Mechanics Certification

  • SFT ID Number

    State Fire Training (SFT) has been using and issuing SFT ID numbers since 2010. The SFT ID number is an 8-digit number with a hyphen in the middle (ex. 1234-5678) and it takes the place of a person’s social security number. Every personnel account in the SFT User Portal has a unique ID number allowing SFT to synchronize a person’s SFT course and certification activity to their SFT account. On January 1, 2019 SFT discontinued the collection and use of a person’s social security number leaving the SFT ID number as the default ID number to be used in all course and certification activity. The information in the bulletin aims to address questions on how to locate an SFT ID number and how it is issued to new accounts.

    Obtain a new SFT ID number
    A unique SFT ID number is issued to every student the first time they attend an SFT course. Simply notify your instructor that you have never attended an SFT course and they will record you as a “new student” on the official course roster. Upon course completion, your new SFT ID number and user portal access instructions will be emailed to you.

    Look up an existing SFT ID number

    There are multiple ways to locate your SFT ID number:

    • SFT User Portal: You may log into your SFT User Portal anytime and view your SFT ID. If you have never logged into the user portal and SFT has your email on file, then you may easily obtain your SFT ID from the SFT User Portal login webpage by clicking the Retrieve Your SFT ID link.

    • Course Diploma or Certification: Every SFT course completion diploma and certification issued after April 2017 has the SFT ID number located either underneath the name or in the bottom right corner.

    Using your SFT ID Number
    Your SFT ID number is important to ensure that your course and certification activity is correctly imported into your SFT user account. Anytime you attend an SFT course be prepared to provide your instructor with your SFT ID number. Additionally, most applications for certification will request that you list your SFT ID number on the application form which again assists in reducing delays in processing.

  • Emergency Vehicle Technician I is the first of three levels of certification. Emergency Vehicle Technician I certification identifies the skills and knowledge necessary for the fire apparatus mechanic. This certification recognizes the high level of expertise needed to properly maintain one of the fire service's most valuable resources -- fire apparatus.

    Prerequisites: (all documents must be current at time of submittal)

    • Gasoline Engines [T1] (ASE)

    • Diesel Engines [T2] (ASE)

    • Drive Train [T3] (ASE)

    • Brakes [T4] (ASE)

    • Suspension and Steering [T5] (ASE)

    • Preventative Maintenance Inspections [T8] (ASE)

    • Brake Inspector Qualification (CFR 396.25) - Department of Transportation (DOT)

    Educational Requirements

    EVT-1A. Emergency Vehicle Systems: Chassis, Cab, Body, Tank and Accessories

    EVT-1B. Electrical Systems A 

    EVT-1C. Fire Pumps and Accessories

    Certification Exam

    • Emergency Vehicle Technician 1 Certification Exam (delivered through California Fire Mechanics
      Academy, Inc.), issued within 5 years from date of application.

    Certification Task Book

    • Emergency Vehicle Technician 1 Certification Task Book

    Experience

    • Have a minimum of two (2) years full-time, paid experience in a California fire department, public
      agency, or private industry as an automotive or truck mechanic, with one (1) year of which must be
      related to the maintenance of emergency response vehicles; or

    • Have a minimum of three (3) years full-time, paid experience in a California fire department, public
      agency, or private industry as a truck mechanic with no emergency response vehicles required; or

    • Have a minimum of four (4) years volunteer time or paid part-time, paid experience in a California
      fire department, public agency, or private industry as a truck mechanic with primary duties
      performing as a truck mechanic.

    Fee

    • $100 non-refundable EVT 1 certification fee - payable to: State Fire Training

    Recertification

    Prerequisites (all must be current/valid)

    • Current OSFM Certified Emergency Vehicle Technician 1

    • Gasoline Engines [T1] (ASE)

    • Diesel Engines [T2] (ASE)

    • Drive Train [T3] (ASE)

    • Brakes [T4] (ASE)

    • Suspension and Steering [T5] (ASE)

    • Preventative Maintenance Inspections [T8] (ASE)

    • Brake Inspector Qualification (CFR 396.25) - Department of Transportation (DOT)

    Certification Exam

    • Emergency Vehicle Technician 1 Certification Exam (delivered through CA Fire Mechanics Academy), issued within 5 years from date of application.

    Continuing Education

    • A minimum of 100 hours of CA Fire Mechanics Academy approved continuing education (within five
      (5) years of attaining Emergency Vehicle Technician 1 certification)

    Fee

    • $100 non-refundable EVT 1 certification fee - payable to: State Fire Training

    Task Book

    EVT I Application

    Study Guide

    NFPA Study Guide

  • Emergency Vehicle Technician II is the second of three levels of certification in the career path leading to Emergency Vehicle Technician III. Emergency Vehicle Technician II certification identifies the advanced skills and knowledge necessary for the contemporary fire apparatus mechanic. This certification addresses the level of expertise needed to properly maintain the new and complex fire apparatus in service today. This level of certification utilizes upper-level curriculum that establishes some lower-level courses as prerequisites. Although these courses are open to all individuals who meet the academic prerequisites, Emergency Vehicle Technician II certification is only available to those certified as Emergency Vehicle Technician I.

    Prerequisites (all documents must be current at time of submittal)

    • Current OSFM Certified Emergency Vehicle Technician 1

    • Gasoline Engines [T1] (ASE)

    • Diesel Engines [T2] (ASE)

    • Drive Train [T3] (ASE)

    • Brakes [T4] (ASE)

    • Suspension and Steering [T5] (ASE)

    • Electrical/Electronic Systems [T6] (ASE)

    • Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) [T7] (ASE)

    • Preventative Maintenance Inspections [T8] (ASE)

    • Brake Inspector Qualification (CFR 396.25) - Department of Transportation (DOT)

    Educational Requirements:

    EVT-2A. Electrical Systems B

    This course has a prerequisite class: EVT-1B. Electrical Systems A

    Certification Exam

    • Emergency Vehicle Technician 2 Certification Exam (delivered through CA Fire Mechanics Academy), issued within 5 years from date of application

    Certification Task Book

    • Emergency Vehicle Technician 2 Certification Task Book

    Experience

    • Have a minimum of three (3) years full-time, paid experience in a California fire department, public
      agency, or private industry as an automotive or truck mechanic, with one (1) year of which must be
      related to the maintenance of emergency response vehicles; or

    • Have a minimum of four (4) years full-time, paid experience in a California fire department, public
      agency, or private industry as a truck mechanic with no emergency response vehicles required; or

    • Have a minimum of five (5) years volunteer time or paid part-time, paid experience in a California fire
      department, public agency, or private industry as a truck mechanic with primary duties performing as
      a truck mechanic.

    Fee

    • $100 non-refundable EVT 2 certification fee - payable to: State Fire Training

    Recertification

    Prerequisites (all must be current/valid)

    • Current OSFM Certified Emergency Vehicle Technician 2

    • Gasoline Engines [T1] (ASE)

    • Diesel Engines [T2] (ASE)

    • Drive Train [T3] (ASE)

    • Brakes [T4] (ASE)

    • Suspension and Steering [T5] (ASE)

    • Electrical/Electronic Systems [T6] (ASE)

    • Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) [T7] (ASE)

    • Preventative Maintenance Inspections [T8] (ASE)

    • Brake Inspector Qualification (CFR 396.25) - Department of Transportation (DOT)

    Certification Exam

    • Emergency Vehicle Technician 2 Certification Exam (delivered through CA Fire Mechanics Academy), issued within 5 years from date of application.

    Continuing Education

    • A minimum of 100 hours of CA Fire Mechanics Academy approved continuing education (within five
      (5) years of attaining Emergency Vehicle Technician 2 certification)

    Fee

    • $100 non-refundable EVT 2 certification fee - payable to: State Fire Training

    Task Book

    EVT II Application

    Study Guide

    NFPA Study Guide

  • Emergency Vehicle Technician III is the final level in the EVT certification track. Emergency Vehicle Technician III identifies the advanced skills and knowledge necessary for specialized emergency vehicle fleet repair and program management. This certification addresses the latest level of expertise needed to properly maintain the new and complex fire apparatus in service today.

    This level of certification utilizes upper-level curriculum that establishes some lower-level courses as prerequisites. Although these courses are open to all individuals who meet the academic prerequisites, Emergency Vehicle Technician III certification is only available to those certified an Emergency Vehicle Technician II.

    Prerequisites (all documents must be current at time of submittal)

    • Current OSFM Certified Emergency Vehicle Technician 2

    • Gasoline Engines [T1] (ASE)

    • Diesel Engines [T2] (ASE)

    • Drive Train [T3] (ASE)

    • Brakes [T4] (ASE)

    • Suspension and Steering [T5] (ASE)

    • Electrical/Electronic Systems [T6] (ASE)

    • Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) [T7] (ASE)

    • Preventative Maintenance Inspections [T8] (ASE)

    • Brake Inspector Qualification (CFR 396.25) - Department of Transportation (DOT)

    Educational Requirements

    EVT-3A. Human Resource Management/Fleet Specifications and Records

    Certification Exam

    • Emergency Vehicle Technician 3 Certification Exam (delivered through CA Fire Mechanics Academy), issued within 5 years from date of application.

    Certification Task Book

    • Emergency Vehicle Technician 3 Certification Task Book
      Experience

    • Have a minimum of four (4) years full-time, paid experience in a California fire department, public
      agency, or private industry as an automotive or truck mechanic, with one (1) year of which must be
      related to the maintenance of emergency response vehicles; or

    • Have a minimum of five (5) years full-time, paid experience in a California fire department, public
      agency, or private industry as a truck mechanic with no emergency response vehicles required; or

    • Have a minimum of six (6) years volunteer time or paid part-time, paid experience in a California fire
      department, public agency, or private industry as a truck mechanic with primary duties performing as
      a truck mechanic.

    Fee

    • $100 non-refundable EVT 3 certification fee - payable to: State Fire Training

    Recertification

    Prerequisites (all must be current/valid)

    • Current OSFM Certified Emergency Vehicle Technician 3

    • Gasoline Engines [T1] (ASE)

    • Diesel Engines [T2] (ASE Drive Train [T3] (ASE)

    • Brakes [T4] (ASE)

    • Suspension and Steering [T5] (ASE)

    • Electrical/Electronic Systems [T6] (ASE)

    • Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) [T7] (ASE)

    • Preventative Maintenance Inspections [T8] (ASE)

    • Brake Inspector Qualification (CFR 396.25) - Department of Transportation (DOT)

    Certification Exam

    • Emergency Vehicle Technician 3 Certification Exam (delivered through CA Fire Mechanics Academy),
      issued within 5 years from date of application.

    Continuing Education

    • A minimum of 100 hours of CA Fire Mechanics Academy approved continuing education (within five
      (5) years of attaining Emergency Vehicle Technician 3)

    Fee

    • $100 non-refundable EVT 3 certification fee - payable to: State Fire Training

    Task Book

    EVT III Application

    Study Guide

    NFPA Study Guide

ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS:

State Fire Training has been issuing and using Training Numbers in place of social security numbers for several years. The CFMA has decided to move in the same direction. In order to facilitate this transition we are asking all students to click "Obtain Your State Fire ID" to create an account on the state fire training website.