Firefighter Academy

 

Firefighter Academy students learning

 

FIREFIGHTER ACADEMY

Santa Rosa Junior College Fire Technology Program is accredited by the California State Fire Marshal and the State Board of Fire Services.  The curriculum for our Fire Academy is developed and monitored by State Fire Training, IFSAC and ProBoard.  The program goes through re-accreditation every five (5) years.  The Santa Rosa Junior College Fire Technology Program was re-accredited last on November 12, 2020.”

We Follow Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Standards and National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Guidelines

SRJC Fire Academy Re-accreditation Highlights

SRJC Fire Academy Accreditation

SRJC Fire Academy Application Signature Page

OVERVIEW

The Firefighter Academy is a 17.5-unit course that includes an intensive series of skills and knowledge needed for the entry-level professional firefighter to perform his/her duties safely, effectively and competently. Combined with Emergency Medical Technician (not included in the fire academy), this course meets the educational requirements for Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification as established by the State Board of Fire Services. 

Training includes approximately 585 hours of instruction in basic firefighting skills and topics, including:

  • Firefighter health and safety
  • Protective equipment
  • Communications
  • Hand and power tools
  • Building construction and related hazards
  • Hose streams
  • Water supply systems
  • Ladders
  • Ventilation
  • Forcible entry
  • Search and rescue
  • Property conservation
  • Loss control
  • Firefighter survival / RIC
  • Fire behavior and control techniques
  • Firefighting tactics and strategy
  • Structural firefighting
  • Behavioral health
  • Cancer awareness
  • Wildland fire suppression
  • Hazardous materials/WMDs
  • Organize an incident management system
  • Complete a basic incident report
  • Communicate the need for team assistance
  • Extinguish an ignitable liquid fire
  • Control a flammable gas cylinder fire
  • Coordinate an Interior fire attack line
  • Protect evidence of fire cause and origin
  • Extricate a victim entrapped in a motor vehicle
  • Assist a rescue operations team
  • Perform a fire safety survey in an occupied structure
  • Present fire safety information
  • Prepare a preincident survey
  • Maintain power plants, tools, and equipment
  • Perform an annual service test on a fire hose
  • Physical fitness

Upon successful completion, students receive the following certificates:

  • Academy Completion Certificate
  • Cal Fire Fire Protection Orientation
  • CSTI Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational (FRO)
  • SFT Confined Space Awareness
  • SFT Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue Technician
  • SFT Firefighter Survival
  • SFT Fire Control 3B
  • SFT ICS 200
  • SRJC Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations (LARRO)
  • NWCG S-130
  • NWCG S-131
  • NWCG S-190
  • NWCG L-180

At the termination of the academy, students will complete testing that includes an SFT online written exam and skills tests that meet SFT, IFSAC, and Pro-Board requirements for Firefighter I and II.

With the course completion certificate and EMT card, you will have exceeded the academic requirements for certification as a Firefighter I and II. 

While the Firefighter Academy is not a “Core” course for a Fire Technology Degree or Certificate, it can be applied to meet the required elective units for either.

ACADEMY OFFERINGS

The Firefighter Academy is offered in both an Extended and Intensive Format.

Extended Format: Is offered only in the Fall and takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-10 pm, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am-5 pm. There may be additional training days on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The course also includes seven days of Wildland Training from 7 am to 7 pm. This format starts at the end of the Summer and continues throughout the Fall semester.

Intensive Format: Is offered only in the Spring of every year and meets Monday through Friday 8am-5pm beginning in mid-January and ending in early May.

UNIFORMS AND PROTECTIVE GEAR

Students are required to provide a navy blue uniform, OSHA approved black “Station” boots (wildland boots are permitted provided they are kept to a high shine), running shoes, dark blue sweatpants, sweatshirt, short, and t-shirt (100% cotton). In order to provide NFPA compliant protective gear for live fire training, students are also required to rent turnouts for the duration of the academy (from a specific third-party vendor). The approximate cost for uniforms and turnout rental is $1100. This is in addition to the enrollment and material costs for the academy.

For enrollment costs and vendor information for the current semester, please contact Ken Sebastiani in the Fire Technology Department at ksebastiani@santarosa.edu

LOCATION

The Firefighter Academy is held at the Public Safety Training Center:

*Some sessions are held off-site.

Santa Rosa Junior College – Public Safety Training Center

5743 Skylane Blvd.

Windsor, CA 95492

 

INTERNET LINKS

To view some of the testing standards used in the production of the 101st Fire Academy graduation video, please view:

The Sonoma  County  Junior  College  District  is committed to providing equal opportunities for all students, employees, and applicants regardless of ethnicity, race,  color,  sex,  age,  religion,  marital  status,  sexual  orientation,  disability, national  origin,  status  as a veteran, medical  condition, or political  affiliation.

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE FIREFIGHTER ACADEMY:

 1. Complete the three (3) prerequisite courses:

  • ​Fire 71: Fire Protection Organization
  • EMC 100: Emergency First Responder (or possession of a current EMT Card)
  • Fire 208: Introduction to the Firefighter Academy

Required forms for Fire  208:

Medical Clearance Form;  Code of Conduct Form 

*If any prerequisites were taken at another educational institution, a Prerequisite Equivalency Form must be turned in online at:

Prerequisite Equivalency Form

*If any prerequisites were taken at a Private Agency, a Prerequisite Challenge Form must be turned in online at:

Prerequisite Challenge Form

 

2. Decide which Academy format you wish to attend:

INTENSIVE ACADEMY

Semester:

 Spring

Class Meetings:

 Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM

Application Deadline:

 November 6th

 

 

 

 

 

EXTENDED ACADEMY*

Semester:

 Summer/Fall

Class Meetings:

 Tuesday, Thursday: 6 PM - 10 PM
 and
 Saturday, Sunday: 8 AM - 5 PM

Application Deadline:

 June 1st

 

 

 

 

 

 

*This class will include a few Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays along with seven days of wildland from 7 AM - 7 PM. 

3. Submit your application (must be 18 years or older):

The Intensive Fire Academy application submission dates are open from September 1st at 12:01 AM until November 6th at 11:59 PM and will close. 

Intensive Fire Academy Application (Spring Semester)

The Extended Fire Academy application submission dates are open from May 1st at 12:01 AM until June 1st at 11:59 PM and will close. 

Extended Fire Academy Application (Summer/Fall Semester)

  • Fill out Firefighter Academy Application with required information as noted by an "*"
  • Attach final passing grades for the prerequisite courses to your application (you may still turn in your application if you are still completing prerequisites; you must include proof that you are registered in the class or classes)
  • Have the Medical Clearance Form signed by your physician (if you turned one in for Fire 208 the form will be accepted one year from physician signature. You must submit the form with the application)
  • Print and sign the Code of Conduct Form  (if you turned one in for Fire 208 it will be accepted within one calendar year. You must submit the form with the application)
  • If a fire organization is sponsoring you, a letter from the Fire Chief of the department is required to be submitted.
  • Submit the form by selecting "Submit Form" at the bottom of the application.
  • You will receive a Fire Academy Application Submission email confirming receipt of submission. 
4. Admissions Process:
  • Applicants who submitted final grades will be placed in the academy first.
  • A lottery will be performed if more applicants than seats are available.
  • Applicants with pending prerequisites will be given the remaining spots in the Academy based on a first-come, first-served basis depending on when final grades are turned in to Nikki Soto (once completed, grades MUST BE TURNED IN; these can be mailed, dropped off, or emailed).
  • If accepted, you will receive a welcome email, followed by an acceptance packet approximately 2 – 4 weeks after the application deadline.
5. Complete the following in the acceptance packet:
  • The OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire by a licensed physician at your cost. While we provide the form used by Kaiser for your convenience, you may use any Occupational Health Provider as long as they use an OSHA approved form. Prices vary.
  • Using the directions on the enclosed flyer to rent turnouts at your own cost from 911 Safety Equipment.
  • Obtain the required classroom uniform that must be purchased at your own cost. Vendors are listed in the packet; prices vary.
  • General academy paperwork.
6. Pay for the Academy
  • The cost is approximately $1800.00 for enrollment, course fees, and parking (does not include third-party fees).
7. Attend Orientation
  • ATTENDANCE AT THE ORIENTATION IS MANDATORY.
    • The orientation date will be provided in the acceptance packet. 

 

For additional questions, please contact:

Nikki Soto

nsoto@santarosa.edu

Fire Technology Program & PSTC Payroll

Administrative Assistant

Santa Rosa Junior College

Public Safety Training Center 

5743 Skylane Blvd

Windsor, CA 95492

707-836-2907