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Fire Safety Technicians

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) offers the associate safety professional, certified safety professional, safety management specialist, and other certification credentials. Although the BCSP does not offer a specific certification unique to fire safety technicians, anyone wishing to advance in the field of fire safety should earn these designations. These credentials demonstrate that the technician has completed a high level of education, has passed written examinations, and has acquired a certain amount of professional experience.

The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies offers certification to fire protection workers in the following specialty areas: fire alarm systems, inspection and testing of fire alarm systems, inspection and testing of water-based systems, water-based systems layout, and special hazards systems. The National Fire Protection Association offers a variety of certification designations, including: certified fire protection specialist, certified fire inspector I, certified fire inspector II, certified hazard recognition specialist, and certified fire plan examiner. The National Association of Safety Professionals offers the master safety professional and certified safety director designations. Contact these organizations for information about requirements for each certification.

Other Requirements

Those who wish to work in fire-science technology in fire departments may train as technicians and apply for specialist jobs in large fire departments. Others may choose to enter the fire department as untrained firefighters. For the latter group, very rigid physical examinations are usually required. Firefighters must keep themselves physically fit and conditioned since they may be required to do hard work in all types of weather and sometimes for long hours.

Because of the physical demands of the profession, physical-performance tests are required and may include running, climbing, and jumping. These examinations are clearly defined by local civil service regulations but may vary from one community to another.

In most cases, prospective firefighters must be at least 18 years of age. They must also meet height and weight requirements. Applicants must have good vision (20/20 vision is required in some departments), no hindering physical impairments, and strong stamina. Some fire departments require that applicants be nonsmokers.

For fire safety technicians in industry or government, no licenses are usually required. Favorable academic records and an appropriate two-year degree or certificate are given special consideration by most employers. Becoming a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers is a valuable mark of achievement of which employers take note.

For those who want to enter fire departments as firefighters and work toward technician-level tasks, civil service examinations are required in most cases.