F-80 – Coordinator of Fire Safety and Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters

All homeless shelters require an individual holding a Certificate of Fitness for Coordinator of Fire Safety and Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters (F-80).  This certificate is also needed in any building or occupancy required to have a one-way voice communication system, regardless of occupancy classification, that is operated or occupied by more than 15 persons for a period of more than 30 days, including emergency shelters.  The F-80 Certificate of Fitness is premise-related.

Subjects of this course include:

• Fires in homeless shelters
• Coordinator of fire safety & alarm systems responsibilities
• Emergency Preparedness Plan
• Fire and Emergency Preparedness (FEP) staff training
• Emergency trills
• Individuals who require special assistance
• Emergency procedures
• Fire alarm systems
• Sprinkler systems
• Standpipe systems
• Testing, inspection and repair procedures for fire alarm ystems
• Out of service situations
• Portable fire extinguishers
• Recordkeeping
• Safety in shelters
• Common issues in shelters

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
• Applicant must have a reasonable understanding of the English language.
• Applicant must provide two (2) forms of identification; at least one (1) form of identification must be government issued photo identification, such as a State-issued Drivers’ License or Non Driver’s License or passport.
  Note: Applicants not currently employed may take the FDNY Computer Based Test  (CBT) without the F-80 Verification Letter of F-80 Application.  If the applicant passes the test, FDNY will issue a temporary letter with a photo for job seeking purposes.  The Certificate of Fitness card will not be issued unless the applicant is employed and submits both the F-80 Verification Letter and F-80 Application.

Special Requirements for the F-80 Certificate of Fitness:

A Valid Unexpired School Graduation Diploma
Before taking the FDNY computer based examination, all applicants have to complete an approved course for Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters from a FDNY accredited school.  Applicants must attend all training classes to be eligible to take the training course’s final examination. School Graduation Diploma will be issued after the candidates obtain a passing score of 70% on the Graduation Test. Candidates shall be allowed two (2) opportunities to pass the Graduation Test. Candidates who fail the final examination on the second attempt shall be required to reattend the course in its entirety. The Graduation Diploma is valid for only one (1) year in order to take the FDNY Computer Based Test (CBT) (F-80).
Verification Letter
Applicants must present a verification letter from his/her employer, shelter director or the Department of Homeless Services (DHS).  The letter must be notarized.
F-80 Application Form
Applicants must present the F-80 application form completed by his/her employer, shelter director or the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). The form must be notarized.
Audit Requirements
The FDNY reserves the right to verify the contents of both the F-80 Verification Letter and the F-80 Application immediately after submission by performing an unannounced audit of the contents of the letter.  This audit will occur at the shelter location(s) in which the F-80 applicant is employed.
Two (2) Homeless Shelters Only
F-80 Certificate of Fitness holders can only be certified in two (2) homeless shelter locations at one time without applying for a variance.  Applicants must apply for a variance with the FDNY requesting permission to work at three (3) or more locations.  Both the F-80 Letter of Verification and the F-80 Application for each individual location are required.
Exemption from S-95 Certificate of Fitness
Individuals who are certified for the F-80 Certificate of Fitness will be exempt from having to obtain a separate S-95 Certificate of Fitness for Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems and Other Related Systems. This exemption is for Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters who work in shelters only.

FDNY Fees:

On the day of the exam at the FDNY, each applicant is required to pay a $25.00 fee to the New York City Fire Department.