Certification Coordinators

Requirements to be a Certification Coordinator:

Hold at least SFFMA Firefighter I certification or Accredited Intermediate Firefighter issued prior to January 1, 2015; and
Document completion of an approved instructional course in one of the following (or an equivalent program):
-Methods of Teaching for the Fire Service
-Instructional Techniques for Company Officers
-American Heart Association Core Instructor coursework
-TCFP or NFPA Instructor I or higher
-Bachelor's degree in any field

Certification Coordinator - Provisional Status

Although Certification Coordinator status requires the above firefighter and instructional coursework, a provisional status is allowed for departments that may not have personnel meeting this requirement. In these situations, the department can name a coordinator provisionally, which grants the individual up to five years from the date the application/fee is received in the Austin office to compile and submit the necessary documentation for full Coordinator status.

Once the certification office receives the required documentation, the provisional status is removed, and Certification Coordinator status is granted. A new application/fee is not required.

Scroll down to see the steps for naming a department Certification Coordinator.

Name a Department Coordinator/Application

  • Step 1:

    The department's fire chief has to name a Certification Coordinator. An eligible candidate is at least 18 years of age, maintains active SFFMA individual membership, and trains a minimum of 20 hours per year (including continuing education). To maintain the integrity of the Certification Program and avoid any questions of impropriety, the department’s fire chief cannot also serve in this position. This rule ensures a minimum of two department representatives verify and sign all submitted documentation.

  • Step 2:

    Interested applicants should read over and understand the minimum requirements and duties of the position prior to accepting the position.

  • Step 3:

    With the new Portal system, departments no longer need to submit an application or fee to name a new Coordinator.

    Once logged in, the chief can go to the left-hand dashboard and click the “Administration” dropdown. From there select “Manage Administrators” and he can make any desired changes to the access levels for everyone on the roster.

  • Step 4:

    A department can reinstate a previously certified coordinator at any time by the same method.