Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Has there been any endorsements of the value of Blue Card?
Answer: Yes, in August 2010 the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Great Lakes Division and the Safety, Health & Survival section endorsed Blue Card for recommended practice for NIMS type 4 & 5 incidents.
Question: Are there any organizations that will partially fund the Blue Card online course purchase?
Answer: Yes, if you are a Fire Department which is part of the Illinois Public Risk Fund (IPRF) you can get $150.00 off the Blue Card online course price if you provide them a certificate of completion.
Question: Can I get education credits from completing the Blue Card Command program?
Answer: Yes, Columbia Southern University is awarding eight credit hours for successfully completing the Blue Card Train the Trainer program.
Question: Is there any type of accreditation on the Blue Card Training program?
Answer: The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Hazard Zone Management Standard is based on Fire Command's Blue Card Command Training and Certification Program. Testing and Seals are available through the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board.
Question: What do I need on my computer in order to run the Blue Card online 50hr course?
Answer: You will require a minimum of Internet Explorer 7, Flash version 10 and your Pop Up Blocker turned off. The program will work on a Mac Safari browser as well. To upgrade your Flash and Internet Explorer Browser go to:
Question: How long do I have to complete the Blue Card 50hr course once I subscribe?
Answer: You have 12mths to complete the course once you first log in. The individual course modules will become inaccessible 30 days after completion.
Question: After completing the Blue Card online course what is next?
Answer: You have two options: 1- get certified as a Blue Card Commander by attending a 3 day simulation based certification class or 2- Attend a Blue Card 6 day Train the Trainer course in which you are certified as well as trained as a Blue Card trainer. Check out the Upcoming Seminars tab of this website for locations and dates.
Question: If I become a Blue Card Trainer is there any costs for me to certify people in my own Department?
Answer: The costs to certify the members of your department once you have been certified as an evaluator/instructor is; 1) the fee for the 60 hour on-line training program for the members who want to be certified 2) the computer hardware/software costs (if you don't have any computers) and 3) the regular training costs incurred when doing department hands on training (overtime if used, facility & vehicle costs, etc). The instructor package received after completing the train the train program contains all the material needed to certify members who have completed the on-line training program.
Question: How do I go about setting up a Blue Card Command Training Center?
Answer: You will require a simulation lab set up with 8 to 10 computers which will operate Fire Studio 4.1. All off the Blue Card Command simulations run in Fire Studio 4.1, so you will need to have that software and the machines to run it. You will also require a radio system during the simulations. Usually 10-12 radios will be required. Maximum class size should be 10.
Question: Is the Blue Card program NIMS compliant?
Answer: Yes, Blue Card addresses type 4 & 5 type NIMS incidents
