TMSA is the only nationally recognized organization that offers marine response training (including marine fire fighting programs) designed, developed and taught by active firefighters, mariners, law enforcement and Rescue/EMS personnel specifically for first responders. As a non-profit organization, our goal is to provide affordable, realistic, and time-tested educational programs that are continually updated to reflect emerging issues in marine response.
TMSA is the oldest provider of formal land-based marine firefighting in the United States. We have been providing NFPA based programs since 1994 as the Delaware River and Bay Marine Fire Fighting Task Force. Our instructors have years of experience as chief and senior officers from various size departments. Many of our instructors respond to marine incidents as part of the Maritime Incident Response Team (MIRT). TMSA's programs have been copied by newcomers to the field, but do not be fooled by clever advertising or other false claims found on other websites. Do not hesitate to ask for their credentials and experience. TMSA has not authorized other groups to provide our training.
TMSA has been involved in all aspects of NFPA's development of the proposed Professional Qualification Standards for Marine Firefighter NFPA 1005 as part of the NFPA Task Force on Marine Firefighting. TMSA's programs directly support these ProQual standards.
NFPA 1405 and 1005 TRAINING PROGRAM
Marine Firefighter 1 and 2 receive FEMA approval under state programs! It is listed under the NJ-011-RESP under approved state training programs in theFEMA State Catalog.
IMPORTANT: If you see training advertised as "FEMA APPROVED" it MUST be listed in the FEMA State Catalog or it is not approved.
FEMA Certification: Our Marine Fire Awareness and Operations have been combined into a 16 hour Harbor Incidnet Response Training Program that has been institutionalized by ODP as part of our FDNY training program. It is listed under the NY-002-RESP under approved state training programs in the ODP State Catalog.
Training Development The Marine Fire Fighting Task Force assembled a team of firefighters and maritime personnel to begin development of a marine firefighting training program for land-based firefighters in 1991 after a nationwide search for training revealed none available. It was determined that marine fire training for mariners offered at many maritime institutions did not adequately address the needs of the fire service. Firefighters from Philadelphia, Camden, Wilmington and other local departments joined with maritime industry to develop a comprehensive modular training program that met the needs of both career and volunteer departments, large or small.
Training Organization The training is organized into modules similar to Hazardous Material Response Training. This was done to allow departments to train to the level of training needed by individual firefighters or departments and conduct it over time until training goals are met. There are currently five (5) levels that are described below.
Training Instructors Our instructors are both firefighters and maritime personnel and many are both. They are required to go through an extensive Train-the-Trainer program that includes classroom and field training. Several of our instructors are nationally recognized experts in marine firefighting.
Training History This training has been provided for numerous department in the U.S. for over 5,000 firefighters. Firefighters from 18 states have attended the annual Emergency Response in the Marine Environment Conference. Departments that have received this training include: FDNY, Philadelphia Fire Department, Wilmington Fire Department, Camden Fire Department, Boston Fire Department, Providence Fire Department, East Providence Fire Department, MASSPORT Fire-Rescue, Chelsea Fire Department, Everett Fire Department, Claymont Fire Company, Jersey City Fire Department, Marcus Hook Fire Company, Portland Fire Department, Portland Fire Bureau, as well as many others.
