Who are the Fire Commissions?
The State Fire Prevention Commission shall consist of 7 commissioners as follows: 3 representatives of business and industry to include one from each county to be appointed by the Governor; 3 Delaware volunteer firefighters to include one from each county to be appointed by the Governor; and the immediate past president of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters’ Association.
Commissioners shall be appointed to serve 4-year terms and shall not serve more than 3 terms to ensure that the terms of no more than 2 Commissioners expire in 1 year.
No Commissioner, while serving on the State Fire Prevention Commission, shall be an officer of any kind (president/chairperson, president-elect, vice president, secretary, board of directors, or treasurer) of any state or county volunteer firemen’s association, including but not limited to, the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, or any professional board, commission, or trade association, or union representing an industry or service regulated by the State Fire Prevention Commission. No Commissioner shall hold a politically elected or appointed position.
What is the role of the Delaware State Fire Commissioners?
The Fire Commissioner’s responsibilities are to oversee the Delaware State Fire School and Fire Marshal’s Office along with formulating rules and regulations pertaining to the fire service, emergency medical technicians, ambulance providers, and fire safety. For full details please refer to Delaware Code, title 16, Chapter 66, State Fire Prevention. Delaware Code Online
Am I required to obtain a background check to become a Delaware Emergency Medical Technician?
Yes, Delaware Code Title 16, Section 6712 requires that any person seeking certification as an Emergency Medical Technician must complete a criminal background check. Please see the attached link for details. Background Checks – State Fire Prevention Commission – State of Delaware
Am I required to obtain a background check to become a Delaware Volunteer Firefighter?
Yes, Delaware Code Title 16, Section 6647 requires that any person seeking to become a member of a Delaware Volunteer Fire Company must complete a criminal background check.
How long does a background check take?
Once you arrive at any IndentoGO location, the process to obtain your fingerprints typically takes approximately 10 minutes.
How do I obtain a background check?
You must schedule an appointment with IdentoGO by visiting http://uenroll.identogo.com and entering the following service code, 27RX6F for EMT backgrounds only. If you do not have internet access, please call 866-761-8069 to schedule an appointment. For more information and to schedule your background check please see the attached link for details. DE-Service-Code-Form_State-Fire-Prevention-Commision_27RX6F_EMT-Basic.pdf (delaware.gov)
Why Can’t the Fire Commission use the fire company’s background check information?
All persons seeking certification as an EMT must comply with state law which requires the individual to obtain their background through the state’s approved vendor.
How do I become a Delaware Certified Emergency Medical Technician?
An individual seeking to become an EMT in Delaware must complete a state background check. Complete initial EMT training through an approved school along with successfully passing the National Registered Emergency Medical Technician exam. Once completed, the individual must apply to the Fire Commission using the approved application form along with providing documentation from a sponsoring agency. Once completed and all processing fees are paid, the individual will receive their Delaware EMT certification via US Mail.
How may I send my application to the Commission?
The individual may submit their application and required documentation through the US mail, in person or via electronic mail.
How will I obtain my EMT certification Identification card?
Once your application is approved and all fees are paid, the administrative division will mail your certification card to you.
How do I obtain a replacement EMT certification card?
Contact the administrative division and they will process a new certification card after verification of good standing. There is a $10.00 fee for the replacement card.
What if my Delaware Emergency Medical Technician Certification has expired?
Within 24 months, the EMT shall complete the EMT refresher course, hold current NREMT and CPR/AED certification, obtain a background check, application for EMT certification, and pay a processing fee of $10.00.
For more than 24 months, the EMT must complete the full EMT course, provide copies of current CPR/AED certification, and a copy of their NREMT certification, complete the application for certification, and pay a processing fee of $10.00.
DEMRS access will be suspended.
What is the F.I.R.E Team
Under the Delaware Code, the Delaware Legislature charged the Fire Commission with gathering and evaluating data on injuries. The rules requiring regulated entities to report injuries to the Fire Commission are in Delaware Administrative Code 709, section 3.0. The law requires fire departments to report injuries so that the Fire Commission can gain as accurate a picture as possible concerning injury trends in the Delaware Fire Service.
Scope of the Investigations
• The root cause of an injury
• If current training or standards were used by firefighters
• If proper protective gear was utilized
• If proper command structure was utilized, and
• Whether there was a command-and-control function
Information the commission collects.
• Minor, serious, and fatal injuries,
• Activities where fire personnel are injured
• Types of injuries (burns, strain-sprains, wounds, etc.)
• Body parts being injured
• Tasks performed at the time of injury
• Malfunctions/failures of personal protective equipment (PPE), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), personal alert safety system (PASS devices), and standard operating procedures
How this will help the fire service
• Identify common injuries and exposures
• Identify trends in injuries and exposures
• Identify needed training
• Evaluate and find improvements in procedures
Who is involved The Investigative Team is made up of several personnel from different sections within the Fire Commission. Fire Commission Investigators, Delaware State Fire Marshals, Senior Training Administrators from the Delaware State Fire School, Technical Services of the Delaware State Fire Marshall’s Office, and any other persons and or experts needed.
How does the team operate Depending on the seriousness of the incident, the team will operate under three levels, level III will be for minor injuries where the fire chief or designee may complete an online form to be submitted to the Fire Commission. Level II and I are where representatives from the team will respond to the scene and contact the fire chief or officer in charge. From there the team members will begin to gather information on the extent of injury, photograph the scene, and provide any resources to the fire department that may be needed. The fire chief and or incident commander will remain in charge of the fire scene. Team members will not interfere with fire suppression efforts.
What is PFAS?
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) [7] are long-lasting, man-made chemicals that are resistant to water, oil, and fire; thus making them useful in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including aqueous film-forming firefighting foam, food containers/wrapping, nonstick cookware, carpeting and clothing non stain treatment, and waterproofed clothing [7]. Population exposures are widespread and can occur through ingestion or inhalation through various pathways, such as drinking water, air, dust, food containers, cookware, and breast milk. PFAS bind to tissue proteins and accumulate in blood along with lower levels in the liver, kidneys, and brain. These chemicals have little to no metabolism and are primarily excreted through urine. Some stay in the body for varying lengths of time, but it can be decades [94]. Population concerns have grown since more communities have been told that PFAS have been detected in their water. Most people in the United States Have been exposed to PFAS, with the most common ones being perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) [95].
The 2022 US National Academies of Sciences report [97,98] suggests a role for PFAS blood testing for those patients “who are likely to have a history of elevated exposure.” This includes those with occupational exposures (such as firefighters), those who live in communities where PFAS contamination has been documented (eg, drinking water that exceeds regulatory limits) or those who live near PFAS-contaminated facilities.
The National Academies of Sciences report suggests the following approach based upon the sum of serum or plasma concentrations of seven PFAS named by the committee:
•For patients with PFAS blood concentrations below 2 ng/mL, no adverse effects would be expected.
•Patients with test results between 2 to 20 ng/mL may face potential adverse effects, especially in sensitive populations (such as pregnant persons). Clinicians should encourage reduction of PFAS exposure. “Following the usual standard of care, clinicians should also prioritize screening for dyslipidemia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and breast cancer based on age and other risk factors” [98].
•Patients with test results above 20 ng/mL may face a higher risk of adverse effects. In addition to the above recommendations (for those between 2 and 20 ng/mL), clinicians should also conduct thyroid function testing and assess for signs of kidney and testicular cancer and ulcerative colitis at all wellness visits.
Known exposure should be stopped or reduced to the amount feasible. Drinking water, for example, can be substituted or filtered.
Always consult with your health care provider if you feel you were exposed for medical advice.
For more information, please see that attached links:
PFAS | NIOSH | CDC
PFAS Explained | US EPA
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | FDA
