Fire training student holding a hose in front of training center

Fire Fighter I/II - Certificate Program

The Fire Training Academy offers persons interested in becoming a firefighter excellent training that will prepare them in meeting the state Fire Fighter standards.

Fire Training Academy students can earn the Fire Fighter I/II, Florida Minimum Standards Career and Technical Certificate (CTC), which is 492 total clock hours for the program's two modules.

To meet community needs, EFSC offers two Fire fighter programs with a Fall or Spring start:

• Full Time Day Class – designed for students who can commit to a demanding daytime schedule that lasts approximately three months. Classes are from 8:30 AM until 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday for the Fire Fighter I module and 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Thursday for the Fire Fighter II module.

• Part Time Night / Weekend – designed for students who need to work while attending the Academy. Classes are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6 PM until 10 PM plus Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 AM until 5:30 PM (With selected weekends off). Training lasts approximately five months.

Fire Academy logo

Those who successfully complete the course and meet all Bureau of Fire Standards and Training (BFST) requirements and testing receive state certification. Florida Statutes require this certification for employment in the fire service.

Fire Fighter I/II CTC COURSE CURRICULUM

The first module in the curriculum (Part 1) concerns subjects addressed in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Professional Qualifications Standard for Fire Fighter 1 and meets the BFST requirement for volunteer fire fighter positions.

Fire Fighter I/II - Certificate Program

Program Overview

Certificate Type
Career & Technical Certificate (CTC)
Delivery Method
On-Campus
Location
Palm Bay
Total Clock Hours
492
Academic Community
Public Safety
Contact Information

Jessica Antus, Program Coordinator
Palm Bay Campus
Building 6, Room 106
antusj@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5707

Request Advising Appointment

Bill Klein, Program Manager kleinw@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7565

Scott Manning, Fire Academy Chief
mannings@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7564

The second module (Part 2) addresses those subject areas in NFPA 1001 for Fire Fighter 2 and meets the BFST requirements to work as a career firefighter.

Eastern Florida State College also offers multiple courses to enhance employment opportunities as a fire fighter — as explained in the Career & Educational Pathways Guide.

Fire Fighter I/II CTC Admissions Information

This program that prepares you to become a firefighter in the state of Florida is a limited access program which requires specialized steps and an additional online application in addition to EFSC's general admissions process. Work with the program coordinator for advising as you apply.

Check Deadlines, Review Info Packet & Work with Advisor

Because this is a limited access program with many variables and a special application requirement, it's important for prospective students to meet application deadline dates.

Annual Application Deadlines:

  • Fall Term/August Start: Apply by June 14th
  • Spring Term/January Start: Apply by November 20th

All interested persons should request and read the Firefighter Information Packet prior to applying. (Please Note: That link will open an email that you must create and send for the packet to be sent via return email.)

Important Note: While medical training is not required for entry, applicants receive preference points for First Responder, EMT, or Paramedic training. It is strongly recommended that applicants complete the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class prior to the Fire Fighter program. EFSC offers Emergency Medical Technician every semester.

You should also review estimated expenses and frequently asked questions about the Fire Fighter program.

Request Appointment for Advising

Apply for General Admission to EFSC

If you are not already an accepted EFSC student, complete and properly submit the application for general admission to Eastern Florida State College. This application is available online.

There is a $30 non-refundable application fee for admission that must be submitted at the time of application to the college. Complete all general admissions requirements with the main EFSC Admissions office.

Please note that application processing can take up to 14 days due to the current volume of applications. Check your email frequently for your acceptance letter.

NOTE: This general application step pertains ONLY to those students who are not currently enrolled with the college. If you’re a returning/readmit student who applied to EFSC one or more years ago and have not completed a course in the past year, you must re-apply and can do so online and will not be charged the general EFSC application fee.

New & Existing EFSC Students: Complete General Requirements & Clear Registration Holds

If you are a new EFSC student, your general admissions acceptance letter and email will list admissions requirements that you must complete to avoid holds that would prevent you from registering for courses if accepted into the firefighter program.

You can also review how to complete these general requirements on EFSC's accepted students page.

If you are an existing EFSC student, you need to verify that you do not have any holds that would prevent course registration if you are accepted into the program.

Visit the Registration Holds webpage for details on how to check your EFSC Message Center for holds and how to clear them.

Complete Online Application for Fire Fighter Program

After you have received your general EFSC Admissions Acceptance letter or if you are a current EFSC student, you must submit the online Public Safety Institute Application. This limited access application is in addition to the general application and MUST be properly submitted by the application deadline.

Your general admissions acceptance letter will include your student email address and password required to log in to your myEFSC account when prompted so you can submit the limited access Public Safety application.

If you plan to earn just the Fire Fighter certificate, be sure to choose that option on the application. If you instead want to earn the EMT one term and EFSC's Fire Fighter I/II CTC the next term, be sure to choose that option and pay careful attention to which term you are choosing.

Submit the Online Public Safety Application

There is a $25 non-refundable fee for the Public Safety application which can be paid through your myEFSC online account or at a campus Student Accounts Business Office no later than the application deadline.

Annual Application Deadlines
Fall Term Start: June 14th
Spring Term Start: December 4th

Take the TABE Test or Qualify for an Exemption

The TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education - 11/12 Level A) is a required exam that students must pass in order to graduate from the Fire Fighter program. It is not an entrance exam. Under Florida Statute, students enrolled in a Career and Technical Certificate (CTC) program that requires TABE must take the exam or qualify for an exemption within the first six weeks after beginning classes in the program.

Here are the details for both options and it’s the student’s responsibility to ensure they meet the TABE requirements by testing or obtaining the exemption in a timely manner.

• Take the TABE. Consider taking the TABE prior to starting the program when you may have more time. View TABE Preparation Resources and schedule the TABE at an EFSC Testing Center using the RegisterBlast appointment system. If you do not meet the scoring requirements, you can remediate in the deficient area and retest before graduation. View the TABE Remediation Process.

• Do you qualify for a TABE exemption? See the TABE Exemptions page. If you think you will qualify, email the Testing Center staff at testingassessment@easternflorida.edu and they will assist you with completing the required form and having the proper documentation on file to support the TABE exemption.

Consequences for failing to meet the requirement include but are not limited to; the student not receiving certificate of completion, not being permitted to register for future classes, or dropped from course without a refund.

Brief Costs & Financial Aid Eligibility

Completing both modules of the Firefighter certificate costs about $2,600, which include the clock-hour-program tuition, lab fees, textbooks, and other course materials. See details about the estimated expenses.

Due to the program's relatively short length in clock hours, it is not eligible for Federal financial aid. However, there are other options available to help you cover the costs, including sponsorship through Brevard County Fire Rescue that can cover all tuition, lab fees, uniforms, and textbooks for both EFSC's EMT and Fire Fighter certificate programs, as well as the bunker gear for the fire academy. Students can also apply for the Jeffery Allan Burgin Memorial Firefighter Scholarship through the information on EFSC's local outside scholarships page.

You also can use the Nelnet Payment Plan to manage your tuition payments. Additionally, if you have a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship or a Florida Prepaid account, you can use those funds toward your education. Veterans may be eligible for Veterans Educational Benefits, and there are additional scholarships offered by the EFSC Foundation.

Why train at EFSC's Fire Training Center?

The Palm Bay Campus center includes a four-story rescue tower, two-story burn building to conduct live burns, a propane field with control center, specialize training props, and an academic building with classrooms. 

The Center's professional instructors train firefighters for all 13 municipal fire departments in Brevard County and Brevard County Fire-Rescue, making it central to public safety along the Space Coast. It has been honored twice as the Fire Training Center of the Year by the State Fire Marshal.

Related Fire Science Options

As you consider the Fire Fighter certificate program, explore these additional programs that can provide a route for professional firefighters to advance their careers and their skills. The related A.S. degree can be the foundation to move on to EFSC's Bachelor of Applied Science degree. Plus non-credit continuing education courses can help with earning additional certifications. Discuss all the options with the program coordinator, manager, or Fire Academy chief.