LSU Inaugurates Certification Plan For Fire Fighters
A fire fighter certification program has been inaugurated by the Firemen Training Program at Louisiana State University. The program is designed to certify all levels of the fire service—fire fighters, officers, instructors and other specialists—to meet the appropriate National Fire Protection Association standards.
The Firemen Training Program, under the direction of Carrol L. Herring, has designed the certification program in response to state legislation passed last year. The legislation also established an advisory committee composed of the president, or his appointee, of the Louisiana State Firemen’s Association, Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, and Louisiana Firefighters Association, as well as the dean of the Division of Continuing Education at LSU or his appointee.
Available training
The LSU Firemen Training Program makes training available periodically through regional programs throughout the state, at the LSU Firemen Training Center in Baton Rouge throughout the year, and through programs offered at the training center to meet specific national standards.
To become certified, a fire fighter can prepare for the written and performance tests by completing a course that meets the national standards or by acquiring training through LSU, local fire department or other programs. A fire fighter must hold certification at his present rank before seeking certification at the next higher level.
The performance tests are administered by the Firemen Training Program staff members. Written tests are prepared by educational consultants to achieve validity and reliability, and they may be administered by the Firemen Training Program or another unit in the Continuing Education Department.
Test requirements
Written exams require a passing grade of 75 for fire fighter certification, and in the performance tests, satisfactory attainment of all objectives is required. Candidates who fail may take the written examination again within 60 days. This time limit also applies to a second try at the parts of the performance test they failed.
If a candidate does not acquire certification in the 60-day period, he must then wait at least six months to again go through the entire examination process.
