NC Fire Apparatus Driver / Operator Certification
Fire and Rescue Commission
INDIVIDUAL CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING
In a continued effort to reduce fire loss in the State of North Carolina, the State Legislature established General Statute 58-78-5.14b, which requires the State Fire and Rescue Commission to establish voluntary minimum professional qualifications for all levels of fire and rescue service personnel.
The standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Certification is considered to be a minimum standard and the Fire & Rescue Commission fully recognizes that, due to differing requirements, many fire departments may set forth standards much higher than these for their personnel. It is the intent, however, that through a voluntary program, personnel who provide Driver/Operator services to the communities of our state, will meet or exceed this standard.
Performance Standard
The NFPA 1002 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications, Current Edition, will be the performance standard used for Driver/Operator certification.
Entrance Requirements
The Driver/Operator candidate must meet the entrance requirements listed below before certification can be issued.
Age / Education / Prior Certification Requirements
- The candidate must be at least 21 years of age.
- The candidate must have a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the State Department of Public Instruction (i.e., GED).
- The candidate must be certified Firefighter I and Emergency Vehicle Driver by the Fire and Rescue Commission.
Service Requirements
The Driver/Operator candidate must have a minimum of three (3) years experience in the fire and/or rescue service.
Program Requirements
The instruction and evaluation given a Driver/Operator who achieves certification is critical to ensuring a quality program. Training and evaluation of students must be accomplished by qualified individuals, working in conjunction with approved delivery agencies.
Student Evaluation
Evaluation of the student for certification is a critical link in the total preparedness of the individual. Student evaluations must be accomplished by qualified Level II Instructors serving as proctors. The evaluation itself must be separate and distinct from the training process.
Practical examinations are intended to measure the manipulative skills of the Driver/Operator and will follow guidelines set forth under the Policy for Testing manual. Although capable of testing 100% of the practical objectives, the examination will only test a pre-selected percentage based on testing scenarios provided to the proctor. A score of 70% or above shall constitute a passing grade for the candidate.
Written Examination
The written exam measures the cognitive skills of the Driver/Operator and must follow the guidelines set forth under the Policy for Testing manual. The examination will be randomly generated and provided to the evaluator by the delivery agency. A score of 70% or above.
Reciprocity
Any Driver/Operator certified by another state or agency whose program is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications, and is a member of a fire/rescue agency in North Carolina may be granted equivalent certification provided the agency was accredited at the time of his/her certification. Reciprocity section.
Re-certification Requirements
No re-certification required as of October 2002.
Certification Authority & Records
Certificates for Driver/Operators will be issued by the Commission Office when the candidate has met the requirements for certification.
Required Courses