Page 12 - DELAWARE STATE FIRE SCHOOL

BEARDS, BREATHING APPARATUS AND LIVE FIRE TRAINING:

Delaware State Fire School has a “no beard” policy for students participating in State Fire School sponsored fire and
rescue training programs. This action is consistent with recommended national standards, which have been in effect for a
number of years. (1988)

In order to clarify when the policy applies and when it does not apply, the following guideline has been adopted:

Delaware State Fire School Center or Divisions
Students with beards or any facial hair in contact with the face piece seal of self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) or respirators will not be permitted to participate or attend any training activity which
requires the use of personal protective equipment, turnout gear, helmets and/or breathing apparatus.
Officers and Drivers of fire and rescue apparatus are included.

In-Service Training at Station or Off-Site Locations
Students with beards or any facial hair in contact with the face piece seal of a self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) or respirators will not be permitted to participate in any training activity that
requires the student to wear breathing apparatus (SCBA).

AGE REQUIREMENT POLICY

The following policies have been put into effect regarding minimum age requirements for various courses at the
Delaware State Fire School. This policy has been implemented to assure the safety of the students who attend the
classes at the Fire School

Fire Training:

1. Students must be 16 years of age or older or obtain the age of 16 during the course, to attend any regularly
scheduled DSFS class. NO WAIVER PERMITTED. The only exceptions are Introduction to Emergency
Services which can be attended at any age and Basic Fire Fighting Skills which can be attended at age 15.

2. Students must be 18 years of age or older or obtain the age of 18 during the course, to attend the Crew
Leader Course. NO WAIVER PERMITTED.

3. Students must be 18 years of age or older or obtain the age of 18 during the course, to attend the
Emergency Vehicle Operator Course. NO WAIVER PERMITTED.

4. All out-of-state students must be 18 years of age or older to attend all training.

Emergency Medical Services Training:

1. Students must be 18 years of age or older upon registration to attend the Emergency
Medical Technician program. NO WAIVER PERMITTED, per State Fire Prevention
Commission Regulations.

2. Students must be 16 years of age or older upon registration to attend the Emergency
Medical Responder Course. NO WAIVER PERMITTED.

In-Service Training:

1. There is no age requirement for the Basic, Advanced, and EMS CEUs in-service classes
where the Fire Company Officer is in attendance and responsible for the supervision of the
members.

Fire Officer I & II Curriculum

1. Students must be 18 years of age or older, or obtain the age of 18 during the course, to attend the Fire
Officer I and II courses. NO WAIVER PERMITTED.

USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES: (Mobile Phones, Cameras, Laptops, Tablets, etc.)

The Delaware State Fire School permits students to use a laptop, notebook, tablet device, or an electronic textbook
to take notes and other course-related activities of the class with approval of the lead Instructor. It is the
responsibility of the Instructor to decide when, if, and what types of technology is to be used or permitted during
class.

Electronic devices, including mobile phones, operated in a classroom or on the drill grounds is prohibited by all
personnel. Instructors or Instructor Aides may use a mobile phone only in the performance of their duties. All
mobile phones must be in the off or vibrate mode and non-visible during class instruction.

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