Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024
(1) A fire service agency may request
accreditation for a training program that is delivered by the fire service
agency to meet the training requirements for a level of certification found in
OAR 259-009-0062.
(a) Requests to receive or
renew accreditation may be submitted to DPSST or a District Liaison
Officer.
(b) DPSST or the District
Liaison Officer will review the fire service agency's training programs to
determine if the training is eligible for accreditation.
(c) Accreditation reviews are conducted using
the DPSST R-1 Form.
(2)
DPSST may accredit, or renew the accreditation of, a fire service agency's
training programs when the fire service agency has met all of the following
requirements:
(a) The fire service agency has
a designated Training Officer.
(b)
The fire service agency's training schedule demonstrates delivery of the
training programs that are approved under the accreditation
agreement.
(c) The fire service
agency has curriculum that meets the standards for certification found in OAR
259-009-0062 and has access to the equipment and qualified instructors
necessary for each of the training programs that are approved under the
accreditation agreement.
(d) The
fire service agency has at least one triple combination pumper that conforms to
the minimum standards for automotive fire apparatus as outlined in the NFPA
Standard 1901, 2016 Edition, entitled "Standard for Automotive Fire
Apparatus.
(e) The fire service
agency has at least one currently certified NFPA Fire Instructor I.
(f) The fire service agency's accredited
training programs are instructed by a qualified instructor. A "qualified
instructor" means:
(A) A person who has
completed the NFPA Fire Instructor I training requirements and holds a
certification for the level of training they are teaching;
(B) A person who has completed the NFPA Fire
Instructor I training requirements and is a content expert, per the AHJ, in the
level of training they are teaching;
(C) A person who has equivalent instructor
training or experience and holds a certification for the level of training they
are teaching;
(D) A person who has
equivalent instructor training or experience and is a content expert, per the
AHJ, in the level of training they are teaching;
(E) A person who holds a certification for
the level of training they are teaching and is observed by a certified NFPA
Fire Instructor I while teaching the accredited training;
(F) A person who is a content expert, per the
AHJ, in the level of training they are teaching and is observed by a certified
NFPA Fire Instructor I while teaching the accredited training; or
(G) For NWCG levels of certification, a
person who meets the instructor qualifications defined in the NWCG Standards
for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1.
(g) The fire service agency validates each
fire service professional's successful completion of an accredited training
program using a DPSST-approved task book or a DPSST-approved task performance
evaluation that meets the standards for certification found in OAR
259-009-0062.
(h) The fire service
agency maintains training records for its fire service professionals per the
retention schedule adopted by the AHJ. If the fire service agency doesn't have
a retention schedule for training records, DPSST recommends that the fire
service agency maintain the training records for five years from the date that
the fire service professional left the fire service agency.
(i) The fire service agency is in compliance
with the maintenance re-certification requirements as defined in OAR
259-009-0065.
(3) When
DPSST approves accreditation of a fire service agency's training programs,
DPSST will prepare a written accreditation agreement defining the specific
requirements of accreditation, including the specific training the fire service
agency is accredited to deliver.
(a) The
agreement must be signed by DPSST and the fire service agency's Agency Head and
Training Officer.
(b) The signed
copy must be returned to DPSST for the accreditation status to be
valid.
(c) Changes to an agency
accreditation agreement may require additional review before
approval.
(d) A fire service agency
that no longer wants to maintain an accreditation agreement may notify DPSST in
writing and request the agreement be voluntarily ended.
(4) Accreditation agreements are valid for
three years and may be renewed.
(a) To renew
an accreditation agreement, the fire service agency must schedule an
accreditation review with DPSST or the District Liaison Officer.
(b) DPSST may extend an accreditation
agreement for up to six months if the fire service agency or the District
Liaison Officer submits a written request for an extension that identifies why
the required review cannot be completed before the current accreditation
agreement ends.
(5)
DPSST may terminate an accreditation agreement if the fire service agency no
longer meets the standards for accreditation or the fire service agency
violates the terms of the accreditation agreement.
(a) DPSST will provide the fire service
agency with a written notice of the termination.
(b) The Agency Head may appeal the
termination of an accreditation agreement. The appeal must be in writing and
submitted to DPSST.
(c) Appeals are
reviewed administratively by DPSST. DPSST may rescind the termination, uphold
the termination, or continue the accreditation agreement conditionally, while
the fire service agency completes steps to be in compliance with this rule and
the agreement.
(d) If an
accreditation agreement is terminated, the fire service agency will be able to
request accreditation after meeting the accreditation requirements found in
this rule.
(6) The
accreditation agreement grants DPSST, or a District Liaison Officer as DPSST's
designee, access to the fire service agency's training records for fire service
professionals and instructors. DPSST or the District Liaison Officer may
request access to the fire service agency's training records to ensure that
training, certification, and accreditation standards are met. Training records
include records that are used to document training or other qualifications such
as educational transcripts and experience.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 181A.410 & ORS
181A.590
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 181A.410 & ORS
181A.590
