How to Obtain a Fire Safety Director Certificate in Florida

Fire safety directors are there to prevent tragedies.

The Florida Bureau of Fire Prevention states that fire safety directors are responsible for "enforcing the State's fire codes which include over 200 fire safety standards." Directors are responsible for safety at some 14,000 state-owned facilities as well as countless other private buildings. This is a rigorous and demanding job with great attention to detail, as one mistake could lead to property damage, injury, or even death.

Things You'll Need

• Fire Safety Director Training courses
• Fire Safety Director Test Application
• Fingerprint ID card
• Application and test fees

Instructions

1. Review state requirements. According to the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, to be eligible for certification as a Fire Safety Director, the State of Florida recommends that "an individual must successfully complete 200 hours of basic certification for fire safety director, received equivalent training in another state, and pass a state written examination".

2. Register and complete the required certification courses. Those seeking certification as a Fire Safety Director must complete their training in Fire Prevention Practices (FFP1505), Private Fire Protection Systems I (FFP1540), Fire Service Building Construction (FFP2120), Blueprint Reading and Plans Review (FFP2521), and Codes and Standards (FFP1510). These five 40-hour courses are offered through the Florida State Fire College in Ocala, several community and junior colleges as well as certified training centers throughout the state.

3. Complete the certified courses and submit the certification application (DFS-K4-1023), Personal Injury Waiver (DFS-K4-1020) and Fingerprint Card with $30 fee (payable to the Florida Department of Financial Services) to the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards & Training.

4. Sign up for the test online at www.floridastatefirecollege.org. Select your test date and be sure to arrive early for the exam, as the tests begin promptly on schedule. A maximum of 40 applicants will be admitted to the exam. Exams are administered at the Certified Training Center in your area. You can sign up for a test online or with a paper application. You will be notified via email if approved to test and prompted to select your test date.

References

• myfloridacfo.com: Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training
• myfloridacfo.com: Florida Division of State Fire Marshal
• myfloridacfo.com: Bureau of Fire Prevention

Resources

• Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training: Florida Certified Training Centers