Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Open Burning Online Training Program

The purpose of the State's Open Burning Training Program is to assist municipalities in meeting the certification requirements for an Open Burning Official and in the administration of an Open Burning Program at the local level. Per Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-174(f), the Chief Executive Officer of each municipality is responsible for nominating all local Open Burning Officials. The Training Program covers a broad range of legal, administrative and program specific topics relevant to regulating the control of open burning at the State and local levels. To become certified, nominated individuals are required to complete all of the State's online Open Burning training modules and then, take and pass an online exam. All nominated individuals must be certified by the Commissioner of CT DEEP or his/her duly authorized representative.

Training Program Instructions

The training modules are presented as PowerPoint presentations with narration. Modules are self-paced and individuals can access them at their convenience. The modules are available through the links in the table below, while printable versions of the modules and audio scripts are available in the attachments section. A link to the required online certification exam is available at the bottom of the training modules table below.

To ensure the proper operation and the best training module experience, it is recommended that your viewing device either meets or exceeds the Player Requirements set forth in the Mediasite Player Help webpage.

Open Burning Official Certification

Individuals nominated by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to become a certified Open Burning Official must request a nomination affidavit from the Department at the following email address: deep.ctopenburning@ct.gov. Once the online training and exam have been completed, the completed and notarized affidavit must be scanned and emailed from the CEO's email or their office email to deep.ctopenburning@ct.gov in order for your application to be processed. Please note your score and the date in which you took the exam on the bottom of the affidavit. Once your application has been processed, we will email your certification letter, ID card, permit templates and guidance documents.

Program Change

The AQI level at which burning cannot occur has been raised to 100 from 75 in order to align with the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" level in the Air Quality Index.  Please disregard the 75 listed in the following training modules and apply the new level of 100.  All of the permit applications have been modified to include the new level of 100.

 

Training Modules

Module 1: Introduction and Overview of the State's Open Burning Laws (Time: 41:16)

Module covers relevant Connecticut General Statutes and Regulations concerning open burning; and includes a discussion on the importance of having locally enacted Open Burning Ordinances.

Please disregard the AQI restriction of 75 and apply the new level of 100.

Attachments

Module 2: The Open Burning Official (Time: 50:38)

Module covers the process by which an individual is nominated, trained, and certified as a local Open Burning Official, and outlines his/her related duties and responsibilities.

Please disregard the AQI restriction of 75 and apply the new level of 100.

Attachments

Module 3: Open Burning of Brush on Residential Property (Time: 1:00:12)

Module covers the process by which the local Open Burning Official evaluates permit applications. Presents a model application/permit, and outlines the responsibilities of the permit holder.

Please disregard the AQI restriction of 75 and apply the new level of 100.

Attachments

Module 4: Other Purposes for which Open Burning may be Authorized (Time: 1:39:37)

Module covers the remaining types of open burning activities that can be permitted by a local Open Burning Official authorized under Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-174(f).

Please disregard the AQI restriction of 75 and apply the new level of 100.

Attachments

Module 5: Open Burning of Brush at Municipal Landfills, Municipal Transfer Stations and Municipal Recycling Centers (Time: 38:47)

Module covers the process by which a municipality may apply for a permit authorized by CT DEEP for the burning of brush at municipal landfills, municipal transfer stations, and municipal recycling centers.

Please disregard the AQI restriction of 75 and apply the new level of 100.

Attachments

Module 6: Enforcement of Open Burning Laws (Time: 57:32)

Module covers the process by which open burning violations are enforced at the State and local levels.

Attachments

Online Certification Exam

Exam consists of twenty five questions which include both multiple choice and true or false questions. A passing score is 88% or better. The exam should not be started until you have completed all six training modules above.

Do you have a question regarding the content of the training modules and/or the certification process?

 

Content Last Updated on: December 10, 2021