[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6707238,"mediaKeyId","5547582-dd8e896bfd9e95a21a6437f1e1c2920a","parentId",5547582,"title","Commission advances broad rules package and narrows educational-incentive preapproval; approves raising law-enforcement/EMS credit to 20 hours","audioSeconds",865,"startMs",645000,"endMs",1510000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547582-dd8e896bfd9e95a21a6437f1e1c2920a&start=645&end=1510","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547582-dd8e896bfd9e95a21a6437f1e1c2920a/thumbnail_645000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6707238/Tennessee/Commission-advances-broad-rules-package-and-narrows-educational-incentive-preapproval-approves-raising-law-enforcementEMS-credit-to-20-hours","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6707238-ba884c2d44640b317b220ae662554495/orig.mp4?Expires=1773579683&Signature=nr04~u397pBjRuDEb9qcMxF~mKYSQyM3vT55cAKW-OVhbB7Chaypsvw1VpA1tvktK6fnOGwsOUKedv0FSz5A~AN9GCDzOLbouq8bN9QlxRaqQgunzS4FCEmVW7zX~7YmA8B~LyZnreDyP1u-R0ymE7kyqk4z3vOxIi9W6D5AQBdVYs3IJl9cD22E7b6MaJUXOiVTZrdFIaDwlVQ-OW8ju147XihrF2vfZes0S-RNAPOjkrMiUonS7AQkHVtprC-1gUJZRnTySIyW8x~eAxx~t2HRvhxZ7Iih3XQ6r8DJC0xm2kz0qDXHO3ccqgF9TvJb2koOm6rkor0fRAchwWtHwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Commerce & Insurance","date","2025-08-06T15:08:36Z","article","The Tennessee Firefighting Commission agreed July 29 to move a major rules package forward to internal review focusing on chapters 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 of the commission rules. Commissioners also approved an amendment to increase the number of educational-incentive pay (EIP) credit hours allowed for law enforcement and emergency medical training from 16 to 20.

Key changes discussed
- Consolidating NFPA references: The package removes specific NFPA standard numbers from multiple chapters and consolidates them into chapter 6 so future NFPA updates will be addressed in a single chapter.
- Instructor progression and 'cooldown' period: The commission proposed removing the 30-day test-waiting period and keeping a single 36-month waiting period for eligibility to test for Fire Instructor I; importantly, the 36-month interval will be measured from the Firefighter I certificate date (a hard date the commission can verify), not from an imprecise entry-into-service date.
- Reciprocity and break-in-service: The draft removes a 60-month break-in-service verification rule that the commission said it cannot practically verify at present; reciprocity will rely on IFSA C/ProBoard seal dates when available.
- Educational Incentive Pay (EIP) preapproval: The package removes the commission-level preapproval requirement for in-service training (the preapproval process had proved burdensome); instead the rule would require records be submitted to Acadis and audited at year-end, broadening acceptable documented training (including some EMS and law enforcement training) where firefighting content is present.
- Practical vs. projects: The rules clarify where a real-time practical is required versus when projects (take-home or portfolio-style work) are acceptable. For some disciplines that historically used projects, the new language will explicitly allow that approach.

On law-enforcement/EMS training credit for EIP
Commissioners amended chapter 7 to increase the allowable credit for documented law-enforcement and EMS training from 16 hours to 20 hours for EIP substitution. The commission voted to close the rule subcommittee and move the package forward to internal review with that 16→20 change included.

Why it matters
Commission staff and volunteer stakeholders told the subcommittee that the prior preapproval process was unevenly applied across departments and created barriers for volunteers and small departments. The rules change aims to simplify administration, reduce duplication with statute, and make EIP compliance easier while retaining statutory training requirements.

Quotes and attribution
- Director Marybeth Zimmerman (paraphrase): the package aims to “make this as easy and streamlined as possible for departments.”
- A rule-subcommittee speaker: moving NFPA references to chapter 6 “so when we had to do future rule hearing or the update of the standards, we were only touching one chapter.”

Next steps
The commission voted to move the package to internal legal review and then to a formal rule hearing process. The internal review will produce the formal rule text that will be filed for public comment and a hearing at a later date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FFC Work Session and Business Meeting 7/29/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tennessee Firefighting Commission voted July 29 to advance a major multi-chapter rule package to internal review that consolidates NFPA references, simplifies educational-incentive administration and changes instructor progression rules; commissioners also approved increasing allowable law-enforcement/EMS EIP credit from 16 to 20 hours.","taxTitle","Commerce & Insurance, Deparments in Office of the Governor, Organizations, Executive, Tennessee","taxId",17379,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6707234,"Accreditation manager flags practical-skills gaps, ARFF delays and wildland concerns; commission authorizes MOU for Fort Campbell class and a targeted fix plan",2452,2503000,4955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547582-dd8e896bfd9e95a21a6437f1e1c2920a&start=2503&end=4955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547582-dd8e896bfd9e95a21a6437f1e1c2920a/thumbnail_2503000.jpg","/articles/6707234/Tennessee/Accreditation-manager-flags-practical-skills-gaps-ARFF-delays-and-wildland-concerns-commission-authorizes-MOU-for-Fort-Campbell-class-and-a-targeted-fix-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6707234-fcc44fbf24ea387ba16e98647db2e82e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773579683&Signature=Aob~ebgt24TYMtheERY6r9Gp9p2QZ6Xt08hTnKMBzB1p7qfdKd6al5Izea021DdqRZjCF8qp8ai2WZO0A4hg6vsOf7xW5ZM~H5q8o7PDZZcHt5N9VW6KOodWVJ8VhjjTLGFoNETI6N65YFD407Lqq2hTpKbmfSSiU67WGK0i09qzshBALmYLEbZ5XMGnErtJXseIqtjBAJmf-fxFsGkNgXJdw9kpatyjcLV9P-sra~zfM6zZYAlIdCiSjB8PsHbGHz0rrwSylGMzMgRaREoqOeEnYUKp3elZ451PpW5ww~To28qJ~JVz20M8NFQWZ8Dd-NHQEYJeG7IJFNuSQuePWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Accreditation manager Greg Palmer presented an audit-style summary of program-level deficiencies the commission must correct to remain in compliance with IFSA C and ProBoard accreditation requirements.

Major findings
- In-house practical skills and proctor oversight: Palmer said the commission lacks a uniform mechanism to approve or credential the individuals who proctor and sign off practical skills in the field. With roughly 6,700 departments in Tennessee there are many delivery variations; accreditation requires consistent governance.
- ARFF (aircraft rescue and firefighting): Palmer reported that ARFF practical skills on the commission website use a 2015 practical-skills edition; the 2019 edition should have been implemented and the program is behind. That status raised concerns because reciprocal certifications may be relied upon by other jurisdictions or military installations.
- Wildland 1/2: Palmer said wildland standards and online-course verification do not consistently demonstrate that required JPRs (job performance requirements) were met; Tennessee and Utah are among the few states offering IFSA C/ProBoard wildland credentials and the commission must decide whether to keep, pause, or refocus that program.
- Low volumes for some programs: Some certifications have very low issuance numbers; the commission may need to prioritize resources and decide whether to continue offering all levels.

Commission directions and actions
- Evaluator credential program: Commissioners directed staff to draft a program that would credential evaluators (proctors) who may sign practical skills. The proposed model: an evaluator credential tied to the evaluator’s own certific ation levels (an evaluator may sign only for disciplines they themselves hold). The commission suggested offering a trainer/evaluator course that regional coordinators could deliver and that would be recorded in Acadis.
- Fort Campbell (ARFF) MOU and September class: The commission authorized staff to pursue a memorandum of understanding with Fort Campbell and to permit the ARFF class scheduled for September to proceed under a formal MOU. Commissioners further directed staff to treat that class as an opportunity to observe and confirm whether JPRs were being met. After the September class the commission agreed to pause further ARFF activity until the program-level fixes are in place, unless a prompt fix is implemented.
- Wildland review and temporary extension: Commissioners directed staff to compare existing practical JPRs against the new test bank and report back; staff said it could complete a JPR comparison within about 45 days. If the updated JPRs match prior practicals, staff will validate existing student practicals; if not, staff will advise next steps.

Why this matters
Palmer warned that accrediting bodies have sanctioned other jurisdictions that failed to align delivery and testing to standards; a lack of corrective action risks the commission’s dual-accreditation status and could force the rescission of certifications previously issued.

Next steps and timeline
- Accreditation manager to draft an evaluator credential program and an implementation plan; staff to return to the commission in October with a proposed curriculum and rollout schedule.
- Draft MOU for September ARFF class and allow class to proceed subject to MOU terms; pause ARFF certifications after that class if program-level corrections are not in place.","The commission heard an accreditation audit-style briefing July 29: staff said the state lacks consistent oversight of practical skill evaluations, ARFF practicals lag behind current editions, and wildland certification processes need alignment; commissioners authorized a temporary MOU for a Fort Campbell ARFF class and asked staff to develop an evaluator credential program and a 45-day plan for wildland JPR review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6707243,"Tennessee Firefighting Commission schedules hearing after alleged certification fraud; suspends related instructor credential",11544,76000,11620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547582-dd8e896bfd9e95a21a6437f1e1c2920a&start=76&end=11620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547582-dd8e896bfd9e95a21a6437f1e1c2920a/thumbnail_76000.jpg","/articles/6707243/Tennessee/Tennessee-Firefighting-Commission-schedules-hearing-after-alleged-certification-fraud-suspends-related-instructor-credential","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6707243-2be5314a92d31adc67b57a06f8bda19f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773579683&Signature=EpyPlrOBVigsClCymsRzjPBmMz5-gmNLTYqLyFO3ucb9l~LPA899P~jG3CdJe0farBPCPUmqcndfEpHr3d4mGLgzcI0e0HxvcBLNPmGoFK0t5jXzhj38hqTLCsBvbZqa-L5BGzX4wGlsVx~VtLrqPpInX83Wz0wYSaWXdnkcxkztyz31nUzBrNPaP3NOUnrn9s3KzoZ3IZz9~X2Uyt5IMN1SVEKIjQz0~FIGftNYxqv6kosuW3sG7sZ1L0EDTk0UDYBZZpsXVTqmEwqGM3mx1bLD~dRw5gigSX27rG5LmAweEl5qDybp9UqqKxQ~gepUxp-vXZRC2yA5rKwQlsaH4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee Firefighting Commission voted July 29 to notify an individual that the body will hold a formal disciplinary hearing after legal staff reported evidence that the person submitted multiple forged certificates to the commission.

Legal counsel told commissioners the investigation found an allegedly falsified Firefighter II certificate and multiple additional forged documents, while the individual retained a live-burn certification and more recent HMA/HMO documents that appear genuine. Legal recommended two options: seek the individual’s agreement to decertify the wrongfully acquired credentials and bar participation in commission programs for 10 years, or file formal charges and hold an adjudicatory hearing. Commissioners voted to proceed with a hearing.

Why this matters: Certifications issued by the Tennessee commission carry IFSA C/ProBoard accreditation seals used by other states and employers. The commission said it must act to protect the integrity of those credentials and to make sure employers and the public can rely on the credentials the commission issues.

What commissioners decided and ordered
- The commission voted to issue a notice of a formal hearing to the individual and have staff pursue service and scheduling of the hearing. Legal will prepare the notice and steps toward an administrative hearing before an ALJ; the hearing date will be set with the commission’s October meeting in mind.
- Commissioners also voted to flag the individual’s account in the commission’s records and to take immediate administrative steps regarding the person’s Tennessee-issued credentials.
- Citing a lack of the required prerequisite (Firefighter II), the commission voted to revoke the person’s Fire Instructor I credential pending formal proceedings.

Commissioners and staff quoted
- Maribel (Legal counsel): legal staff “believe that this individual has created false certificates for at least 4 disciplines within the fire service.”
- Commissioner Henry (mover): made the motion to require the individual to appear for a hearing.
- Commissioner Sullivan (second): seconded the motion to require a hearing.

Process notes and next steps
- Legal advised the commission that, under the commission’s procedures, the respondent will receive approximately 30 days’ notice of a hearing and the opportunity to respond; if the respondent does not appear after proper service, staff may seek a default hearing.
- Staff will flag the individual’s Acadis record so future users who inspect that account will see the pending action; if the commission makes a final adverse finding, staff said it can request that IFSA C/ProBoard remove or invalidate the affected accreditation numbers in their registries.

Context: how the commission handles certification integrity
The commission’s legal and accreditation teams explained that different documents in the person’s record appear to have different provenance: some certificates show valid IFSA C/ProBoard numbers and appear to have been legitimately issued, while others include numbers that belong to different individuals or otherwise appear forged. Commissioners said the immediate administrative actions (flagging the account and revoking the instructor credential for lack of the prerequisite) are interim steps while staff prepares the formal adjudicatory process.

Ending
The commission clerk will publish the hearing notice after legal finalizes the charging documents. The hearing will provide the individual an opportunity to contest the charges; a final commission order is expected after presentation of evidence at that hearing.","The commission voted to open a formal disciplinary hearing after legal staff reported an individual submitted multiple forged firefighter certificates. Commissioners also directed staff to flag the person’s record and revoked an instructor credential for lack of the required prerequisite.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission advances broad rules package and narrows educational-incentive preapproval; approves raising law-enforcement/EMS credit to 20 hours

Accreditation manager flags practical-skills gaps, ARFF delays and wildland concerns; commission authorizes MOU for Fort Campbell class and a targeted fix plan

Tennessee Firefighting Commission schedules hearing after alleged certification fraud; suspends related instructor credential