Get Certified

Rescue Technician – Trench

Already certified as a Fire Officer I? Pursue a Rescue Technician – Trench certification to grow your emergency response and technical skills. 

firefighter turning a valve on a firetruck

1. Complete prerequisites

  • Level I & II Technician Prerequisite (General CORE Requirements)
    To certify as a Trench Rescue Technician, the candidate must be certified at the General Requirements level. Any of the following are acceptable proof of meeting the CORE requirement:

a) Certification Certificate (state or training agency issued Pro-Board or IFSAC).
b) Official transcript from an approved training agency showing successful completion of certification.
c) Rescue Technician national certification (IFSAC or Pro Board) within a specialty area (e.g., vehicle, rope, trench, etc.). Level II Technician Prerequisite Technician Level I Certification: The candidate MUST be certified at the Trench Rescue Technician I level and meet all other requirements. Attach a copy of the certification.

  • Hazardous Materials Operations Training or Certification
    Must show proof of a completed hazardous materials operations training or certificate within one year of the date of application.
  • CPR and Emergency Medical Services Training 
    Must complete an approved CPR course and medical care training course (or hold a current EMS certification).

See the Rescue Technician – Trench candidate handbook (PDF) for details about which certifications and training courses are accepted. Prerequisites are listed on Pages 3 to 5.

2. Fill out an application

First, you will need a FEMA Student Identification Number to apply. Find your FEMA student ID or register for one

Next, download, digitally complete, and save the Rescue Technician – Trench application (PDF).

3. Select when and where you will take your tests

Use this map or the Acadis portal to find a testing site. Open dates for certification exams and application deadlines are below.

Upcoming open Rescue Technician – Trench exam dates, by application deadline
 
Exam Site Application Deadline Written Exam Skill Exam Email Your Application To:
Harrisburg Area Community College Sep. 12, 2024 Oct. 3, 2024 Oct. 5, 2024 Tina Cook
tmcook@hacc.edu
Washington County Fire School  Oct. 9, 2024 Oct. 26, 2024 Oct. 26, 2024 Michael Jurick
jurickmi@co.washington.pa.us

 

Can’t find what you need? Your preferred testing site may add more dates throughout the year. Contact them for more information.

▶  Download a PDF version of the certifications exam schedule.

4. Send completed application

Applications must be submitted to your preferred testing site by the deadline they have listed, or by three weeks before the test date.

A firefighter carries a child who is holding a stuffed bunny.

Skills we're looking for

Here's what we test for in an Rescue Technician – Trench skill exam. 

5. Take written and skills tests

After you have an approved application, your written and skills tests will be on the dates and locations listed by your testing site. Contact them with questions or for assistance.

Once you pass both tests, you will be Rescue Technician – Trench certified. Congratulations!

Get help

If at any point you need help with the certification process, contact the coordinator listed as the contact for your testing site. You can get help with general questions about the certification process by emailing us at ra-empsfacertprogram@pa.gov, or by calling us at 717-248-1115.