Virginia Fire Marshal Academy Course Descriptions
This list includes course descriptions, prerequisites, text and equipment requirements, hours, recertification and standard/regulation information and any special notes. When a 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 at FMA@vdfp.virginia.gov.
Public/Community Outreach and Education
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: FLSE I is preferred but not required
Text: CWYC student note taking guide – provided in an electronic format
Hours: 4
Registration Cost: $0
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
Testing: Students must pass a skills test and a written exam with a minimum passing score of 70.
Text: IFSTA Fire and Life Safety Educator 3rd edition and FLSE I student note taking guide – provided to student.
Hours: 32
Cost: $0
NFPA 1035 Level II Fire & Life Safety Educator 1035
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
Testing: Students must pass a skills test and a written exam with a minimum passing score of 70.
Text: IFSTA Fire and Life Safety Educator 3rd edition and FLSE II student note taking guide – provided to student
Hours: 32
Cost: $0
Fire Marshal Development
VFMA – Civilian Entry
This course was developed to assist civilians with developing a fundamental level of fire service knowledge before entering into the Fire Marshal courses.
Prerequisites: None
Cost: $0
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.
Refer to the 1031 Bridge Flowchart for more information.
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.
Text: Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
Instructions for downloading course materials, i.e. PowerPoint slides, will be provided with registration confirmation.
Hours: 120 hours
Cost: Priority 1: $100
Priority 2: $250
Priority 3: $1,000
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
Testing: Students must successfully complete written and practical skills testing. Details of the testing process will be provided on the first day of class.
Texts: NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigation
Required Equipment: Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment, long sleeve shirt and pants, steel toe shoes / boots, leather gloves, hard hat and respiratory protection (N95, N100, or filter mask approved for carbon and asbestos), flashlight, notebook, pen / pencil, digital camera.
Hours: 160
Cost: Priority 1: $100
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
Equipment: A detailed list of equipment will be provided to confirmed students.
Hours: Approx. 400 hours
Cost: $300 – Includes the cost of a VFMA uniform, books, handouts, and forensic supplies.
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.
Equipment: SCBA, mask, and one spare bottle.
Hours: 40
Cost: $25