Florida Administrative Code › 69 - DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES › 69A - Division of State Fire Marshal › Chapter 69A-37 - FIREFIGHTERS STANDARDS AND TRAINING › Section 69A-37.0527 - Retention of Certification

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1)
				Section  633.414, F.S., which took effect
				on July 1, 2013, requires firefighters to meet certain requirements every 4
				years in order to retain their firefighter certificates of compliance.
(a) For the purpose of this rule,
				"certification," or "certified," shall have the same meaning as set forth in
				Section  633.426, F.S., Section
				 633.426, F.S., states that
				"certification" or "certified" means the act of holding a current and valid
				certificate.
(b) The 4-year period
				for individuals who were certified on or after July 1, 2013, begins on the date
				of issuance of the certificate by the Division or the date of termination of
				employment or service with a fire department after issuance of the
				certificate.
(c) The 4-year period
				for individuals who were certified as of June 30, 2013, begins on July 1, 2014
				or on the date of termination of employment or service with a fire department
				on or after July 1, 2013.
(d)
				Individuals who obtained a firefighter certificate on any date prior to July 1,
				2013, but failed to maintain the certificate, in accordance with the retention
				requirements of Section
				 633.352, F.S. (2012), by June
				30, 2013, are not currently certified.
(e) Pursuant to Section
				 633.106, F.S. (2013), the State
				Fire Marshal may deny, suspend, or revoke the certificate of any individual who
				does not meet the qualifications established by Chapter 633, F.S. In lieu of
				these actions, the Division may also place an individual who has been issued a
				certificate but no longer qualifies for the certificate under Chapter 633,
				F.S., on probation for a period not to exceed 2 years. Firefighters who were no
				longer certified as of June 30, 2013, due to failure to meet the retention
				requirements of Section
				 633.352, F.S. (2012), may
				petition the Division to be placed on probation for a period of 2 years. The
				terms of probation will require these individuals to successfully complete the
				Firefighter Retention Examination within the period of probation in order to
				have their certification as a firefighter reinstated. Reinstatement is
				conditional on meeting all other qualifications for firefighter certification
				under the provisions of Chapter 633, F.S. Failure to complete the Firefighter
				Retention Examination within the period of probation will result in
				administrative action by the Department to revoke an individual's certificate.
				Probation will not be granted to any individual who files a petition to be
				placed on probation more than 180 days after the effective date of this
				paragraph. Failure of an individual who is subject to this paragraph to
				petition for probation within 180 days after the effective date of this
				paragraph will result in administrative action by the Department to revoke the
				individual's certificate.
(f)
				Paragraph (e), does not apply to individuals who, prior to July 1, 2013,
				attempted to maintain their certificates but failed the practical portion of
				the Firefighter Retention Examination twice or failed the examination once and
				forfeited the opportunity to retake the examination; however, any individual
				who failed the examination once and is within the time period for retaking the
				examination, may re-take the examination after July 1,
				2013.