Volume 25-4 | November 2025

November 2025 News
A quarterly summary of the ongoing news, updates, & events at SFT 
Featured News

Retirement Reminder - Executive Chief Fire Officer

Effective December 31, 2025, SFT will retire Executive Chief Fire Officer (2014). On January 1, 2026, SFT will remove the curriculum from the SFT course catalog, and it will no longer be available.


Instructor candidates actively pursuing Executive Chief Fire Officer (2014) instructor registration must submit all documentation postmarked on or before December 31, 2025. Anyone who applies to teach Fire Officer 4 (2020) on or after January 1, 2026, will be required to meet the Fire Officer 4 (2020) requirements, which includes ECFO/Fire Officer 4 Certification.  


Candidates pursuing Executive Chief Fire Officer certification using the 2014 task book must complete and submit their Executive Chief Fire Officer Certification Task Book (2014) postmarked on or before December 31, 2026. Candidates who do not meet this deadline will be required to meet the Fire Officer 4 (2020) certification requirements using the Fire Officer 4 (2020) Certification Task Book.
Fire Officer 4 Implementation Plan

Student Feedback Strengthens State Fire Training

Empowering students, recognizing instructors, and continually improving course quality are core goals of State Fire Training (SFT). Feedback plays a crucial role in enhancing course quality and safety, creating a constructive loop that drives curriculum improvement, celebrates instructional excellence, and supports student empowerment.


New Student Evaluation Tool Launch


To expand this feedback exchange, SFT—partnering with CSU Sacramento—has developed a new Student Evaluation Tool.


Action for Instructors


Please display or distribute the new QR code toward the end of each course and allow students time to complete the survey. Every response helps strengthen safety, quality, and professional development across the California fire service.
Curriculum and Certification Updates

Fire Officer 2 (2020)

SFT updated the Fire Officer 2 curriculum in alignment with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021(2020): Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications and NFPA 1140 (2022): Standard for Wildland Fire Protection. This curriculum was developed to ensure effective leadership in California fire agencies.


Effective December 31, 2026, SFT will retire Company Officer (2014).


Review the Fire Officer 2 Implementation Plan (PDF) for more details.
Fire Officer 2 Webpage

Behavioral Health and Cancer Awareness (2025)

SFT updated the Behavioral Health and Cancer Awareness curriculum to reflect ongoing developments in these fields and to align with recent changes to NFPA standards, including: 


  • NFPA 1582 (2022): Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments
  • NFPA 1851 (2020): Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
  • NFPA 1550 (2024): Standard for Emergency Responder Health and Safety


SFT will release the Behavioral Health and Cancer Awareness (2025) curriculum on January 1, 2026. 


Effective December 31, 2025, SFT will retire Behavioral Health and Cancer Awareness (2020). On January 1, 2026, SFT will remove the curriculum from the SFT course catalog, and it will no longer be available.


Read the Behavioral Health and Cancer Awareness Implementation Plan (PDF) for more details.
FSTEP Webpage

Fire and Emergency Services Instructor 1 Correction

The inclusion of a Certification Task Book and experience requirements for FESI 1 reciprocity applicants was unintentional and was an oversight. This resulted in conflicting requirements, where Interim Procedures referenced both criteria, but the Staff Report did not. It was not SFT’s intent to require FESI 1 reciprocity applicants to complete a Certification Task Book or meet experience requirements.


SFT updated the Interim Procedures to align with the Staff Report and eliminated conflicting guidance.


Read the Fire and Emergency Services Instructor 1 Correction Staff Report (PDF) for more details.
FESI 1 Webpage
Accredited Academy Updates
ARTP/ALA Accreditation Updates

Merced College and College of the Redwoods have been approved for initial accreditation.


Alameda City Fire Department, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, South Bay Regional Consortium, and Lake Tahoe Basin have been approved for reaccreditation. Congratulations to our Accredited Academies!
Accredited Academies webpage

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