PFRS Training Requirements

The Certifying Officer Letter of December 15, 2008 explained the recent adoption of amendments to the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) and a new rule within the amendments, N.J.A.C. 17:4-2.4, which addresses training requirements for PFRS eligibility and enrollment. In that letter, employers were informed that under N.J.A.C. 17:4-2.4, any current PFRS police members or firefighting members who have not successfully completed the PTC or Firefighter 1 certification will have 18 months (December 31, 2008 through June 30, 2010) to complete the required training and obtain certification. As of July 1, 2010, all PFRS members must be fully trained with PTC or Firefighter 1 certification in order to remain in PFRS membership.

For clarification purposes, please note that in order to meet the training requirements for PFRS membership stated above, completion of a basic training course for the appropriate police or fire title is required. For example, an investigator must complete a basic training course for the position of investigator in order to meet the training requirements for PFRS membership; a correction officer must complete the basic correction officer course; a police officer must take the basic course for the position of police officer in order to qualify.  If a PFRS member has previously completed the basic training course for the appropriate title, then that training qualifies for purposes of PFRS membership.