Frequently Asked Questions
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General Course Information
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Probie instructors are highly experienced, credentialed professionals — many are retired DoD or municipal fire chiefs. All instructors hold Instructor III and Fire Officer IV certifications and meet or exceed NFPA 1041 instructional requirements.
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Submit a course information request through the website.
Probie will provide a quote, schedule primary, alternate, and emergency course dates, assign instructors, and coordinate logistics and testing materials in concert with your Training Chief or agency/base POC.
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Yes. Departments may coordinate a regional course and invite students from surrounding agencies, subject to the class-size requirements of the selected course.
Contact Probie to discuss regional delivery, available seating, and host-agency coordination.
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Course packages vary by course but may include:
Instructor-led training
Student course materials
Practical exercises or scenarios
Testing and Job Performance Requirement materials, when applicable
Course completion documentation
Instructor travel
Coordination with your Training Office or agency point of contact
Your proposal will clearly identify everything included in the course package.
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Yes. Departments may coordinate a regional course and invite students from surrounding agencies, subject to the class-size requirements of the selected course.
Contact Probie to discuss regional delivery, available seating, and host-agency coordination.
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Submit a course information request through the website.
We will discuss your training needs, preferred dates, location, estimated class size, and procurement requirements before providing a customized quote.
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Course packages vary by course but may include:
Instructor-led training
Student course materials
Practical exercises or scenarios
Testing and Job Performance Requirement materials, when applicable
Course completion documentation
Instructor travel
Coordination with your Training Office or agency point of contact
Your proposal will clearly identify everything included in the course package.
Scheduling and Procurement
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Fire Departments can purchase directly using the Government Purchase Card (GPC) under the micro-purchase threshold, or through Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) when above the threshold.
Our process is fully compliant with DoD acquisition policy and aligns with AFI 36-401 and AFCEC training guidance.Procurement options:
GPC (≤ MPT): 2-day on-site HSO or ISO for up to 20 students — includes all materials and Reciprocity Letter.
SAP (≤ SAT): Multi-course or multi-cohort engagements using CLIN structure (Training, Travel, Courseware, Reciprocity).
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Submit an SF-182 through your local Training Manager or Resource Advisor.
Purchase directly using the GPC once the SF-182 is approved.
Receive confirmation and course materials from Probie’s Training Office.
After course completion, your members receive a Pro Board certificate and a complete Reciprocity Packet for DoD recognition.
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Yes. Probie can develop packages for individual courses, combined courses, multiple cohorts, or regional training events. Packages can be structured around your department’s schedule, class size, location, and training objectives.
Certification and Course Documentation
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Typically, by the end of the following month; however, it will depend on when during the month the course is held and how long it takes to mail in test scantrons and affidavits.
When Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) receives signed affidavits (by a qualified supervisor) from the agency/base, they’ll grade tests and hold affidavits from all courses for the month. FDSOA sends affidavits within the first week of the following month. Pro Board will email certificates directly to the agency/base posted email address on the student affidavit.
Example A: Course on 1-3 July, mail 4 July, FDSOA receives 10 July, submits to Pro Board 3 August, agency/base receives certificates 18 August, est.
Example B: Course on 26-28 July, mail 31 July, FDSOA receives 6 August, submits to Pro Board 5 September, agency/base receives certificates 20 September, est.
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Pro Board issues all Pro Board certificates. Probie delivers the accredited course and examination process under FDSOA’s Pro Board accreditation. Certificates are emailed directly to the agency listed on the student affidavit.
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Probie maintains secure records for every course, including:
Course syllabus and NFPA JPR mapping
Student rosters
All records are retained per Pro Board and FDSOA policy requirements.
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No. Probie’s Health and Safety Officer and Incident Safety Officer courses currently provide pathways to Pro Board certification through FDSOA’s Pro Board accreditation.
ICS-300/400, NFPA 1850 PPE Program Development, and Strategic Financial Management are training and professional-development courses. They provide the applicable course completion documentation but do not currently result in Pro Board certification.
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No. Proctored examinations and Job Performance Requirement verification apply to eligible certification courses, including Health and Safety Officer and Incident Safety Officer.
Requirements for other courses vary. Each course page identifies its delivery format, prerequisites, learning activities, and completion documentation.
Accreditation and Reciprocity
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Probie delivers courses accredited through Pro Board via the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA). After students are certified, they may apply for Department of Defense (DoD) recognition through their Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Training Chief following AFCEC reciprocity procedures.
Reciprocity Process:
Confirm with your Training Chief that Pro Board reciprocity is accepted for your target credential and NFPA edition.
Complete the Probie course, proctored exam, and Job Performance Requirements.
Receive your Certificate from Pro Board and a Reciprocity Letter from Probie.
Your Training Chief (or designee) submits the packet to AFCEC for review.
AFCEC updates the firefighter’s DoD certification record.
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Firefighter certification reciprocity is the process through which one agency or certification authority reviews a credential issued by another recognized system and determines whether it meets its requirements.
For Department of Defense Fire & Emergency Services personnel, eligible Pro Board credentials may be submitted to AFCEC for recognition under current reciprocity procedures.
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No. Probie delivers eligible certification courses through the Fire Department Safety Officers Association’s Pro Board accreditation.
Pro Board certificates are issued through the accredited certification process and not independently by Probie Fire Training.
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For eligible certification courses, Probie provides supporting documentation to assist the department or installation with its reciprocity submission. Students and departments should confirm the current packet requirements with their Training Chief before applying.
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The firefighter’s Training Chief or designated agency representative submits the completed reciprocity packet to AFCEC for review. Probie provides supporting documentation but does not submit the packet on the student’s behalf.
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No. Completing an eligible course or receiving a Pro Board certificate does not automatically result in AFCEC recognition.
AFCEC reviews the submitted documentation and retains final authority over whether a certification is recognized and entered into the firefighter’s Department of Defense certification record.
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Processing time can vary depending on the completeness of the packet, current AFCEC review volume, and whether additional information is requested.
Students should work with their Training Chief to confirm the packet was submitted correctly and to monitor its status.
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No. Pro Board and IFSAC are separate fire service accreditation systems. Both recognize agencies that meet established professional qualification and certification standards, but their certificates and administrative processes are not identical.
Acceptance depends on the policies of the receiving agency or authority having jurisdiction.
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Potentially. Reciprocity policies vary among states, certification agencies, employers, and authorities having jurisdiction.
Civilian firefighters should contact the organization receiving the credential to confirm whether it accepts the applicable Pro Board certification and what documentation is required.
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Probie’s Health and Safety Officer and Incident Safety Officer courses currently provide pathways to Pro Board certification through FDSOA’s Pro Board accreditation.
Other Probie courses may provide course completion documentation or professional development but do not currently result in Pro Board certification.
Health and Safety Officer and Incident Safety Officer
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Health and Safety Officer (HSO): 2 days of instruction, plus 1 day for JPR verification.
Incident Safety Officer (ISO): 1½ days instruction, plus ½ day for JPR verification.
Courses are instructor-led and can be hosted on-site at your fire department or a regional training center.
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Yes, the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) grace period for new editions extends 2 years from date of issuance for new professional qualification standards changes to certification organizations (Pro Board, IFSAC) and end-users to allow new standards implementation.
Pro Board’s agency compliance date is set for June 30, 2026. FDSOA will have the new curriculum updated to meet NFPA 1550 and accreditation completed by Pro Board requirements.
ICS-300 and ICS-400
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ICS-300 focuses on applying the Incident Command System during expanding incidents. It prepares personnel to assume supervisory and leadership roles within increasingly complex incident organizations.
ICS-400 builds on ICS-300 and addresses the advanced command and coordination challenges associated with major incidents, Area Command, and multi-agency coordination.
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These courses are intended for Fire Officers, Chief Officers, Incident Commanders, Command and General Staff personnel, emergency managers, Training Officers, and other professionals who may assume leadership or coordination responsibilities during expanding or complex incidents.
They are suited to Department of War Fire & Emergency Services, municipal fire departments, industrial fire brigades, and other emergency response organizations.
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Students should complete ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 before attending ICS-300.
Departments should verify that students meet all applicable prerequisites before the course begins.
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Students should complete ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, IS-700, and IS-800 before attending ICS-400.
FEMA also recommends practical experience applying ICS concepts before progressing to ICS-400.
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ICS-300 requires a minimum of 21 classroom hours.
ICS-400 requires a minimum of 16 classroom hours.
Both courses are delivered through instructor-led, interactive classroom training.
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Yes. Departments may request ICS-300, ICS-400, or an agency package containing both courses.
The courses are delivered separately, and students must meet the prerequisites for each course before attending.
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No. ICS-300 and ICS-400 are National Incident Management System (NIMS) training courses rather than Pro Board professional qualification certifications.
Students who meet the applicable course requirements receive course completion documentation.
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Yes. Probie delivers both courses on-site at the requesting installation, fire department, agency, or approved training location.
On-site delivery allows departments to train their personnel together while reducing travel and scheduling impacts.
NFPA 1850 PPE Program Development
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This is a two-day, instructor-led workshop designed to help fire departments develop, evaluate, and strengthen their structural firefighting PPE programs.
The course connects NFPA requirements with the practical responsibilities involved in PPE selection, inspection, cleaning, repair, retirement, documentation, and program management.
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The course is designed for PPE Program Managers, Health and Safety Officers, firefighters, Company Officers, Chief Officers, Training Officers, and personnel responsible for PPE inspection, care, maintenance, or documentation.
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The course includes:
Two days of instructor-led training
Student handbook
PPE Program Development Guidebook
Practical program-development activities
Supporting course materials
Course completion documentation
On-site delivery and instructor coordination
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Students will work through the core elements needed to develop or strengthen a department PPE program. The guidebook and workshop activities provide a practical framework that departments can adapt to their organization.
Final adoption and implementation remain the responsibility of the department and should reflect its equipment, policies, risk profile, and authority having jurisdiction.
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The NFPA 1850 PPE Program Development course has a maximum class size of 12 students. The smaller class format supports discussion, practical application, and focused program-development work.
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No. This is a professional-development and program-implementation course. It does not result in a Pro Board certification.
Strategic Financial Management
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Strategic Financial Management for Air Force Fire & Emergency Services is a 12-hour course that helps fire service leaders understand budgeting, resource prioritization, fiscal planning, and the relationship between financial decisions and mission readiness.
The course applies Department of Defense and Air Force financial processes directly to the responsibilities of Fire & Emergency Services leaders.
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The course is designed for current and emerging Air Force Fire & Emergency Services leaders, including Fire Chiefs, Deputy Fire Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, Flight Chiefs, Fire & Emergency Services leaders, and budget or resource managers.
It is particularly valuable for leaders responsible for developing requirements, managing resources, defending organizational needs, or contributing to installation-level financial planning.
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Topics include:
DoD Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process
AFIMSC fiscal-cycle processes and key benchmarks
Fire & Emergency Services Activity Management Plan review
Strategic planning for Fire Chiefs
Budget development and resource prioritization
Financial decision-making and performance management
Developing defensible resource requirements
Aligning funding priorities with mission requirements and organizational risk
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The course is 12 hours and is generally delivered over one and a half days.
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Yes. The course can be delivered virtually or on-site at the requesting department or installation.
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Yes. Each participant receives a student handbook to support the course and provide a reference following completion.