In cooperation with the National Fire Academy (NFA) and a Group of Stakeholder from Virginia’s Community College System and Private Colleges Virginia Department of Fire Programs has lead the charge to assist Virginia Fire Fighters in excelling in higher education opportunities. As a result of this group’s work, a general consensus was agreed upon to be the pioneers in accepting the NFA model for higher education. On the attached links you will find various colleges in the Commonwealth that offer Fire Science degree programs to assists Virginia’s Fire Service community with furthering their goals and objectives. Danville Community College J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Northern Virginia Community College Tidewater Community College Jefferson College of Health Sciences Virginia Western Community College Germanna Community College Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) joins a select number of organizations that have added value to their training courses through college credit recommendations as a result of a review conducted on November 30 and December 1, 2005 by the American Council on Education’s (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service. The 20 VDFP courses total 52 semester hours of college credit in four (4) areas; Vocational Certificate, Lower Division Baccalaureate/Associate, Upper Division Baccalaureate, and Graduate Level course offerings. The 20 NFA courses submitted for review were accepted as presented for equivalency semesters hours being offered by NFA. VDFP is pleased to announce an articulation agreement with the University Of Phoenix (UOP). This agreement can reduce the cost and time required to earn a UOP degree by awarding college credit for many of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs courses. Although UOP is widely known for its online classes, it also offers traditional classroom instruction at four (and soon five) locations in Virginia. The fifth campus will open in Manassas in October 2009. Northern Virginia Campus Locations Arlington Learning Center – Arlington – Virginia 1800 South Bell Street, Suite 100 Arlington, Virginia 22202 571.227.7075 Local Fairfax Learning Center – Fairfax – Virginia 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Suite 200 Fairfax, Virginia 22031 703.245.4118 Local Northern Virginia Campus – Reston – Virginia 11730 Plaza America Drive, Suite 200 Reston, Virginia 20190 703.376.6100 Local Richmond Campus Locations Richmond Campus – Richmond – Virginia 6600 West Broad Street, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23230 804.281.3900 Local View the Agreement View a list of the courses UOP will consider. FAQ’s relating to the UOP articulation agreement: Will credit granted for articulated courses apply to any undergraduate program? Yes. May I apply credits from other colleges and articulated credits toward my degree program? Yes. When will I learn which certifications will lead to credit through articulation? Like transferred college credits, the university reviews and awards articulated credits enrollment. How can I maximize the degree cost and time savings by using articulated credits and/or previous college credits? Apply previous college credits toward the UOP degree first, these transfer at no cost. Then, apply articulated credits to the UOP degree program. There are fees, but they are significantly less than tuition. Will all firefighters apply the same number of articulated VDFP credits to a UOP degree program? No. Consider three possible scenarios, firefighters with: No previous college credit. This student benefits most from the articulation agreement in that the largest number of articulated courses can be applied to his/her degree program. This student will enjoy the greatest cost and time savings. Some previous college credit. This student will first apply his/her existing college credits, college-to-college transfers are “no cost.” Articulated credits follow to fill remaining program allowances. Significant college credit. This student may find that he/she can apply only a few or no articulated credits to a degree program. This limitation exists for both college-to-college credit transfer and articulated courses.

National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications Accreditation: The NBFSPQ accredits fire service training agencies that use the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) professional qualification standards. The accreditation process begins with the submission of an application, including a detailed self study document, by the organization seeking accreditation. The application package is then reviewed by the members of the Committee on Accreditation for completeness and compliance with the by-laws of the NBFSPQ.  The next step is a site visit by a team of COA members, usually two, who perform an extensive on-site review of the organization’s testing and certification processes.  The site visit team prepares a report and presents it to the COA. The COA decides if accreditation is granted.   Certification: An agency, which is accredited by NBFSPQ, makes national certification available to its members. Members are then eligible to be placed on the NBFSPQ national register and receive a Certificate of National Certification. In addition, the NBFSPQ encourages reciprocity among certifying agencies. This helps assure that NBFSPQ certification will be recognized by the department as the members seek advancement, and by other departments should they seek to transfer within the fire service. The cost of national registration including an NPQS Certificate is $17.50. NPQS Website   International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) is a not-for-profit, peer-driven, self-governing system of both fire service certifying entities and higher education fire-related degree programs. IFSAC’s mission is to plan and administer a high-quality, uniformly delivered accreditation system with an international scope. The IFSAC Certificate Assembly provides accreditation to entities that certify the competency of and issue certificates to individuals who pass examinations based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire service professional qualifications and other standards approved by the Assembly. The accreditation is made at the state, provincial, federal government, or territorial level for fire fighter certification programs. Accreditation is granted only after an integral self-study is conducted by the entity or institution seeking accreditation, followed by an on-site review by a panel consisting of peer representatives from other member entities or institutions.

The following is a resource for qualified Virginia Department of Fire Programs Instructors. Use this information to assist in your daily operations. International Society of Fire Service Instructors VDFP Adjunct Instructor Timesheet (Excel)

IFSAC ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNING STRUCTURE To fully appreciate the accreditation and site visit team issues; the site team member should have a thorough understanding of the IFSAC organization and governing structures. The following is a brief description of the makeup of IFSAC. For more detailed information, please refer to the by-laws and Constitution articles in the IFSAC Certificate Assembly Handbook located on the IFSAC site. IFSAC is a part of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT). Also within CEAT are the School of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology, the International Fire Service Training Association/Fire Protection Publications (IFSTA/FPP) and Fire Service Training (FST). IFSTA/FPP consists of the training materials validation process, publishing, and dissemination of IFSTA training manuals. FST is the fire service training organization within the state of Oklahoma. The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) is a peer-driven, self-governing system that accredits both fire service certification programs and higher education fire-related degree programs Mission Statement To increase the level of professionalism of the fire service through accreditation of those entities who work with Assemblies within the Congress, for the accreditation of fire service training and/or education, by increasing the coordination of efforts between the Assemblies of the Congress, and serve as a mechanism of arbitration on issues of debate between Assemblies. https://ifsac.org/

Chief Officers The purpose of this Chief Officers Resources page is to provide pertinent information to all Chief Officers. Please be encouraged to use them and take full advantage of all educational as well as fiscal benefits available through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. We have developed this page with you in mind to assist with the necessary resources so that you can continue to serve, represent, and to enhance your professionalism and capabilities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. How to Report Contact Information to VDFP REPORT CONTACT INFORMATION FORM All Fire Departments in the Commonwealth of Virginia and key Chief Officers from industry must update their contact information as it changes. The Fire Service Training Record System (FSTRS) was designed to track training and contact information. The Fire Department database has an area for emergent and non-emergent information. This information may be used to contact the chief officer of the department to clarify training needs, request resources, or for notification purposes during the onset of natural or man-made disasters. We would ask that anytime you have a change in leadership you would update your records by using this direct submittal form or by contacting your local VDFP Division Office. Fiscal Benefits Available Please visit our Grants and Local Aid page for a complete listing and description of grants available for Aid to Locality, Burn Building Grants, Technology Grants, VFSB Mini Grants, Emergency Fund Grants, Get Alarmed Virginia Grants, and Virginia Dry Hydrant Grants. Applications for Associations Virginia Fire Chief’s Association Click “Join the VFCA Now” Button Virginia State Firefighters Association You can Register from the main page How Fire Training Works Funded School Request Format Instructions Tutorial Course Request Instructions in PPT format Course Materials Request Form Regional Schools and Registration Training from Other Entities Office of Emergency Medical Services Virginia Department of Emergency Management Student Training Transcript Instructions Virginia Fire Incident Reporting System (VFIRS) VFIRS Training Resources Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting Working Group (ARFFWG) FEMA International Fire Service Accreditation Congress National Fire Academy National Fire Protection Association National Fire Sprinkler Association National Volunteer Fire Council PROBOARD Virginia Fire Chiefs Association Virginia State Fire Association United States Fire Administration

Firefighting is demanding work, with built-in-job security and terrific rewards. Firefighters are America’s greatest living heroes.  They protect the lives and properties of their neighbors.  They perform daring rescues and extinguish raging infernos, but firefighters also protect people in many other ways.  Firefighters play an important role in education and public awareness of fire safety.  All this in addition to putting out house fires! Firefighting is risky business, requiring courage, the ability to quickly evaluate a situation and physical strength. Although firefighting has many rewards, a desire to help others is the primary reason most men and women become a firefighter. If you want to learn how to become a firefighter, the fastest way to really learn about the job is to speak with a local firefighter. All firefighters undergo post-secondary school training, either in a technical school, college, or firefighting academy. Since each department and agency sets its own qualifications and application process, one of the best places to learn about requirements is at the local firehouse. Please contact the department in which you wish to obtain a career or membership.

Fire Hero Learning Network The Fire Hero Learning Network is a new learning network brings critical training in safety, operations, and community relations to more than 1 million firefighters and officers in the United States. Their website is:www.fireherolearningnetwork.org. The mission of the international nonprofit NFPA, established in 1896, is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, andeducation. The world’s leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety, NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. NFPa’s website can be accessed at: http://www.nfpa.org/. The Pro Board The purpose of the Pro Board is to establish an internationally recognized means of acknowledging professional achievement in the fire service and related fields. The accreditation of organizations that certify uniform members of public fire departments, both career and volunteer, is the primary goal. However, other organizations with fire protection interests may also be considered for participation. Accreditation is generally provided at the State or Provincial level to the empowered certifying authority of that jurisdiction. The Pro Board website is: http://www.theproboard.org/.

Training & Development Training and Development coordinates and delivers fire emergency services education and training programs for the fire and emergency response community, public, law enforcement and industry for the purpose of protecting and defending the commonwealth against the loss of life and property.  Training and Development is organized into General Fire Service Training and Specialized Training. Students Courses Become a Fire Fighter     Training Officers/Instructors Training Officers Cornerstone OnDemand Instructor Resources General Fire Service Training VDFP supports general training across the Commonwealth through its relationship with different divisions.  Click the link below to learn how to find training in your area. Learn about Divisions Specialized Training Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter Incident Management (NIMS) Technical Rescue Program Most Used Training Forms Jamey Brads Chief of Training and Operations 1005 Technology Park Drive Glen Allen, VA 23059-4500 E-mail: Jamey.Brads@vdfp.virginia.gov

FireSafe Family VA – A home fire safety mobile application available as a free download for your iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices. Download your free copy today! FireSafe Family VA

The Virginia Line of Duty Act (LODA) was established in Title 9.1-400 of the Code of Virginia and enacted in 1972. This program provides benefits to eligible family members of eligible employees and volunteers killed in the line of duty and to those eligible employees and volunteers disabled in the line of duty and their eligible family members. Funding of LODA benefits is provided by employers in one of two ways: Participation in the Line of Duty Death and Health Benefits Trust Fund (LODA Fund), administered by the Virginia Retirement System. Self-funding by the employer or through an insurance company. Administration Effective July 1, 2017, the Administration of the program was shifted to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM). VRS makes all eligibility determinations for LODA benefits and also issues benefit payments on behalf of LODA Fund participating employers. The Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) administers the LODA Health Benefits Plans. VRS and DHRM are dedicated to ensuring claimants or their beneficiaries receive the best possible service as they submit a claim. Did You Know? The Code of Virginia requires employers to train all LODA-eligible employees. The first training must happen within 30 days of being hired and then every two years thereafter. The LODA Overview for Participants satisfies this training requirement. You can direct individual employees to this website to watch the recorded presentation or you can play it for a group of employees to attend in person. This training provides an overview of disability benefits, death benefits, health benefits and how to submit a claim to VRS. Related Links Virginia Retirement System – Line of Duty Act Website Virginia Department of Human Resource Management – Line of Duty Health Benefits Plans Website Virginia Local Assistance State Team