Program: Fire Fighter I/II (5720) (W.C.) - Florida State College at Jacksonville

Workforce Certificate (PSAV/Clock Hour program)

This is a limited access program.

This program prepares students for certification and initial employment as fire fighters in the State of Florida. Successful program completion will qualify students to take the State minimum standards written, oral and practical examination as administered by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

The estimated cost for tuition and fees, and materials fees is $1,490 for Florida residents and $5,380 for non-Florida residents. In addition, the student is responsible for any expenses incurred while fulfilling the prerequisites as well as the cost of required books, fire fighting equipment and State processing fees, approximately $950.00.

Career Opportunities

In addition to community fire departments, there are opportunities in Federal and State installations such as airports, and small, private fire fighting companies. There is also a need for inspectors, investigators, forest rangers and smoke jumpers. In all cases, employment is based on high test scores and outstanding skills.

Certification and Licensing

The Firefighter I and II program qualifies you to sit for the State minimum standards written, oral and practical examination as administered by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

Application Procedure

Fire Fighter II (I & II) is a selective access program and admission in the program is based upon the following criteria. All needed instructions and paperwork are provided during the admission process.

To meet the minimum requirements for consideration for acceptance into the program, applicants must complete the following as instructed during the admission process:

Provide evidence of a current EMT or paramedic certification.

Be at least 18 years of age and have earned a high school standard diploma or equivalency degree (must provide official high school transcripts).

Submit a medical examination for FST-2 from a licensed Florida physician.

Submit a polygraph examination.

Submit a lifetime driving history from each state that you have been a licensed driver.

Take and pass a physical fitness test with a timed score of 7.00 minutes or less.

Submit a drug screen test.

Submit an FDLE background investigation report.

Submit notarized copy of statement of meeting minimum requirements of a fire fighter in the state of Florida.

Submit DD-214, if prior military.

Submit official college transcripts.

Submit TABE scores, if taken.

Submit an affidavit of non-use of tobacco.

Subsequent to Acceptance

Applicants must submit digital fingerprints to the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training for proof of good moral character.

Applicants must submit proof of medical insurance to remain in force for the duration of program.

Applicants must complete the Application for Certification as a Fire Fighter (Division of State Fire Marshal Bureau of Fire Standards and Training).

Need More Information? Contact:

Sheldon Reed, Fire Academy of the South, (904) 646-2189 or sreed@fscj.edu
Joe Wisniewski, Fire Academy of the South, (904) 646-2139 or joseph.j.wisniewski@fscj.edu

Curriculum

Professional Courses

Total Contact Hours: 398

Record of Conviction of a Crime

Neither have been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor directly related to the position of employment sought, nor have pled nolo contendere to any charge of a felony. If an applicant has been convicted of a felony, such applicant must be in compliance with s.633.412 (1) Firefighters; qualifications for certification. A personal applying for certification as a firefighter must: Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor relating to the certification or to perjury or false statements, or a felony or a crime punishable by imprisonment of 1 year or more under the law of the United State or of any state thereof or under the law of any country, or dishonorably discharged from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. “Convicted” means finding of guilt or the acceptable of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, in any federal or state court or a court in any other country without regard to whether a judgment of conviction has been entered by the court having jurisdiction of the case.

Applicants for a certificate of compliance as a fire fighter shall submit a completed fingerprint card with current processing fee. When Firefighter I and Firefighter II training are to occur contiguously, this submission should occur at the beginning of the Firefighter I training. In any other situation the submission is required prior to entry into Firefighter II training. Determination of good moral character is required prior to certification as a firefighter pursuant to Sections 633.34 (4) and 633.35 (2), F.S.

The Bureau of Fire Standards and Training shall consider the results of the fingerprint procedure outlined in Section 633.34, F.S., in making a determination as to the applicant’s good moral character.

Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded a Postsecondary Training certificate, students must have met the following requirements.

Students must fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville catalog and curriculum.
Earn minimum prescribed clock hours for the chosen program of study with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C”) on a 4.0 scale on all courses that apply to the chosen program of study.
Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the total clock hours required for a certificate’s program requirements at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Students must have fulfilled all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before they may graduate.
Students must earn a TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) score that meets or exceeds the program’s exit requirement, if applicable.

Note: Students are cautioned to provide particular attention to the following statements.

A student’s graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates, since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
Students who enter under the (2015/2016) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2015/2016 academic year. The student’s assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite requirements and/or co-requisite courses listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.