NFPA 1521/1550 / Pro Board Certified
Health & Safety Officer (HSO) Course
Overview
With the Health and Safety Officer (HSO) course, Probie Fire Training instructors prepare members who perform or oversee fire department safety programs in accordance with NFPA 1550 (formerly NFPA 1521) and DoDI 6055.06, which requires Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) personnel assigned as Safety Officers to meet the applicable NFPA professional-qualification standard.
Students will develop the knowledge and skills to manage risk, ensure compliance with occupational health requirements, and promote a proactive safety culture within their departments.
Note: This course directly supports Department of War F&ES certification requirements and aligns with both Pro Board accreditation standards
3 days of instruction*
DURATION
On-site
METHOD
20
Max CLASS SIZE
24 hours
TOTAL HOURS
*Plus 1 full day of JPR evaluation + proctored Pro Board exam
Certification Outcome
Students who successfully complete all course objectives and JPRs will receive Pro Board certification through FDSOA. Probie Fire Training provides a Reciprocity Packet enabling DoW members to submit for AFCEC recognition via the established reciprocity process.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
Manage a compliant F&ES occupational safety and health program
Conduct risk assessments and implement safety policies
Oversee department-wide health, safety, and wellness initiatives
Develop SOPs, risk reduction plans, and compliance reports
Analyze near misses, accidents, and occupational exposures
Meet all job performance requirements (JPRs) for HSO
*Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in fire and emergency services. This experience is essential for developing the knowledge and skills to manage risk and promote a proactive safety culture within their departments, as covered in this course.
Ready to Certify Your Team?
Who Is the Course For?
Fire Officers, Safety Officers, Training Officers, and supervisory personnel in municipal, industrial, or DoW fire departments seeking credentialing or compliance with DoDI 6055.06.
Accreditation & Reciprocity
This course is accredited by the Pro Board through FDSOA, with credential reciprocity recognized by the DoW Fire & Emergency Services Certification Program upon AFCEC review.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Health & Safety Officer course prepares fire service personnel to develop, manage, and evaluate department-wide occupational safety, health, and wellness programs. The course covers risk assessment, safety policy development, accident and near-miss analysis, occupational exposures, compliance reporting, and the applicable Job Performance Requirements for Health and Safety Officers.
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The course is designed for Health and Safety Officers, Fire Officers, Training Officers, department leaders, and supervisory personnel responsible for fire department safety programs. It is appropriate for Department of War, municipal, and industrial Fire & Emergency Services organizations.
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Candidates should have at least five years of experience in fire and emergency services. This experience provides the operational foundation needed to complete the course objectives and demonstrate the required Health and Safety Officer competencies.
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The HSO course consists of two days of instruction followed by one full day for Job Performance Requirement completion and the Pro Board examination. The complete course is approximately 24 hours.
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Probie delivers the Health & Safety Officer course on-site at your installation or department. This allows departments to train their personnel together while reducing the travel and scheduling demands associated with sending students to an outside academy.
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The department agency package includes on-site instruction, course materials, a proctored certification examination, Job Performance Requirement evaluation, and applicable travel. Probie can accommodate up to 20 students in each HSO course.
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Students who successfully complete the course objectives, required JPRs, and proctored examination can earn Pro Board certification through the Fire Department Safety Officers Association. Certification is dependent on satisfying all applicable course and evaluation requirements.
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Eligible Department of War Fire & Emergency Services personnel receive a reciprocity packet containing supporting certification and course documentation. The student or Training Manager can submit the packet through the established process for AFCEC review. Final recognition is subject to AFCEC approval and applicable local policy.
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The course follows the current requirements associated with NFPA 1550, which incorporates subject matter previously addressed under NFPA 1521 and the NFPA 1500 series. It also supports the applicable safety officer competency expectations found in DoDI 6055.06.
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No. Although the course is specifically designed to support DoW Fire & Emergency Services requirements, it is also available to municipal, industrial, and other fire departments seeking stronger safety-program leadership or an applicable Pro Board certification pathway.
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A Health and Safety Officer focuses on the department’s overall occupational safety, health, and wellness program. An Incident Safety Officer focuses on identifying hazards and managing safety during emergency incidents. Departments may need personnel trained in both roles because the responsibilities complement one another.
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Contact Probie Fire Training with your preferred dates, training location, estimated number of students, and procurement requirements. The course may be purchased through an eligible Government Purchase Card micro-purchase or another approved agency procurement method.