New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 10 - PUBLIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Chapter 25 - STATE FIRE MARSHAL
Part 10 - FIRE PROTECTION FUND
Section 10.25.10.14 - RESPONSIBILITIES

(1) NMFTA shall publish or adopt all performance evaluations required under this rule in the form of position task books (PTBs). The NMFTA shall use NFPA standards, other national standards, or nationally accepted training curriculum as the basis for PTBs. The NMFTA shall develop and offer performance-based courses that fulfill the requirements of a PTB.

(2) Trainees who successfully complete the NMFTA training program that was established to fulfill a PTB requirement shall be certified as having passed the written and manipulative examination for that position by the NMFTA. Depending on the training program, certification by NMFTA may be accomplished by one or more of the following:

(3) Certification by NMFTA is not mandatory. The intent of NMFTA certification is to provide assurance to local government that a fire department member has been evaluated and has demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to function in the position identified in a given PTB.

(1) Local government shall ensure fire department members under its charge have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform in their assigned positions. This includes not only initial competency, but also that the competency is maintained.

(2) All fire departments shall have a training program and policy that ensures that personnel are trained, and that competency is maintained to effectively, efficiently, and safely execute all operations consistent with the department's local responsibilities.

(3) All fire departments shall make available training and education for all members commensurate with the duties and functions they are expected to perform. All fire departments shall provide their members with training and education appropriate for their duties and responsibilities before permitting them to engage in emergency operations.

(4) If there is a PTB that has been published by or recognized by the fire marshal, all fire departments should have all appropriate members evaluated against the document. Only those members that are determined to be qualified (evaluated under a specific PTB) by local government should hold the applicable title (i.e., firefighter).

(5) Regardless of whether or not the trainee has been certified by NMFTA, local government shall ensure that the trainee is competent and that the level of competency achieved under a given PTB is maintained. Use only the PTB by local government does not constitute state certification, and the local government assumes responsibility and liability for competence of their firefighters. A PTB does not meet prerequisite requirements for other state certification or training courses.

(6) A trainee should be determined to be competent, by local government, at all tasks required by local government within two years of entering trainee status (i.e., assigned a PTB).

(7) Upon request by the fire marshal, completed and signed PTBs shall be made available for inspection.