Upcoming Classes

The college is in the process of scheduling a Fire Inspector 1 class, as well as a Fire Instructor 2 class for early spring. Also we’re looking to schedule a Fire Officer 1 class for early spring.

We have scheduled the Fire Investigation Technician class for October and November 2020, an 80-hour course. The dates will be Oct. 19 – 23 and Nov. 2 – 6. There are some online prerequisites that will need to be completed for class — we’ll post more information soon.

The NCDOI/OSFM has scheduled a Fire Instructor Upgrade for March 4, 2020, which will be held at COA in Elizabeth City. Class will start at 7 p.m.

Special Notes

• Tests are always given the last night of the last class for each course
• Students must register the first night of class and attend 80 percent of class to get credit for the class (state mandated)
• Minimum number of students to hold classes is 10
• We need your request for fire classes seven days prior to the beginning of classes, unless you make arrangements to have someone to pick up materials.
• Classes are added during the month that may not be on the training calendar
• All requested fire classes will need to be requested by using the Fire Class Request form; classes requested without the required paperwork will not be approved

Instructional Faculty

1. Faculty Description
   1. Fire Fighter Instructors: All instructors hired by COA will meet the requirements of the Fire and Rescue Commission and the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshall.
      • General Instructor: One who has taken and passed the State Educational Methodology Exam. This level of instructor can teach classroom and practicals but can not test.
      • Qualified Instructor: One who has taken and passed the State Educational Methodology Exam and the State Job Knowledge Exam. This level of instructor can teach and test students.
   2. Rescue Technician Instructors: All instructors hired by the COA will meet the requirements of the Fire and Rescue Commission and the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshall.
   3. Specialty Course Instructors: All instructors hired by the COA will meet the requirements of the Fire and Rescue Commission and the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshall as it relates to the program specialty.
   4. Non-Credentialed Instructors: All non-credentialed instructors must be able to document their expertise in a particular specialty field before they are allowed to teach a program.
2. Appointment: Instructors will be chosen based on credentialing qualifications, past performance, and availability. All instructors will be hired on a part-time basis for the duration of the class and will be supervised by the School Director.
3. Responsibilities/Expectations: In addition to the duties and responsibilities addressed in the Department of Workforce Development and Career Readiness’ (Continuing Education) instructor’s manual, all Fire and Rescue Instructors will be responsible for:
   1. Education and training needs in the seven-county college service area;
   2. Identification of needed resources;
   3. Participate in the planning process of training classes;
   4. Instructional coordination and delivery;
   5. Coordination/evaluation of auxiliary instructors, including:
      • Evaluation and monitoring of student performance throughout all activities required for program completion, including remediation and competency evaluations.
   6. Student monitoring/professional development; and program record keeping;
   7. Instructors may use appropriate materials they wish to enhance their presentations, but the use of Commission approved curriculum materials are required in all certifications courses;
   8. Ask students to sign attendance roster, and the Fire/Rescue using full name;
   9. Sign intent to pay form and attendance roster;
   10. Please ask students if anyone is under the age of 18 (They must have a signed release form from their high school). No one under 16 years of age may register;
   11. Make sure students complete 80 percent of class before testing them;
   12. Check roster and attendance sheet for number of students to be sure they match;
   13. When canceling class notify school before 12 pm on day of class;
   14. Return all packets to school 3 days after completing class;
   15. When requesting classes please send in request to school seven to 10 days prior to class start date; and
   16. Report any injury to a firefighter enrolled in classes sponsored by the COA to the School Director as soon as possible.
4. Appointment Qualifications Requirements: All Instructors hired by the COA will meet the requirements of the Fire and Rescue Commission and the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshall for that level of instruction. Instructors will be responsible for providing documentation of their qualifications and credentialing.
5. Method of Faculty Evaluation and Re-appointment: Instructors will be evaluated by the following means:
   1. Student evaluations.
   2. Student retention.
   3. Student pass rates, both local and state testing statistics.
6. Faculty Orientation/Development:
   1. All instructors hired by the COA’s Department of Workforce Development and Career Readiness will receive a copy of the college’s Instructor Policy and Procedure Manual and a thorough orientation to acquaint them with the college’s policies and procedures.
   2. All Fire and Rescue Instructors will be required to attend an annual update/orientation class sponsored by the college. At this class, the instructors will be made aware of updates and changes to the program as well as any changes to the college’s policies and procedures. Instructors will be allowed to voice any concerns and/or suggestions for improvements for fire and rescue. In the event of major changes or event happenings, a special meeting will be called to cover new materials.