
Virginia Fire Marshal Academy (VFMA)
The VFMA is a branch within the Virginia Department of Fire Programs responsible for the delivery of professional courses and development for public educators, fire inspectors, and fire investigators. Our branch delivers approximately 20 courses per year throughout the Commonwealth, including basic courses and professional development. The VFMA also is the approval conduit to certificate maintenance for NFPA 1031 and 1033 continuing education.
To register for any of the courses below, please find the course in Cornerstone OnDemand. Note: Review the course details when registering because there may be additional requirements beyond registering in Cornerstone OnDemand.
Please send all general correspondence, including course applications, course requests and transcript audit requests to FMA@vdfp.virginia.gov.
VFMA School Schedule 2022
Course | Division | School Starts | School Ends |
NFPA 1031 Bridge/Re-entry | 7 | TBD | TBD |
Course Description VFMA – 1031 Bridge Program This program is intended for 1031 Fire Inspector accredited certificate holders seeking reciprocity to satisfy the requirements of Section 27.34-2 of the Code of Virginia regarding the authority to arrest, to procure and serve warrants of arrest and to issue summons or certificate holders that are classified as lapsed according to Virginia Certification Standard, Section 12VAC5-21-51 regarding issuance and maintenance of certificates. |
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Fire Marshal Law Enforcement School | 1 | 03/7/2022 | 5/13/2022 |
Course Description VFMA – Fire Marshal Law Enforcement School This advanced course is designed to develop current Fire Marshals within the guidelines outlined in §27-34.2:1. Police powers of fire marshals. Over the period of instruction, students will be exposed to a variety of classroom, field exercises, practicals, and examinations. Prerequisites: NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator 1033 |
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NFPA 1031 – Fire Inspector II | 6 | 04/18/2022 | 05/6/2022 |
Course Description NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector II This 120-hour ProBoard certified course is designed for the individual conducting fire inspections, life safety surveys/inspection, and fire code enforcement for multi-occupancy structures. The Fire Inspector II course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1031 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner, Chapter 5 “Fire Inspector II.” It is designed around classroom lectures and individual activities to provide the student the needed skills and knowledge to conduct multiple occupancy fire inspections. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry Process Certification Requirements: Students must complete written and practical skills testing, homework assignments and participate in all practical exercises / activities. |
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NFPA 1035 Fire Life Safety I | 1 | 05/23/2022 | 05/25/2022 |
Course Description NFPA 1035 – Level 1 Fire & Life Safety Educator This ProBoard and IFSAC certified course covers the general requisite knowledge and skills for an individual to meet the JPRs of an entry-level position in the field of Fire and Life Safety Education. This course is designed to give a basic overview of the duties and responsibilities of a Fire and Life Safety Educator I and describe how the position works in a typical Fire Department or other Community Risk Reduction organization. The course content includes History of Fire Prevention, Fire and Life Safety and Prevention messaging, learning tyles, methods, and strategies for effective teaching, age group characteristics, High Risk populations, Personal Protective Equipment, fire behavior and Fire Prevention basics for FLSE, Public Relations, professionalism, lesson planning, evaluation, and assessment. Prerequisites: None |
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NFPA 1031 – Fire Inspector II | 1 | 06/13/2022 | 07/01/2022 |
Course Description NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector II This 120-hour ProBoard certified course is designed for the individual conducting fire inspections, life safety surveys/inspection, and fire code enforcement for multi-occupancy structures. The Fire Inspector II course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1031 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner, Chapter 5 “Fire Inspector II.” It is designed around classroom lectures and individual activities to provide the student the needed skills and knowledge to conduct multiple occupancy fire inspections. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry Process Certification Requirements: Students must complete written and practical skills testing, homework assignments and participate in all practical exercises / activities. |
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Environmental Investigations | 1 | 06/20/2022 | 06/24/2022 |
Course Description VFMA – Environmental Investigations A one week school designed for those individuals assigned the responsibility to investigate (by state or local authority) environmental situations, including illegal dumping or disposal of hazardous materials and waste. Prerequisites: Hazmat Awareness. Student must be 18 years of age. |
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NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator | 1 | 07/11/2022 | 08/05/2022 |
Course Description NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator This 160-hour ProBoard certified course targets fire investigators, police officers, and company-level officers with a desire to learn more about determining the origin and cause of fire. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Determining the Point of Origin, Burn Patterns, Evidence Collection and Analysis, Interviewing Techniques, and Court Procedure and Testifying. The Fire Investigator course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1033 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Virginia recognized Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry |
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Environmental Investigations | 1 | ||
Course Description VFMA – Environmental Investigations A one week school designed for those individuals assigned the responsibility to investigate (by state or local authority) environmental situations, including illegal dumping or disposal of hazardous materials and waste. Prerequisites: Hazmat Awareness. Student must be 18 years of age. |
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NFPA 1035 Fire Life Safety II | TBD | ||
Course Description NFPA 1035 Level II Fire & Life Safety Educator This ProBoard and IFSAC certified course covers the general requisite knowledge and skills for an individual to meet the JPRs of a manager-level position in the field of Fire and Life Safety Education. This course will cover the basics of how to design, plan, and develop Fire and Injury prevention education programs and materials; analyze community risk; preparation of program budget proposals, projections ad grant requests; development of public policy recommendations for management; supervision and evaluation of subordinates and programs; facilitation of collaborative partnerships with internal and external organizational members. Prerequisites: None |
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NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator | 7 | 09/12/2022 | 10/07/2022 |
Course Description NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator This 160-hour ProBoard certified course targets fire investigators, police officers, and company-level officers with a desire to learn more about determining the origin and cause of fire. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Determining the Point of Origin, Burn Patterns, Evidence Collection and Analysis, Interviewing Techniques, and Court Procedure and Testifying. The Fire Investigator course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1033 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Virginia recognized Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry |
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NFPA 1031 – Fire Inspector II | 5 | 10/17/2022 | 11/04/2022 |
Course Description NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector II This 120-hour ProBoard certified course is designed for the individual conducting fire inspections, life safety surveys/inspection, and fire code enforcement for multi-occupancy structures. The Fire Inspector II course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1031 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner, Chapter 5 “Fire Inspector II.” It is designed around classroom lectures and individual activities to provide the student the needed skills and knowledge to conduct multiple occupancy fire inspections. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry Process Certification Requirements: Students must complete written and practical skills testing, homework assignments and participate in all practical exercises / activities. |
VFMA School Schedule 2023
Course | Division | School Starts | School Ends |
NFPA 1031 – Fire Inspector II | TBD | January 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector II This 120-hour ProBoard certified course is designed for the individual conducting fire inspections, life safety surveys/inspection, and fire code enforcement for multi-occupancy structures. The Fire Inspector II course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1031 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner, Chapter 5 “Fire Inspector II.” It is designed around classroom lectures and individual activities to provide the student the needed skills and knowledge to conduct multiple occupancy fire inspections. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry Process Certification Requirements: Students must complete written and practical skills testing, homework assignments and participate in all practical exercises / activities. |
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NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator | 1 | February 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator This 160-hour ProBoard certified course targets fire investigators, police officers, and company-level officers with a desire to learn more about determining the origin and cause of fire. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Determining the Point of Origin, Burn Patterns, Evidence Collection and Analysis, Interviewing Techniques, and Court Procedure and Testifying. The Fire Investigator course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1033 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Virginia recognized Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry |
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NFPA 1035 Fire Life Safety I | 1 | February 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1035 – Level 1 Fire & Life Safety Educator This ProBoard and IFSAC certified course covers the general requisite knowledge and skills for an individual to meet the JPRs of an entry-level position in the field of Fire and Life Safety Education. This course is designed to give a basic overview of the duties and responsibilities of a Fire and Life Safety Educator I and describe how the position works in a typical Fire Department or other Community Risk Reduction organization. The course content includes History of Fire Prevention, Fire and Life Safety and Prevention messaging, learning tyles, methods, and strategies for effective teaching, age group characteristics, High Risk populations, Personal Protective Equipment, fire behavior and Fire Prevention basics for FLSE, Public Relations, professionalism, lesson planning, evaluation, and assessment. Prerequisites: None |
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Environmental Investigations | 1 | March 2023 | |
Course Description VFMA – Environmental Investigations A one week school designed for those individuals assigned the responsibility to investigate (by state or local authority) environmental situations, including illegal dumping or disposal of hazardous materials and waste. Prerequisites: Hazmat Awareness. Student must be 18 years of age. |
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NFPA 1031 – Fire Inspector II | TBD | April 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector II This 120-hour ProBoard certified course is designed for the individual conducting fire inspections, life safety surveys/inspection, and fire code enforcement for multi-occupancy structures. The Fire Inspector II course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1031 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner, Chapter 5 “Fire Inspector II.” It is designed around classroom lectures and individual activities to provide the student the needed skills and knowledge to conduct multiple occupancy fire inspections. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry Process Certification Requirements: Students must complete written and practical skills testing, homework assignments and participate in all practical exercises / activities. |
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Communicating with Your Community | TBD | April 2023 | |
Course Description Communicating with Your Community This entry level attendance course is designed for fire service personnel. The course covers communication techniques, including developmental characteristics and learning capabilities of ranging from preschoolers to older adults. It also reviews classes of fire, fire extinguishers, firefighter’s personal protection equipment and methods of discussing and delivering topics to the general public. This training provides the station firefighter with the knowledge, skills, and ability to deliver department approved fire safety messages, programs, and materials to their community as assigned. Prerequisites: Level 1 Fire & Life Safety Educator preferred but not required |
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NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator | TBD | May 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator This 160-hour ProBoard certified course targets fire investigators, police officers, and company-level officers with a desire to learn more about determining the origin and cause of fire. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Determining the Point of Origin, Burn Patterns, Evidence Collection and Analysis, Interviewing Techniques, and Court Procedure and Testifying. The Fire Investigator course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1033 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Virginia recognized Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry |
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Environmental Investigations | TBD | June 2023 | |
Course Description VFMA – Environmental Investigations A one week school designed for those individuals assigned the responsibility to investigate (by state or local authority) environmental situations, including illegal dumping or disposal of hazardous materials and waste. Prerequisites: Hazmat Awareness. Student must be 18 years of age. |
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NFPA 1031 – Fire Inspector II | TBD | July 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector II This 120-hour ProBoard certified course is designed for the individual conducting fire inspections, life safety surveys/inspection, and fire code enforcement for multi-occupancy structures. The Fire Inspector II course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1031 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner, Chapter 5 “Fire Inspector II.” It is designed around classroom lectures and individual activities to provide the student the needed skills and knowledge to conduct multiple occupancy fire inspections. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry Process Certification Requirements: Students must complete written and practical skills testing, homework assignments and participate in all practical exercises / activities. |
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NFPA 1035 Fire Life Safety II | TBD | July 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1035 Level II Fire & Life Safety Educator This ProBoard and IFSAC certified course covers the general requisite knowledge and skills for an individual to meet the JPRs of a manager-level position in the field of Fire and Life Safety Education. This course will cover the basics of how to design, plan, and develop Fire and Injury prevention education programs and materials; analyze community risk; preparation of program budget proposals, projections ad grant requests; development of public policy recommendations for management; supervision and evaluation of subordinates and programs; facilitation of collaborative partnerships with internal and external organizational members. Prerequisites: None |
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NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator | TBD | August 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator This 160-hour ProBoard certified course targets fire investigators, police officers, and company-level officers with a desire to learn more about determining the origin and cause of fire. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Determining the Point of Origin, Burn Patterns, Evidence Collection and Analysis, Interviewing Techniques, and Court Procedure and Testifying. The Fire Investigator course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1033 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Virginia recognized Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry |
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Environmental Investigations | 1 | September 2023 | |
Course Description VFMA – Environmental Investigations A one week school designed for those individuals assigned the responsibility to investigate (by state or local authority) environmental situations, including illegal dumping or disposal of hazardous materials and waste. Prerequisites: Hazmat Awareness. Student must be 18 years of age. |
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NFPA 1031 – Fire Inspector II | 1 | October 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector II This 120-hour ProBoard certified course is designed for the individual conducting fire inspections, life safety surveys/inspection, and fire code enforcement for multi-occupancy structures. The Fire Inspector II course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1031 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner, Chapter 5 “Fire Inspector II.” It is designed around classroom lectures and individual activities to provide the student the needed skills and knowledge to conduct multiple occupancy fire inspections. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry Process Certification Requirements: Students must complete written and practical skills testing, homework assignments and participate in all practical exercises / activities. |
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Communicating with Your Community | 1 | October 2023 | |
Course Description Communicating with Your Community This entry level attendance course is designed for fire service personnel. The course covers communication techniques, including developmental characteristics and learning capabilities of ranging from preschoolers to older adults. It also reviews classes of fire, fire extinguishers, firefighter’s personal protection equipment and methods of discussing and delivering topics to the general public. This training provides the station firefighter with the knowledge, skills, and ability to deliver department approved fire safety messages, programs, and materials to their community as assigned. Prerequisites: Level 1 Fire & Life Safety Educator preferred but not required |
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NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator | TBD | November 2023 | |
Course Description NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator This 160-hour ProBoard certified course targets fire investigators, police officers, and company-level officers with a desire to learn more about determining the origin and cause of fire. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Determining the Point of Origin, Burn Patterns, Evidence Collection and Analysis, Interviewing Techniques, and Court Procedure and Testifying. The Fire Investigator course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1033 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. Prerequisites: Firefighter Level II and Virginia recognized Hazardous Materials Awareness OR VFMA Civilian Entry |
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Environmental Investigations | TBD | December 2023 | |
Course Description VFMA – Environmental Investigations A one week school designed for those individuals assigned the responsibility to investigate (by state or local authority) environmental situations, including illegal dumping or disposal of hazardous materials and waste. Prerequisites: Hazmat Awareness. Student must be 18 years of age. |
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