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Re-Certification Links
- HSO Re-certification Policy & Procedures Manual
- HSO Re-certification Forms
- Fire Department Safety Officers Association Application for Re-certification
- Re-certification List of Classes Approved for CEUs by FDSOA
Re-Certification Questions
When my HSO Certification expires how can I recertify?
You may recertify by utilizing one of two methods. First you can take the 100-question HSO exam and pass it. You will need to contact FDSOA’s administrative offices for times and locations or log on to FDSOA’s web site at http://www.fdsoa.org. The second choice will be to earn (CEUs) Continuing Education Units.
How many CEU do I need?
Your HSO certification expires five years from the date it was issued. During the five-year period you must earn 20 CEUs per year for a total of 100.
Can I earn 20 CEUs the first year 40 the second year and 40 the third year for a total of 100?
No, the purpose of Continuing Education Units is exactly what the name implies. FDSOA encourages all Certified Safety Officers to be current and stay current in the latest fire suppression techniques, risk management tools and safe equipment operations. An individual can earn only 20 CEUs per year.
How can I earn 20 CEUs in a year?
You can earn CEUs based on work experience, safety instruction/post incident analysis and classroom education.
I have been on my department for 15 years and have been a Safety Officer for 5 years how many CEUs will I get?
None, CEUs are not awarded for length of service
How many CEUs can I earn for work experience?
CEUs are based on the number of runs you have responded to in a calendar year. You will earn 2 CEU for every twenty-five responses in which you served as an HSO or an Assistant HSO. The maximum number of CEUs you can earn for work experience in a calendar year is 10.
My department is small and last year I served as HSO on 27 responses, will this entitle me to earn CEUs for work experience?
Yes, you earn 2 CEU for every 25 responses until you reach a maximum of 10 CEUs. Functioning as an HSO or Assistant HSO on 27 responses will earn 4 CEUs. However if you only earn 4 CEUs based on work experience the remainder of your 16 CEUs must be earned through safety instruction/post incident analysis or education.
How can I earn CEUs through safety instruction/post incident analysis?
For every contact hour of safety instruction in a single topic, by functioning as an HSO or Assistant HSO in a live fire training evolution or conducting a post incident analysis for an individual incident you will earn 1 CEU. If you teach ladder safety for one hour six times you will only earn 1 CEU. But if you teach six (6) different topics for one hour you will earn 6 CEUs.
Where can I find Safety related material to do departmental training?
Within FDSOA’s monthly newsletter there is a Safety-Gram. These are excellent for departmental safety training or meetings. If you do one safety training one hour in length per month for ten months using the Safety-Gram you can earn 10 CEUs in safety instruction per calendar year.
I am a terrible classroom instructor but I work with the Training Officer and establish scene safety at all practical or hands on training sessions. Can I get credit for assisting the Training Officer?
Yes, 1 CEU will be awarded for every contact hour of practical training.
I took a four hour Trench Collapse Rescue class from my county fire academy can I earn CEUs?
No, your certification is for Incident Safety Officer – Fire Suppression. Classes that you attend must be in fire suppression, risk management, equipment safety or personnel protective equipment.
Who can I take educational classes from?
If you look under Method 2, Section 4 of the FDSOA Re-certification Policy it will give you a list of agencies, organizations or companies in which you can receive CEUs.