Firefighter Academy

Firefighter Academy students learning

 

FIREFIGHTER ACADEMY

“The Santa Rosa Junior College Fire Technology Program is accredited by the California State Fire Marshall 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. This course also includes two overnight sessions. Upon successful completion of the wildland component, students also receive a CALFIRE Basic Firefighter Certificate.

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
  • Overhaul
  • Firefighter survival
  • 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
  • CalFire Basic Firefighter Certificate
  • CSTI Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational
  • SFT Confined Space Awareness
  • SFT Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations (LARRO)
  • SFT Auto Extrication
  • SFT Firefighter Survival
  • SFT Fire Control 3B
  • SFT ICS 200
  • 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 of every year and meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-10pm and Saturdays and Sundays 8am-5pm. This format begins at the end of the Summer and continues through the duration of 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.

In addition to the time frames identified above, both formats include an extended week for the wildland component of the course which includes two 24-hour overnight sessions.

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 Heather Wonneberger in the Fire Technology Department at hwonneberger@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 fire academy and the Intro course, go to:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MABGi_-mi0o 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cPy2DNDxSw&feature=related 
                
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)

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

http://admissions.santarosa.edu/prerequisite-equivalency-form

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

https://admissions.santarosa.edu/prerequisitecorequisite-challenge-form

 

2. Decide which Academy format you wish to attend:

INTENSIVE ACADEMY

Semester:

 Spring

Class Meetings:

 Monday - Friday, 8a - 5p

Application Deadline:

 October 1st

 

 

 

 

 

EXTENDED ACADEMY

Semester:

 Fall

Class Meetings:

 Tuesday, Thursday: 6p - 10p
 and
 Saturday, Sunday: 8a - 5p

Application Deadline:

 June 1st

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  • Fill out Firefighter Academy Application
  • Fall 2023 Application
  • 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 within the last calendar year, make a note on your application; you do not need to re-submit)
  • Print and sign the Code of Conduct Form  (if you turned one in for Fire 208 within the last calendar year, make a note on your application; you do not need to re-submit)
  • Email your application and supporting documents to Heather Wonneberger at: hwonneberger@santarosa.edu

4. Admissions Process:

  • Applicants who submitted final grades will be placed in the academy first.
  • If there are more applicants than seats available, a lottery will be performed.
  • Applicants with pending prerequisites will be given the remaining spots in the Academy based on a first-come, first-serve basis depending on when final grades are turned in to Heather Wonneberger (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 (Fit test) 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.
  • Registering for the EVALS Mobile Training Solutions platform at your own cost.
  • 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

  • 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:

Heather Wonneberger

hwonneberger@santarosa.edu

Administrative Assistant, Fire Technology

Santa Rosa Junior College

5743 Skylane Blvd

Windsor, CA 95492