Gordon County Fire Rescue (GCFR) is pleased to announce they are now recognized as a regional testing facility for the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (GFSTC), the governing authority for all certifications involving firefighters in Georgia.
GCFR’s Division Chief of Training, Blake Hodge, recently satisfied the requirements of the GFSTC to become a certified Proctor/Monitor (Test Administrator) with GFSTC. Chief Hodge said, “We can deliver any of GFSTC’s written and skill-based tests for certifying firefighters in a varied list of courses. Examples of these courses and certifications include, but are not limited too: National Professional Qualification (NPQ) as Firefighter I and II; NPQ Haz-Mat Awareness, Operations and Technician; NPQ Fire Apparatus Operator; NPQ Instructor I, II, and III, and NPQ Fire Officer I, II, III, and IV. This is a positive move forward for our department. Having the ability to facilitate the testing process for courses needed for advancement in the fire service will increase participation in these courses, thus strengthening the quality of services we provide to the citizens of Gordon County.”
“We have the capability of testing nine candidates at one scheduled time via computer based testing,” said Chief Hodge. “This addition will reduce travel time and expenses, overtime expenses, and the employee’s (firefighters) use of vacation time, due to minimum staffing, in order to attend courses.”
Chief Hodge also said, “I would like to extend a special thanks to David Cummings (GFSTC Testing Coordinator), Chief Hawkins, Deputy Chief Sutton, Gordon County’s Information Technology Department Director Brian McClellan and his staff, and all our firefighters and staff for all of the help and support provided to make this a reality for Gordon County Fire Rescue.”
