Firefighter Resources
Ohio Emergency Medical Services: Find Ohio Rules, Regulations & Certification Requirements here.
Fire Engineering: Fire Engineering magazine provides training, education, and management information for fire and emergency services personnel worldwide. Articles are written by experts in the fire service and focus on lessons learned.
Fire House: Firehouse’s mission is to provide fire/rescue professionals with information, news, training, and community to help them do their jobs safer and more efficiently.
Firefighter Nation: FirefighterNation is where firefighters find breaking news stories, major incident updates, and other firefighting news as well as the latest fire service industry news.
All certifications require continuing education to be eligible for renewal. Continuing education requirements vary by type and level of certification. Once a certification is issued, the certificate holder should ensure compliance with, and keep documentation of, all continuing education, as well as any other certification renewal requirements.
MAINTAINING YOUR FIRE CERTIFICATION IN OHIO
- Firefighter Certification Continuing Education Renewal Requirements (Ohio Division of EMS)
- Ohio Administrative Code 4765-20
WHERE TO GET YOUR CEUS
Ohio EMS Education & Training Opportunities: The training and education pages on this website provide information on training and education opportunities, continuing education requirements, laws and rules specific to EMS and fire training, as well as information for accredited EMS training institutions, chartered fire training programs, and approved EMS continuing education (CE) sites.
Fire Rescue 1 Academy: From the moment you become a firefighter to the day you retire, your career in the fire service requires a commitment to continuous improvement. With FireRescue1 Academy, accredited training is at your fingertips with more than 1,000 courses and videos including more than 440 hours of approved EMS CEUs, allowing you to train on your pace and schedule – 24/7.
FDIC International (Conference): Held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana, FDIC International is the world’s largest firefighter training conference. FDIC International offers thousands of Fire & Rescue professionals from around the world, quality world-class instructors, classrooms, workshops, H.O.T evolutions and the most innovative products and services available to the industry displayed by over 800 exhibiting companies. The FDIC Experience is more than your traditional trade show it’s about the learning and sharing with your peers formally and informally through hallway conversations, developing lifelong friendships, and recharging your passion for the industry. Simply, there is no other event like FDIC International and to experience it, you simply have to attend.
Firehouse Expo (Conference): Held annually, Firehouse Expo features a full program of hands-on training classes, pre-conference workshops, a 3-day conference program, exhibition floor and networking events designed to connect you with fellow fire service professionals.
International Association of Firefighters: The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is the driving force behind nearly every advance in the fire and emergency services in the 21st century. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, the IAFF represents more than 328,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics in more than 3,500 affiliates. IAFF members protect more than 85 percent of the population in communities throughout the United States and Canada. The IAFF is also one of the most active lobbying organizations in Washington, DC. The IAFF Political Action Committee, FIREPAC, is among the top one-half of one percent of all federally registered PACs in the country
Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters: Since 1918, members of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters have been on the frontlines protecting lives and property of citizens across the Buckeye State – just as the OAPFF has been there to protect the interests and health and safety of those first responders. Over the years, the profession of fire fighting has expanded to include EMS and rapid response to virtually every emergency, natural and man-made. Accordingly, the OAPFF has increased its services to meet the growing needs of our members.
The OAPFF Peer Support Team consists of approximately 30 firefighters from all 5 Ohio districts who have been trained in providing emotional and mental health support to union firefighters in the state of Ohio. OAPFF Peer Supporters have all received the IAFF Peer Support Training. The OAPFF Peer Support Team may provide assistance to both active and retired firefighters who may be experiencing behavioral health and/or addiction issues. The Peer Support Team may also assist Locals after a potentially traumatic event. Peer Support Team Members act as a bridge to outside definitive behavioral health and/or addiction treatment. Peer Support Members are knowledgeable in local, regional, and state mental health resources.
Next Rung: Next Rung exists to make an impact in the lives of firefighters and first responders. Their goal is to provide quality resources that will help combat mental health issues that plague the profession. “So if you or a firefighter/first responder you know is in need, simply text “SUPPORT” to 1-833-698-7864 and we promise to walk with you through whatever it is you’re facing.”
International Association of Firefighters Peer Support Training: The IAFF Peer Support Training is delivered by IAFF master peer support instructors in two formats: 1) two days in person or 2) three days online. After completing the training, members have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide support to their peers, have a basic understanding of common behavioral health issues affecting the fire service, can serve as a bridge to community resources or behavioral health treatment when indicated, and are able to build or enhance their peer support programs.
Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance: Founder, Jeff Dill, retired Captain of the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Inverness, IL, started Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) to directly educate firefighters/ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and their families about behavioral health issues such as depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and addictions, as well as firefighter suicides.
Share the Load™ Support Program for Fire and EMS: The NVFC’s Share the Load™ program provides access to critical resources and information to help first responders and their families manage and overcome personal and work-related problems. This includes the Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals as a resource to find local assistance for behavioral health issues.
