Posted on: Sunday, October 3, 2004
Accreditation beefs up HFD training programs
| • | Fired up saving lives |
| • | Family copes with stress of the firefighter's life |
By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Honolulu Fire Department reached a significant milestone in April when the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress granted accreditation to the department, thereby allowing it to offer certification of two basic skill levels.
In most states, a fire marshall will handle these types of certifications, but Hawai'i does not have a fire marshall.
The accreditation means that HFD can now offer certification for the Firefighter I and Hazardous Materials Awareness designations.
To get the accreditation, the department had to develop curricula, skill sheets, test banks and other materials based on national standards.
The department has five years to do whatever is necessary to certify higher levels. Within the next year, the department plans to add certification for Firefighter II and Hazardous Materials Operations.
According to Assistant Chief Kenneth Silva, these initial certifications are relatively simple, given that HFD basic training standards meet or exceed the national standards.
However, Silva said, certifying the higher levels could be problematic if the national standards affect promotions or raise issues with existing rules, regulations or union agreements.
Regardless, Silva said, the accreditation validates much of what the department has been doing in the area of training.
"It shows that we meet national standards based on independent third-party review," he said. "It's an important step."
