Training for fire safety professionals

St. Petersburg College provides advanced specialized training for fire professionals at the SPC Fire and Public Safety Training Center and at fire stations throughout Pinellas County.

We offer courses online and in person.

Online Fire Inspector and Instructor CEUs

Florida Certified Fire Inspectors and Instructors can earn CEUs toward their recertification online. Courses are listed below.

Create your online account to get started. Then follow these directions on how to register. If you already have an account in our Lumens system, you will need to know your Username and Password to continue with registration.

4 CEUs
$30 for class

This class will discuss Apartments, Rooming Houses, and Hotels in regards to fire inspections; the requirements; the differences and; the frequency of inspections. It will use NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 as references. The class will cover definitions of Apartments, Rooming Houses, and Hotels; differentiation between rooming houses and single family dwellings; difference between hotel and dormitory; between new and existing hotels and apartments; between positive alarm sequence and pre-signal alarms frequency of inspections; and discuss setting policy on the frequency of re-inspections at these facilities.

4 CEUs
$30 for class

This class will discuss some of the major changes to the 2016 edition of NFPA 13 in regards to fire inspections and relation to storage protection. While the 2016 edition is not being used currently, it is available to designers as a performance based option and fire service personnel should be familiar with the changes. Some of the changes will affect costs and be attractive to builders and designers.

4 CEUs
$30 for class

A relatively new problem in the fire service and for investigators is the electric vehicle. This course will give a detailed familiarization of electric and hybrid vehicles and necessary safety procedures and concerns for Firefighters and Investigators.

Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

  • Recognize the difference between an Electric Vehicle and a Hybrid Vehicle
  • Know the basic parts of EV's
  • Determine how they work and what the basic system or circuit looks like
  • Understand the different types of batteries found in these vehicles
  • Know the scope of the future problem represented by the number of these vehicles
  • Understand the storage problem posed by lithium-ion batteries
  • Define the term "Thermal Runaway"; Determine safe methods for extinguishing EV fires
  • Understand that due to the rapid changes occurring in technology, safety challenges will continuously evolve
  • Be familiar with the Interim safety guidelines
  • Know that High Voltage Cables should not be cut and HV battery should not be tampered with
  • Understand what caused the recall of the Chevy Volt
  • Define what a Lithium-ion battery is made of and some basics of how it works
  • Know what a "Smart Key" is and how to deal with one
  • Be familiar with what a Hybrid vehicle is
  • Know where the disconnects and fuses for these types of vehicles are usually located
  • Understand and recognize the potential hazards associated with Electric and Hybrid vehicles.

5 CEUs
$30 for class

In order to give students a better understanding of the inspection of fire alarm systems and their components upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • Define the different component systems that make-up a fire alarm system
  • Understand why inspections are done
  • Know who is responsible to make certain that inspections occur
  • Know who may conduct inspections of fire alarm systems
  • Understand the content of the fire alarm systems inspection reports
  • Have an understanding of the history involving alarm systems and the code development
  • Understand and recognize the terms used in reference to fire alarm systems
  • Know the difference and the connotations of the words: Shall, Should, Will and May in codes
  • Understand the difference between the types of signals received by an alarm system
  • Know the difference between Passive and Active fire protection
  • Understand the system design process and FASFA Certification
  • Know the system and components must be listed
  • Recognize notification signals and devices used in an alarm system
  • Know the Basic System features of an alarm system
  • Understand the difference between a Protected Premises, Remote Station and Central Station Alarm System
  • Recognize initiation signals and devices used in an alarm system
  • Understand that devices are either manual or automatic
  • Recognize and understand the different types of detectors
  • Understand what should be looked at during an inspection
  • Understand the purpose and design of fire control panels
  • Be aware of the requirements of State Statute 633.01
  • Be aware of the ramifications of the adoption of the State Fire Codes
  • Understand the requirements of State of Florida Administrative Code- Rule 4A-3.012
  • Know what is required on a system diagram or drawing
  • Understand compatibility of components and how the manual addresses them.

4 CEUs
$30 for class

This class will give students a basic understanding of fire behavior and origin and cause determination. Upon successful completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

  • Define fire
  • Determine the difference between endothermic and exothermic reactions
  • Describe physical and chemical changes of matter related to fire
  • Understand the fire triangle
  • Describe the four elements of the fire tetrahedron
  • Explain how the physical states of fuel affect the combustion process
  • Define combustible and flammable
  • Explain how oxygen concentration affects the combustion process
  • Describe heat
  • Define and understand Pyrolysis
  • Describe sources of heat energy
  • Describe spontaneous combustion
  • Have a basic understanding of electricity
  • Discuss the transmission of heat
  • Define flashpoint, fire point, autoignition temperature, and explosive limits
  • Understand the difference between Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, & Class K fires and how they are extinguished
  • Describe the stages of fire development within a compartment
  • Define rollover, flashover, and backdraft
  • Describe methods used to control and extinguish fire
  • Understand fire resistance
  • Understand the reason for investigation of fire and the applicable statutes
  • Understand the basics of origin and cause investigation
  • Recognize a "V" Pattern and why they occur
  • When to call for an Investigator.

4 CEUs
$30 for class

Fire Origin and Cause is an online class consisting of a four hour lecture. Topics discussed will be photographing the scene, taking evidence (where needed), and report writing documenting the investigation. This class is one in a series designed to give certified inspectors and investigators an opportunity to earn CEU’s toward re-certification.

8 CEUs
$30 for class

This course is designed to make inspectors aware of the changes in the Fire Code with the adoption of the 2018 edition of the codes, including Florida changes. The student will gain knowledge including but not limited to:

  • Who is responsible for making inspection occur
  • Performance-based options and how they are met
  • Identifying different occupancy classifications
  • How to apply the multiple occupancy section
  • The process and need for emergency plans
  • Recognize changes, deletions, and additions to open flames
  • Life safety evaluations
  • Working knowledge of means of egress and changes
  • Understand the Florida changes as well as many other changes, additions, and deletions to the fire code.

4 CEUs
$30 for class

This course is an overview of hood and extinguishing systems. It is designed to familiarize Fire Inspectors with the operation, parts and design of hoods and extinguishing systems. There will also be an in-depth study of the laws and codes that apply to hoods and extinguishing systems. Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

  • Define the different component systems that make-up a pre-engineered hood system
  • Understand why inspections are done
  • Know who is responsible to make certain that inspections occur
  • Know who may conduct inspections of pre-engineered systems
  • Understand the content of the pre-engineered systems inspection reports
  • Be aware of the requirements of State Statute 633.061
  • Be aware of the requirements of State Statute 633.071
  • Understand the requirements of State of Florida Administrative Code- Rule 4A-21
  • Know what is required on a system diagram or drawing
  • Determine when a hood system is required
  • Understand the required format and content of the Manufacturer’s Manual
  • Determine when a hood and extinguishing system is required
  • Find the system specifications for parts
  • Understand how a system drawing is completed and submitted
  • Have a working knowledge of the history of hoods and extinguishing systems
  • Know the different types of tests performed on the system
  • Understand the Problems Unique to Commercial Cooking Equipment
  • Define Saponification.

4.5 CEUs
$30 for class

This course will give the student a better understanding of the inspection of hood systems and their components. Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

  • Define the different component systems that make-up a pre-engineered hood system
  • Understand why parts must be listed
  • Know who is responsible to make certain that inspections occur
  • Know the difference between manufacturer and after-market parts
  • Understand what a mixed system is
  • Be aware of the requirements for the location of system cylinders
  • Recognize an illegal system
  • Be able to locate the UL "EX" number
  • Understand not to exceed actuation network limitation
  • Know and understand the installation of manual pull stations, piping and grease seals
  • Understand the different types of cable required
  • Recognize the proper placement and use of fusible links
  • Find the system specifications for parts
  • Understand how a system drawing is completed and submitted
  • Have a working knowledge of the shutoff valves
  • Know the different types of tests performed on the system
  • Recognize the proper wiring and cable design in the NEMA box
  • Know when an alarm system is required
  • Understand what is in and required by the owner's manual
  • Have a working knowledge of what a discharge test is and how they are accomplished
  • Know what a technician is required to do in a system inspection and recharge
  • Recognize when there is a problem in a system
  • Recognize and understand the use of water wash hood systems
  • Be familiar with Residential Hood Systems
  • Be familiar with Recirculating Hood Systems
  • Be familiar with Solid Fuel Cooking equipment.

6 CEUs
$30 for class

Regardless of whether your program is an internal health and safety program for your members, or an external community risk reduction program, evaluation of the program is a critical part of the process. This 6-hour class will focus on program evaluation to include a study of four types of evaluation: Formative evaluation, Process/implementation evaluation, Impact evaluation and Outcome/effectiveness evaluation.

24 CEUs
$100 for class

This course will be offered each month with the first day on the first of each month. It is designed to demonstrate competencies of the Fire Instructor III related to the knowledge and ability to develop comprehensive training curricula and programs to be used by single or multiple organizations; conduct facility and organization needs analysis; design and manage record keeping and scheduling systems; and develop schedules and training goals and implementation strategies. Prerequisites: BFST1740/ATPC1740 Fire Service Course Delivery, BFST2741/ATPC2741 Fire Service Course Design or FL Fire Instructor III certification. Student must provide proof of successful completion of these classes or FL Fire Instructor III certification before registering. Please forward to Gabrielle Bain, Program Coordinator, Bain.Gabrielle@spcollege.edu

8 CEUs
$30 for class

This online course is be based on a collaborative research project between CFD, FDNY, NFPA, NYU-Poly and NIST. This use of fire modeling and live burn tests are used and presented as part of the NIST report. This course is based on NIST and other publications on the subject and is applicable to all Fire Service professionals at every rank. Objectives:

  • Describe significant past wind driven fires
  • Describe the need for proper size-up and recognition of a wind driven fire
  • To examine the effect of wind on a fire incident in a single-story residential structure using a computational fluid dynamics model, the Fire Dynamics Simulator
  • To simulate the fire conditions in the structure with and without wind to provide visualizations of the fire behavior
  • Describe the use of wind control devices
  • Describe strategic and tactical options when operating at a wind driven fire
  • To improve the safety of fire fighters.

ON-SITE CLASSES

Students must register and pay prior to attending classes. You can register online for these courses.

View current classes

OTHER PROGRAMS OFFERED

  • Apparatus Pump Operator
  • Fire Service Hydraulics
  • Emergency Vehicle Driver Training (EVDT)
  • Statewide Emergency Response Plan
  • Advanced Forcible Entry
  • Aerial Apparatus Operations
  • National Fire Academy Classes
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Contact the Fire In-service Office at 727-302-6853