1. Firefighter Instructor Certification

2. Copyright and Terms of Service
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, These materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, except under the following conditions:
1)  Texas public school districts, charter schools, and Education Service Centers may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for the districts’ and schools’ educational use without obtaining permission from TEA.
2)  Residents of the state of Texas may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for individual personal use only, without obtaining written permission of TEA.
3)  Any portion reproduced must be reproduced in its entirety and remain unedited, unaltered and unchanged in any way.
4)  No monetary charge can be made for the reproduced materials or any document containing them; however, a reasonable charge to cover only the cost of reproduction and distribution may be charged.
Private entities or persons located in Texas that are not Texas public school districts, Texas Education Service Centers, or Texas charter schools or any entity, whether public or private, educational or non-educational, located outside the state of Texas MUST obtain written approval from TEA and will be required to enter into a license agreement that may involve the payment of a licensing fee or a royalty.
Contact TEA Copyrights with any questions you may have.

3. Minimum Standards for Firefighter Instructor Certification
Training programs must meet the curriculum and the competencies of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1041
All applicants for certification must meet the requirements of NFPA 1041
Prior to appointment as a fire-service instructor, all personnel must
Complete a commission-approved fire service instructor program
Pass the commission examination pertaining to that curriculum

4. Minimum Standards for Firefighter Instructor Certification (continued)
Personnel who receive probationary or temporary appointment to fire service instructor duties must be certified by the commission within one year from the date of appointment to the position
An out-of-state, military, or federal instructor training program may be accepted by the commission as meeting the training requirements for certification as a fire-service instructor if the training has been
Submitted to the commission for evaluation and
Found to be equivalent to or to exceed the commission-approved instructor course for that particular level of fire service instructor certification

5. Minimum Standards for Firefighter Instructor Certification (continued)
Personnel with any of the following are considered to have training equivalent to the commission's curriculum requirements for Instructor I, II, and III training
An individual who holds a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited educational institution, or
A teaching certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification, or
An associate's degree with twelve semester hours of education instructional courses

6. NFPA Definitions of Certification Levels
Instructor I – “A fire service instructor who has demonstrated the knowledge and ability to deliver instruction effectively from a prepared lesson plan, including instructional aids and evaluation instruments; adapt lesson plans to the unique requirements of the students and authority having jurisdiction; organize the learning environment so that learning is maximized; and meet the record-keeping requirements of authority having jurisdiction.” (TCFP, 2008)

7. NFPA Definitions of Certification Levels (continued)
Instructor II – “A fire service instructor who, in addition to meeting Instructor I qualifications, has demonstrated the knowledge and ability to develop individual lesson plans for a specific topic, including learning objectives, instructional aids, and evaluation instruments; schedule training sessions based on overall training plan of authority having jurisdiction; and supervise and coordinate the activities of other instructors.” (TCFP, 2008)

8. NFPA Definitions of Certification Levels (continued)
Instructor III – “A fire service instructor who, in addition to meeting Instructor II qualifications, has demonstrated the knowledge and ability to develop comprehensive training curriculum and programs for use by single or multiple organizations; conduct organization needs analysis; and develop training goals and implementation strategies.” (TCFP, 2008)

9. Fire Service Instructor I & II Certification Process
Note: the certification process for these two certifications is very similar
Have a minimum of three years of experience in fire protection in one or more of the following
A paid, volunteer, or regulated non-governmental fire department, or
A department of a state agency, education institution, or political subdivision providing fire protection training and related responsibilities
Successfully pass the applicable commission two-part examination
Skills
Written examination

10. Fire Service Instructor I & II Certification Process (continued)
Possess valid documentation of accreditation from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) as a Fire Instructor I, II or III; or
Have completed the appropriate curriculum for Fire Service Instructor I and/or Instructor II as contained in the Chapter 8 of the NFPA Certification Curriculum Manual

11. Fire Service Instructor III Certification Process
Hold as a prerequisite a Fire Instructor I and II Certification and
Have a minimum of three years of experience in fire protection in one or more of the following
A paid, volunteer, or regulated non-governmental fire department; or
A department of a state agency, education institution, or political subdivision providing fire-protection training and related responsibilities; and
Possess valid documentation of accreditation from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) as a Fire Instructor III; or

12. Fire Service Instructor III Certification Process (continued)
Have completed the appropriate curriculum for Fire Service Instructor III contained in Chapter 8 of the NFPA Certification Curriculum Manual and
Successfully pass the applicable commission test
Hold as a prerequisite an advanced structural fire protection personnel certification, an advanced aircraft fire protection personnel certification, advanced marine fire protection personnel certification, advanced inspector certification, advanced fire investigator, or advanced arson investigator certification; or
Have 60 college hours from a regionally accredited educational institution; or
Hold an associate's degree from a regionally accredited educational institution

13. Criteria for Approved Fire Science Instructor Training Courses
Approved Training Courses for the three levels of certification must contain the following criteria. (Not all programs are exactly the same, but they must all contain the following as a minimum)

14. Criteria for the Instructor I Course
Is designed to meet the needs of entry-level fire and emergency-service instructors
Meets or exceeds the job performance requirements in NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, Chapter 4
Is formatted around classroom lectures, group activities, and individual presentations

15. Criteria for the Instructor I Course (continued)
Includes 48 recommended hours of instruction with the following topics
Overview of instructor and student profiles
Introduction to learning theories
Use of instructional materials and media
Maintaining student records and reports
Techniques to communicate effectively
Arranging the learning environment
Overview of legal considerations of education
Group activities and individual presentations

16. Criteria for the Instructor I Course (continued)
NFPA States that a Fire Instructor I is a fire service instructor who has demonstrated the knowledge and ability to do the following:
Deliver instruction effectively from a prepared lesson plan, including instructional aids and evaluation instruments
Adapt lesson plans to the unique requirements of the students and authority having jurisdiction
Organize the learning environment so that learning is maximized
Meet the record-keeping requirements of authority having jurisdiction
Shows understanding of classroom management and safety
State the advantages and limitations of audiovisual equipment and teaching aids
Has effective classroom arrangement

17. Criteria for the Instructor II Course
Is designed to meet the needs of the intermediate-level fire instructor
Meets or exceeds the job performance requirements in NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, Chapter 5
Is designed around classroom lectures and exercises

18. Criteria for the Instructor II Course (continued)
Includes 48 recommended hours of instruction with the following topics
Managing Instructional resources
Preparing lesson plans for specialized and advanced courses
Developing evaluation instruments
Developing topic specific instructional materials
Teaching methods and techniques

19. Criteria for the Instructor III Course
Is typically five days (40 hours) in duration
Is designed to meet the needs of the advanced-level fire instructor
Is designed to meet or exceed the elements of NFPA 1041, Chapter 6
Is designed around classroom lectures and group activities
Requires 64 hours of instruction

20. Criteria for the Instructor III Course (continued)
Covers the skills in Instructor I and II, and in addition requires
Developing comprehensive training curriculum and programs for use by single or multiple organizations
Conducting organizational needs analysis
Developing training goals and implementation strategies

21. Skills Portion for the Instructor I Certification
NFPA 1041 and TCFP standards require the Instructor I student to “demonstrate the knowledge and ability to deliver instruction effectively from a prepared lesson plan”
Must present a minute block of instruction
May present this instruction on any subject in which he or she has a pre-made lesson plan
Is not allowed to create his or her own lesson plan
Must include evaluation in the block of instruction
Shall assemble, review, and adapt course materials, and organize the learning environment
Must create a written test to give to students based on what he or she teaches during the block of instruction
Needs to administer, grade, report test scores, and provide examinee feedback for the test

22. Skills Portion for the Instructor I Certification (continued)
During the skills portion, candidates are assessed and/or asked the following:
What will be used for audiovisual aids? (computer, projector, marker board, etc.)
Why was this presentation method chosen? (classroom exercise, practical exercise, etc.)
What/Who is the target audience?
How was the environment arranged for successful learning? (lighting, climate control, seating, distractions, etc.)

23. Skills Portion for the Instructor I Certification (continued)
During the skills portion, candidates are assessed and/or asked the following: (continued)
How does the candidate teach to different learning styles?
How is disruptive behavior addressed?
How will the candidate ensure that the testing process is equitable and confidential?
How will the candidate submit records and reports within his or her department to ensure the student’s training record is properly updated?
What is the plan if you have a computer or projector error?

24. Skills Portion for the Instructor I Certification (continued)
During the minute presentation, the candidate must meet the following objectives:
Present all the material that the students will be tested over
Administer an oral test
Administer a written test that he or she creates
Administer a performance skills evaluation
Administer a course evaluation feedback form that he or she creates
Complete a student roster with date, location, instructor, topic, and student name
Provide student feedback: how the students will improve future performance, coaching as necessary, etc.

25. Skills Portion for the Instructor II Certification
NFPA 1041 and TCFP standards require the Instructor II student, “in addition to meeting Instructor I qualifications, to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to develop individual lesson plans for a specific topic, including learning objectives, instructional aids, and evaluation instruments; schedule training sessions based on overall training plan of authority having jurisdiction; and supervise and coordinate the activities of other instructors”
All of the other components of this skills portion are the same as the Instructor I

26. Skills Portion for the Instructor III Certification
NFPA and TCFP have designated Instructor III to be the highest level of instructor certification
Instructor III Master is obtained with a college degree, not by additional skills or testing requirements
Candidates will be given a computer with a printer in order to complete their skills

27. Skills Portion for the Instructor III Certification (continued)
Depending on the skills selected by the state, candidates may be required to:
Conduct a needs analysis
Design a program
Modify a program
Write a program and course goals
Write course objectives
Develop a course evaluation plan
Create a program evaluation plan
Develop a system for evaluation results

28. Resources
Standards Manual for Fire Protection Personnel. Austin, TX: Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
NFPA 1041: Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications (2007 ed.). Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association. NFPA Publications.
Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Curriculum Manual