Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Are there any age restrictions on registering for Fire Division courses?
- What is the age for a student to enroll in the Junior Firefighting course?
- Does the Junior Firefighter student need insurance coverage?
- How is the Junior Firefighter enrolled at the Academy?
- What is the length of the Junior Firefighting course?
- How does a Junior Firefighter become a Fire Fighter Level 1 upon completion of the course?
- Can civilians take Fire Division Courses?
- Does Morris County accept the NJ Firefighter I Certificate for course pre-requisite purposes?
- Why do some courses require a pre-requisite?
- What should I do if I don't get a confirmation of my registration?
- Is there a dress code at the Academy?
- Can I still grandfather for Firefighter I?
- When are two-in/two-out procedures required for firefighters?
- What do I have to do to become a Certified Fire Instructor?
- Are all firefighters performing interior structural fire fighting operations required to operate in a buddy system with two or more personnel?
- Do the regulations require two individuals outside for each team of individuals operating in the interior or a structural fire?
- Are firefighters in the interior of the structure required to be in direct contact with on another?
- How can I get a job as a Fire Official or Fire Inspector?
How can I get a job as a firefighter? - How do I become a certified Fire Inspector or Fire Official?
- What are the certification or recertification requirements for fire fighters in New Jersey?
- What are the requirements for Incident Management - Level 1 Certification?
- Are there any age restrictions on registering for Fire Division courses?
- ANSWER: Yes - Fire Division applicants must be 18 or older.
Top of Page - What is the age for a student to enroll in the Junior Firefighting course?
- ANSWER: The minimum age is 16.
Top of Page - Does the Junior Firefighter student need insurance coverage?
- ANSWER: Yes - The registration form is the authorization certifying that the student is covered by
workmen's compensation and liability insurance from the sending department.
Top of Page - How is the Junior Firefighter enrolled at the Academy?
- ANSWER: It is the same process as enrolling any other department member to a class.
Top of Page - What is the length of the Junior Firefighting course?
- ANSWER: The Junior Firefighting course is 150 hours.
Top of Page - How does a Junior Firefighter become a Fire Fighter Level 1 upon completion of the course?
- ANSWER: When the Junior Firefighter turns eighteen (18), they will receive a Morris County Fire Public Safety Training Academy Fire Fighter 1 certification and a NJDFS application for state certification. They must contact the Academy after their 18th birthday.
Top of Page - Can civilians take Fire Division Courses?
- ANSWER: No - All registration forms must be authorized by the Chief or authorized official from the sending
department. This authorization certifies that students are covered by Workmen's Compensation and Liability
Insurance from the sending department.
Top of Page - Does Morris County accept the NJ Firefighter I Certificate for course pre-requisite purposes?
- ANSWER: Yes
Top of Page - Why do some courses require a pre-requisite?
- ANSWER: Those courses that require a pre-requisite are designed in a sequential manner based upon skills,
knowledge and/or experiences acquired in prior courses.
Top of Page - What should I do if I don't get a confirmation of my registration?
- ANSWER: Registrations for academy courses are confirmed in order of date received. If your department does
not receive a written confirmation within five business days of submission, call the academy at (973)
285-2979.
Top of Page - Is there a dress code at the Academy?
- ANSWER: Yes - Click here for classroom attire information.
Top of Page - Can I still grandfather for Firefighter I?
- ANSWER: Yes - Anyone with 18 months of fire service experience before July 1, 1994, can still grandfather
into Firefighter I.
Top of Page - When are two-in/two-out procedures required for firefighters?
- ANSWER: OSHA states that "once firefighters begin the interior attack on an interior structural fire, the
atmosphere is assumed to be IDLH and paragraph 29 CFR 1910.134(g)(4) [two-in/two-out] applies." OSHA defines
interior structural fire fighting "as the physical activity of fire suppression, rescue or both inside of
buildings or enclosed structures which are involved in a fire situation beyond the incipient stage." OSHA
further defines an incipient stage fire in 29 CFR 1910.155(c)(26) as a "fire which is in the initial or
beginning stage and which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe
or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus." Any structural fire
beyond incipient stage is considered to be an IDLH atmosphere by OSHA.
Top of Page - What do I have to do to become a Certified Fire Instructor?
-
ANSWER: In order to become a Certified Fire Instructor I a person must satisfactorily complete the
following:
- Three years experience as a firefighter.
- Completion of the DFS course "Instructor General Safety"
- Completion of the NFA course "Instructional Techniques for Company Officers"
- Completion of the "Instructor Level I Written Test"
In order to become a Certified Fire Instructor II a person must satisfactorily complete the following:
- Two years experience as a Fire Instructor I
- Completion of an educational methodology course
- Completion of the "Instructor Level II Written Test"
Once the written test is satisfactorily completed, an application will be mailed to the person. If the applicant has completed all items required, the application and appropriate documentation may be sent to DFS for processing.
Top of Page - Are all firefighters performing interior structural fire fighting operations required to operate in a buddy system with two or more personnel?
- ANSWER: Yes - OSHA clearly requires that all workers engaged in interior structural fire fighting
operations beyond the incipient stage use SCBA and work in teams of two or more. [29 CFR
1910.134(g)(4)(i)]
Top of Page - Do the regulations require two individuals outside for each team of individuals operating in the interior or a structural fire?
- ANSWER: The regulations do not require a separate "two-out" team for each team operating in the structure.
However, if the incident escalates, if accountability cannot be properly maintained from a single exposure, or
if rapid rescue becomes infeasible, additional outside crews must be added. For example, if the involved
structure is large enough to require entry at different locations or levels, additional "two-out" teams would
be required [29 CFR 1910.134(g)(4)]
Top of Page - Are firefighters in the interior of the structure required to be in direct contact with on another?
- ANSWER: Yes - Firefighters operating in the interior of the structure must operate in a buddy system and
maintain voice or visual contact with one another at all times. This assists in assuring accountability within
the team. [29 CFR 1910.134(g)(4)(I)]
Top of Page - How can I get a job as a Fire Official or Fire Inspector?
How can I get a job as a firefighter? - ANSWER: Fire Inspectors, Fire Officials and firefighters are employed by local fire department, fire
districts, municipalities, counties and state agencies.
For Civil Service hiring agencies, periodically check the State Division of Personnel website , or please call 609-292-8668. To find out if the agency (fire department, fire district, etc.) is Civil Service contact that municipality for information.
For non-Civil Service agencies most hiring is done via announcements in the local newspapers and with announcements posted within the locality. If the agency you are interested in is non-Civil Service, contact that agency to find out how they advertise.
The Division of Fire Safety does not keep any listing of job openings.
Top of Page - How do I become a certified Fire Inspector or Fire Official?
- ANSWER: In order to become certified as a Fire Inspector you must satisfactorily complete the 90-hour Fire
Inspector Course, pass the certification exam, and apply to the Office of Training and Certification.
In order to become certified as a Fire Official you must be a certified Fire Inspector, complete the 30-hour Fire Official Course and apply to the Office of Training and Certification.
Both courses are delivered at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy.
Top of Page - What are the certification or recertification requirements for fire fighters in New Jersey?
-
ANSWER: There are several certification and recertification requirements for fire fighters in New Jersey
from various agencies. Synopses of them are listed below:
REQUIRED FOR ALL RESPONDERS:
- Bloodborne Pathogens Training
- Training required by and must meet N.J.A.C. 12:100-4.2. Initial training and annual refresher
training no set hours for either. Initial and Refresher Training must cover all topics in 29 CFR
1910.1030 and to keep proficiency.
NJ Department of Health and Senior Services. - Employee Hazard Communication (Right to Know) Training
- Initial training and refresher training every two years. Training required by and must meet OSHA
1910.1200.
NJ Department of Health and Senior Services and US Department of Labor. - Hazardous Materials Training
- Awareness and Operations. Initial and refresher training. Includes SCBA. Training required by and
must meet 29 CFR 1920.120. Initial Awareness training eight hours. Refresher training has no set hours,
but must cover topic in sufficient depth to keep proficiency. Initial Operations training 12 hours.
Refresher training has no set hours, but must cover topic in sufficient depth to keep
proficiency.
US Department of Labor. - Confined Space Training
- Departments with the potential for confined space work must have initial training required by and
must meet N.J.A.C. 12:100-9. Initial training and refresher training no set hours. Must cover topics in
29 CFR 1910.146. Refresher training when procedures or confined spaces change.
US Department of Labor. - Incident Management System Training
- Firefighter I Certification required. All fire service personnel are required to complete the
two-hour introductory ICS Orientation (I-100) by February 17, 1999. Supervisory personnel are required
to complete additional ICS Basic (I-200) by February 17, 2000. Training required by and must meet
N.J.A.C. 5:73-6.1. IMS Orientation (I-100) initial training two hours. IMS Basic (I-200) initial
training 12-16 hours. No refresher training required.
NJ Division of Fire Safety.
- What are the requirements for Incident Management - Level 1 Certification?
-
ANSWER: In order to be certified as Level 1 a person must meet the following requirements:
- Three years experience as a firefighter.
- Certified as Firefighter 1 issued by the Division of Fire Safety
- Certificate of Competence of the Basic Incident Command System I-200 as outlined in N.J.A.C. 5:73-6.1 (b) 3
- Make application to Division of Fire Safety
Above answers provided by the Division of Fire Safety