Department of Public Safety
Division of Fire Safety
Vermont Fire Academy

The Vermont Fire Academy offers Vermont Firefighters a certification challenge process for Firefighter I and Firefighter II.

We have worked diligently with many agencies to ensure that our challenge process is fair to all. We have also been in contact with the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) to ensure that the certification earned through this process is fully accredited.

Basically, any Vermont firefighter that is not already certified in either FF I or FF II can challenge the examination process and when successful will be certified to the level as tested. Fire service training classroom experience is not necessary to qualify and attend the testing session.

Please understand that the testing is in compliance with the current, 2008 edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. We hope that this article’s information will provide an introduction to this new avenue toward firefighter training certification.

The Application Process:

In order to properly document each challenger’s efforts, there are two forms that will need to be completed prior to attending a challenge testing session. The first form (“Challenge Examination Application”) is an application form that captures basic information on the challenger: e.g. name, address, phone number, type of firefighter, fire department name, which exam to challenge etc.

The second form (“Live Fire Suppression Verification form”) collects the challenger’s information regarding compliance with the live fire competency requirements in the NFPA 1001 standard for Firefighter I and Firefighter II. This form is necessary to ensure that the challenger has completed and documented the necessary job performance requirements for FF I or FF II as the challengers have not been directly observed by VFA Instructors during the conduct of actual live burn evolutions.

• Firefighter I - Certification Live Fire Suppression Verification Form
• Firefighter II - Certification Live Fire Suppression Verification Form

Please understand that both of these forms also require the Fire Chief’s signature prior to admittance into the challenge examination process.

Challenger Documentation required to be sent with the above application forms:

The FF I challenger must provide proper, current written documentation (copies of certificates, transcripts etc.) of having successfully completed the following:

• NFPA 472 (2008 edition) compliant Hazardous Materials Operations program
• Wildland Firefighter program (9 hr) from VT ANR / FPR or equivalent.
• CPR/1st Aid/AED card (AHA or equivalent)

The FF II challenger must provide proper, current written documentation (copies of certificates, transcripts etc.) of having successfully completed the following:

• Vermont or nationally accredited Firefighter I certification (Pro Board or IFSAC)
• NFPA 472 compliant (2008 edition) Hazardous Materials Operations program
• CPR/1st Aid/AED card. (AHA or equivalent).

The Testing Process:

The actual testing will be conducted in the same manner as our end of program exams. There is a 100 question written exam and then practical skills stations to be evaluated. The main difference in the challenge exam from the end of course exam is the number of practical skills stations. The challenge process for FF I and FF II will each have 12 skills stations instead of the usual end of course, 5 stations. This larger number is required due again to the absence of direct observation by a VFA Instructor throughout a program. These stations will be chosen at random, like end of course exams, and could include live fire job performance skills.

NOTE: The Challenger can only attempt one exam level per exam session.

Challenger Preparation:

For preparation, the challenger might refer to the Jones & Bartlett Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills, 2 edition and accompanying Student Applications resources for further information on appropriate cognitive learning information and psychomotor (skills) information.

Challenger Equipment needed:

All challengers (FFI and FF II) will need to provide and bring their own protective clothing ensemble (complete with hood, gloves and boots) and SCBA with one spare bottle to use during the practical skills evaluations as needed.

Challenge Testing Dates and Location:

Challenge testing dates are published on this website when available. Please check the course schedules for further information or please call us at 1.800.615.3473. All challenge exams will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy location in Pittsford, unless an area has 15 or more challenge applicants.

We hope that the above information is helpful to your needs. Please check our website for the Council Policy and forms.

As always, please call or email with any questions that may arise.