NC Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator Certification

Course Description

In a continued effort to reduce fire loss in the State of North Carolina, the State Legislature established General Statute 58-78-5.14b, which requires the State Fire and Rescue Commission to establish voluntary minimum professional qualifications for all levels of fire and rescue service personnel.

The standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Certification is considered to be a minimum standard and the Fire & Rescue Commission fully recognizes that, due to differing requirements, many fire departments may set forth standards much higher than these for their personnel. It is the intent, however, that through a voluntary program, personnel who provide Driver/Operator services to the communities of our state, will meet or exceed this standard.

Performance Standard

The NFPA 1002 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications, 2017, will be the performance standard used for Driver/Operator certification.

Service Requirements

• must be 18 years of age.
• must have a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the State Department of Instruction

Prerequisite certifications

Driver Operator Pumps Chapter 5

• Certified at the Firefighter I level
• Certified as Emergency Vehicle Driver
• Must complete a TIMS course

Driver Operator Aerial Chapter 6

• Must be certified at the Driver Operator Pumps Chapter 5 level
• Must complete a TIMS course

Driver Operator Mobile Water Supply Chapter 10

• Must be certified as Emergency Vehicle Driver
• Must complete a TIMS course

Program Requirements

The instruction and evaluation given a Driver/Operator who achieves certification is critical to ensuring a quality program. Training and evaluation of students must be accomplished by qualified individuals, working in conjunction with approved delivery agencies.

Student Evaluation

Evaluation of the student for certification is a critical link in the total preparedness of the individual. Student evaluations must be accomplished by qualified Level II Instructors serving as proctors. The evaluation itself must be separate and distinct from the training process.

Practical examinations are intended to measure the manipulative skills of the Driver/Operator and will follow guidelines set forth under the Policy for Testing manual. Although capable of testing 100% of the practical objectives, the examination will only test a pre-selected percentage based on testing scenarios provided to the proctor. A score of 70% or above shall constitute a passing grade for the candidate.

Written Examination

The written exam measures the cognitive skills of the Driver/Operator and must follow the guidelines set forth under the Policy for Testing manual. The examination will be randomly generated and provided to the evaluator by the delivery agency. A score of 70% or above.

2019 Edition 

2014 Edition