N.J. Admin. Code § 5:73-4.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 5:73-4.2 - Certification and adopted training programs

(a) Certification for Firefighter shall be granted to an individual who has submitted an application for certification to the Office of Training and Certification; is at least 18 years of age; has successfully completed the adopted State instructional program for the certification title applied; and successfully passed the State exams that evaluate the Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) and components of requisite knowledge and skills contained in the NFPA 1001, 2013 Edition, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 472, 2018 Edition, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents, incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.

1. Upon successful completion of the adopted training program, or a program recognized as equivalent by the Office of Training and Certification, an individual shall be eligible to apply for State certification and may perform interior structural firefighting under direct supervision.

(b) The following firefighter titles, which are associated with the adopted standard, shall be issued by the Office of Training and Certification:

1. Firefighter I; and

2. Firefighter II.

(c) Prior to receiving a certification as Firefighter I, firefighter candidates grade 1 and grade 2 may perform the designated functions after completing training topics within the adopted training program.

1. Firefighter Candidate Grade I.

i. Successful completion of the Firefighter I adopted training program content: Orientation/Fire Department Organization; Self-contained Breathing Apparatus; Self-contained Breathing Apparatus Drill; Fire Hose, Appliances and Adapters; Fire Hose, Appliances and Adapters Drill; Ladders; Ladders Drill; Safety; Safety Drill; and Fire Behavior.

ii. Fire departments shall be authorized to permit the firefighter candidate grade I to respond to fire alarms, and under direct supervision, assist in exterior firefighting involving laying and connecting hose lines and raising ladders.

2. Firefighter Candidate Grade II.

i. Successful completion of the Firefighter I adopted training program content as established for firefighter candidate grade I, and additional instruction in: Forcible Entry; Forcible Entry Drill; Ropes and Knots; Ropes and Knots Drill; Salvage and Overhaul; Salvage and Overhaul Drill; Sprinklers; Sprinkler Drill; Fire Alarms and Communications; Portable Fire Extinguishers; and Fire Extinguisher Drill.

ii. Fire departments shall be authorized to permit the firefighter candidate grade II to respond to fire alarms, and under direct supervision, assist in all exterior firefighting operations.

(d) The Office of Training and Certification within the Division of Fire Safety shall be permitted to adopt a training program, establish training policies, procedures, and forms, establish and administer exams, establish instructor qualifications and train-the-trainer programs, and evaluate educational programs submitted by applicants to determine equivalency towards issuance of certifications.

1. The adopted training program and equivalency determination shall comply with the current edition of the adopted NFPA 1001 standard. Upon an NFPA standard edition change, the Office of Training and Certification shall have two years from the NFPA adoption date to modify existing training programs, or adopt new training programs to comply with the new NFPA standard edition.

2. Additional instruction shall be incorporated into the adopted training program utilizing:

i. The N.J.A.C. 5:73 Appendix, which includes topics in fire service organization, pertinent Federal and State standards, rules, and regulations, overview of public utilities, propane, and carbon monoxide hazards;

ii. The Developmental Disabilities Awareness Act, 26:2-189, which provides instruction in autism and intellectual developmental disabilities awareness for first responders; and

iii. Any additional instructional topics approved and/or directed by the Office of Training and Certification.

3. All live fire training conducted in the adopted training program shall be conducted in accordance with NFPA 1403, 2018 Edition, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.

i. Live burn instruction shall be conducted through a Tier-1 eligible organization, as specified in 5:73-2.2; using approved facilities, as specified in 5:73-2.4; and which possess a valid live burn Type A permit as specified in 5:73-2.5 issued by the Office of Training and Certification.

4. Facilities and props used for non-live burn training shall meet the specifications in 5:73-2.4, specific to its designated use and design, and shall be approved by the Office of Training and Certification.

5. Tier-1 eligible organizations and their facilities shall be permitted to establish additional local jurisdiction operational requirements regarding the use and training conducted in accordance with this subchapter. Local jurisdiction requirements shall not conflict with the intent of the training procedures or forms adopted by the Office of Training and Certification.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:73-4.2

Adopted by 50 N.J.R. 775(a), effective 2/5/2018