Three-State Weekend
Three-State Weekend 2021 at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland
Application Deadline: Friday, June 25, 2021
Weekend is: August 6, 7, and 8, 2021
Join Firefighters from Vermont, New Hampshire, and Alabama in a weekend of training, networking, and camaraderie on the campus of the National Fire Academy. Applicants can choose from 9 course offerings delivered by National Fire Academy Instructors from across the country.
Please click on the course names for a description:
Leadership in Supervision: Creating Environments for Professional Growth
Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist
Fire Investigation: First Responder
Preparation for Initial Company Operations
Executive Skills Series: Exercising Leadership through Difficult Conversation
Fire Service Safety Culture: Who Protects Firefighters from Firefighters?
Decision Making for Initial Company Operations
Click here for the course brochure, forms and details.
Firefighter II Challenge Exam
Firefighter II Challenge Exam
Individuals who have not completed an approved Vermont Fire Academy sanctioned Firefighter II Program, but who feel they have obtained the necessary training by some other means; or whose previous certifications are more than 2 editions in arrears of the current NFPA 1001 standard, may challenge the Firefighter II Exam. To be eligible to take the Firefighter II Challenge Exam, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age at the test date and submit proof of the following training with their challenge exam application:
- Proof of valid Vermont Firefighter I Certification
- Current Adult and Child CPR with AED Certification
- Hazardous Materials Operations Certification that qualifies as current with NFPA 472 or 1072.
- ICS200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (Online Web Based course)
Challenge Exam Part 1: Written Exam
The written exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions based on the knowledge requirements outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70. Candidates are permitted two attempts at passing the written exam. A second attempt may take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.
Challenge Exam Part 2: Practical Skills Exam
|The practical skills exam consists of 10 practical skill stations based on the requisite skills outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Candidates must demonstrate satisfactory skill performance in each of these skill stations. Two attempts per skill station are permitted at the initial skills exam. Candidates are permitted one retest opportunity consisting of two additional attempts for stations that are failed plus an additional randomly selected skill station. The retest opportunity must take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford. If the candidate fails to pass either the previously failed skill station or the additional random skill station, then the challenge process ends.
Firefighter II Certification is granted once a candidate passes both the written and practical skills exams.
Firefighter II Challenge Examination:
Location: Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford
When: Friday, July 9, 2021
Time: 0830 until finished
Application deadline: Friday, June 25, 2021
Please send applications to: DPS.VFAApplications@vermont.gov
Fire Instructor I Challenge Exam
Fire Instructor I Challenge Exam
Individuals who have not completed an approved Vermont Fire Academy sanctioned Fire Instructor I Program, but who feel they have obtained the necessary training by some other means; or whose previous certifications are more than 2 editions in arrears of the current NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, may challenge the Fire Instructor I Certification Exam. To be eligible to take the Fire Instructor I Challenge Exam, the candidate must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age at the test date
- Affiliated with a Vermont Emergency Service Organization
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Five years of experience in fire or emergency services.
- Current/Approved Firefighter I or equivalent EMS certification (EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic) with three years of service of that level.
- Endorsement by the candidate's current department chief in the form of a signed letter stating the applicant's training, qualifications, and experience are equal to those outlined in NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications.
Challenge Exam Part 1: Written Exam
The written exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions based on the knowledge requirements outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1041. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70. Candidates are permitted two attempts at passing the written exam. A second attempt may take place after 14 days but within 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.
Challenge Exam Part 2: Practical Skills Exam
The practical skills exam consists of 2 practical skill stations based on the requisite skills outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1041. The stations will consist of delivering a cognitive presentation and delivering a psychomotor presentation. The topics and prepared lesson materials for the practical skill exam presentations will be assigned and provided to the candidate 14 days prior to the exam date. Candidates will be provided with a standard LCD projector, PC equipped with the current version of PowerPoint, paper easel, and markers. Candidates are responsible for providing any additional equipment that may be necessary for their presentations. Candidates are permitted one retest opportunity for stations that are failed plus an additional randomly selected skill station. The retest opportunity must take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.
Fire Instructor I Challenge Examination:
Location: Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford
When: Thursday, July 8, 2021
Time: 0830 until finished
Application Due: Thursday, June 24, 2021
Please send applications to: DPS.VFAApplications@vermont.gov
Firefighter I Challenge Exam
Firefighter I Challenge Exam
Individuals who have not completed an approved Vermont Fire Academy sanctioned Firefighter I Program, but who feel they have obtained the necessary training by some other means; or whose previous certifications are more than 2 editions in arrears of the current NFPA 1001 standard, may challenge the Firefighter I Exam. To be eligible to take the Firefighter I Challenge Exam, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age at the test date and submit proof of the following training with their challenge exam application:
- Current valid Adult and Child CPR with AED Certification
- Current valid First Aid with Environmental Emergencies Certifications
- Hazardous Materials Operations that qualifies as current with NFPA 472 or NFPA 1072.
- National Traffic Incident Management Course (TIM) (Online Web Based course)
- Wildland Firefighter (9 hours)
- ICS100: Introduction to Incident Command System (Online Web Based course)
Challenge Exam Part 1: Written Exam
The written exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions based on the knowledge requirements outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70. Candidates are permitted two attempts at passing the written exam. A second attempt may take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.
Challenge Exam Part 2: Practical Skills Exam
The practical skills exam consists of 10 practical skill stations based on the requisite skills outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Candidates must demonstrate satisfactory skill performance in each of these skill stations. Two attempts per skill station are permitted at the initial skills exam. Candidates are permitted one retest opportunity consisting of two additional attempts for stations that are failed plus an additional randomly selected skill station. The retest opportunity must take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford. If the candidate fails to pass either the previously failed skill station or the additional random skill station, then the challenge process ends.
Firefighter I Certification is granted once a candidate passes both the written and practical skills exams.
Firefighter I Challenge Examination:
Location: Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford
When: Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Time: 0830 until finished
Application deadline: Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Please send applications to: DPS.VFAApplications@vermont.gov
Hybrid Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations Program
Program: Hybrid Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations
Location: Vermont Fire Academy - Pittsford
Start Date: Monday, May 24, 2021
Registration Deadline: 4 PM on Monday, May 10, 2021
****Program Schedule****
This program provides the student with the basic skills necessary to safely and effectively manage the on-scene operations involving the uncontrolled release of dangerous chemicals. As such it focuses on those individuals in local jurisdictions who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial response to the site for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion to contain the release from a safe distance, keeping it from spreading, and preventing exposures. The course is designed to meet the training responsibilities as outlined by OSHA, CFR 1910.120 and NFPA 1072 for the Operations Level.
Prerequisite: Participants must be proficient and qualified at donning SCBA.
Upon successful completion, students are awarded nationally registered Pro Board certification in accordance with NFPA 1072, Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations Professional Qualifications, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel, 2017 edition.
To register, download the Hazardous Materials Operations Admission Application, fill it out and return it to the Vermont Fire Academy by the registration deadline. Applications can be emailed to: DPS.VFAApplications@vermont.gov.
Priority will go to Vermont Firefighters. The class minimum is 15 students.
Please note students will need a device and reliable internet access to participate in the virtual classroom and complete assignments.