OAR 259-009-0087: Accreditation of Fire Service Agency Training Programs

(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.