in-20240828-IR-655240059FRA: Adds 655 IAC 2, 655 IAC 3, 655 IAC 4, 655 IAC 5, and 655 IAC 6, concerning the rules and regulations of the board of firefighting personnel standards and education. Repeals 655 IAC 1. Effective 30 days after filing with the publisher.

Final Rule LSA Document #24-59 DIGEST Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this title. Sec. 2. "Certification" means a document approved by the education board verifying that an individual has successfully met the qualifications set by the education board for any training and education program approved by the education board. Sec. 3. "Certification course" means a course of instruction in firefighting or related emergency services established under 655 IAC 4 for which an individual may receive a certification on successful completion. Sec. 4. "Certification standard" means the standard adopted by the education board on which a certification course is based and may be issued. Sec. 5. "Certified" means authorized by the education board through the issuance of a certification to perform or otherwise provide providing firefighting or related emergency services. Sec. 6. "Department" refers to the department of homeland security established under IC 10-19. Sec. 7. "Education board" refers to the board of firefighting personnel standards and education. Sec. 8. "Education board rules" means the rules set forth in this title. Sec. 9. "Executive director" refers to the executive director of the department of homeland security appointed under IC 10-19-3. Sec. 1. (a) An individual shall not perform or otherwise provide firefighting or related emergency services unless the individual is certified by the education board under 655 IAC 3-1. (b) An individual shall not perform firefighting or related emergency services for which a certification may be obtained under 655 IAC 4-3 unless the individual is certified by the education board to provide those services. (c) An individual less than eighteen (18) years of age may not be certified by the education board to provide firefighting or related emergency services. Sec. 2. (a) A certification shall not be issued without approval of a completed application for certification. (b) An application for certification must be made in a form prescribed by the department and include the following information: Sec. 3. (a) The education board, or the department on the education board's behalf, shall review each application for certification. (b) Before a certification is issued, the department shall verify the applicant has completed the prerequisite training or certifications required under the education board rules. (c) If an application is approved, a certification shall be issued to the successful applicant. Sec. 4. The education board, or the department on the education board's behalf, may deny an application for certification if informed that: Sec. 5. (a) If the education board receives the information described in section 4 of this rule after issuing a certification, or is informed that an individual has: (b) The department or education board may initiate a review of an individual's certification status in the absence of external written requests or complaints for review. Sec. 6. (a) An individual certified by the education board must provide written notice to the department within ninety (90) days of a misdemeanor or felony criminal conviction, except traffic related misdemeanors other than operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol. (b) The notice required by subsection (a) must be submitted in a form approved by the department and include the following: (c) This section applies only to criminal convictions occurring on or after the date this rule is promulgated. Sec. 1. (a) An individual may request a variance to a rule the education board has adopted. (b) Variance requests must be filed with and determined by the department under IC 22-14-2-7.5. (c) At the education board's first meeting following a variance determination by the department, the department shall notify the education board of its determination. Sec. 2. A request for a variance must be submitted in a form approved by the department and include the following information: Sec. 3. (a) An individual aggrieved by a variance determination may petition for review of that determination under the applicable provisions of IC 4-21.5-3. (b) Not later than the next regular meeting of the education board, the department shall notify the education board of any administrative review proceeding initiated following a variance determination by the department. Sec. 1. An individual who meets the requirements of this rule shall qualify for a certification based on reciprocity. Sec. 2. (a) An individual applying for a certification based on reciprocity must file an application on a form prescribed by the department. (b) An application must be filed for each certification based on reciprocity. (c) An application for a certification based on reciprocity must include the following: Sec. 3. (a) In addition to the application requirements in section 2 of this rule, an individual applying for certification based on reciprocity for any of the following is required to pass a written examination on the education board rules with a minimum score of seventy percent (70%): Sec. 1. The emergency response support training program is established. Sec. 2. (a) The emergency response support training program shall consist of a minimum of thirty (30) training hours. (b) The emergency response support training program shall include training in the subjects described in IC 36-8-10.5-7. (c) In addition to the training described in subsection (b), successful completion of the emergency response support training program includes: Sec. 3. (a) On successful completion of the emergency response support training program, an individual may apply for a certification as prescribed by 655 IAC 2-2-2. (b) On approval of an application submitted under subsection (a), the successful applicant shall be certified to perform the emergency response duties of a volunteer firefighter, excluding interior firefighting operations. Sec. 1. The instruction course on vehicle emergency response driving safety is established. Sec. 2. The department shall develop the vehicle emergency response driving safety instruction course as part of the emergency response support training program. Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this article. Sec. 2. "NFPA" means the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471. Sec. 3. "NFPA publication" means a document published by the National Fire Protection Association and developed through a consensus standards development process approved by the American National Standards Institute. Sec. 1. The NFPA publications described in this article are adopted by reference and made part of this article as if fully set forth in this article. Sec. 2. The documents, and applicable portions of those documents, referenced in a certification standard described in this article are considered part of the requirements of that certification standard. Sec. 1. (a) The certification standard for Firefighter I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Hazardous Materials-Operations. Sec. 2. (a) The certification standard for Firefighter II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Firefighter I. Sec. 3. (a) The certification standard for Driver/Operator-General shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 2017 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a valid driver's license. Sec. 4. (a) The certification standard for Driver/Operator-Pumper shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 2017 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a: Sec. 5. (a) The certification standard for Driver/Operator-Aerial shall be as set forth in Chapter 6 of the NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 2017 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a: Sec. 6. (a) The certification standard for Driver/Operator-Mobile Water Supply shall be as set forth in Chapter 10 of the NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 2017 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a: Sec. 7. (a) The certification standard for Airport Firefighter shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1003, Standard for Airport Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Firefighter II prior to the date the certification course begins. Sec. 8. The certification standard for Technical Rescue-Awareness shall be as set forth in Sections 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, 13.1, 17.1, 18.1, 20.1, and 23.1 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. Sec. 9. (a) The certification standard for Rope Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 5.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness. Sec. 10. (a) The certification standard for Rope Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 5.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Rope Rescue-Operations. Sec. 11. (a) The certification standard for Structural Collapse-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 6.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness. Sec. 12. (a) The certification standard for Structural Collapse Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 6.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Structural Collapse Rescue-Operations. Sec. 13. (a) The certification standard for Confined Space Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 7.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in: Sec. 14. (a) The certification standard for Confined Space Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 7.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Confined Space Rescue-Operations. Sec. 15. (a) The certification standard for Vehicle Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Sections 8.2 and 8.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness. Sec. 16. (a) The certification standard for Vehicle Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Vehicle Rescue-Operations. Sec. 17. (a) The certification standard for Animal Technical Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 10.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in: Sec. 18. (a) The certification standard for Animal Technical Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 10.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Animal Technical Rescue-Operations. Sec. 19. (a) The certification standard for Wilderness Search and Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 11.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness. Sec. 20. (a) The certification standard for Wilderness Search and Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 11.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Wilderness Search and Rescue-Operations. Sec. 21. (a) The certification standard for Trench Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 12.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness. Sec. 22. (a) The certification standard for Trench Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 12.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Trench Rescue-Operations. Sec. 23. (a) The certification standard for Machinery Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 13.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness. Sec. 24. (a) The certification standard for Machinery Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 13.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Machinery Rescue-Operations. Sec. 25. (a) The certification standard for Surface Water Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 17.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness. Sec. 26. (a) The certification standard for Surface Water Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 17.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Surface Water Rescue-Operations. Sec. 27. (a) The certification standard for Swift Water Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 18.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in: Sec. 28. (a) The certification standard for Swift Water Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 18.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in: Sec. 29. (a) The certification standard for Ice Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 20.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Technical Rescue-Awareness. Sec. 30. (a) The certification standard for Ice Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 20.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Ice Rescue-Operations. Sec. 31. (a) The certification standard for Floodwater Rescue-Operations shall be as set forth in Section 23.2 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in: Sec. 32. (a) The certification standard for Floodwater Rescue-Technician shall be as set forth in Section 23.3 of the NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2021 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Floodwater Rescue-Operations. Sec. 33. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer-Strategy and Tactics shall be as set forth in Sections 4.6.1 and 4.6.2 of Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Firefighter I prior to the date the certification course begins. Sec. 34. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold: Sec. 35. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Officer I. Sec. 36. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer III shall be as set forth in Chapter 6 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Officer II. Sec. 37. (a) The certification standard for Fire Officer IV shall be as set forth in Chapter 7 of the NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Officer III. Sec. 38. The certification standard for Fire Inspector I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner, 2014 edition. Sec. 39. (a) The certification standard for Fire Inspector II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner, 2014 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Inspector I. Sec. 40. (a) The certification standard for Fire Investigator shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, 2022 edition. (b) A Fire Investigator certification expires two (2) years after: (c) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (b), an individual must comply with the: Sec. 41. The certification standard for Fire and Life Safety Educator I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1035, Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist, and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications, 2015 edition. Sec. 42. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Life Safety Educator II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1035, Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist, and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications, 2015 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire and Life Safety Educator I. Sec. 43. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Firefighter II for at least one (1) year prior to the date the certification course begins. (c) A Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I certification expires two (2) years after the date of its issuance unless it is renewed before expiration. (d) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (c), an individual must comply with the: Sec. 44. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I or Instructor I. (c) A Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II certification expires two (2) years after the date of its issuance unless it is renewed before expiration. (d) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (c), an individual must comply with the: (e) Renewal of the certification described in subsection (c) automatically renews an individual's prerequisite certification in Instructor I or Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I. Sec. 45. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor III shall be as set forth in Chapter 6 of the NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Instructor II or Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II. (c) A Fire and Emergency Services Instructor III certification expires two (2) years after the date of its issuance unless it is renewed before expiration. (d) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (c), an individual must comply with the: (e) Renewal of the certification described in subsection (c) automatically renews an individual's prerequisite certifications in Instructor I and II or Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I and II. Sec. 46. The certification standard for Hazardous Materials-Awareness shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 470, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2022 edition. Sec. 47. (a) The certification standard for Hazardous Materials-Operations shall be as set forth in Chapter 7 and Sections 8.2, 8.3, 8.6, and 8.7 of the NFPA 470, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2022 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Hazardous Materials-Awareness. Sec. 48. (a) The certification standard for Hazardous Materials-Technician shall be as set forth in Chapter 11 of the NFPA 470, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2022 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Hazardous Materials-Operations. Sec. 49. (a) The certification standard for Hazardous Materials-Incident Commander shall be as set forth in Chapter 17 of the NFPA 470, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, 2022 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Hazardous Materials-Technician. Sec. 50. The certification standard for Health and Safety Officer shall be as set forth in Chapter 4 of the NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition. Sec. 51. (a) The certification standard for Incident Safety Officer shall be as set forth in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 edition. (b) To qualify for a certification based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in Fire Officer I. Sec. 52. The certification standard and curriculum for Fire Chief Executive Leadership shall be developed by the department and approved by the education board under IC 36-8-10.6-5. Sec. 53. (a) The certification standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I shall be as set forth in Chapters 7 and 8 of the NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition. (b) To qualify for entry into a certification course based on the certification standard described in subsection (a), an individual must hold a certification in: (c) A Fire and Emergency Services Live Fire Instructor certification expires two (2) years after the date of its issuance unless it is renewed before expiration. (d) To be eligible to renew the certification described in subsection (c), an individual must comply with the: Sec. 1. On expiration of a certification described in this article, an individual is prohibited from performing or otherwise providing firefighting or related emergency services unless the certification is renewed or reinstated. Sec. 2. A certification described in this article based on expiration following its issuance by the education board may be renewed as prescribed in this rule. Sec. 3. (a) Renewal of an expiring certification may be requested by submitting: (b) A certification renewal request must be submitted in compliance with a submission procedure established and administered by the department. (c) The department shall approve certification renewal requests that meet the requirements set forth in this rule. Sec. 4. A submission required by this rule must be completed before the expiration of the certification. Sec. 1. A certification that has expired may be reinstated as prescribed in this rule. Sec. 2. (a) Reinstatement of an expired certification may be requested by submitting: (b) A certification reinstatement request must be submitted in compliance with a submission procedure established and administered by the department. (c) The department shall approve certification reinstatement requests that meet the requirements set forth in this rule. Sec. 3. (a) A submission described in this rule must be completed within one hundred twenty (120) days of the date the certification expired. (b) Failure to comply with the deadline described in subsection (a) prohibits the reinstatement of a certification. (c) An individual prohibited from reinstatement of an expired certification shall be required to obtain a new certification under the education board rules. Sec. 4. (a) A certification shall be reinstated effective on the date the reinstatement is approved. (b) A reinstated certification must be renewed before the expiration of the period described in 655 IAC 4-4. Sec. 1. (a) As a prerequisite to each renewal of a certification requiring continuing education and based on expiration, an individual shall complete at least sixteen (16) hours of continuing education or instruction. (b) The eligible continuing education subject matter for each certification course described in subsection (a) shall be: Sec. 2. The department shall report continuing education as required under a reporting procedure established and administered by the department. Sec. 1. Certifications issued by the education board before the adoption or readoption of this article shall remain valid, based on the renewal requirements set forth in this article. Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this article. Sec. 2. "Authority having jurisdiction" means the organization, office, or individual responsible for administering a certification course. Sec. 3. "Advanced level instructor" means an individual certified in Indiana in firefighting instruction at or above the level of Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II, Instructor II, or Instructor II/III. Sec. 4. "Job performance requirement" means a professional qualification standard that must be achieved by a student in a certification course, based on a written statement describing a specific job task, lists the items necessary to complete the task, and defines measurable or observable outcomes and evaluation areas for the specific task. Sec. 5. "Lead evaluator" means the individual who coordinates and supervises the administration of practical skills examinations. Sec. 6. "Lead instructor" means the individual who manages and oversees the delivery of a certification course. Sec. 7. "Proctor" means an individual who monitors or supervises students during examinations. Sec. 1. To qualify as a lead instructor, an individual must be certified in: Sec. 2. To qualify as a lead evaluator, an individual must: Sec. 3. To qualify as a proctor, an individual must have completed an annual proctor qualification program developed by the department and be: Sec. 1. (a) Only a lead instructor may deliver a certification course. (b) A lead instructor may engage one (1) or more subject matter specialists to assist in the delivery of a certification course. (c) A lead instructor may be assisted by one (1) or more additional instructors in the delivery of a certification course. (d) An instructor assisting the lead instructor in the delivery of a certification course must be certified in: Sec. 2. (a) Only a lead evaluator may supervise the administration of a practical skills examination. (b) A lead evaluator may be assisted by one (1) or more additional evaluators, as determined and selected by the lead evaluator. (c) An evaluator assisting the lead evaluator in the administration of a practical skills examination must be certified in: Sec. 3. (a) An individual serving as a lead instructor or an instructor for a certification course may not also serve as a lead evaluator or an evaluator for the same certification course. (b) An individual serving as a lead instructor or an instructor for a certification course may not serve as a proctor for the same certification course. (c) An individual may not serve as a lead evaluator or proctor for a certification course in which an immediate family member is enrolled. For purposes of this section, the term "immediate family member" includes a: Sec. 1. (a) An application for approval to deliver and administer a certification course must be submitted to the department not less than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the commencement of the course. (b) The application required by subsection (a) must be made in a form prescribed by the department and include the following information: (c) The department shall approve or deny a complete application required by subsection (a) within ten (10) calendar days of its receipt. Sec. 2. (a) Certification course instruction and student participation must be performed safely under the certification standard. (b) The job performance requirements for a certification standard must be completed in their entirety. (c) Job performance requirements do not need to be completed in the order in which they appear in the certification standard. (d) The lead instructor shall establish the instructional priority for students to complete job performance requirements. (e) The subject matter of certification course instruction may exceed the scope of the job performance requirements set forth in the certification standard at the discretion of the authority having jurisdiction. (f) Students are responsible for bringing necessary personal protective equipment to a certification course. (g) The lead instructor is responsible for ensuring that students have and use the personal protective equipment necessary to engage in job performance requirements. (h) Job performance requirements involving exposure to products of combustion must be performed in personal protective equipment. (i) The lead instructor is not required to provide students with the personal protective equipment necessary to engage in job performance requirements. Sec. 3. (a) Administration of each certification course by the authority having jurisdiction requires: (b) A certification course in emergency response support does not require a written examination as described in subsection (a)(3). Sec. 4. (a) A practical skills examination is required to test, at a minimum, each of the skill based job performance requirements included in the certification standard adopted by the education board. (b) The content of each practical skills examination shall be obtained from the department following its approval by the education board. (c) A practical skills examination must be successfully passed not more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the issuance of a certification. (d) Practical skills examinations shall be conducted under the following procedures: Sec. 5. (a) A written examination is required to test, at a minimum, each of the knowledge based job performance requirements included in the certification standard adopted by the education board. (b) A minimum score of seventy percent (70%) is required to pass a written examination. (c) If an examinee fails a written examination, the examinee may reattempt to pass the written examination not more than two (2) additional times. (d) The department shall provide information for reexamination within seven (7) calendar days if a request for reexamination is submitted. (e) An examinee must pass the written examination within one hundred eighty (180) days after completing the certification course and practical skills examination. (f) If an examinee fails the written examination within the period described in subsection (e), the examinee is required to retake the certification course and successfully complete the practical skills examination before reattempting the written examination. (g) Written examinations shall be conducted under following procedures: Sec. 6. (a) An allegation of: (b) The department may investigate an allegation reported under subsection (a) or suspected examination misconduct. (c) On completion of an investigation under subsection (b), the department shall report the findings of its investigation to the education board. (d) On determining a violation of acceptable and ethical security and examination integrity procedures or other misconduct has occurred, the education board may take any action under IC 4-21.5-3, IC 4-21.5-4, and IC 22-12-7, including suspension or revocation of certifications. (e) The department, on behalf of the education board, may notify a: Sec. 1. The definitions in this rule apply throughout this article. Sec. 2. "Best practices fund" means the fund established by IC 36-8-10.5-12. Sec. 3. "Eligible applicant" means a political subdivision or volunteer fire department. Sec. 1. An application for a grant from the best practices fund must be made in a form prescribed by the department and include the following information: Sec. 2. The maximum amount of a grant awarded from the best practices fund may not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for an eligible applicant each grant cycle. Sec. 3. Grant funds may be used to support programs or initiatives described in the best practices established by IC 36-8-10.5-11(a).