VFMA Course Descriptions

Following, are current course offerings of the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy.

This list includes course descriptions, prerequisites, text and equipment requirements, hours, recertification and standard/regulation information and any special notes. When registration fee is required please make checks payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.

If you have questions or require additional information about any of the courses listed below, please contact the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy office within the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, at 1005 Technology Park Drive Glen Allen, VA 23059-4500. Phone: 804/ 249-1956  Fax:371-3407  E-mail: fma@vdfp.virginia,gov

Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist 1035, Level 1
Description: Part of the Public Fire & Life Safety Educator 1035 Standard. Students will address the skills essential for the Juvenile Firesetting Intervention Specialist I which include: Identification; Intake; Interview; Determining Intervention Strategy; Fire & Life Safety Education; Referral to Mental Health or Juvenile Justice and Evaluation. This course utilizes the NFA Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist I curriculum with added materials particular to Virginia.

Class requires 70% on final examination
Prerequisites: HMA, Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Equip. Req: None
Hours: 16
Standard/Reg: NFPA 1035-05
Registration Cost: $25

Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist 1035, Level II
Description: Part of the Public Fire & Life Safety Educator 1035 Standard. Students will address the skills essential for the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist II   which include: Formulation of Program policies, development of program budget, Supervise, evaluate, train, select and match personnel to assigned cases, file maintenance, program network development, community program awareness development, Training Program development and delivery. This course utilizes the NFA Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist I I curriculum with added materials particular to Virginia.
Class requires 70% on final examination
Prerequisites:Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist 1035, Level I, HMA, Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Equip. Req: None
Hours: 16
Standard/Reg: NFPA 1035-05
Registration Cost: $25

 


Public Fire & Life Safety Educator 1035, Level 1
Description: Provides instruction in scheduling and delivery of developed public fire and life safety education programs.  Included are suggestions for preparing public notifications and selecting appropriate material based on intended audience. Class requires 70% on final examination
Prerequisites: HMA, Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Equip. Req: None
Hours:24
Standard/Reg: NFPA 1035-05
Registration Cost: $25
Notes: This course is ProBoard certified and ACE Accredited for 2 semester hours in Public health, Safety studies or Fire Science in lower division Baccalaureate/ Associate degree

Public Fire & Life Safety Educator 1035, Level II
Description: Part of the Public Fire & Life Safety Educator 1035 Standard. Students will address the skills essential for the Public Fire & Life Safety Educator Level II which include: Design, plan, develop community prevention education programs; preparation of program budget proposals; development of public policy recommendations for management; supervision and evaluation of subordinates and programs; design and development of programs and materials; facilitation of collaborative partnerships & efforts;   
Prerequisites: Public Fire and Life Safety Educator Level 1, HMA, Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Equip. Req: None
Hours:16
Standard/Reg: NFPA 1035-05
Registration Cost: $25
Notes: This course is ProBoard certified

VFMA - Civilian Entry
Description: Persons not having Firefighter Level II can study chapters from the IFSTA Essentials Manual (4th Ed.) for preparation in taking the  Civilian Entry Exam.  Chapters include Fire Behavior, Portable Extinguishers, Forcible Entry, Ventilation, Building Construction, Firefighting Orientation and Safety, Fire Detection, Alarm, Suppression Systems, Protecting Evidence for Fire, Cause Determination, Fire Prevention and Public Fire education. Those wanting to take the course materials in a classroom can contact any VDFP Area Office for Firefighter I and II schedules.
Prerequisites: None
Hours: N/A
Recertification: N/A
Registration Cost: None
Special Notes: Test will be offered twice with a five day delay between testing.  After two failed attempts individual must then take courses as described in the CE Handout.


VFMA - Investigator 1033
Description: Students attend the first two weeks, Monday through Friday, and return on Tuesday and Wednesday of the third week.  On occasion the third Monday may be used to make up for holidays or snow days.  Ttest will be administered on that Wednesday. This course meets the first requirement for full police powers under Code of Virginia §27-34.2:1.  Class requires 85% for passing.
Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II, or VFMA Civilian Entry & Hazmat Awareness. Oath of Office as Required Under 27-37 for priority 1 or 2. Member of a Fire Department or Law Enforcement Agency with full insurance coverage. Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Text: Most recent versions of NFPA 921, Kirk’s Fire Investigation, 5th Edition.
Equip. Req: Full turnout gear or coveralls with hard hat to work a cold fire scene,  flashlight, shovel and respiratory protection, such as a filter mask approved for carbon or asbestos.
Hours: 96 plus 40 hours field work following successful passing of the test
Re certification:40 hours every 2 years
Standard/Reg: NFPA 1033 & 27-34.2:1
Registration Cost: $50 priority 1 or 2; $100 non-priority in-state, $500 out-of-state
Special Notes:Students must have text prior to first day of class, no exception. Reading assignment required before first day of class. This course is ProBoard certified and ACE accredited for 6 semester hours in fire Science or Criminal Justice in upper division baccalaureate degree.

VFMA - Inspector 1031
Description: Students attend the first two weeks, Monday through Friday and on Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday of the third week. Test will be administered on the last day of class.  This course meets the NFPA 1031 standard for level I and II using the current version of the Virginia State Wide Fire and Building Codes (ICC with Virginia Amendments).  This course meets the requirements for summons powers under Code of Virginia § 27-34.2 and the competency requirements of DHCD.  Class requires 85% for passing.  Open book testing.
Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II or VFMA Civilian Entry & Hazmat Awareness. Oath of Office as Required Under 27-37 for priority 1 or 2. Member of a fire Department or law Enforcement Agency with full insurance coverage. Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Text: 2003 International fire code and International Building Code, with Virginia amendments for each.  Also required is the third edition of Fire Prevention: Inspection & Code Enforcement by Delmar Publishing written by Dave Diamantes
Equip. Req.: Calculator is essential for success
Hours: 96 hours plus 20 hours of field work following the successful completion of the testing of the course
Re certification: 16 hours every two years
Registration Cost: $50 priority 1 or 2; $100 non-priority in-state, $500 out-of-state
Standard/Reg: NFPA 1031, 27-34.2
Special Notes: Students must have text prior to first day of class, no exception. Reading assignment required before first day of class. This course is ProBoard certified and ACE Accredited for 5 semester hours in Fire Science, Occupational  Health and Safety or Construction Science in upper division Baccalaureate degree.

VFMA -Law Enforcement School for Fire Marshals
Description: Designed by VFMA/VDFP & DCJS to prepare students who will receive police powers from their jurisdictions.  Includes classroom and field exercises.  Evening studies and exercises planned. Modular tests require 100 percent passing grade. During the first two weeks students will take a full DCJS Firearms school which will require three qualifying scores to move onto the remainder of the LE School.
Prerequisites: VFMA Fire Investigator 1033, Oath of Office from the jurisdiction showing “Full Police Powers as per Code of Virginia § 27-34.2:1.”  Some jurisdictions have locally legislated to not authorize police powers until after the school.  In those cases we need such documentation and a letter from the Fire Chief or Chief Fire Marshal validating that the graduate will receive full police powers immediately after successful completion of the school.  This will need to be provided for each student attending each LE School. Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Text: To be provided by the Academy.
Equip. Req: Handcuffs, Pepper Spray (if you will be carrying once sworn), the weapon you will be wearing once sworn, and associated leather and ammunition. Minimum of 1000 rounds of ammunition for firearms qualifications.
Hours: 280+ hours.  Every effort will be made to stay within a 40 hour week but students must be prepared for occasional 16 hour days during practical exercises and must be prepared to work in excess of their normally assigned schedule.  Many weeks are four day weeks to reduce the fiscal concerns over motel and travel expenses.
Re certification: 40 hours every 2 years - concurrent with 1033 requirement
Standard/Reg: 27-34.2:1
Registration Cost: $500 registration fee covers the cost of teaching materials such as texts, handouts, forensic supplies and specialized clothing.
Special Notes: None
VFMA - Surveillance
Description:  A refresher course for individuals responsible for conducting surveillance in the course of their duties. Hours apply towards Investigator re certification
Prerequisites:   Responsible for Investigative Surveillance in your employment. Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Equip. Req: Camera, binoculars and alternative change of clothing
Hours:   24
Re certification: n/a
Registration Cost: $25
Standard/Reg: 27-34.2:1
Special Notes: None
 
VFMA Armed Survival for Fire Marshals
Description: A refresher for investigators with police powers.  Hours apply toward investigator re certification
Prerequisites: You must have police powers as required. Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Equip. Req: Service weapon, cuffs and associated leather.
Hours: 24
Re certification: N/A
Registration Cost: $25
Special Notes: None
 
VFMA Unarmed Survival For Fire Marshals
Description: A refresher course for investigators and inspectors who may encounter hostile situations. Students taught defense techniques to protect themselves from both armed and unarmed individuals. Procedures on how to remove your-self safely from a hostile environment. Hours apply towards inspector re certification  Note:  Eight of the mandated 16 hours of re certification must be fire or building code related.  
Prerequisites: Open to all fire marshals with investigation and/or code inspection responsibility. Oath of Office under 27-37. Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Text: None
Equip Req: None
Hours: 24
Re certification: N/A
Standard/Reg: None
Registration Cost: $25
Special Notes: None
 
Environmental Crimes
Description:  A one week school designed for designed for those individuals assigned the responsibility to investigate (by state or local authority) the illegal dumping or disposal of hazardous materials and waste.If student completes the entire course they will receive 20 hours of investigator re certification
Text: VDFP/VFMA handouts and a CD provided.
Prerequisites: Hazmat Awareness. Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Equipment Required: SCBA with one spare bottle
Hours:   40 Hrs
Standard/Reg:   OSHA
Registration Cost:  $25
 
CFFI - Certified Forensic Fire Investigator
Description: Certified Forensic Fire Investigator; a multi module course designed for the individual assigned investigation responsibilities with a local Fire Marshal or law enforcement agency.  Course still under design, however we predict as many as 12 modules necessary to complete the process and will take several years to offer each module before an individual will be able to use CFFI behind their name and title.  More information to be provided as the development phase progresses.  First module to be offered in 2005/2006 will be Fire Scene Examination; 24 hours.  The Academy will place students based on their existing training, years in the investigation position and needs of the agency.
Prerequisites:   VFMA Law Enforcement School, with the individual still assigned the responsibility of fire investigations within their local jurisdiction. Criminal History Record. Click here to complete form
Text: Varies depending on the module
Cost: $25 for the current module on Fire Scene Examination advertised for 2006 and 2007.  Additional fees may be applied for each module based on the materials and supplies necessary to put on the training.
Equipment:  Varies depending on the module.  No equipment needed for the upcoming Fire Scene Examination module.
Hours:  Varies depending on the module.  The Fire Scene Examination module being offered in 2005 and 2006 will be 24 hours.
Re certification: None at this time but may be revisited as the development progresses.
Standard:  None
Special Notes:  None.

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