RULES OF FIREFIGHTER STANDARDS AND TRAINING COUNCIL, GEORGIA ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY Chapters 205-1-1 and 205-2-1 were filed on December 4, 1974; effective January 1, 1975, as specified by the Agency. The Administrative History following the Rule gives the date on which the Rule was filed and the effective date for said Rule.
204-1-1-.01 Statutory Authority. This Regulation is made and promulgated by the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council pursuant to the authority set forth in Georgia Laws 1971, pp. 693-698.
205-1-1-.02 Organization. The Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council hereinafter referred to as The Council shall consist of seven voting members and three advisory members and shall be composed as follows: (a) The President of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia or his designated representative, the President of the Georgia Municipal Association, Inc. or his designated representative, the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner or his designated representative, the President of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs or his designated representative, the President of the Georgia State Fireman s Association or his designated representative, the President of the Georgia City and County Management Association or his designated representative and the Chairman of the Training Committee of the Georgia State Fireman s Association. (b) The Director of the Georgia Fire Academy or his designated representative, the Director of the Division of the Vocational Education of the State Department of Education or his designated representative, and one member from the Insurance Services Office, shall serve on the council in an advisory capacity only, without voting privileges. (c) The public may obtain information or make submissions or requests to the Council at or through the Georgia Fire Academy, Southern Technical Institute, Marietta, Georgia 30060.
205-2-1-.01 Promulgation and Purpose. The purpose of this Regulation is: (a) To implement the establishment of uniform minimum standards for the employment and training of firefighters in the State of Georgia. (b) To implement the establishment of minimum curriculum requirements for courses, classes, or schools to be operated by or for any employing agency for the training of firefighters in the State. (c) To allow the Council to approve courses, classes, or schools to be operated by or for any employing agency for the training of firefighters. (d) To allow the Council to issue certificates of completion to all firefighters who satisfactorily complete approved training programs established and approved by the Council.
205-2-1-.02 Definitions. As used herein, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context, the following terms shall have the following meaning: (a) Act means the Georgia Firefighters Standards and Training Act. (Ga. Laws 1971, pp. 693-698). (b) Council means the Georgia Firefighters Minimum Standards and Training Council. (c) Certified Firefighter means a firefighter certified in accordance with the provisions of the Act and these rules and regulations. (d) Firefighter shall mean any person who is employed in this State as a professional firefighter on a full-time basis of at least 40 hours per week by any municipal, county, or State Fire Department which employs three or more firefighters and who has the responsibility of preventing and suppressing fires, protecting life and property, enforcing municipal, county, and State fire prevention codes, as well as enforcing any law pertaining to the prevention and control of fires.
205-2-1-.03 Application of Council Standards. On or after January1, 1975, all firefighters employed in this State who work a minimum of 40 hours or more per week as fulltime members of a fire department or of a fire division of any department of public safety in this State which employs three or more firemen or public safety officers, must complete a basic training course consisting of a minimum of 120 hours of instruction on firefighting techniques and related matters.
205-2-1-.04 Council Standards. (1) Employment Standards. Each applicant for employment as a firefighter subject to the requirements of the Act shall: (a) be at least 18 years of age. (b) not have been convicted of a felony within 10 years prior to employment as a firefighter or public safety officer. (c) have a good moral character as determined by investigation under procedure approved by the Council. (d) be in good physical condition as determined by a medical examination procedure as approved by the Council. (2) Approved Forms: Any person, agency, group, organization or association which employs or takes application of employment from firefighters in the State must use forms the same or substantially similar to Form FFC-1, FFC-2, FFC-3, FFC- 4, and FFC-5 which are attached hereto and made a part of the Regulation. (3) Basic Training Course: In addition to the employment standards contained in subsection 1 above, after January 1, 1975 each candidate for employment as a firefighter shall satisfactorily complete Unit FDC 101 of the Georgia Firefighters Standards Course of Study of the Georgia Fire Academy within 12 months after being appointed as a fulltime paid member of any fire department or fire division of any department of public safety which employs three or more firefighters. This course shall consist of a minimum of 120 hours of instruction on firefighting techniques and related matters. Provided, however, that the requirements of this subsection shall not apply to persons who were employed as firefighters in this State of January 1, 1975, or to firefighters who have been certified by the Council in accordance with the requirements of the Act and these rules and regulations. (4) Continued Annual Training: (a) In addition to the requirements outlined in subsections (1) and (2) above, all firefighters employed in this State, must receive a minimum of 120 hours of continued annual training each calendar year in courses, classes, or schools approved by the Council. (b) This continued annual training must follow the curriculum for continued training of firefighters as established and approved by the Council.
205-2-1-.05 Approved Training Courses, Classes, or Schools. All Courses, classes, or schools, whether operated by or for an employing agency for the purpose of training firefighters in this State must be approved by the Council and must meet the following minimum standards: (a) Classroom instruction must be given in a room which: 1. has comfortable physical facilities to facilitate learning. 2. and is properly equipped with adequate lighting, desks, or tables and chairs, blackboards and other instructional materials. (b) Practical instruction must be given in all subject areas relating to fire protection, personal safety, fire prevention, fire investigation and fire suppression. (c) Training Materials: reference materials used shall include Unit FDC 101 of the Georgia Fire Academy (where applicable), study manuals and other materials published by the Georgia Fire Academy, safety instruction, and other instruction materials approved or recommended by the Council. (d) Instructors: All instructors for such courses, classes or schools must be adequately trained in firefighting and fire safety techniques, and must be approved by the Council.
205-2-1-.06 Certification. To be eligible to be designated a Certified Firefighter under the Act and these Rules and Regulations a firefighter must: (a) Have satisfactorily completed the Basic Training Course; or (b) Have been a previously trained firefighter, employed prior to January 1, 1975, whose qualifications have been examined by the Council and who has been deemed by the Council to meet the requirements of the Act and these Rules and Regulations: or (c) Must have received training in another State which the Council determines to be substantially equivalent to the minimum requirements for training and education of firefighters in this State. Provided, however, that such person must also comply with all of the other requirements of the Act and these Rules and Regulations.
205-2-1-.07 Forms. ARREST REPCORD CHECK FORM FFC-1 APPLICATIN FOR EMPLOYMENT FORM FFC-2 MEDICAL EXAMINATION FORM FFC-3 CONFIDENTIAL FORM FFC-4 CERTIFICATION BY FIRE CHIEF FORM FFC-5 Note: Forms not printed because of the size and expense. Copies of forms may be obtained from the Office of the Georgia Firefighters Council, Georgia Fire Academy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332.
205-2-1-.08 Effective Date. This Regulation shall become effective January 1, 1975.