Solano County Training Officers Association AB1648 Policy & Application
Purpose
The State of California has adopted Assembly Bill AB1648, which will take effect January 01, 2011. This bill is in reference to the California Firefighter Driving License or Firefighter Endorsement. The bill allows for the County Training Officers Association to set criteria for approving individuals from departments within the Solano County Operational Area influence to be trainers for the California Firefighter Driving License program. The Solano County Training Officers Association in conjunction with the Fire Chiefs, have set standards as well as a peer review process for individuals to petition for approval as a trainer for the program. The following outlines the procedures for this process.
An individual is not required to submit to this process if they are currently registered with the State Fire Marshal’s Office to instruct Driver Operator IA.
Criteria
All applicants must meet the criteria established by the Solano County Training Officers Association established below.
Have a minimum of five years of fire service experience as an emergency vehicle operator, three of which must be at the rank of Engineer or Captain.
And
Posses a valid California class A or B license or a class A or B license restricted to the operation of firefighting equipment.
And
NFA Training Ops for Small Departments
Or
Previous DL170 Approved Instructor
Or
State Fire Marshal Instructor IA
Or
Documented proof that NFPA 1041 Instructor I criteria is being utilized
Submission Process
All applicants must submit a packet to the Training Officers committee for a peer review to validate training standards. The Training Officers meet monthly and will review applications submitted at the monthly meeting. Applications must be thorough and complete when submitted for review.
The submission packet will include the following:
- A completed Application
- An original letter on Department letterhead signed by the Fire Chief with the following information:
- Identify the applicants name and department rank
- Describe the experience as an emergency vehicle operator
- Identify the type of license the individual possess
- A copy of current driver license
- Course certifications
Peer Review Process
The Training Officers, sitting as the Peer Review Committee for the purpose of AB1648 approval, will make recommendations whether the individual should be approved or denied based on the completeness of the application packet. The information provided will be evaluated to validate if the individual meets the established criteria.
A letter will be sent to the individual and the Fire Chief advising them whether they were approved or denied and give a short description of reasoning if an individual is denied.
Appeals Process
Appeals relative to denial of eligibility for certification may be made by utilizing the following procedures:
- Appeals shall be in writing, directed to the Solano County Fire Chiefs Association no later than 30 days after notification of initial review and denial. Appeals must contain (at a minimum) a description of the reason/circumstances leading to the appeal, supporting documentation and the desired outcome.
- The Solano County Fire Chiefs Association shall render a decision in writing within 30 days of receipt of appeal.
- The decision of the Solano County Fire Chiefs Association shall be final.
Documentation
Applications will be retained by the Training Officers for documentation and accountability.
The Solano County Training Officers will retain a list of the approved individuals who have been approved and met the criteria for teaching the Firefighter Driving License program AB1648.
Individuals approved by the Solano County Training Officers Association will only have to submit one time for approval while they meet the requirements.
The Fire Chief will receive a letter from the Training Officers Association notifying them of the outcome of the submitted packet.
A sample application packet is attached as an example.
