The voluntary fire fighter certification program is a legislatively mandated system promulgated by Act 1989-112, repealed by Act 1995-61. The Voluntary Fire Fighter Certification Program allows for the certification of any Commonwealth resident, 18 years of age, regardless of religion, gender, or natural origin. Commonwealth emergency responders have an opportunity to participate in and be recognized as a certified fire professional at various levels in accordance with nationally recognized and sanctioned Professional Qualification standards.

Note: Various levels include all levels that the Office of the State Fire Commissioner is accredited for by the National Pro-Board and IFSAC with the exception of the Hazardous Materials Awareness Certification. Five percent (5%) of the active certified personnel certified at the Hazardous Materials Awareness level listed will be accepted toward the total percentage being applied for.

Purpose: To recognize those organizations that support, promote, and encourage their emergency response personnel to voluntarily certify within the Commonwealth’s Certification Program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

A. Definitions:

1. Department:  Any public or private fire department, rescue squad, emergency management agency, or emergency services response organization that provides fire and life safety services to the citizens, residents, or employees of the private Sector, political subdivisions, or entities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2. Participating Department:  Any agency, or entity that complies with the intent of the Fire Service Certification Program and that has encouraged their personnel to  voluntarily certify within the professional standards programs administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
3. Active Member:   A duly enrolled member of an emergency response organization that meets the following criteria:
   a) authorized to respond to fire and emergency calls with the emergency response organization.
   b) certified by the employer (city, borough, township, etc.) at the minimum of Hazardous Materials First Responder - Awareness Level per the Federal EPA regulations (40 CFR 311).

B. Qualifications (minimum): To be recognized as a Participating Department in the Voluntary Fire Service Certification Program, the Fire Service Certification Advisory Committee has established the following criteria for recognition approved by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

1. The organization applying for a departmental recognition award must submit a properly completed application.
2. The applicant organization will submit the roster of its Active Members as defined in A.3.
3. The roster of Active Members must be notarized and signed by the Chief Executive Officer(s) of the employer (city, borough, township, etc.) certifying that the members are hazardous materials response certified in accordance with federal regulation 40 CFR 311.
4. The applicant organization will submit a roster of Certified Personnel within the organization who possess current certifications.
5. To receive recognition, the minimum number of Certified Personnel must be equal to or greater than ten percent (10%) of the number of members listed on the Active Member Roster. (NOTE: If an organization has 50%, 75%, or 100% participation, a special recognition will be made respectively.)
6. The applicant organization once awarded recognition as a Participating Department will be issued documentation and signage valid for a period of three years; after which the applicant organization must renew their recognition in the program.

C.  Special Recognition:

A bronze, silver and gold border will be placed on the standard certificate and decal to respectively denote 50%, 75%, 100% participation.