DoD firefighter certification program turns 20

  • Published
  • By John Burt
  • Air Force Civil Engineer Center Public Affairs
It has shaped Department of Defense firefighters for two decades. This month, the DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program that ensures military and civilian firefighters are properly trained, certified and qualified marks its 20th anniversary.

The Air Force Civil Engineer Center here manages the F&ESCP, the largest program of its kind, including 63 accredited in-residence and distance learning courses. Since it began, the F&ESCP has issued more than 570,000 certificates to more than 160,000 firefighters and federal emergency responders. Hugh Pike, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant, and Jim Podolske, the current Air Force Fire Chief, were the program's pioneers.

"Firefighter certification is about the individual firefighter, their qualifications and abilities, but it means much more for the Air Force and the public." said Podolske. "When you dial 9-1-1, you can count on someone who is trained, qualified and certified to respond.

The F&ESCP is accredited by the both the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and the National Professional Qualifications Board. The standardized curriculum means firefighters and emergency responders across DoD complete the same training and certification.

"In a deployment situation, firefighters from different locations can come together quickly as a team," said John Smith, DoD F&ESCP manager. "Ensuring the same training and certification base to base makes us an agile and adaptable total force, and in-step with the rest of the firefighting world."

The certification courses have comprehensive and practical portions and cover the gamut of firefighting and emergency response capabilities, including vehicle operations, aircraft rescue, hazardous materials and confined space rescue. The program also works in-line with continuing education and training done by the fire departments themselves, so firefighters maintain the proficiencies they learn.

Updated in 2011, the F&ESCP's procedural guide gives everyone a road map for success, according to Bobby Richardson, the Assistant Chief for Training at Tyndall's Fire Emergency Services Flight.

"It's become such a simple process for our trainers and firefighters," said Richardson. "The instructor guide sheets progressively walk students from the basics of each course to the final performance evaluation elements. It's put together very well."

According to Smith, the computer-based testing software will transition to the web-based Virtual Learning Center in the next few months, and AFCEC's Reach-Back Center now handles the F&ESCP's customer help desk. The AFCEC team is also eliminating some requirements involving personal identifiable information and implementing other changes to help DoD fire departments.

"The program has evolved," said Podolske. "We started with paper-based courses and tests and then transitioned to CD-ROMs and computer-based tests. Now, we have web-based certification courses. We've kept up with technology and tried to get consistency in training and make it available for everybody."

Smith credits the DoD F&ESCP's long-term success to the thorough groundwork laid by the program's pioneers as well as the continuing work and experience of his AFCEC colleagues.

"It's a team effort," said Smith. "We'll continue to modify and streamline our program and processes to prepare and certify DoD firefighters over the next 20 years."