one (1) or more additional evaluators, as determined and selected by the lead evaluator.
(c) An evaluator assisting the lead evaluator in the administration of a practical skills examination must be certified in:
(1) Instructor I or as an advanced level instructor; and
(2) the subject matter for which the certification course is offered, at or above the level for which that course is offered.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-3-2)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. (a) An individual serving as a lead instructor or an instructor for a certification course may not also serve as a lead evaluator or an evaluator for the same certification course.
(b) An individual serving as a lead instructor or an instructor for a certification course may not serve as a proctor for the same certification course.
(c) An individual may not serve as a lead evaluator or proctor for a certification course in which an immediate family member is enrolled. For purposes of this section, the term "immediate family member" includes a:
(1) spouse;
(2) sibling;
(3) parent;
(4) child;
(5) grandchild; or
(6) stepchild.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-3-3)
Rule 4. Certification Courses
655 IAC 5-4-1 Application for certification course administration
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. (a) An application for approval to deliver and administer a certification course must be submitted to the department not less than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the commencement of the course.
(b) The application required by subsection (a) must be made in a form prescribed by the department and include the following information:
(1) Name of the course.
(2) Primary organization requesting the course;
(3) Start date and completion date of the course.
(4) Maximum number of students in the course.
(5) Course syllabus and schedule.
(6) Date and time of the written examination.
(7) Date and time of the practical skills examination.
(8) The proctor's name and contact information.
(9) The lead evaluator's name and contact information.
(10) The lead instructor's name and contact information.
(c) The department shall approve or deny a complete application required by subsection (a) within ten (10) calendar days of its receipt.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-4-1)
655 IAC 5-4-2 Certification course administration
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. (a) Certification course instruction and student participation must be performed safely under the certification standard.
(b) The job performance requirements for a certification standard must be completed in their entirety.
(c) Job performance requirements do not need to be completed in the order in which they appear in the certification standard.
(d) The lead instructor shall establish the instructional priority for students to complete job performance requirements.
(e) The subject matter of certification course instruction may exceed the scope of the job performance requirements set forth in the certification standard at the discretion of the authority having jurisdiction.
(f) Students are responsible for bringing necessary personal protective equipment to a certification course.
(g) The lead instructor is responsible for ensuring that students have and use the personal protective equipment necessary to engage in job performance requirements.
(h) Job performance requirements involving exposure to products of combustion must be performed in personal protective equipment.
(i) The lead instructor is not required to provide students with the personal protective equipment necessary to engage in job performance requirements.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-4-2)
655 IAC 5-4-3 Certification course administration procedure
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. (a) Administration of each certification course by the authority having jurisdiction requires:
(1) instruction of certification course subject matter;
(2) a practical skills examination; and
(3) a written examination.
(b) A certification course in emergency response support does not require a written examination as described in subsection (a)(3).
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-4-3)
655 IAC 5-4-4 Practical skills examinations
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 4. (a) A practical skills examination is required to test, at a minimum, each of the skill based job performance requirements included in the certification standard adopted by the education board.
(b) The content of each practical skills examination shall be obtained from the department following its approval by the education board.
(c) A practical skills examination must be successfully passed not more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the issuance of a certification.
(d) Practical skills examinations shall be conducted under the following procedures:
(1) Practical skills examinations are graded on a pass/fail basis.
(2) Each examinee must provide sufficient proof of identification to the lead evaluator over administration of the certification course.
(3) The lead evaluator shall:
(A) ensure the paperwork and equipment are in order before initiating and evaluating the practical skills examination;
(B) maintain a safe environment during the practical skills examination;
(C) ensure applicable safety and risk management protocols are followed;
(D) document the examinee's completion of the practical skills examination on an evaluation form provided by the department; and
(E) provide a copy of the evaluation form to the examinee following completion of the practical skills evaluation.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-4-4)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 5. (a) A written examination is required to test, at a minimum, each of the knowledge based job performance requirements included in the certification standard adopted by the education board.
(b) A minimum score of seventy percent (70%) is required to pass a written examination.
(c) If an examinee fails a written examination, the examinee may reattempt to pass the written examination not more than two (2) additional times.
(d) The department shall provide information for reexamination within seven (7) calendar days if a request for reexamination is submitted.
(e) An examinee must pass the written examination within one hundred eighty (180) days after completing the certification course and practical skills examination.
(f) If an examinee fails the written examination within the period described in subsection (e), the examinee is required to retake the certification course and successfully complete the practical skills examination before reattempting the written examination.
(g) Written examinations shall be conducted under following procedures:
(1) One (1) or more proctors shall monitor each examination.
(2) Each examinee must provide sufficient proof of identification to the proctor before taking a written examination.
(3) The proctor shall record each entry to and exit from the examination room as prescribed by the department.
(4) The maximum time allowed for each written examination is three (3) hours.
(5) If more than one (1) room is being used to administer a written examination, at least one (1) proctor shall be present in each room where the written examination is being conducted during the examination.
(6) A proctor shall not discuss the contents of a written examination with an examinee.
(7) If an error or omission is found during an examination, the proctor shall report the error or omission as prescribed by the department.
(8) If an examinee is observed or otherwise found to be in violation of the security or integrity of a written examination, the:
(A) proctor shall dismiss the examinee from the written examination;
(B) examinee shall receive a score of zero (0) on the written examination; and
(C) proctor shall immediately notify the department of the misconduct as prescribed by the department.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-4-5)
655 IAC 5-4-6 Examination security and integrity
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 6. (a) An allegation of:
(1) cheating;
(2) a security breach;
(3) an examination administration breach;
(4) a loss of materials; or
(5) other deviations from acceptable and ethical security and examination integrity procedures;
shall be reported immediately to the department as prescribed by the department.
(b) The department may investigate an allegation reported under subsection (a) or suspected examination misconduct.
(c) On completion of an investigation under subsection (b), the department shall report the findings of its investigation to the education board.
(d) On determining a violation of acceptable and ethical security and examination integrity procedures or other misconduct has occurred, the education board may take any action under IC 4-21.5-3, IC 4-21.5-4, and IC 22-12-7, including suspension or revocation of certifications.
(e) The department, on behalf of the education board, may notify a:
(1) political subdivision that employs; and
(2) volunteer fire department that has in its membership;
an individual found to have committed a violation under subsection (d).
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 5-4-6)
SECTION 5.
655 IAC 6 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 6. BEST PRACTICES FUND
Rule 1. Definitions
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7
Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this article.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 6-1-1)
655 IAC 6-1-2 "Best practices fund" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. "Best practices fund" means the fund established by IC 36-8-10.5-12.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 6-1-2)
655 IAC 6-1-3 "Eligible applicant" defined
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. "Eligible applicant" means a political subdivision or volunteer fire department.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 6-1-3)
Rule 2. Best Practices Fund Administration
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 1. An application for a grant from the best practices fund must be made in a form prescribed by the department and include the following information:
(1) The name and contact information of the applicant.
(2) Identification of how and on what the funding will be used.
(3) The amount requested.
(4) A statement affirming that:
(A) the applicant will match or exceed any grant awarded; and
(B) purchases made using the grant funds will be for the purpose of implementing best practices established under IC 36-8-10.5-11.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 6-2-1)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 2. The maximum amount of a grant awarded from the best practices fund may not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for an eligible applicant each grant cycle.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 6-2-2)
Authority:
IC 22-14-2-7;
IC 36-8-10.5-7
Sec. 3. Grant funds may be used to support programs or initiatives described in the best practices established by IC 36-8-10.5-11(a).
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 6-2-3)
Documents Incorporated by Reference: NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, Chapters 4 and 5, 2019 Edition; NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 10, 2017 Edition; NFPA 1003, Standard for Airport Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, Chapter 4, 2019 Edition; NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, and 23, and Sections 19.3, 20.1, and 20.2, 2021 Edition; NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7, 2020 Edition; NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner, Chapters 4 and 5, 2014 Edition; NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, Chapter 4, 2022 Edition; NFPA 1035, Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist, and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications, Chapters 4 and 5, 2015 Edition; NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications, Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7,and 8, 2019 Edition; NFPA 470, Standard for Hazardous Material/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, Chapters 5, 7, 11, 17, and Sections 8.2, 8.3, 8.6, and 8.7, 2022 Edition; NFPA 1521, Standard
for Fire Department Safety Officer Professional Qualifications, Chapters 4 and 5, 2020 Edition
Posted: 02/21/2024 by Legislative Services Agency
DIN: 20240221-IR-655240059FNA
Composed: Jun 01,2024 2:01:58PM EDT
A
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