Follow these steps to be considered for admission into one of two academies offered per year (January & July):

1. Submit a College Application (if not a current student)
2. Complete the Fire Academy Interest Form 
   • January Aacademy - Application period July 1st - July 15th (Selections made in August)
   • July Academy - Application period December 1st - December 15th (Selections made in January)
3. Submit Prerequisite Proof - upload proof of completion to the Interest Form. You must complete Fire Technology 1 (or equivalent) and NREMT certification before applying for the academy. It cannot be in progress at the time of your submission. 

Interest Forms that are missing prerequisite proof of completion documents will NOT be considered. 

 

Contact the Academic Counselor, Paulette Richards if you have any questions or schedule an appointment with her using the Starfish scheduling platform. 

Email:  paulette.richards@fresnocitycollege.edu

Phone:  559-442-5931

Appointment:  Starfish

• Must be 18 or have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
• In good academic standing for any prior college courses taken
• Valid California driver's license
• Proof of clear sports/DMV physical examination

• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Certification
• Fire Technology 1 (submit unofficial transcripts) - see the course catalog for a description of the course.
  • or One of the following:  JST for military training
  • or experience that may waive Fire Tech 1 requirement
  • or A resume to show prior fire or EMT experience that may waive Fire Tech 1 requirement. 
• BLS/CPR certificate (may be completed during the application period)

The Basic Fire Academy Certificate is designed to prepare students for initial employment in the fire service. Our program includes four Fire Technology courses taken over 22 weeks, for a total of 34 units. The Basic Fire Academy begins in either January or July, and consists of the following courses:

• Fire Technology 130A Basic Fire Academy Part I 
• Fire Technology 130B Basic Fire Academy Part II 
• Fire Technology 22A Firefighter II Part A 
• Fire Technology 22B Firefighter II Part B

• Fresno City College Basic Fire Academy Certificate of Achievement
• California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) Fire Fighter professional certification series:
  • CSFM/IFSAC/PROBOARD Firefighter 1 Certificate
    • CSFM Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue Technician
    • CSFM Behavioral Health & Cancer Awareness 1A
    • CSFM Rope Rescue Operations
    • CSFM Firefighter Survival
    • CSFM Fire Control 3
    • CSFM Confined Space Awareness
    • CSTI and CSFM Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations & Decon
    • Incident Command System I-100 & I-200, NIMS 700 & 800
    • CSFM Driver Operator 1A
  • CSFM/IFSAC/PROBOARD Firefighter 2 Coursework (FF1 and FF2 Task Book)
    • CSFM RIC OPS
    • CSFM Fire Control 4
    • National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
      • Followership to Leadership (L-280)
      • S-130 Firefighter Training
      • S-190 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
      • L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
      • S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws 

• Academy Physical Testing Preparation - A 7-event fitness test is given during the academy and makes up a third of your final grade. Information on this fitness test can be found here. This document is used in the grading of your test performance and will allow you to calculate what you will need to perform to pass. All calculations are based on your current body weight. You must score a minimum of 22 points total to pass.

• Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Preparation - Fire Academy physical training includes passing the 7-event CPAT testing. The CPAT test consists of eight timed test measurements of skill in stair climbing, hose dragging, equipment carrying, ladder raising and extension, forcible entry, search, rescue drag, ceiling breach, and pulling. To prepare for entry into the academy you can access the CPAT Preparation Guide.

• Math and English Proficiency - If you completed high school math and English courses with a grade of C or better, then you are likely proficient. If you were not successful or it has been a long time since you were in high school, then visit the FCC Math Support Center for resources on how to improve your math skills or the Writing and Reading Center for resources on how to improve your English skills. These are both located on the Fresno City College Campus in the Library.

• Volunteer firefighting experience will help prepare candidates for entry-level firefighting positions. Federal, state, and local agencies may offer volunteer firefighting opportunities.