Program Title
Firefighter I Academy
TOPs Code
Fire Academy (213350)
Projected Start Date
08/20/2018
Program Description
The Firefighter I Academy Skills Certificate is intended for pre-Fire Service students and Fire Service professionals (volunteer and paid fire fighters) to train in an accepted State curriculum, and as an Accredited Regional Training Program, the Academy is certified by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. In addition to the Academy completion certificate, candidates will need to complete field experience (1 year volunteer or 6 months fulltime) in order to obtain their Firefighter I certificate.
The academy includes over 481 hours of instruction and basic firefighting skills needed for the entry level professional firefighter to perform his/her duties safely, effectively, and competently. The curriculum is based on the 2013 edition of NFPA 1001, Standards for Firefighter Professional Qualifications, the 2012 edition of NFPA 1051, Standards for Wildland Firefighter Professional Qualifications, and the 2008 edition of NFPA 472, Standards for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents. The seven overarching themes of the California State Firefighter I curriculum are: general knowledge germane to the profession, fire department communication, fire ground operations, rescue operations, preparedness and maintenance, wildland suppression activities, and hazardous materials/WMD.
In addition to the curriculum identified in these standards, students receive additional instruction in the areas of Auto extrication, the Incident Command System (ICS), Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations (LARRO), an expanded Wildland Firefighting component that meets the requirements necessary to obtain a Cal Fire Basic Firefighter Certificate, Confined Space Awareness and a rigorous physical training component.
The Firefighter I Academy does not include emergency medical care skills that are required to work as a firefighter. Prior to enrolling in the academy, students must complete EMT (EMC 105) or First Responder (EMC 100).
For students interested in an Associate degree, a Fire Technology major is also available. More information on the Firefighter I Academy program can be found on the Public Safety Department website.
Enrollment Completer Projections
Number of sections of core courses to be offered annually: 29
Headcount of student annual enrollment in core courses: 714
Estimated completers at the end of the second year: 67
Estimated completers at the end of the fifth year: 268