Welcome Aboard!
We are excited that you are part of our growing community built on improving the experiences of Firefighters and Departments to better serve our communities!
This page is for current department members that are looking for resources and forms essential to ensuring that departments, L&I, and the WSFF JATC work in harmony.
Reminders
Quarterly Reporting (OJT/RSI)
*Are due by the following dates *
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January 5
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April 5
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July 5
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October 5
Department meeting Minutes
*Due Each Quarter*
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Link to Form:
Journey-Level Wage Rate
*Due by each department by January 15th each year*
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If your department is under negotiations for a new contract, you may submit the previous year's wage rate and send the updated one once the contract is finalized.
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Download form here:
Documents
The WSFF JATC’s goal of this credentialed training is to strengthen fire fighter operations and performance, increased compatibility, and interoperability with other agencies, and improve fire fighter safety and welfare. Communities experience improved risk reduction through effective fire and injury prevention services. Fires will be extinguished more efficiently as participating departments will be using known and proven strategies.
Departments participating in this training program will have learned and trained together which makes the demands of firefighting easier as there will be no guess work or anticipation of the results of requests for any type of service. Due to the knowledge, skills, and abilities learned from this program, fire fighters will be able to protect the citizens of their communities competently and resourcefully and still go home safely to their families at the end of their shifts.
Over the past twenty years, the program has been pivotal in ensuring that departments use known and proven firefighting strategies. With 6,000 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT) and 1,110 hours of Related Supplemental Instruction, firefighters are trained not only in hands-on operations but also in the theoretical aspects that support effective and efficient firefighting.
Departments participating in this program train together, eliminating guesswork and ensuring smooth coordination during emergencies. This shared knowledge, skills, and abilities mean that firefighter teams can respond to calls with confidence and clarity, knowing the results of their actions in advance. The common training foundation reduces operational unpredictability, making it easier to meet the demands of any emergency situation.
The core mission of this program is to ensure that firefighters can protect their communities with competence and resourcefulness while prioritizing their own safety. This leads to better outcomes for both citizens and first responders, with firefighters returning home safely after each shift.
Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator is a vital role in the fire service. It is their job to operate and maintain the fire apparatus, such as fire engines, ladders, and rescue vehicles. This role is critical for ensuring the safety of personnel and responding to fires.
Properly trained drivers/operators are essential for the successful completion of firefighting operations. For a driver/operator to be effective, they must have knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the fire apparatus and need to be an effective leader able to coordinate with other personnel during an emergency. By having a well-trained driver/operator on the fire apparatus, the fire department can ensure that they are adequately prepared to handle any situation that arises.
The Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator must possess a keen knowledge of the vehicles, equipment, and tools necessary to perform their job safely and efficiently. They must have extensive experience working with various firefighting equipment, such as ladders, pumps, hoses, and hydrants.
One of the most important skills for a Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator is the ability to think quickly and make decisions under pressure. Finally, Fire Apparatus Driver/Operators must be able to use the available technology to their full advantage, as well as stay up to date on all related rules, regulations, and safety protocols.
Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 2000 OJT hours (1 Year) 166 RSI Hours
Fire Protection Hydraulics 50
This is to provide basic foundational topics in fire department hydraulics, explaining how and why water is discharged from nozzles at the correct pressures to fight fires safely and effectively.
Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention Training 16
This is to provide vehicle operators with an understanding of the seriousness of emergency vehicle operation. It is designed to stimulate the thought process to make students aware of the potential for tragedy, theory and principles of vehicle dynamics, maintenance, inspection, and record keeping, defensive driving and safe operations, roadway/highway safety, financial loss, and of the legal and moral responsibilities encountered when operating an emergency vehicle.
Pump Operators Academy 40
This will include responsibilities of pump operators in maintaining a continuous water supply, hydraulics, and friction loss factors, setting of pressure regulating devices and use of vehicle cooling accessories, proper fire streams and pressures, pump panel practices, drafting operational procedures, and operation of a fire pump at a fire hydrant with low residual pressure.
Fire Apparatus Equipment 60
This is to become familiarized with automotive apparatus, heavy auxiliary mechanical equipment and appliances, generators, compressors, rescue, and forcible entry tools, and cutting tools. Safe practices and use are incorporated throughout the course. Students will delve into the use of minor tools and equipment as well as methods for organizing and mounting equipment. The course will enable the student to identify the equipment, responsibilities and skills required to safely move the fire apparatus to and from emergency and non-emergency incidents.
The requirements for an individual to enrolling in the Fire Apparatus Driver/ Operator Apprenticeship program are as follows:
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Must have Fire Fighter Journey Level Certificate/ Card
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Must fill out the Apprenticeship Agreement this is the same as the one used for the Fire Fighter apprenticeship program.
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The Apprenticeship Agreement for Fire Apparatus Driver Operator is a 1 year or 2000-hour Term, there is no direct entry.
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If there is any advance placement for RSI classes, you must submit transcripts and supporting documentation for each class.
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If there is Credit for Previous Experience (Hours or Months) which is considered as On-The-Job, this will need to be entered into the Apprenticeship Agreement at the time of registration.
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Tuition is approximately 50% of the non-apprenticeship rate.
Prerequisites for Fire apparatus Driver Operator Certification are:
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Must have a Firefighter Journey Level Certificate/Card
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IFSAC Firefighter II
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IFSAC Firefighter I
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IFSAC Haz‐Mat Operations
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IFSAC Haz‐Mat Awareness
The Washington State Fire Fighters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (WSFF JATC) program offers all journey-level fire fighters the opportunity to register for the WSFF JATC Fire Officer Apprenticeship. The program length is two years (4000 hours) and similar to the firefighter apprenticeship program. It consists of a combination of On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Related Supplemental Instruction (RSI). The OJT requirement is 2000 hours per year and the RSI requirement consists of eight college courses, (see description below). All of which can be completed online at Bates Technical College. The state funding of the JATC Fire Officer Apprenticeship is providing a 50% discount at Bates Technical on RSI course tuition for those individuals accepted into the program.
This opportunity is available to all certified journey-level firefighters in Washington state with one important requirement; you must be able to complete the OJT/RSI terms within two years of signing the Apprenticeship agreement. This may be a concern if you are unable to act in the position of a company officer which the program requires. This opportunity may be limited to current officers and those firefighters currently on the acting list. Check with your department policies.
As a participating fire department in the JATC, each department can enroll advancing fire fighters in the program. When the department agrees to enroll future officers, they will contact the WSFF JATC and commit to follow the Fire Officer procedures to set the process in place. You will then be required to notify the Training Division of your interest so that the proper paperwork can be generated and then submitted to the WSFF JATC. This application is a contract between you and the WSFF JATC and you will be committing to the completion of the program in the specified two-year (4000 hour) time-period.
Once you are registered into the program, your department will be required to assign you to a supervising officer who will help coordinate and mentor you through the two-year program. The OJT and RSI requirements will be sequenced and documented through a Fire Officer Task book which will be approved for use by the WSFF JATC. The task book is intended to provide the necessary structure and organization in each of the two years to make sure that all the required experience, training, education, and skill requirements are completed on time.
At the successful completion of all program requirements, you will be granted WSFF JATC Journey-level Fire Officer status.
Please review the WSFF JATC standard posted below for your reference, which provides all the program specifics and hours of instructional requirements the apprentice will progress through the curriculum as outlined.
The requirements for enrolling in the Fire Officer Apprenticeship program are as follows:
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Must have Fire Fighter Journey Level Certificate
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Department must commit to manage the program with the WSFF JATC
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Depending on your Fire department, you need to have discussion and approval to enroll in the Fire Officer program
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Must fill out new Apprenticeship Agreement (form F100-016-000). It is the same as the one used for the Fire Fighter apprenticeship program
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The Apprenticeship Agreement for Fire Officer is a 2 year or 4000-hour Term, there is no direct entry
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If there is any advance placement for RSI classes, you must submit transcripts and supporting documentation for each class
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If there is Credit for Previous Experience (Hours or Months) which is considered as On-The-Job, it is entered on the Apprenticeship Agreement at the time of registration. Any questions about past time/experience should be discussed with the JATC to help you ensure the proper registration.
Please review the WSFF JATC standard posted below for your reference, which provides all the program specifics and hours of instructional requirements the apprentice will progress through the curriculum as outlined.
All online registration for the RSI classes needs to be submitted
Link to Standard: http://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/apprenticeship/_docs/1499.pdf