We are announcing the completion of our professional driver operator certification project. The city of Hazleton residents should be very proud of the dedication of their professional firefighters. With the completion of this project the department is now currently 99 % and soon to be 100 % both Pumper & Aerial Driver Operator Certified. The Department currently holds a gold seal certificate from the Pennsylvania State Fire academy.   What that means is that we are currently all certified to the Firefighter 1 level and with 99 % of the members being certified to the firefighter 2 level and above.  I am proud to be the Chief of this department and lead such a group of professionals that only have the common good and the safety of our residents in mind.

This program was established in 1983 when a committee known as the Fire Service Certification Advisory Committee (FSCAC) was formed to explore the implementation of a voluntary certification program for firefighters. The FSCAC provides the OSFC with program guidance and peer review. In October 1985, the National Pro-Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (NBFSPQ) approved the certification processes and procedures established by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and accredited Pennsylvania to offer Fire Fighter I certification. The State Fire Commissioner's Volunteer Fire Service Certification Program has received its five-year reaccreditation each time since 1985 and currently offers twenty-three (23) levels of certification. To make the program easily accessible to emergency services providers there are twenty-seven (27) approved test sites geographically dispersed throughout the Commonwealth at which certification testing is conducted. The purpose of this program is to identify and recognize emergency service personnel whose accomplishments in training and education meets or exceeds nationally recognized standards. The NFPA standards for Fire Service Professional Qualifications identify the minimum requirements for a person at a particular level of progression. A person certified to one of the Fire Service Professional levels will have demonstrated competency in the knowledge and skills required to perform at a particular level. The service that can be offered to the citizens, visitors and communities of the Commonwealth will be enhanced by the professional competency attained through this certification process.

 

We already had a comprehensive driving program in place where all Local 507 members after hire attended a week of Pumps and a week of aerial training at the PSFA They are also required to have EVOC training and must be FF 1 & FF 2 along with EMT.  That is when I contacted Trice Brungard Young from the Fire Academy to see what can be done to bring the certification to Hazleton City. Some of the testing involved the demonstration of operating the vehicle safely and efficiently through the city. After our program was set up with the fire academy it was given to the Union for leaders to promote the project.  We are proud to announce that the Professional IAFF Local 507 had adopted the program and made it a success. Through their dedication they not only received the certifications but have saved the city and its tax payers thousands of dollars by volunteering to them here at home and not charging Overtime to do the certifications.

 

Cost for certification testing paid to the PA State Fire Academy

Pumper Driver 100.00 X 21 Guys = $2,100.00

Aerial operator $150.00 x 21 guys = $3,150.00

Cost savings to City $4,350.00 dollars for overtime of guys not working per day. = $8,700.00
contractual meal expense $40.00 X 21 guys $ 840.00
Extra Fuel and or Mileage expenses $ 525.00

Total savings $10,065.00