Program: Firefighter (5820) (C.C.) - Florida State College at Jacksonville

Career Certificate (Clock Hour program)

This is a Limited Access program.

The 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 and practical examination as administered by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

The Career

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/Licensing

The Firefighter 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

Firefighter is a Limited 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 successful completion of an accredited 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 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 minutes or less.

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 an affidavit of non-use of tobacco.

Students may start FFP 0030 with a passing EMT grade but must have earned an EMT or Paramedic certification through the National Registry prior to starting FFP 0031.

Subsequent to acceptance, certified fire and rescue departments are required to have all employees complete drug screening and a criminal background check for employment. Completion of this program is intended to lead to employment in certain safety sensitive positions that are also physically demanding. To ensure student safety as well as employability in the widest possible manner, all students are required to submit drug screening and criminal background check results and a physical exam to the Fire Academy prior to enrolling in the program. Additionally, applicants must:

Submit proof of medical insurance to remain in force for the duration of program.

Complete the Application for Certification as a Fire Fighter. Visit the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal Bureau of Fire Standards and Training at fldfs.com/division/sfm/bfst/ for more information.

GED® and GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE). They may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of ACE or GED Testing Service® at ged.com. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC® under license from the American Council on Education.

Note: Admissions preference is given to fully qualified candidates who have met all entrance criteria.

Need More Information? Contact:

Michael “Jason” Carpenter, Fire Academy of the South, (904) 645-3015 or micarpen@fscj.edu

Curriculum

Professional Coursework

Total Contact Hours: 492

Graduation Requirements

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

Fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville catalog and curriculum.
Earn the required number of 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 as a student at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Fulfill all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before graduating.
Earn a TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) score that meets or exceeds the program’s exit requirement, if applicable, or meet the criteria to earn a TABE waiver.

Note: Students are cautioned to pay 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 (2022/2023) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2022/2023 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 corequisite courses listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.

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.