Emergency Services Instructor Policy Update – 02/01/22

MEMORANDUM
DATE:            February 1, 2022
TO:                 WI Fire Service
FROM:           Angela White, WTCS Fire Education and Training Director
SUBJECT:     Updates to Emergency Services Instructor Policy, Requirements

The Emergency Services Instructor courses and associated policies have been updated as of February 1, 2022. Please take special note of the following changes and updates:

  1. This course has been renamed Fire and Emergency Services Instructor to match the NFPA 1041 standard name. Wisconsin Fire Service certification for “Emergency Services Instructor (ESI)” is equivalent to Fire and Emergency Services Instructor (FESI) at each level.
  2. Wisconsin has added an accredited FESI-II (32-hour) course. All prior policies related to obtaining an ESI-II certification will be effective until 3/31/2022. Starting April 1, 2022, students will have to take the in-house class as noted in policy.
  3. Certificate renewal requirements have been updated, requiring 220 hours of instruction -or- instruction and continuing education for FESI-I and FESI-II renewal (additional requirements still exist for FESI-II renewal). Students with a current ESI certification may use the new renewal option immediately (no proration will be given, as this is less hours than prior recertification). Students shall submit their renewal information on the new standardized renewal form (available from your instructor or local fire coordinator). Renewal hours:

A minimum of 180-hours of instruction over the 5-year certification period. The instructional hours must include:

  • Any WTCS emergency services course (Fire, EMS, LE)
  • National Fire Academy (NFA) course
  • Departmental or crew training (Fire, EMS, LE)
  • Private or contract training (Fire, EMS)
  • Emergency Response Team training (Fire, EMS)
  • Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) course (Fire, EMS, LE)
  • WI REACT course (Fire, EMS)
  • WTCS FSEO fire certification exam station evaluator (maximum of 50 hours)
  • Delivery of developed public education programming (maximum of 30 hours)
  • Others as pre-approved by the WTCS FSEO

NOTE: Fire/EMS field experience (precepting, internship, etc.) hours are only eligible during direct instruction or evaluation

A maximum of 40 hours of continuing education over the 5-year certification period. Continuing education must include:

  • State Representative for WTCS FSEO
  • Emergency service course train-the-trainer sessions
  • Continuing education courses dealing with instructional development and/or techniques
  • WTCS adjunct in-service and training meetings
  • WTCS FQAS courses (See your Fire Coordinator for more information)
  • WTCS degree and fire certification courses
  • NFA, FDIC courses
  • Wisconsin Society of Emergency Services Instructors (WSESI) Conference
  • Other emergency service-related courses & sessions
  • Others as pre-approved by the WTCS FSEO.

4. Students with an ESI certificate that expires on or before 3/31/2022 will have two-years to recertify. Students who obtain
the FESI certification or renew on or after 4/1/2022 will have a one-year recertification period.
5. Students still only have to renew at their highest level of FESI certification.
6. Students are responsible for their own renewal. Neither the WTCS nor the colleges send reminders at this time.

Questions my be directed to:

Angela White
Education Director – Fire Service Training
Wisconsin Technical College System Office
Email: angela.white@wtcsystem.edu