Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Tennessee Fire Commission keeps FAO course, will issue PDO and AADO certifications
Loading...
Summary
The commission voted to retain the FAO course as a training program but stop issuing FAO as a stand‑alone certification; students who pass the combined FAO exam will receive PDO and AADO accredited certificates (or dual certificates) instead, and existing FAO holders will be recognized for PDO/AADO.
The Tennessee Fire Commission voted to keep the fire apparatus operator (FAO) course as a recognized training offering but to stop issuing FAO as a stand‑alone certification, the director said. He recommended that anyone who completes the FAO course and passes the combined exam be issued the accredited PDO and AADO credentials instead.
The commission heard that FAO is a course that historically served as a fast‑track combining the knowledge and practical job performance requirements for Pump Driver Operator (PDO) and Aerial Apparatus Driver Operator (AADO). "FAO is not an actual certification. What it is is a course," the director said, and staff validated that the accredited requirements for PDO and AADO "were completed properly." He proposed keeping one combined test with the office issuing PDO and AADO certificates on successful completion, or developing separate PDO and AADO tests if the commission chooses.
Commissioners debated whether to maintain the single 150‑question FAO exam as an option for departments that need a combined pathway. Vice Chairman Scott and other commissioners said the FAO path remains a practical fast track for many departments; others questioned the need to keep a separate test bank for an uncertified label. The director reassured the commission that existing FAO holders will be recognized and that issuing PDO/AADO in place of FAO would remove confusion.
The commission amended and approved a motion to continue offering FAO as a training course and to issue PDO and AADO certifications (or dual certificates) when the combined exam is used. Chairman Windrow recorded a dissenting vote on the question but the motion passed. Staff said they will implement the change administratively and ensure paperwork and certificates reflect accredited PDO/AADO issuance.
The decision does not change the underlying training: the FAO course will remain available as a pathway for departments that want combined training; the paperwork and published credentialing will be updated to reflect accredited certifications. The commission directed staff to capture the change in minutes and to update forms and guidance for training officers.
