Fire Academy

Course Description

Forsyth Tech Fire Academy is an intense 27-week program (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday) that uses real life scenarios and conditions to prepare firefighters for the challenges they will face. It provides rigorous training and will test you physically and mentally. You will work with highly qualified instructors who have the experience and know-how to train you for anything, and you’ll learn using the latest technology.

The Academy takes place at the Emergency Services Training Center at the Northwest Forsyth Center in King. The facility offers the latest advancements in firefighter training, including a six-story Burn Building that lets you experience a variety of real-life scenarios under controlled burn conditions, and a five-story Drill Tower that lets you learn how to get in and out of high-rise buildings.

Completion of Forsyth Tech Firefighter Academy will earn you the following certifications:

Firefighter
EVD
NIMS/ICS
Technical Rescue General
Emergency Medical Technician

As a graduate of the Academy, you will be qualified to work as a firefighter and EMT, which gives you endless career options.

Requirements

To be accepted into the Forsyth Tech Fire Academy, you must be at least 18 years of age with a High School diploma or GED and meet the following requirements:

Complete a rigorous physical ability exam
Complete an application packet
Obtain medical and physical exams at your own expense
Sponsored by a Fire Department (contact us if not currently sponsored)

If you believe you can meet the criteria for acceptance and make it through the training, we urge you to apply. It will prepare you for a career with rewards like no other.

Contact Information

For information on applying, contact:

Abby Riddle, Staff Assistant, Public Safety Technologies

336.757.3064

ariddle@forsythtech.edu

Technical Standards for Firefighter Training

Our program technical standards have been developed to help students understand nonacademic standards, skills, and performance requirements expected of a student in order to complete this particular curriculum.

If an accommodation is necessary to participate in the program, it is imperative to identify a reasonable accommodations to those students who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonableness is determined by Accessibility Resources and the program on a case-by-case basis utilizing the program technical standards. The accommodation needs to be in place prior to the start of the program, or it may delay your ability to start the program. It is the student’s responsibility to contact Accessibility Resources and request accommodations.

SKILLS	DESCRIPTION	SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
MOTOR SKILLS	Firefighting is physically demanding work. Firefighters must be strong enough to carry heavy gear or remove victims and agile enough to maneuver in an enclosed space.	A firefighter needs the physical skills the job demands.Climbing ladders, pulling hose, wearing firefighter gear and using specific tools and equipment to perform the job.
VISION	Firefighting is a job based on all senses.Vision is critical to the job.	Being able to see clearly in a smoke obscured environment. Being able to read notes and signage in low light environments.
HEARING	Firefighting is a job based on all senses.Hearing is critical to the job.	Listening for someone to call out during search and rescue in an immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) environment. Listening for sounds that give clues to what may happen if immediate actions are not followed (i.e. a leak from a pressurized vessel).
TECHNOLOGICAL	Firefighting, like most jobs has been subject to technology advances and new technology making the job safer and more effective.	Using Thermal imaging cameras, drones, and advanced gas detection equipment. Special equipment used to detect specific hazardous materials and life threating by products that can cause immediate injury or death.
COMMUNICATION	Firefighting is primarily a communication driven job requiring highly effective communication skills that involve specific instructions that in most cases be life threatening.	Giving instructions on how to perform life saving measures and/or instructions to mitigate an incident that could become progressively worse if instructions are not clear and concise.
CRITICAL THINKING/ PROBLEM SOLVING	In firefighting, critical-thinking skills have five basic components: Reasoning, analyzing, evaluating, decision making, and problem solving.Reasoning is the process of forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises. The shorthand version of reasoning is that a firefighter is expected to think in a logical manner. The concept of reasoning seems to be linked to the concept of proof and rationalization.	Critical thinking and problem solving in a complex rescue situation that may involve the use of sophisticated tools and equipment – a good example would be removing a victim from a collapsed structure and providing life saving measures for the individual.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS	Interpersonal communication is important for the quality of working relationships in any fire service organization. Those in management positions who are sensitive and responsive in their communications with employees encourage the development of trusting, loyal relationships.	Working on a rotating shift where you are working and living with your colleagues for a 24-hour period is a real life application on interpersonal communication. Dealing with the public and educating them on specific codes and regulations is another example.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOLERANCE	Firefighting is physically demanding work. Firefighters must be strong enough to carry heavy gear or remove victims and agile enough to maneuver in an enclosed spaces, all weather environments, physically demanding situations and rapidly changing environmental conditions.	Working in any imaginable environmental condition. Heat, cold, wet, dry, oxygen deficient and immediately dangerous to life and health environment (IDL).
SAFETY AND HEALTH, JOB PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS (JPR’S)	National standards for firefighting specifies that firefighters meet the minimum requirements for an occupational safety and health program for fire departments or organizations that provide rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials mitigation, special operations, and other emergency services.

This document is intended to serve as a guide regarding the physical, emotional, intellectual and psychosocial expectations placed on a student. This document cannot include every conceivable action, task, ability or behavior that may be expected of a student. Meeting these technical standards does not guarantee employment in this field upon graduation. Ability to meet the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for any licensure, certification exam, or successful completion of the degree program.