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.
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
321-433-5707Bill Klein, Program Manager kleinw@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7565Scott 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.
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.