Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations (B.E.F.O.)

Please be certain to review and complete the mandatory forms to the right.

Course Prerequisites

ICS 100 & ICS 700 – Copy of Certificate must be provided

Student Prerequisites for admission into course

1 IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting and Fire Department Operations, 7th edition.

1 set of accountability of tags.

1 signed training authorization form (students ages 16 & 17 must have parent or legal guardians sign form as well) with proof of  physical.

Signed candidate agreement.

1 complete set of turnout gear.

1 approved SCBA with spare cylinder.

1 personal utility / life safety rope.


Designed for

Fire Service Personnel

Course Length

25 Units – 79 Hours

Special Notes for Student Attire – NO EXCEPTIONS Allowed

No shorts, open toed shoes, sleeveless t-shirts and no body piercings for hands on evolutions – applies to all students.

Current Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course certification
Must be completed by Unit 25.

The NYS Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations (BEFO) course is designed to prepare entry-level department members to respond to emergencies as exterior firefighters. This course is designed to accomplish the objectives of OFPC Recommended Best Practices for Fire Department Training, Exterior Firefighter training objectives. Portions of the NFPA 1001 and NFPA 472 will be covered to train the entry level member as an exterior firefighter as defined by OSHA regulation 1910.156 Fire Brigade Standard. Training on OSHA’s 1910.120 Emergency Response to Hazardous Materials regulation, 1910.146 Confined Space Entry regulations (awareness level) and the 1910.147 Control of Hazardous Energy regulation will also be covered during the course.

Successful completion of this course requires that the student complete all portions of the course to include passing the written testing (Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations exam, quizzes and a final exam) with at least a 70% passing grade, successfully demonstrate all associated BEFO skills, and attend all hands-on and testing sessions.