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Frequently Asked Questions The following are
frequently asked questions:
Where can I find orientation
materials for my new members?
The IAFF offers a PowerPoint presentation that you can download to customize for
your presentation to new members. You may also contact the Information Resources
Department for printed materials at (202) 737-8484.
Welcome to the IAFF (ppt)
Facilitator’s Lesson Plan for “Welcome to the IAFF’
When is the next Affiliate Leadership Training Summit (ALTS) conference?
Please visit IAFF Upcoming Event or ALTS web site to get the latest information.
What courses are offered thru the PEP program?
Please
visit PEP page for course descriptions.
Do you offer any scholarships? Are there any scholarships for graduating high
school students?
The IAFF offers several scholarships, visit
scholarships page to learn more. The IAFF offers the Howie McClennan
Scholarship to college students who are the children of fallen fire fighters.
Do you have any information on how to become a fire fighter?
To learn more about becoming a fire fighter in your community please
click here.
What type of training does
HazMat/WMD department offer?
· Direct Training: Course lengths vary from 8 to 80 hours.
Courses are taught by a minimum of two IAFF Instructors. The IAFF travels to the
department's location and delivers training using the department's equipment and
standard operating procedures. This allows for a customized course to better fit
the needs of fire fighters and first responders.
·
Indirect Training: Pending available funding, the IAFF can
supply training materials (i.e., text, videos, CD) directly to the department to
allows the department to train during their schedule. This can result in
decreased overtime and backfill expenses. Curricula are also made available
for download on the IAFF web site at
http://www.iaff.org/et/hw/courses.html. Should a department chose to
download materials and deliver it within their own department, the IAFF can
provide registration and survey forms to ensure students are registered with the
IAFF as having taken the course, and can be made eligible for any associated
college credits from the National Labor College or the American Council on
Education.
·
Instructor Training: Any of the courses currently offered
by the IAFF HazMat/WMD Training Department can be delivered as a
Train-the-Trainer program through the delivery of an eight-hour adult
educational methodology program. Students who complete the training program
can then deliver the specific IAFF training program within their own detartment
in an effort to build a self-sustaining training program of their own. This is
called indirect training as described above.
·
Supportive Teaching: After successfully completing an IAFF Train-the-Trainer
(TtT), the IAFF will provide two supportive teaching
sessions for local instructors. Local instructors will be assigned an IAFF master instructor who will act
as a mentor to the local instructor. The mentor will team
teach with the local instructor up to two times at his/her designated location. The
first delivery will be led by the IAFF master instructor and
the second by the local instructor. Each time, the master instructor will evaluate the
didactic and practical skills of the local instructor and
provide any necessary feedback. This will ensure competency of the local instructors, as well as
transfer of knowledge to the students through their
teaching.
Since the HazMat/WMD training
department uses no per capita/union dues, who provides funding?
·
IAFF HazMat/WMD training is 100% federally funded and has been
since 1987.
·
Our training is funded by the following federal agencies:
-
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (5 grants: HWWT, HDPT, DOE, Avian Flu,
DOJ)
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National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
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Department of Transportation
-
Department of Homeland Security
-
Department of Justice
·
The IAFF HazMat Technician and Emergency Response to Terrorism:
Operations (ERT:Ops) have been approved by DHS and are therefore available for
overtime and backfill reimbursement. For specific reference to courses approved
please click here:
·
For more information on requesting overtime and backfill please
contact your State Administrative Agency (SAA). You can find yours at
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/contact_state.htm
How do we schedule a class at our local?
Demand for IAFF training is at its highest and funding is limited. Requests for
training are approved based on need.
Current U.S. grant restrictions limit the training delivery to
responders within the United States. To host an IAFF class you will need to
have adequate classroom facilities for 25 students. A Laptop/projector for use
in the classroom is highly desirable. Additionally, related equipment that the
students are expected to use in the field during emergency response should be
made available for training purposes. The IAFF does not provide equipment for
training, only reference materials.
The host local will need to provide a valid UPS shipping address and point of
contact at the base. All materials will be shipped via UPS prior to the start of
class. The IAFF will provide qualified instructional staff, student materials
necessary for the proper instruction of the programs. Student activities and a
final examination for each program are included.
To request training, IAFF affiliates must provide a request
letter signed by an IAFF local president and the fire chief. The letter should
contain a brief explanation of the need for training in your area, a
general timeline for delivery, the number of students (minimum 16) and a contact
person for course logistics, such as a training officer.
Mail, fax or email your request to:
Harold A. Schaitberger, General President
International Association of Fire Fighters
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Fax: (202) 637-0839 / Email: hazmat@iaff.org
To schedule classes at your site, please make arrangements at
least 45 days prior to the delivery date so we can select an instruction team,
purchase airline tickets if applicable, and secure lodging. Pending available
funding, IAFF training programs can be scheduled for dates mutually agreeable
between your organization and the IAFF. Should funding not be immediately
available, your request will be placed on a waitlist until additional funding is
available. Upon receipt of additional funding, you will be contacted to
schedule training.
How much do the classes cost?
The IAFF HazMat/WMD Training Department is completely funded by federal grants
and contracts. Funding provided by federal agencies such as NIOSH, NIEHS, DOE,
DOT, and DHS enables the IAFF to maximize training. For more information click
here:
http://www.iaff.org/et/hw/fundingsources.html
Who will instruct the class?
The IAFF provides a team of professional instructors from across the country
that are active fire fighters/EMS personnel/HazMat Team Members. The curriculum
is taught to fire fighters by fire fighters. Instructors who are assigned to
teach at various facilities are chosen on an individual basis, appointed by the
IAFF General President and assigned by the IAFF HazMat/WMD Training Department.
Instructors are active or recently retired IAFF members and are independent
contractors of the IAFF. Requests for a specific instructor are welcomed and
every attempt will be made to grant requests if the instructor is available. All
instructors assigned to teach for the IAFF Program are of the highest quality.
What is the class dress attire?
Class attire requires business casual (dress or work pants, collared or polo
shirt) or uniform. The host local's IAFF President, Fire Chief or Training
Officer has the ability to vary from this standard.
What do I need to bring to the class?
The following Personal Protection Equipment is required for use during practical
evolutions: helmet, gloves, eye protection, steel toe shoes.
What type of certificate will I received once I successfully
complete the training programs?
IAFF training programs are objective based using National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) Standards, Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA),
and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
All departments, jurisdictions and states have different requirements for
training and certification. Some departments are self-certifying while others
are required to abide by state requirements or regulations. The IAFF HazMat/WMD
Training Department can work with you to customize not only the training to be
delivered, but to ensure state acceptance or acknowledgement. Please allow extra
time in advance to work out the special needs for your department.
The IAFF does not offer National Pro-Board or IFSAC
certification at this time.
When will I receive my course completion certificate?
Course completion certificates are processed upon successful completion of the
course and verification of prerequisite course work. Certifications are
processed at IAFF Headquarters and are mailed to the training officer. The
process may take up to two weeks.
Can I get college Credit for IAFF classes I take?
Students successfully completing our programs can apply for college equivalent
credits through the American Council on Education (ACE) program (http://www.iaff.org/et/HW/ace.html) or the National
Labor College (NLC) (http://www.iaff.org/et/hw/gmnlc.html).
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