Section 141.306  Fire Apparatus Engineer

The Fire Apparatus Engineer program is designed to meet a specialty need within the fire service.  The designation equals or exceeds the requirements of NFPA 1002 and NFPA 1500.

a)         Prerequisites

1)         Certification as a Firefighter II (see Section 141.300).

2)         Engagement in firefighting in an organized Illinois fire department as a fire protection person or trainee according to the Act, as attested to by the employing Fire Chief of the individual seeking certification.

3)         Successful completion of the Fire Apparatus Engineer course of two modules:  pumper operations and apparatus driving.

4)         Passage of the State written examination (see Section 141.200).

5)         Passage of the State practical skills examinations (see Section 141.200 and subsection (e) of this Section).

6)         Possession of the appropriate class of driver's license in accordance with the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5].

7)         Application for Certification/Validation-Attestation, which shall include  driving validation by the employing Fire Chief that all practical driving skills as specified in NFPA 1002 have been taught.  This application and driving validation must be sent to the Office before the certification is granted.

b)        Reimbursement may be received for training costs for a Fire Apparatus Engineer (see Subpart E).

c)         Instructor Qualifications. The instructor must meet the requirements of Section 141.115(c).

d)         Facility Certification and Delivery Systems.  The course and facility must be approved by the Office as provided in Sections 141.110 and 141.115.

e)         State Certification Practical Skills Examinations

1)         The State practical skills examinations consist of a series of evolutions covering pumper operations and apparatus driving.

2)         All practical skills examinations must be administered by an Instructor II and Fire Apparatus Engineer and observed by two additional persons assigned by the Fire Chief.

3)         The driving validation practical skills examinations and Application for Certification/Validation-Attestation must be sent to the Office. A copy shall be retained in the employing fire department files.