RCC Firefighting Courses Nationally Certified

Hamlet, NC - January 5, 2012

Richmond Community College is now nationally accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) to offer firefighter courses. The accreditation follows a recent site visit by representatives of the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

"North Carolina accepts firefighter certification from the IFSAC and from another accrediting agency. The credentials are nationally portable, meaning firefighters won't have to retake courses required by states requiring IFSAC credentials. All 58 community colleges are now required to have the IFSAC accreditation, and we had a very successful review," said Chip Osborne, a director with RCC's Workforce and Economic Development Division.

Osborne compared the review process to the process the college experiences to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Every five years a site visit will be required for the college to produce evidence that policies and procedures are being properly followed, equipment and training aids are as described, and personnel are certified.

"Richmond Community College has always had a good program, now we have a process that documents our compliance with specific standards," said Osborne.

Course areas include Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Responder, EVD, Driver Operator Pumps and Aerial, Technical Rescuer, Instructor, Fire and Life Safety Educator, and Fire Officer. More areas will be explored as community needs develop. To learn more, contact Osborne at 410-1708 or cosborne@richmondcc.edu.