The Fire Academy/EMT combined program is designed to satisfy the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training program requirements for Professional Firefighter Certification, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National basic EMT Standard and the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services for EMT curriculum.
**This program is only available for entry-level students who have not previously attended any EMT or Firefighter training and who need to complete all requirements to become a Florida State Firefigher.**
Applicants must attend a mandatory EMT information session to receive an application packet. Upon selection to move forward in the process, applicants are required to attend a mandatory orientation session to receive additional information prior to the start of the program. Fingerprint and background checks will be completed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Once in the EMT program, students must also attend a mandatory Fire Academy information session to start the selection process.
Students will receive a wide-range of classroom and hands-on training that is designed to prepare students for employment as a career Firefighter/EMT in the State of Florida.
The EMT curriculum provides classroom, laboratory and clinical training. EMS practical skills laboratory includes application practice and performance evaluation in simulated patient care. The clinical application provides patient care opportunities with in-hospital settings and pre-hospital emergency care providers such as fire departments and local ambulance services. A minimum overall grade of (80 percent) is required for successful completion of all EMT program curriculum.
The Firefighting Academy curriculum provides a wide range of classroom and hands-on training that includes live fire training, vehicle extrication, ladder and fire hose operations, search and rescue, hazardous materials response, forcible entry, ventilation operations, fire detection suppression practices, mental health awareness, cancer prevention and active shooter training. A minimum overall grade of (70 percent) is required for successful completion of the Fire Academy program. However, a minimum grade of (80 percent) is required for all written exams.
Successful completion of both the EMT and Fire Academy requirements will allow the graduate to be considered eligible to test for the basic EMT licensure exams and the State of Florida Minimum Fire Standards Firefighter 2 Certification. Day and night classes are available.
Total program hours: 792
Admission Requirements:
This is a limited-access program. Program staff will determine candidate selection.
Candidates must:
- Attend mandatory EMT information and orientation session;
- Apply and be accepted to Seminole State College;
- Submit a completed Fire/EMT Program Application Form;
- Submit proof of age (minimum 18 years of age);
- Complete or be exempt from the Postsecondary Education Readiness (PERT) and (TABE) test;
- Complete EMT drug screening (Forms to be provided during orientation session);
- Complete EMT background check (Forms to be provided during orientation session);
- Attend a mandatory Fire Academy information and orientation session;
- Submit a completed Fire Academy application packet;
- Complete a physical medical exam (Forms to be provided during orientation session);
- Physical agility exam may be required (Scheduling will be completed during information session).
- Complete a Fire Academy non-tobacco use affidavit (Forms to be provided during orientation session);
- Complete a Fire Academy drug screening (Forms to be provided during orientation session);
- Complete a Fire Academy background check (Forms to be provided during orientation session);
- Students must have successfully completed the EMT curriculum prior to starting the Fire Academy.
Firefighting training and certification:
All fire academy training will comply with Florida State Statute 633.408, Firefighter and volunteer firefighter training and certification.
Qualification for Certification:
All students applying for certification as a firefighter must comply with Florida State Statute 633.412, Firefighters; Qualification for certification. These qualifications will be discussed at all Fire Academy information sessions.
