Mich. Admin. Code R. 29.418 - Continuing education; requirements

Rule 18.

(1) An AHJ may exceed the minimum continuing education requirements as specified in this rule while complying with the initial and continuing training requirements in R 408.17411.

(2) The continuing education process shall apply to every firefighter in this state. The process shall run in a 3-year cycle beginning October 1 following the state's fiscal year.

(3) All training conducted, documented, and approved by a fire department or a public safety department in this state apply toward the continuing education requirement.

(a) Local AHJ-specific continuing education courses do not require a certified fire instructor.

(b) For continuing education training to apply toward the continuing education requirement, the individual conducting the training shall complete a fire department or a public safety department specific training roster or provide documentation of completion of the training to the student.

(c) If the continuing education course is part of a council-approved course, the training shall be tracked in the bureau's training information network and the student and instructor shall sign the roster for each training session for the course.

(4) At the end of the 3-year cycle, a firefighter shall log into the bureau's training information network and check the box validating that he or she has met the continuing education requirements on his or her profile. After a firefighter checks the box in the bureau's training information network to renew all classification certifications, he or she may be audited by the bureau.

(a) A firefighter who checks the box without having completed the continuing education requirements for each classification certification or certifications in the 3-year cycle is subject to the disciplinary process as outlined in R 29.410a of these rules.

(b) A firefighter who has not completed the required continuing education within the 3-year cycle is allowed a 90-day grace period to complete the continuing education requirements for the previous cycle.

(5) The following are the continuing education requirements for each certification classification:

(a) An individual who is a firefighter of a recognized fire department or public safety department, who currently holds council certification, regardless of his or her rank, responsibilities, or certifications, shall obtain a minimum of 36 hours during the 3-year cycle, with a minimum of 6 hours per year, in firefighting knowledge and practical skills consistent with NFPA 1001, as adopted by reference in R 29.410. Both of the following apply to the continuing education required under this subdivision.

(i) Firefighter continuing education is required for all firefighters in this state, including those individuals who were exempted from firefighter I or firefighter II certification due to being employed by a fire department before October 1, 1988.

(ii) A firefighter may apply all common knowledge and practical skill hours necessary to meet this subdivision for all fire departments and public safety departments, at which he or she is employed. If 1 of the fire departments or public safety departments has specific duties or functions that exceed those of the other fire departments or public safety departments, the firefighter shall complete that additional specific training.

(b) A fire instructor I or an individual with a higher certification classification shall complete 12 hours of fire instructor continuing education and shall obtain the required hours of continuing education by attending or instructing, or both, any of the following during the 3-year-cycle:

(i) Instructor development conferences.

(ii) Instructor development seminars and training.

(iii) Instructor coordinator Emergency Medical Services (EMS) conferences.

(iv) Instructor or instructional development courses sponsored by the National Fire Academy.

(v) Complete the next level of fire instructor certification above the current instructor certification.

(vi) Maintain continuing education for a Michigan EMS instructor coordinator license.

(vii) Have taught an MFFTC course and documented it in the bureau's training information network.

(c) A fire officer I or an individual with a higher certification classification shall complete 12 hours of fire officer continuing education and shall obtain the required hours of continuing education by attending or instructing, or both, any of the following during the 3-year-cycle:

(i) Chief or officer development conferences.

(ii) Officer development seminars or training.

(iii) Officer development courses sponsored by the National Fire Academy.

(iv) The next level of fire officer certification above the current officer certification.

Notes

Mich. Admin. Code R. 29.418

2021 MR 21, Eff. 11/3/2021