§ 158 — Firefighting training

§ 158. Firefighting training. 1. For the purpose of this section, the\nterm fire fighter shall mean a member of a fire department whose duties\ninclude fire service as defined in paragraph d of subdivision eleven of\nsection three hundred two of the retirement and social security law.\n 2. In addition to the functions, powers and duties otherwise provided\nby this article, the state fire administrator may promulgate rules and\nregulations with respect to:\n (a) The approval, or revocation thereof, of fire training programs for\nfire fighters;\n (b) Minimum courses of study, attendance requirements, and equipment\nand facilities to be required for approved fire training programs for\nfire fighters;\n (c) Minimum qualifications for instructors for approved fire training\nprograms for fire fighters;\n (d) The requirements of minimum basic training which fire fighters\nappointed to probationary terms shall complete before being eligible for\npermanent appointment, and the time within which such basic training\nmust be completed following such appointment to a probationary term;\n (e) The requirements of minimum basic training which fire fighters not\nappointed for probationary terms but appointed on other than a permanent\nbasis shall complete in order to be eligible for continued employment or\npermanent appointment, and the time within which such basic training\nmust be completed following such appointment on a non-permanent basis;\n (f) The requirements for in-service training programs designed to\nassist fire fighters in maintaining skills and being informed of\ntechnological advances;\n (g) Categories or classifications of advanced in-service training\nprograms and minimum courses of study and attendance requirements with\nrespect to such categories or classifications;\n (h) Exemptions from particular provisions of this article in the case\nof any county, city, town, village or fire district, if in the opinion\nof the state fire administrator the standards of fire training\nestablished and maintained by such county, city, town, village or fire\ndistrict are equal to or higher than those established pursuant to this\narticle; or revocation in whole or in part of such exemption, if in his\nor her opinion the standards of fire training established and maintained\nby such county, city, town, village or fire district are lower than\nthose established pursuant to this article; and\n (i) Education, health and physical fitness requirements for\neligibility of persons for provisional or permanent appointment in the\ncompetitive class of the civil service as fire fighters as it deems\nnecessary and proper for the efficient performance of such duties;\n 3. In furtherance of his or her functions, powers and duties as set\nforth in this section, the state fire administrator may:\n (a) Recommend studies, surveys and reports to be made by the state\nfire administrator regarding the carrying out of the objectives and\npurposes of this section;\n (b) Visit and inspect any fire training programs approved by the state\nfire administrator or for which application for such approval has been\nmade; and\n (c) Recommend standards for promotion to supervisory positions.\n 4. In addition to the functions, powers and duties otherwise provided\nby this section, the state fire administrator shall:\n (a) Approve fire training programs for fire fighters and issue\ncertificates of approval to such programs, and revoke such approval or\ncertificate;\n (b) Certify, as qualified, instructors for approved fire training\nprograms for fire fighters and issue appropriate certificates to such\ninstructors;\n (c) Certify fire fighters who have satisfactorily completed basic\ntraining programs and in-service training programs, and issue\nappropriate certificates to such fire fighters and revoke such\ncertificates;\n (d) Cause studies and surveys to be made relating to the\nestablishment, operation, effectiveness and approval of fire training\nprograms;\n (e) Cause studies and surveys to be made relating to the completion or\npartial completion of training programs by video or computer to the\nmaximum extent practicable; and\n (f) Consult with and cooperate with the state university of New York\nand private universities, colleges and institutes in the state for the\ndevelopment of specialized courses of study for fire fighters in fire\nscience and fire administration.\n