Live Fire Program Creation July 2025 v.2 Aug 2025.pdf

Prepared by P.J. Norwood Director of Training CT Fire Academy

Virtual Interactive Training Development for NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor Programs

1. Overview

The Connecticut Fire Academy (CFA), a division of the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control (CFPC), is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to develop two fully interactive, virtual learning modules based on the Public Safety Group/Jones & Bartlett textbooks for the following programs:

• NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor

• NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor-in-Charge

These modules will serve as the foundation for blended and online delivery models, providing instructors with an interactive lecture experience that integrates adult learning strategies, research-based content, knowledge checks, and comprehensive end-of-chapter assessments.

2. Project Scope and Deliverables

The selected vendor will be responsible for the design, development, and delivery of two separate interactive virtual lessons. Each module will align with NFPA 1403: Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions and the corresponding Jones & Bartlett textbook.

*Note – NFPA 1403 is scheduled to be modified in late 2025 early 2026 to NFPA 1400 Chapter 61. The development of this program must meet the newly revised standard not the current NFPA 1403

2.1 Core Components

Each virtual lesson must include the following elements:

• Structured interactive lecture format, divided by textbook chapters (chapters will be outlined by the CFA)

• Built-in knowledge checks every 3–6 slides, using varied question types.

o Interactive lectures will need to be created that do not allow students to move to the next slide without 100% right answer to knowledge checks Queston types:

• Multiple choice

• Matching

• Fill-in-the-blank

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• Sequences

• Matrix tables

• Drag and drop (optional but encouraged)

• Ability to incorporate images, videos, and/or 3d models into multiple-choice and multiple- response questions

• A 20-question summative quiz at the end of each chapter, aligned with chapter objectives and core concepts

• Embedded instructional media (e.g., animations, diagrams, or video segments) where applicable o Embedded videos from the UL FSRI research listed in section 2.2 o Embedded 3d Models

• Fully narrated content (voiceover by professional or system-generated voice acceptable)

• ADA-compliant design and accessibility features

• Ai Chat bot for students to interact with regarding the content that gathers replies from the within the program

• Exported SCORM-compliant format compatible with modern LMS platforms

• Student workbooks (electronic and downloadable in a not altering document)

2.2 Required Research Integration – Live Fire Instructor Program

In addition to the textbook material, the Live Fire Instructor program must directly integrate the content, findings, and key safety messages from the following research reports developed by the UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI):

Note - CT Fire Academy may add additional resources to this list prior to before RFP is written and finalized

1. Safety and Fidelity in Concrete Live Fire Training Buildings Research Agency: UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) Focus of the Study: Examined the fire behavior, thermal conditions, and safety concerns associated with two NFPA 1403-compliant fuel packages (wood pallets ± OSB) in a concrete training building. The study compared these conditions to a residential synthetic-furnished fire to highlight fidelity gaps in live fire training environments.

2. Evaluation of the Thermal Conditions and Smoke Obscuration of Live Fire Training Fuel Packages Research Agency: UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) Focus of the Study: Assessed heat release rate (HRR), thermal conditions, and

Director of Training CT Fire Academy visibility impacts of commonly used wood-based fuel packages (e.g., pallets, OSB, excelsior) during live fire training. The research provided comparative data from both open-air burns and enclosed container fires.

3. Study of the Fire Service Training Environment – Acquired Structures Research Agency: UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) Focus of the Study: Analyzed thermal and chemical exposure risks, fire growth, and tactical fire behavior during live fire evolutions using NFPA 1403-compliant fuels in acquired structures. Compared the results to fires with real residential furnishings to evaluate the training realism.

4. Training Fire Exposures from the Source: Developing a Risk-Benefit Framework Research Agency: UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) (FEMA-AFG funded) Focus of the Study: A comprehensive project evaluating the thermal and chemical exposure risks to instructors and students during live fire training. Included scenario testing with various fuel packages and control strategies to develop actionable recommendations for risk reduction while maintaining training value.

5. Urinary Biomarkers of Fireground Chemical Exposure in Live Fire Training Instructors Research Agency: UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health (2022) Focus of the Study: Measured volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites in the urine of instructors following live fire training to quantify systemic chemical absorption, particularly through dermal exposure, despite the use of SCBA. Findings support improved hygiene and decontamination protocols.

6. Exposure Risks in Multi-Compartment Live Fire Training Using Different Fuel Packages Research Agency: UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), published in Fire Technology (April 2024) Focus of the Study: Investigated thermal and chemical exposure conditions across different wood-based fuel packages in a realistic multi-compartment training structure. Highlighted that greater smoke production often correlates with higher contaminant levels, not necessarily higher heat, and provided recommendations for fuel selection and scenario design.

3. Design Instructional Standards

All content must follow best practices in adult learning theory and instructional design, including:

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• Clear learning objectives for each section and chapter

• Interactivity that reinforces key concepts without being overly repetitive

• Immediate feedback on knowledge check responses

• Branching or adaptive content structure if feasible

• Professional formatting consistent with CFA standards

4. Reference Materials

Note - CT Fire Academy may add additional resources to this list prior to before RFP is written and finalized

• All instructional content must be based on:

Live Fire Training: Principles and Practice to NFPA 1403

(Jones & Bartlett / Public Safety Group – latest edition)

• The six UL FSRI research reports listed in Section 2.2

The vendor is responsible for securing any necessary permissions to use excerpts, visuals, or other proprietary content from these sources.

5. Proposal Submission Requirements

All proposals must include the following:

• Company background and relevant experience in virtual training development, especially for fire service or public safety

• Samples or links to previously developed eLearning or SCORM content

• Proposed development timeline, including key milestones and estimated completion dates

• Detailed pricing proposal, including fixed cost and any optional or recurring fees o Pricing should include optional hosting services versus CT Fire Academy hosting on it’s own LMS

• Overview of project team qualifications

• Statement of compliance with accessibility and SCORM standards

• Benchmarking in person meetings to present draft material to ensure the client and vendor agree with the progress.

Meetings should include at the minimum:

Launch

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Draft outline completion Draft script for each chapter After one chapter of the interactive lecture creation After 3 chapters of the interactive lecture creation At the completion of all chapters Two meetings to teach CFA staff how to utilize

• Implementation meetings o At the request of the CFA, 4 virtual meetings to assist staff with implementation and launch of the product