Firefighting
The Firefighter program through our Workforce Development and Community Education Department offers a variety of continuing education courses to provide career firefighters opportunities for advanced Fire Protection certifications with flexible course curriculum and scheduling.
Within this non-credit program, you can choose a variety of areas to pursue your career. Many of the options provide the opportunity to earn the state certification required to obtain employment. Each one offers you a way to make a difference in people’s lives.
“Firefighter” means an individual who holds a certificate as a volunteer firefighter, firefighter I, or firefighter II, issued by the chief executive officer of the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services pursuant to section 4765.55 of the Ohio Revised Code and Chapter 4765-20 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
Certification is required by section 3737.66 of the Ohio Revised Code.
State Certifications
Fire Safety Inspector & Hazard Recognition Officer
Initial training courses for certification
The Ohio OVFF course is an entry-level/awareness course focused on fireground safety and support. The course combines specialized subject matter, classroom lecture, and hands-on, practical material covering the basics of firefighting as defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Coursework covers 36 hours of training in fire department organization, personal protective equipment/SCBA, forcible entry, scene control, ladders, fire hose and appliances, and more. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing
Entrance requirements
- Workforce application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend firefighter orientation/interest meeting or meet with program coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
Completion requirements
- Complete 36 hours of curriculum instruction
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Volunteer Firefighter Course Objectives’
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam)
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services
The Firefighter I course combines specialized classroom material, practical instruction, and learning experiences regarding firefighting practices and techniques outlined by the Ohio Firefighter I curriculum and defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Topics include fire department organization and safety, fire alarms and communication, portable extinguishers, ropes, salvage, overhaul, victim extrication, live fire training, and others from NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter 1. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing. Students who meet Pro-Board eligibility requirements can apply.
Entrance requirements
- Workforce application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend Firefighter Orientation/Interest Meeting or meets with Program Coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
- Complete training that meets NFPA 1001, CH 4.3 performance capabilities for emergency medical care:
- Completion of an approved Emergency Medical for Firefighters course (8-hour minimum) or
- Copies of Ohio EMS certification
- Submit a completed Belmont College NFPA 1582 physical form
- Complete a criminal background check
Completion requirements
- Complete at least 160 hours of training including:
- minimum 132 hours of firefighter training
- minimum 24 hours Hazardous Materials Operations
- minimum 4 hours Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course
- Complete an approved 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operators course within 12 months of course start date (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score of at least 73%
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Firefighter I Course Objectives’
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam)
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services
This course is designed to take the Ohio volunteer firefighter through the Ohio Firefighter I curriculum as defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Coursework combines specialized classroom material, practical instruction, and learning experiences regarding firefighting practices and techniques. Topics include fire department organization and safety, fire alarms and communication, portable extinguishers, ropes, salvage, overhaul, victim extrication, live fire training, and others from NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter 1. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing. Students who meet Pro-Board eligibility requirements can apply.
Entrance requirements
- Workforce application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend Firefighter Orientation/Interest Meeting or meet with program coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
- Submit copy of Ohio Volunteer Firefighter certification (not verification printout)
- Complete training that meets NFPA 1001, CH 4.3 performance capabilities for emergency medical care:
- Completion of an approved Emergency Medical for Firefighters course (8-hour minimum) or
- Copies of Ohio EMS certification
- Complete an approved 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operators course within 12 months of course start date (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved 24-hour Hazardous Materials Operations course (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Submit a completed Belmont College NFPA 1582 physical form
- Complete a criminal background check
Completion requirements
- Complete at least 124 hours of training including:
- minimum 96 hours of firefighter training
- minimum 24 hours Hazardous Materials Operations
- minimum 4 hours Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score of at least 73%
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Firefighter I Course Objectives’
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam)
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services
The Firefighter II course is designed to take the Firefighter I through the Ohio Firefighter II curriculum as defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Coursework combines specialized classroom material, practical instruction, and learning experiences regarding firefighting practices and techniques. Topics include fire department reports and communications, liquid and flammable gas fires, victim extrication, fire cause, assisting rescue operations teams, live fire training, and others from NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing. Students who meet Pro-Board eligibility requirements can apply.
Entrance requirements
- Workforce application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend Firefighter Orientation/Interest Meeting or meets with Program Coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
- Submit copy of Ohio Firefighter I certification (not verification printout)
- Complete training that meets NFPA 1001, CH 4.3 performance capabilities for emergency medical care:
- Completion of an approved Emergency Medical for Firefighters course (8-hour minimum) or
- Copies of Ohio EMS certification
- Complete an approved 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operators course within 12 months of the course start date (May be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved 24-hour Hazardous Materials Operations course (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course
- Submit a completed Belmont College NFPA 1582 Physical Form
- Complete a criminal background check
Completion requirements
- Complete at least 84 hours of firefighter training
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score of at least 73%
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Firefighter I Course Objectives’
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services
The Firefighter II Transition course is designed to take the Firefighter I through the Ohio Firefighter II curriculum as defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Coursework combines specialized classroom material, practical instruction, and learning experiences regarding firefighting practices and techniques. Topics include fire department reports and communications, liquid and flammable gas fires, victim extrication, fire cause, assisting rescue operations teams, live fire training, and others from NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing. Students who meet Pro-Board eligibility requirements can apply.
Entrance requirements
- Workforce application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend Firefighter Orientation/Interest Meeting or meets with Program Coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
- Submit copy of Ohio Firefighter I certification (not verification printout)
- Complete training that meets NFPA 1001, CH 4.3 performance capabilities for emergency medical care:
- Completion of an approved Emergency Medical for Firefighters course (8-hour minimum) or
- Copies of Ohio EMS certification
- Complete an approved 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operators course within 12 months of the course start date (May be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved 24-hour Hazardous Materials Operations course (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course
- Submit a completed Belmont College NFPA 1582 Physical Form
- Complete a criminal background check
Completion requirements
- Complete at least 84 hours of firefighter training
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score of at least 73%
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Firefighter I Course Objectives’
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services