12/16/2005 76103

FIRE ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR

DEFINITION: This is specialized work training emergency service personnel and allied professionals at the State Fire Academy.

An employee in this job provides fire services training to fire and emergency service personnel, police, and other public and private sector representatives. Work involves participating in the development and updating of the Academy's resident and field training curriculum and developing individualized minimum standards of accreditation, lesson plans, competency evaluation tests, and instructional aids within the parameters of the established curriculum. Work includes assisting Fire Services Education Specialists in providing training and technical assistance to field instructors and evaluating the effectiveness of field training programs. Employees in this job are also responsible for assisting with certification program development and examinations. Considerable independence is exercised in the work after objectives, teaching methods, and performance standards have been established. Work is performed under the general direction of Fire Services Education Specialists who review the work for program effectiveness and conformance to established standards.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Teaches classes related to fire protection, prevention, and suppression; hazardous materials scene management and mitigation; rescue; incident scene management; legal aspects; investigations; education methodology; workplace safety; and other specialized areas through lectures, discussion, demonstration, and supervised exercises and drills.

Provides instruction on the administration of emergency service organizations such as fire companies, rescue service companies, county hazardous materials teams, and ambulance services.

Operates fire fighting apparatus.

Directs students in on-site response at emergency scenes.

Prepares minimum standards of accreditation, lesson plans, course outlines, and competency evaluation mechanisms.

Develops, prepares, and constructs visual aids.

Participates in the development of the Academy's resident and field training curriculum under the guidance of the Fire Academy Curriculum Specialist.

Conducts training drills in procedures used in fire suppression and rescue.

Measures learning progress of trainees through oral, written, and performance tests.

Assists in providing training and technical assistance to field instructors.

Evaluates field training programs in concert with Fire Services Education Specialists.

Maintains fire equipment used in instruction.

Assists with the development of the certification program and administration of certification examinations recognized by the National Fire Protection Association.

Promotes participation in the voluntary certification system through personal contact or by distributing materials to fire service personnel and/or fire service organizations.

Participates in state and local conferences to promote fire prevention and protection as well as better fire fighting and rescue techniques.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of fire-fighting and rescue, hazardous materials scene management and mitigation, and incident scene management techniques and procedures.

Knowledge of emergency service organization administration.

Knowledge of workplace safety principles and practices.

Knowledge of fire prevention, protection, and suppression theories and practices.

Knowledge of new and innovative instructional techniques and methods utilized in fire service training.

Skill in the application of fire suppression methods and techniques and in the use of fire suppression equipment.

Skill in driving fire apparatus in the conduct of training.

Skill in various rescue techniques and methods for rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, and related technical rescues.

Skill in operational and control techniques and methods in the use of hazardous materials equipment.

Skill in the application of incident scene management techniques and procedures for command and control for various incident scene emergencies.

Ability to develop instructional materials, construct models, and prepare visual aids for fire-related training programs.

Ability to learn the theories and practices of handling hazardous materials.

Ability to learn to develop course outlines and instructional materials for training programs in handling hazardous materials.

Ability to develop course outlines and instruct students through demonstrations, exercises, lectures, and class discussions.

Ability to supervise and evaluate trainees in drills and exercises.

Ability to maintain an effective learning environment and establish and maintain effective relationships with trainees.

Ability to measure the learning success of trainees.

Ability to maintain fire equipment used in instruction.

Ability to assist in the development of certification testing mechanisms for the Fire Service Certification program.

Ability to address groups on fire-related issues, and to promote participation in fire service training and certification programs.

Sufficient physical strength and freedom from disabling defects to lift and carry heavy objects up to 100 pounds, climb ladders, scale and rappel buildings, and ascend ropes, and perform various emergency operations required to deliver a multi-disciplinary training curriculum.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A Fire Service Instructor 1 certification issued by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications, the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, or other professional certification agencies accredited in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association, and two years of career or eight years of active volunteer fire or emergency service experience;

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A bachelor’s degree in fire science, public safety, adult education, or a field related to fire science, and two years of career or eight years of active volunteer fire or emergency service experience.

The Fire Fighter 1 certification accredited in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association may be substituted for one year of career or four years of active volunteer fire or emergency service experience.

The Fire Fighter 2 certification accredited in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association may be substituted for two years of career or eight years of active volunteer fire or emergency service experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Certain positions in this job require possession of a valid class B Pennsylvania Commercial Drivers License with a tank endorsement and no air brake restriction.