Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
TexasCommissiononFireProtection February2011
TableofContents
Mission,PurposeandObjectives..............................................................3 Objective1................................................................................................4 Objective2................................................................................................6 Objective3................................................................................................8 Objective4................................................................................................9 Objective5..............................................................................................12 Objective6..............................................................................................39 Objective7..............................................................................................42 Summary.................................................................................................43
FieldExaminerCourse
Mission,PurposeandObjectives
Mission,PurposeandObjectives
MissionStatement ThemissionoftheTexasCommissiononFireProtection(TCFP)istohelpprotectthelivesandproperty ofthecitizensofTexasbydevelopingandenforcingprofessionalstandardsforthefireservice. ClassPurpose Thepurposeofthisclassistoprovidecurrentorfuturecommissioncertifiedinstructorswiththe knowledgeandskillsrequiredtobecomecommissionapprovedfieldexaminers.Thistrainingwillalso explaintheprocessofconductingperformanceskillevaluations. ClassObjectives 1. Learnabouttwoprograms(thecurriculumprogramandthetrainingapprovalandtesting program)withintheTCFPsFireServiceStandardsandCertificationDivision,andtheimpactof thecommissionsInternationalFireServiceAccreditationCongress(IFSAC)accreditations,which haveadirectaffectonthecommissionstestingprocesses. 2. Listthefourqualificationsthatanindividualmusthavebeforebecomingacommission approvedfieldexaminer. 3. Listandexplainimportantqualitiesandresponsibilitiesofafieldexaminer. 4. Explaincommonerrorsmadebyafieldexaminerinadministeringexaminationsand observationaldifficultiesencounteredduringtheevaluationprocess. 5. Learnthegeneralrulesandprocessesforconductingcommissiondesignatedskillevaluations. 6. Knowtheadditionalcommissiondesignatedskillevaluationprocessesandpaperwork requirementsforacademystudentscompletingacertificationcourseatacertifiedtraining facility. 7. Knowtheadditionalcommissiondesignatedskillevaluationprocessesandpaperwork requirementsforindividualswhoqualifiedthroughanalternativecommissionapprovedtraining route(e.g.,collegecoursework,outofstate,AdvancedSFFMA)orwholettheircertificationor testexpire.
TexasCommissiononFireProtection
3of43
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective1
Objective1
Learnabouttwoprograms(thecurriculumprogramandthetrainingapprovalandtestingprogram) withintheTCFPsFireServiceStandardsandCertificationDivision,andtheimpactofthecommissions InternationalFireServiceAccreditationCongress(IFSAC)accreditations,whichhaveadirectaffecton thecommissionstestingprocesses. FireServiceStandardsandCertificationDivision TherearetwoprogramswithintheFireServiceStandardsandCertificationDivisionthatdealdirectly withthetestingprocess:thecurriculumprogramandthetrainingapprovalandtestingprogram. Thecurriculumprogramstaffworkscloselywiththecommission'scurriculumandtestingcommitteeto updatetheCertificationCurriculumManual.Thisincludesthedevelopmentofperformanceskill evaluationformsandbanksofwrittentestquestions.Thefollowingcurriculaareavailableonthe agency'swebsite: BasicFireSuppression(Structure),Chapter1 BasicAircraftRescueFireSuppression,Chapter2 BasicMarineFireSuppression,Chapter3 FireInspector,Chapter4 FireInvestigator,Chapter5 HazardousMaterials(includesAwareness,Operations,MissionSpecificCompetencies,and Technician),Chapter6 Driver/OperatorPumper,Chapter7 FireInstructor(includesLevelsI,II,andIII),Chapter8 FireOfficer(includesLevelsIandII),Chapter9 Thetrainingapprovalandtestingprogramadministersstateexaminationsforthefollowing certificationsandassociatedIFSACseals(whereapplicable): StructureFireProtection DepartmentHead AircraftRescueFireFighting MarineFireSuppression FireInspector FireInvestigator HazardousMaterialsTechnician Driver/OperatorPumper FireInstructorI FireInstructorII FireInstructorIII FireOfficerI FireOfficerII
TexasCommissiononFireProtection
4of43
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective1(continued)
IFSACAccreditation TheInternationalFireServiceAccreditationCongress(IFSAC)hasaccreditedthecommission's certificationandtestingprocessasmeetingtheapplicableNationalFireProtectionAssociation(NFPA) standardsfor: FireFighterI FireFighterII HazardousMaterialsAwareness HazardousMaterialsOperations(includesmissionspecificcompetenciesforPPEandProduct Control) HazardousMaterialsTechnician AirportFireFighter Driver/OperatorPumper FireInvestigator FireInspectorI FireInspectorII PlanExaminerI FireOfficerI FireOfficerII InstructorI InstructorII InstructorIII
AlthoughIFSACdoesnotevaluatetrainingprocesses(inputs)aspartoftheaccreditationprocess,the commissiondoeshavetoestablishcurriculumobjectivesthatmeettheapplicableNFPAstandardin ordertodeveloptestingprocesses(outputs)tomeetIFSACaccreditationrequirements.Furthermore, IFSACestablishesstrictaccreditationcriteriawithregardtotheadministrationandsecurityofwritten testandperformanceskillevaluations. PartoftheIFSACaccreditationprocessistoestablishandadministeratrainingprogramforevaluators. Furthermore,thecommissionmustensurethatevaluatorsareupdatedonallpolicyand/orprocedural changes.Throughcompletionofthisfieldexaminercourseandbymeetingtherequirementsoutlinedin thetraining,youareassistingthecommissioninmeetingtherequiredIFSACcriteria. TofindoutmoreaboutIFSAC,pleasevisittheirwebsiteatwww.ifsac.org.
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective2
Objective2
Listthefourqualificationsthatanindividualmusthavebeforebecomingacommissionapprovedfield examiner. ExaminerQualifications Youmaybeaskedtoevaluateskillsinanyofthestatecertification/IFSACaccrediteddisciplines.The questionis,"Areyouqualified?" Youarequalifiedtobeacommissionapprovedfieldexaminerifyou: 1. arecertifiedtoatleasttheInstructorIlevel, 2. arecertifiedinthedisciplinebeingevaluated(orhavedocumentationofcomparabletrainingon filewiththecommission)*, 3. havesuccessfullycompletedthisfieldexaminertrainingcoursewithinthelasttwoyears,and 4. havesubmittedtothecommissionasigned"LetterofIntent"uponcompletionofthiscourse.
*Exception:ForInstructorIandIIskillevaluations,thefieldexaminermustholdahigherlevelofcertificationthan thelevelbeingevaluated.
Asafieldexamineryouarelimitedtoevaluatingperformanceskillsonlyinthediscipline(s)inwhichyou holdcertification,orindisciplinesinwhichyouhaveprovideddocumentationtothecommissionthat showsyoumeetorexceedtheapplicablecurriculumrequirements. Afieldexaminermusthaveathoroughknowledgeofboththeskillbeingtestedandtheevaluationform beingused.Performanceskillsheetswhichshowtherequiredstepsforeachperformanceskillare availableontheagency'swebsite. Thecommission'sdefinitionofafieldexaminerisinChapter439,Section439.3(8)oftheStandards ManualforFireProtectionPersonnel.Therulestatesthatafieldexamineris: "anindividualauthorizedtoevaluateperformanceskillsincommissionapproved curricula.ThefieldexaminermustpossessaFireInstructorcertification,completethe onlinecommissionfieldexaminercourse,andsignanagreementtocomplywiththe commission'stestingprocedures.Thefieldexaminermustbeapprovedbythe commissiontoinstructallsubjectareasidentifiedinthecurriculumheorshewillbe evaluating.Thefieldexaminermustrepeattheexaminercourseeverytwoyearsand submitanewLetterofIntent."
TexasCommissiononFireProtection
6of43
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective2(continued)
LetterofIntent A"LetterofIntent"isastatementsignedbyanindividualwhoisapplyingtobeacommissionapproved fieldexaminer.TheLetterofIntentatteststothefactthatheorsheisfamiliarwiththecommission's examinationproceduresandagreestoabidebythepoliciesandguidelinesassetoutinChapter439of theStandardsManualforFireProtectionPersonnel. Bysigninga"LetterofIntent,"thefieldexamineragreesto: 1. followallrulesandpoliciessetforthbytheTexasCommissiononFireProtection, 2. facilitateafairandnonbiasedevaluationenvironment,and 3. maintainasafeenvironment. Therefore,itisimportantthatyoufollowtherulesandpoliciesthecommissionhaslaidoutinthis trainingprogramandkeepabreastofanychangesthatmayoccurbetweenthetrainingyoureceive everytwoyearsasafieldexaminer.Also,youwillneedtojudgeeachexamineewithoutlettingany "personal"opinionsgetinthewayofafairscore,especiallyifyouareaskedtoevaluateanexamineein whichyouwereaninstructorovertheindividual'straining.
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective3
Objective3
Listandexplainimportantqualitiesandresponsibilitiesofafieldexaminer. FieldExaminerQualities Asafieldexaminer,youmusthaveconfidencethatyoucandothejobofanexaminer,aswellasthe abilitytoperformtheskillbeingevaluated. Afieldexaminermustbeabletomaintaintotalconcentrationinordertoobservetheexaminee completingtheskillexaminationandtofillouttheevaluationform. Asafieldexaminer,youmustjudgetheperformanceoftheexaminee,nottheperson.Personalfeelings cannothaveaneffectonthefinaloutcomeoftheskillexamination.Theexamineehastherightto appealforevaluationbias.Biasisatendencytowardalackofobjectivity,fairness,orimpartialityonthe partoftheevaluator,oftenbasedonpersonalpreferencesandinclinations. FieldExaminerResponsibilities Asafieldexamineryoumustcontinuallycheckyourtestingareaforunsafeequipmentandobstacles (beforeandduringtesting). Asafieldexamineryouwillberequiredtoreviewtheprocedureswiththepersonservingasa"team member"duringateamskill.Thereareteamskillswhereonlytheexamineeisbeingevaluated.The designatedteammembershouldbeinstructedtoexplicitlyfollowtheinstructionsoftheexaminee.If theexamineetellstheteammembertodoawrongstep,theteammembermustfollowthose instructions.Theonlyexceptionwouldbeiftheactwouldcauseasafetyhazard.Theteammember mustnotprompttheexamineeinanyway(inotherwords,theteammembermustnotgetaheadofthe examineeinanystep).Sinceotherexamineescannotbeusedasteammembersortoresetskillstations, youmaybecalleduponbythechieftrainingofficerortheirdesigneetoactinthatcapacity. Asanexamineryouwillberesponsibleforevaluatingtheskilldemonstratedbyeachexamineeand recordingtheresultsforthatskill.Therefore,someobservationdifficultieswilloccur.
TexasCommissiononFireProtection
8of43
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective4
Objective4
Explaincommonerrorsmadebyafieldexaminerinadministeringexaminationsandexplaincommon observationdifficultiesencounteredduringtheevaluationprocess. ExaminationErrors Asafieldexaminer,youwillbe"rating"theexaminee'sabilitytoperformaskill.Therefore,thereare sometendenciesthatevaluatorsneedtoavoidinordertomaintainafairandnonbiasedtesting atmosphere.Thereareseveraltypesof"ratereffects"thatcanbepossiblecausesofanunfairand biasedoutcome;therefore,athoroughunderstandingofthesetendenciesneedstobeexplored. HaloEffect Atypeofratereffectinwhichanevaluatortendstobaseoveralljudgmentsorevaluationson selectedpiecesofinformationratherthanonallavailablerelevantinformation.* Youmaybeaskedtoevaluateexamineesforwhomyouweretheleadinstructoronthearea beingevaluated.Therefore,youmaythinkthatyourstudentsarethebestbecauseyoutrained them.Thiskindofthinkingmayleadtoabiasedevaluation,especiallyifyouareaskedtoalso evaluateexamineesyoudidnottrainandwhomayperformtheskilldifferentlythanwhatyou taught. LeniencyEffect Atypeofratereffectinwhichanevaluatortendstorateanexamineetoohighortojudgethe performancelevelasbetterthanitactuallyis.* Youmayfeelthatyoucan'tfailanyonebecauseitmightcostthemajob!Remindyourselfthat theexamineemaybeseekingacareerasafirefighterorfireinspector.Someday,someone'slife mightdependontheexaminee'sabilitytoperformtheskill. CentralTendency Atypeofratereffectinwhichanevaluatortendstorateexamineestowardthemidpointofa scaleortojudgetheperformanceasaverageorneutralwhenitisactuallywellaboveorwell belowthemiddlelevelofthescale.* Youmayfeelasanexaminerthatyoudonotwanttocreateanywaves,that"allofmystudents areaboutthesame."Thistendencytogivealltheexamineesperformancesthesamegeneral ratingcanleadtoaninaccurateoutcome,mostnotablyincaseswhereyoupassanexaminee whocannotperformtheskill.Remember,someone'slifemaydependontheexaminee'sability toperformtheskill.
TexasCommissiononFireProtection
9of43
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective4(continued)
Objective4(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective5
Objective5
Learnthegeneralrulesandprocessesforconductingcommissiondesignatedskillevaluations. Inordertoqualifyforthecommissioncertificationwrittenexamination,theexaminee(academyor individual)mustsuccessfullycompleteandpassallcommissiondesignatedskillevaluations.The followingitemswillprovideyouwithgeneralinformationregardingthecommissiondesignatedskill evaluationprocess. 1. Theskillevaluationprocesswillconsistofonerandomlyselectedskillfromeachsubjectarea withintheapplicablecurriculumthatcontainsskills.Thetablebelowidentifiestheskillsubjects, aswellashowmanyskillevaluationsarerequiredforeachcertificationdiscipline.
DISCIPLINE # SKILLS NFPA SUBJECT CATEGORIES (ENVELOPE TITLES FOR ACADEMIES) Basic Fire Suppression (incl. FF I, FF II, HM AW, HM OPS-with Mission Specific) 6
(1001) 5.1, 6.1 (1001) 5.2, 6.2 (1001) 5.3, 6.3 (1001) 6.4 (1001) 5.5, 6.5 (472) 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 6.2, 6.6 (1001) 5.1 (1001) 5.2 (1001) 5.3 (1001) 5.5 (1001) 6.1 (1001) 6.2 (1001) 6.3 (1001) 6.4 (1001) 6.5
General Communications Fireground Operations Rescue Prevention Hazardous Materials (incl. AW, OPS w/MS) General Communications Fireground Operations Prevention General Communications Fireground Operations Rescue Prevention
Fire Fighter I
Fire Fighter II
(472) 5.1 (472) 5.2 (472) 5.4 (472) 5.5 (472) 6.2, 6.6 (1003) 6.1 (1003) 6.2 (1003) 6.3 (1003) 6.4
General Analyzing the Incident Implementing the Planned Response Evaluating Progress Mission Specific Competencies General Response Suppression Rescue
ARFF
TexasCommissiononFireProtection
12of43
FieldExaminerCourse
Basic Fire Inspector (incl. Inspector I, Inspector II, Plan Examiner I) 4
Objective5(continued)
(1031) 4.1, 4.3, (472) 4.2 (1031) 4.2, 5.2, 7.2 (1031) 4.3, 5.3 (1031) 5.4, 7.3
Inspector I
(1031) 4.1, 4.3, (472) 4.2 (1031) 4.2 (1031) 4.3 (1031) 5.2 (1031) 5.3 (1031) 5.4 (1031) 7.2 (1031) 7.3 (1033) 4.2 (1033) 4.3 (1033) 4.4 (1033) 4.5 (1033) 4.6 (1033) 4.7
General Administration Field Inspection Administration Field Inspection Plans Review Administration Plans Review Scene Examination Documenting the Scene Evidence Collection Interview Post-Incident Investigation Presentation
Inspector II
Plan Examiner I
Fire/Arson Investigator
(472) 7.2 (472) 7.3 (472) 7.4 (1002) 4.2 (1002) 4.3 (1002) 5.1 (1002) 5.2 (1041) 4.2 (1041) 4.3 (1041) 4.4 (1041) 4.5 (1041) 5.2 (1041) 5.3 (1041) 5.4 (1041) 5.5
Analyzing the Incident Planning the Response Implementing the Planned Response Preventive Maintenance Driving/Operating General Operations Program Management Instructional Development Instructional Delivery Evaluation and Testing Program Management Instructional Development Instructional Delivery Evaluation and Testing
Driver/OperatorPumper
Fire Instructor I
Fire Instructor II
(1041) 6.2 (1041) 6.3 (1041) 6.5 (1021) 4.2 (1021) 4.3 (1021) 4.4 (1021) 4.5 (1021) 4.6 (1021) 4.7 (1021) 5.2 (1021) 5.3 (1021) 5.4 (1021) 5.5 (1021) 5.6 (1021) 5.7
Program Management Instructional Development Evaluation and Testing Human Resources Management Community & Government Relations Administration Inspection and Investigation Emergency Service Delivery Health & Safety Human Resources Management Community & Government Relations Administration Inspection and Investigation Emergency Service Delivery Health & Safety
Fire Officer I
Fire Officer II
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective5(continued)
2. Thestudentmaybeallowedtwoattemptstocompleteeachskill;however,anyretestsmustbe evaluatedbydifferentqualifiedfieldexaminer.Asecondfailureduringtheevaluationprocess willrequireremedialtraininginthefailedskillareawithacertifiedinstructorbeforebeing allowedathirdattempt.Athirdfailureshallrequirethatthestudentrepeattheentire certificationcurriculum. 3. Foralldisciplines,performanceevaluationsmaybeconductedeitherindividuallyorinateam setting,whenappropriate,aslongasthefieldexaminerissatisfiedthatthestudentisableto performtheskillsuccessfullyandtheintegrityofthetestingenvironmenthasbeenmaintained. 4. Theremustbeacleardistinctionbetweenthetrainingenvironmentandthetesting environment.Yourresponsibilityasafieldexamineristoensurethatthecommission designatedskillsareevaluatedinatestingenvironment.Inotherwords,nocoachingand/or retrainingcanbeconductedduringtheevaluationprocess. Trainingenvironment Testingenvironment
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewfrontside
Objective5(continued)
Title,references,section number
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewfrontside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewfrontside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewfrontside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewfrontside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewfrontside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
Title
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
Timelimits
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
Timelimits Totalscores/results
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
Importantnotes: Thescoresheetstellexactly howmuchcreditisgivenfor eachstepinthetask. Anexamineecannotgeta scoredsteppartlyrightor partlywrong.Theyeitherget creditforperformingthese stepscorrectlyortheydonot. Thereisnopartialcredit.
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Skillsheetoverviewbackside
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective5(continued)
Grading/scoringtheperformanceskillsheet TheoverallgradingsystemoftheperformanceskillexaminationwillbeonaPass/Failor Satisfactory/Unsatisfactorybasis;however,onsomeperformanceskillevaluationforms,many(ifnotall) ofthestepsarebasedonapointsystem.Thisnumericportionofthescoringgivesasetnumberof pointsforeachstepwithinthetestedskillandtheexamineemustscoreasufficientnumberofpointsto passtheskill(thepointvalueswilldifferwitheachskill).Thiswillallowsomeleewayingradingifa particularstep(s)withinthetestedskillis/arenotcompletedsatisfactorily.Nopartialpointsaretobe given.Thestepsthatarenotedasanabsolutemustbecompletedsatisfactorily.Iftheabsoluteisnot completedsuccessfully,itconstitutesafailureoftheskill. Iftheskillisatimedskillandtheallottedtimedoesnotrequiremandatory/absolutepassage,andthe examineefailstocompletetheskillintheallottedtime,theexamineewillreceivetheindicatedpoint deduction.Theexaminershallterminatetheskillevaluationwhenthetimetocompletetheskillexceeds twicetheallottedtime.Ifthetotalpointsarestillwithintherangeofpassingandallother mandatory/absolutesteps(whenapplicable)arepassed,theexamineewillpasstheskill.
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Testprocedures Readtheinstructionsfromthe skillsheettotheexaminee. Donotparaphrase! Itisvitalthateachexaminee receivestheexactsamesetof instructionsduetopossible legalramifications. Whenyouhavefinishedreading theinstructions,askthe examinee, Doyouunderstandthese instructions?
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Testprocedures Readtheinstructionsfromthe skillsheettotheexaminee. Donotparaphrase! Itisvitalthateachexaminee receivestheexactsamesetof instructionsduetopossible legalramifications. Whenyouhavefinishedreading theinstructions,askthe examinee, Doyouunderstandthese instructions? Iftheexamineeasksaquestion abouttheskillandtheanswer doesnotputyouinateaching situation,answerit.
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse Testprocedures Readtheinstructionsfromthe skillsheettotheexaminee. Donotparaphrase! Itisvitalthateachexaminee receivestheexactsamesetof instructionsduetopossible legalramifications. Whenyouhavefinishedreading theinstructions,askthe examinee, Doyouunderstandthese instructions? Iftheexamineeasksaquestion abouttheskillandtheanswer doesnotputyouinateaching situation,answerit. Iftheexamineeasksaquestion abouttheskillandtheanswer doesputyouinateaching situation,youareonlyallowed to: 1.readtheobjective,and 2.rereadtheinstructions.
Objective5(continued)
Objective5(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective5(continued)
Stoppingaperformanceskillforsafetyreasons Thefieldexaminerhastheauthoritytostoptheperformanceofanyskillifanunsafeconditionexists. Pleaseensurethatthechieftrainingofficerortheirdesigneeisnotifiedimmediatelywhenthesesafety situationsoccur. Ifthehazardwasbeyondthecontroloftheexaminee,thefieldexaminermayallowtheexamineea retryoftheskillwhenthesafetyhazardiscorrected. Ifthesafetyhazardwascausedbytheexaminee,itmayconstituteasafailureoftheskilldependent uponthescoringrequirementsoftheperformanceskillsheet.Theexamineemaybeallowedaretestif itwashisorherfirstattempt.Note:Anyretest(s)mustoccuruponcompletionoftheevaluationofall theoriginalskillattemptsandallexamineesscheduledtobeevaluatedthatday. Stoppingaperformanceskillfortiming Afieldexaminershallstopatimedperformanceskillexamiftheexamineehasexceededtwicethe allottedtimeforthatskill.Atthattime,youmusttabulateandnotifytheexamineeoftheresults. (ForexampleTheallottedtimeis5minutesandtheexamineestimeexceeds10minutes.Atthatpoint, youshouldstoptimingandtabulatetheresults.) NOTE:Stoppingaskilltestforthisreasondoesnotnecessarilyconstituteafailureoftheskill. Testrules Uponcompletion,theexaminerwilltelltheexaminee: 1. 2. Whethertheexamineepassedorfailedtheskill,and Theamountoftimetheexamineetooktocompletetheskill(ifapplicable).
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective5(continued)
Specialconsiderations:Inclementweather Therearemanytypesofinclementweatherconditionsthatcanmaketestingdifficult.Youmustbe preparedtoprovideanadequate,safetestingenvironmentforyourassignedskillarea(s). Forexample,onextremelyhotdays,youshouldensurethatadequatedrinkingwaterisavailablefor examineesbeingevaluatedonphysicallyintensiveskills. Intheeventofrainorextremecold,youmayconsidermovingtoanalternatetestingsite. Ingeneral,theonlytypeofweatherthatwillcausetestingtobestoppedislightning.Inthecaseof lightning,outsideskillexaminationswillbestoppeduntilitissafetoresume. Optionstoconsiderinclude: movingtoanalternatesite, postponinguntilthestormpasses,or reschedulingforadifferentday.
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective6
Objective6
Knowtheadditionalcommissiondesignatedskillevaluationprocessesandpaperworkrequirementsfor academystudentscompletingacertificationcourseatacertifiedtrainingfacility. InadditiontothegeneralrulesandprocessesidentifiedinObjective5,thecommissiondesignatedskill evaluationprocessforacademystudentscompletingacertificationcourseatacertifiedtrainingfacility mustbeconductedinamannerthatmeetsspecificcommissionrulesandpolicies. Fromeachsubjectareainthecurriculumthatcontainsskills,thetrainingproviderwillreceiveone randomlyselectedskill,alongwiththecourseapprovalnotice. 1. Theselectedskills,printedonseparatepiecesofpaper,willbesealedinindividualenvelopes. Printedontheoutsideoftheenvelope,thetrainingproviderwillfindtheapprovalnumberof thecourseandthecurriculumsubjectareaoftheskillcontainedinsidetheenvelope. 2. Thesealedcommissiondesignatedskillenvelopeshallnotbeopeneduntilalltrainingand/or practicesessionsforthedesignatedsubjectareahavebeencompleted.Nomorethan24hours priortothetestingdate,thesealedenvelopemaybeopenedbythechieftrainingofficeror theirdesigneeinordertofacilitatetheschedulingofpersonnelandresources;however, informationaboutwhichskillsaretobetestedmustremainconfidential. 3. Theevaluationsaretooccuronthedate(s),time(s),andlocation(s)assubmittedbythe trainingproviderontheTrainingPriorApprovalform. 4. Thetrainingprovidermustimmediatelynotifythecommissionofanydeviationfromthe commissiondesignatedskillevaluationscheduleassubmittedontheTrainingPriorApproval form. Theevaluationwillbeaformaltestsettingsupervisedbythechieftrainingofficerortheirdesignee. 1. Thetrainingproviderwillensurethatthecommissiondesignatedskillsareevaluatedbya commissionapprovedfieldexaminer. 2. Theinstructorofaparticularsubjectmaynotevaluatethatsubjectunlesstheinstructorisan approvedfieldexaminer. 3. Onceskilltestinghasbegun,noretrainingorextrapracticeshallbeallowedbythefield examineruntilalltestingcandidateshavecompletedtheinitialtestingonthedesignatedsubject area.
TexasCommissiononFireProtection
39of43
Objective6(continued)
1. Ensurethatallfieldexaminerswhowillbeevaluatingthestudentsarefamiliarwiththe applicableperformanceevaluationforms. 2. Verifythatthereareanadequatenumberoffieldexaminers,andthattheyarequalifiedto evaluatetheirassignedskillstations. 3. Discusstheperformanceevaluationproceduresandansweranyquestionsfromthefield examiners.Thechieftrainingofficerortheirdesigneewillexplainthedifferencesbetweena retryandaretestasexplainedinthisonlinefieldexaminercourse. 4. Ensurethatthenecessaryequipmentisavailableatthetestsiteandthattheselectedskill stationsarearrangedproperly,ifapplicable. 5. Whenapplicable,establishpreandpostholdingareastoensurethatunevaluatedstudents cannotobservecandidatesbeingtested. 6. Ensurethatthefieldexaminersandexamineesunderstandthefollowingprocedures: a. Propercompletionofanyformsusedintheevaluationprocess. b. NotificationofPerformanceSkillTestResultsThefieldexaminerwillnotifythe examineesoftheirresults.Ifanindividualfailsaskill,thefieldexaminerwillexplainthe area(s)failed. c. Thearrangementoftheskillstations,ifapplicable.Note:Anexamineeshallnotreceive anypriornotificationonthespecificskillstobetested. d. Generalandlifesafetyinstructionsasneededfortheparticulardisciplinetobe evaluated.Forexample:Pointoutemergencyexitsifinaclassroomsetting,orexplain thenecessityofstoppingaskillevaluationifthesafetyoftheexamineeisthreatened. e. Limitationofproctor/evaluatorassistance(e.g.,rewordinginstructions,definingwords, teaching)andhowtohandlequestionsorproblemsthatmayariseduringtheformal evaluationprocess. 7. Determineexamineetestingorder,ifapplicable. 8. Commenceexamination.
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective6(continued)
FieldExaminerCourse
Objective7
Objective7
Knowtheadditionalcommissiondesignatedskillevaluationprocessesandpaperworkrequirementsfor individualswhoqualifiedthroughanalternativecommissionapprovedtrainingroute(e.g.,college coursework,outofstate,AdvancedSFFMA)orwholettheircertificationortestexpire. Asafieldexaminer,youmaybeaskedtoevaluatetheskillsofanindividualwhocompletedan alternativecommissionapprovedtrainingrouteorforanindividualwholettheircertification/testscore expire.Theindividualmusthavetherequirednumberofrandomlyselectedcommissiondesignated skillsforthatcertificationdisciplineevaluatedbyacommissionapprovedfieldexaminerbeforebeing allowedtotakethestatecertificationwrittenexamination.Inadditiontofollowingthegeneralrulesand processesidentifiedinObjective5,thisprocesscanbeaccomplishedbycompletingoneofthefollowing tworoutes: 1. Theevaluationmaytakeplacewithanacademytestinwhichthetrainingproviderwill providethecommissionwiththestudentsnameandtheapprovalnumberoftheclassthe individualwillbetestingwith.Thecommissionwillthenprovidethetrainingproviderwitha PerformanceSkillVerificationform(TCFP047)thatistobecompletedbyacommission approvedfieldexaminerorexaminersuponsuccessfulcompletionoftheskills.The completedPerformanceSkillVerificationformistobedirectlyprovidedtotheindividual. Theevaluationcouldbedoneinaoneononeorgroupenvironmentatacertifiedtraining facilitycertifiedinthedisciplinetobeevaluated.Thetrainingproviderorfieldexaminerwill needtocontactaTrainingApprovalandTestingstaffmemberdirectly(i.e.,viaemail)and providethefollowinginformation: a. Theindividualsnametobeevaluatedandhisorherqualificationtotakethe skillportionoftheapplicablestateexamination(e.g.,AdvancedSFFMA certificate,expiredstateexamination/certification,outofstateequivalency). b. Thefieldexaminers(orexaminers)name,PIN,andqualifications. c. Thenameofcertifiedtrainingfacilitytobeutilized. d. Thedisciplinetobeevaluated. Acommissionstaffmemberwillthensenddirectlytothetrainingproviderorfieldexaminer therandomlyselectedskillsandPerformanceSkillVerificationform.Thecompleted PerformanceSkillVerificationformistobegivendirectlytothestudent.
2.
TexasCommissiononFireProtection
42of43
FieldExaminerCourse
Summary
Summary
Althoughevaluationscanbedifficult,unpopularandtimeconsuming,yourserviceasafieldexamineris crucialtothestatescertificationprocessandisvitalinassistingtheTexasCommissiononFire ProtectioninfulfillingandmaintainingitsmissionandIFSACaccreditationrequirements. Foryourfuturereference,aPDFversionofthiscourseisavailabletodownload:FieldExaminerCourse (PDF). Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorcommentsregardingthistraining,pleasecontactaTrainingApprovaland Testingprogramstaffmemberbycalling(512)9363819orbysendinganemailtoinfo@tcfp.state.tx.us.
TexasCommissiononFireProtection
43of43