We offer certification for all levels of industrial firefighting in accordance with NFPA1081 and also offer advanced certification beyond this minimum standard.
Responding to the needs of industry, IPSQA now offers a range of firefighter certifications including:
- IPSQA ProQual Industrial Firefighter I (NFPA1081 Incipient Firefighter)
- IPSQA ProQual Industrial Firefighter II (NFPA1081 Interior Firefighter)
- IPSQA ProQual Industrial Firefighter III (NFPA1081 Advanced Firefighter)
- IPSQA ProQual Industrial Firefighter IV (NFPA1081 Lead Firefighter)
- IPSQA Award in Public Safety (Industrial Firefighter I) NFPA1081 + experience/professional requirements
- ISPQA Certificate in Public Safety (Industrial Firefighter II) NFPA1081 + experience/professional requirements
- ISPQA Certificate in Public Safety (Industrial Firefighter III) NFPA1081 + experience/professional requirements
- ISPQA Certificate in Public Safety (Industrial Firefighter IV) NFPA1081 + experience/professional requirements
IPSQA Standards for Industrial Firefighters Training Levels
Level 1: Incipient Firefighter
The Incipient Firefighter certification ensures candidates can apply the fundamental aspects of industrial firefighting. This foundational level focuses on basic fire behaviour, safety protocols, and initial response techniques. Candidates are tested to identify common fire hazards, use personal protective equipment, and operate basic firefighting tools. The certification emphasises the importance of teamwork, communication, and adherence to emergency procedures. Practical skills include operating fire extinguishers, conducting basic risk assessments, and participating in simulated emergency drills. This level provides essential knowledge and skills for responding to small-scale fires and hazardous situations in industrial settings.
Level 2: Interior Firefighter
The Interior Firefighter certification focuses on the specialised skills and knowledge required for operating within structures during fire incidents. This advanced level covers in-depth topics such as interior fire behaviour, structural firefighting tactics, and building construction types. Candidates are tested on advanced search and rescue techniques, smoke control methods, and strategies for maintaining situational awareness in high-stress environments. The certification emphasises firefighter safety during interior operations and introduces advanced technological tools used in confined space firefighting. Practical exercises include coordinated interior attack strategies, rapid intervention team procedures, and live-fire training simulations. This level prepares firefighters for the challenges of operating effectively and safely within burning structures.
Level 3: Advanced Firefighter
Building upon the Incipient level, the Advanced Firefighter certification delves deeper into firefighting tactics and incident management. Candidates are tested on advanced fire behaviour, hazardous materials handling, and more complex firefighting techniques. The assessment covers incident command systems, ventilation strategies, and resource management during large-scale incidents. Practical assessment scenarios include developing incident action plans, conducting advanced search and rescue operations, and utilising specialised equipment like thermal imaging cameras. This level also introduces fire investigation principles and emphasises leadership roles within firefighting teams, preparing candidates for more significant responsibilities in industrial fire response.
Level 4: Lead Firefighter
The Leader Firefighter certification is designed to assess high-level leadership and management skills for senior firefighting personnel. This certification focuses on strategic planning, resource allocation, and decision-making in complex emergency situations. Candidates are tested on crisis communication, ethical leadership, and inter-agency collaboration during major incidents. The assessment covers advanced incident command responsibilities, community engagement strategies, and methods for evaluating team performance. Practical components include facilitating multi-agency coordination meetings, conducting after-action reviews, and developing comprehensive training programs. This level prepares firefighters to take on senior roles, mentor junior staff, and contribute to policy development, ensuring they can effectively lead teams and manage resources during large-scale industrial fire incidents.
Certification Options
Our ProQual series meets the requirements for NFPA 1081 levels and the assessment conforms to ISO17024:2012 using Parts A and B.
Our Award and Certificates in Public Safety for Industrial Firefighters goes beyond the minima set in NFPA 1081 and requires candidates to demonstrate additional professional requirements (Part C) including logged site specific experience, providing the gold standard in industrial firefighter certification.
Part A: A pre-approved exam is used as part of the assessment (Part A) and tested under the supervision of a proctor.
Part B: As an ISO17024:2023 compliant certification product, the skill assessment is undertaken by an independent assessor (by subject matter experts). The assessment is not associated with any proprietary training, allowing agencies to deliver pre-assessment training as they best determine, let it be in-house or outsourced to a provider – how candidates get ready for assessment is up to you.
Part C: For the Award and Certificates in Public Safety, the candidate must also complete a prescribed logbook within 6 months and submit to IPSQA for assessment by a different assessor (assigned by IPSQA), not domiciled in the same country as the candidate as part of our Foreign Interference Protection (FIP) protocol which is unique to IPSQA. The logbook includes evidence verified by a supervisor and referenced to dispatched incidents to ensure authenticity.
Further information
Candidates may also use their IPSQA certifications towards the new IPSQA Diploma in Public Safety.
IPSQA also offers a range of other certification products including:
- IPSQA Certificate in Public Safety (Emergency Vehicle Operator)
- IPSQA ProQual: NFPA 1006 Confined Space Rescue (Operations and Technician Levels)
- IPSQA ProQual: NFPA 1006 Rope Rescue (Operations and Technician Levels)
- IPSQA ProQual: NFPA 1002 (Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications
Candidates must demonstrate skills consistently with approved references such as the IFSTA textbook Facility Fire Brigades.
Contact us or your local Accredited Testing Centre for further information.