by Jeff Saunders
Reporter
Nordonia Hills -- With a looming state-imposed deadline for all firefighters to be recertified, area fire department officials say their departments are pretty much set.
"We were done back in November," said Northfield Village Fire Chief Gary Vojtush of the department's approximately two dozen active part-time firefighters.
The same is true for Northfield Center's 32 part-timers and Macedonia's 28 rescue workers, according to Northfield Center Fire Capt. Frank Risko and Macedonia Fire Chief Tim Black.
"Obviously, we've told our guys, 'You must recertify, you must recertify, you must recertify, you must recertify,'" said Black. "They've had eight months to do this. I'm sure everybody's done it."
Previously, firefighters were certified for life, but now they are required to renew their certification by Jan. 24.
Failure to do so would mean firefighters must be tested or re-take hours of training, said China Dodley, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
Beginning Jan. 24, recertification is necessary every three years, she said.
"Ohio is certainly on the forefront of doing this, taking the lead to make sure that firefighters are prepared to deal with disasters," said Dodley, "and also that our first responders in the state are identified. In the event of a catastrophe, it will help the state track first responders and put them in place as needed."
Dodley said that along with the new recertification process comes a requirement that firefighters complete 54 hours of training every three years. She said this is the first time the state has mandated continuing education for firefighters.
"Before, they would certify once and they were certified for life," she said.
Officials said recertification is a simple process if firefighters have completed required training.
"I just asked them to go online to get recertified. Everybody knew there was a deadline," said Vojtush. "Basically, they're trying to find out who's active and who's not."
And all three departments report their firefighters complete enough training to meet recertification requirements as part of their normal work schedules.
"We do at least six to eight hours of fire training a month," Risko said.
Likewise, Black said city firefighters conduct eight hours of department training each month, while firefighters also complete additional training during their shifts.
Vojtush estimated the village department trains about four hours a month.
Officials said training includes any area that involves firefighting or rescue, such as airpack operation, handling hoses, ground ladders, ropes and forcible entries.
The yearly training is a continuation of the training firefighters must go through for their initial certification.
This training is at four levels, from 36 hours for volunteer firefighters to 240 hours, the highest level.
All three departments reported their firefighters are all trained to the 240-hour certification level, except for one village recruit who is scheduled to begin his 240 training in February.
Black said he believes the new state requirements were "badly needed."
"The state needs to make sure its safety forces are certified," he said.
E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com
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