Fire Academy

What is A Fire Academy Degree?

The Fire Academy trains individuals to work as firefighters.  To get into the Fire Academy in most places you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.  It’s also a good idea to get EMT training first—it may be required in some places, and having that extra training may make the difference of your getting your choice job or not.  Some academies may even provide EMT training.  Of course, you’ll also want to be in the best physical condition possible!  You may be required to take a physical or psychological test before acceptance in the program.

Coursework will include topics like hazardous materials response, fire prevention, fire control, and equipment use. The training will be mostly hands-on, with students learning how to operate equipment, enter blocked doors, navigate smoke-filled places, stuff like that.  Most programs take 12-16 weeks to complete, and will then qualify you to apply for entry-level Firefighter positions.  When hired, it’s possible the hiring department will require you to take their specific training—an important step in becoming part of their firefighting team.