Firefighter Certification

Professional Certification
FSTS offers a testing program which recognizes demonstrated professional competence. Fire service personnel are tested against standards for various levels and specialties and recognized with a certificate for success. The Program is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and the National Board for Fire Service Professional Qualifications.

For Members Only
Participation in the Professional Qualifications Certification System is limited to members of Montana fire service organizations, students enrolled in pre-employment training offered by FSTS, and Montana University System students enrolled in Fire and Rescue Degree Programs.

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System Goal
The goal of the Professional Qualifications Certification System is to provide a means for the recongnition of professional competence of individual fire service members when measured against standards adopted by the Fire Services Training School Advisory Council. The System is entirely voluntary and intended to serve the needs of fire and rescue members who provide emergency response to the citizens of Montana. It involves:

* the adoption of Montana Fire Service Standards,
* the maintenance of standards with user input,
* the testing of individuals against those standards, and
* issuing of certificates attesting to the various levels of
competency achieved.

This System measures individual performance capability under simulated emergency conditions. The System is not intended to replace or eliminate the need for local standards which are necessary to address specific community needs. This System is not a comprehensive training program which can be adopted and expected to meet the needs of any organization, though the professional standards should logically be used to guide the development of training. Likewise, the performance testing conducted under this System may be incorporated into local requirements and training programs. Because the testing is conducted by an independent third party, the System offers an opportunity to validate the results of local training programs.

A booklet called "Montana Fire Service Professional Qualifications Certification System" is available from FSTS.