In Response to COVID-19, the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Takes Curriculum Online

New Online-Based Training Programs Allow Students to Earn Cognitive Credits Remotely

TRENTON, NJ – In response to Governor Murphy’s declared state of emergency and temporary closure of academies and colleges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Division of Fire Safety (DFS) has redesigned their training programs to allow firefighters to continue their studies online.

“These unprecedented times call for creative solutions that allow us to continue our mission to protect and serve the people of New Jersey while ensuring public safety,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. “I commend the Division and Fire Marshal Richard Mikutsky for their swift response by adapting their curriculum in these challenging times.”

The Division began working with Jones & Bartlett Learning (J&B) last month to retool their current Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazmat Awareness and Operations training/credentialing programs. J&B effectively attached the Division’s existing training programs to their interactive lecture premium edition. This new training system component permits students to participate in an organized interactive lecture series.

“Keeping firefighters and communities safe in these difficult times has presented some new challenges for the Division in providing fire safety instruction,” said DFS Director and State Fire Marshal Richard Mikutsky. “The online training solutions we’ve designed will help us continue operations and the accreditation process remotely to ensure that firefighters remain prepared and ready to serve.”

Cognitive skills achievement can be assessed and verified for each student and will be accepted to meet ProBoard and International Fire Safety Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) requirements.

The training webinars were first made available to the Tier-1 academies and career fire departments. This interactive lecture series will meet the Division’s cognitive requirements for credentialing. Fire instructors will monitor and validate each student’s progress and achievements to grasp the material. Thus far, the Division has trained approximately 60 fire service instructors over the past two weeks.

The Division of Fire Safety serves as the central fire service agency in the state. The Division is responsible for developing and enforcing the State Uniform Fire Code, engaging the public on community risk reduction strategies, assisting in fire department preparedness, and conducting firefighter training programs.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: