Training Requirements

Introductory Firefighting Training:

Introductory firefighting training will be conducted several weekday evenings and several weekend days during each month. A probationary member without previous experience can expect approximately 276 hours of training during the 24-month probationary period. Refer to the following training schedule provided during your interview as well as the following:

Introductory Fire Police Training:

Introductory fire police training will be conducted several weekday evenings and several weekend days during each month. A probationary member without previous experience can expect approximately 104 hours of training during the 24-month probationary period. Refer to the following training schedule provided during your interview as well as the following

Training:

Upon completion of the training requirements specified in the Probationary Requirements, every Active Member shall, during each subsequent year, diligently participate in training on approved firefighting or emergency techniques. Every member shall participate in at least twenty-five (25) hours of approved training each year to meet the minimum requirements for membership. Of the twenty-five (25) hours, five (5) events will be from in-house companywide training. In-house companywide training will include platoon training and other company training designated as companywide by the Chief. This will not include recertification classes or certification classes offered for the Alpha Fire Company. The fire chief may designate certain required certifications that must be maintained by members holding active membership. These certifications must be announced by the fire chief and members are given an appropriate time to achieve the desired certification. Required Minimum Certifications: HazMat Operations Level, Blood Borne Pathogens, and CPR.

Membership Requirements:

Active Type 1

Active Type 1 Members will achieve a minimum of 200 points for a year to remain in good standing as active members. The minimums in each category (Response to Alarms/Standbys, Training, and Meetings) will be met as stipulated with the balance of the 200 points being comprised of points from any category or Company Service. Company Service points include election to an administrative office, committee meetings, public education programs, and other special details as authorized by the Chief or President. Other than an election to an administrative office, company service point allocation will be determined by the Chief or President. Active Type 1 Attendance and Point Requirements – All active type 1 members shall meet the following attendance requirements on top of the required training: Response to Alarms: Active Type 1 Members will achieve a minimum of ninety (90) points by responding to alarms and (60) points participating in stand-by shifts, line officer duty shifts, fire police duty officer shifts, and special event standby shifts. Each alarm attended will be scored as one (1) point, any stand-by shift will be scored as 4 hours equals 1 point; 8 hours equals 3 points; 12 hours equals 5 points. Special event stand-by shifts are generally 4-12 hours shifts for events posted by the Chief or President. These events may include the Arts Festival, Penn State Football, out-of-town standby, or other special events authorized by the Chief. Points for Special Events will be assigned by the Chief or President prior to the event. Respond to at least 10 incidents or provide at least 24 hours of standby per month.

Active Type I members participating in the Resident Member Program will meet the 600 point standby requirement for Active Type III members in addition to the training and meeting requirements for Active Type I members.

Active Type 2

Active Type 2 Members will have met the minimum requirements stated in the probationary requirements policy when appointed to membership. Active Type 2 Members will meet the minimum training requirements of this policy and obtain 160 standby points per year. Any stand-by shift will be scored as 4 hours equals 1 point; 8 hours equals 3 points; 12 hours equals 5 points. Upon request, the President and Chief may substitute response to alarm points for standby points. The members requesting this modification must submit the request in writing prior to the end of the point year. If granted, points will be substituted at a rate of .5 for each point above 40 responses to alarm points. This substitution only applies to the minimum requirement for Active Type 2 members. Example: Active Type 2 member has 80 standby points and 200 responses to alarm points. If requested, members could have 80 (160 x.5) points substituted for standby points.

Active Type 3

Active Type 3 Members will have met the minimum requirements stated in the probationary requirements policy when appointed to membership. Active Type 3 Members will meet the minimum training requirements of this policy and obtain 600 standby points per year. Any standby shift will be scored as 4 hours equals 1 point; 8 hours equals 3 points; 12 hours equals 5 points. Upon request, the President and Chief may substitute response to alarm points for standby points. The members requesting this modification must submit the request in writing prior to the end of the point year. If granted, points will be substituted at a rate of .5 for each point above 150 alarm points. This substitution only applies to the minimum requirement for Active Type 3 4 members. Example: Active Type 3 member has 300 standby points and 750 responses to alarm points. If requested, members could have 300 (600 x.5) points substituted for standby points. Active Type 3 members will have to comply with all provisions of the live-in policy. Active Type 3 members must request transfer of membership or resign upon completion of the live-in contract or at the time they vacate/move out of any of the three stations.

More Information:

Attend at least 4 company meetings during the year. Meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month starting at 7 p.m. There are a total of 14 meetings each year.

“Beards and facial hair that interfere with the facepiece seal are prohibited for all members required to use respiratory protection equipment; this includes long sideburns, goatees, mustaches that extend down beyond the chin, etc. If eyeglasses are worn, the member shall use frames that do not pass through the seal area of the facepiece; corrective lens kits are available to any member that needs them through the State College Fireman’s Relief Association.” So that the company is uniform in its facial hair policy, all company members (which includes Fire Police, etc.), will comply with the no beard or facial hair requirement. A well-groomed mustache is permitted.

For this commitment, the Alpha Fire Company provides the probationary member with:

• All required protective equipment and an emergency pager
• A pre-service physical exam conducted by our designated physicians group
• Workman’s Compensation and Accidental Death/Dismemberment Insurance as well as a $50,000+ death benefit.
• All required probationary classes and reimbursement for any out of pocket expenses while incurred in obtaining the required training.
• All required probationary classes and reimbursement for any out of pocket expenses while incurred in obtaining the required training.