Firefighter Minimum Standards Course


Program Description


The Firefighter Minimum Standards program (MSC) includes both Firefighter I and Firefighter II courses, and is designed to incorporate the orientation to fire service with the necessary theory and applications needed to become a certified Firefighter. This program meets the requirements for students to take the state certification exam with the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training (which includes both written and practical skills) to become a Certified Firefighter in the state of Florida. This is a vocational limited-access program. Once the state certification is obtained, students may be eligible to receive three academic credit hours towards the A.S. in Fire Science Technology.

Note:  The practical training portions of Firefighter I & II will be offered at the fire training facility located at John Young Parkway and Oak Ridge Road. Students must furnish their own transportation.

POTENTIAL CAREERS:

  • Firefighter

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program is limited. Students must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Possess a high school diploma or a GED
  • Must successfully complete a Florida EMT or Paramedic program
  • Have no conviction of felonies or significant misdemeanors
  • Cannot have been dishonorably discharged from military service
  • Be of good moral character
  • Must be in good physical condition

 

Requirements for State Certification

  • Successfully complete required coursework for this program 
  • Receive Certificate of Competency as Firefighter I
  • Successfully pass the State Exam for Firefighter II

 

Required Coursework

Course Title Contact Hours Vocational Credit
FFP 0010 Firefighter I 191 6.367
FFP 0020 Firefighter II 301 10.033
Total Career Certificate Clock Hours 498 16.40

 

Firefighter I Course

The Firefighter I course provides both practical applications and an orientation to the fire service. This course includes many functions required of a firefighter such as: fire service safety; fire behavior; building construction; protective clothing; SCBA; portable extinguishers; ropes and knots; building search and victim removal; forcible entry tools; constructions techniques; ground ladders; ventilation; water supply; loading and rolling hose; laying, carrying and advancing hose lines; water streams; vehicle and wildland fire control; sprinkler system fundamentals; salvage and overhaul; protecting evidence of fire cause; fire department communication; equipment and techniques; fire prevention and public fire education. The course also includes Operations-Level Hazardous Materials Training. Upon completion of the program, the student will receive a Certificate of Competency from the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training as a Firefighter I which will qualify them to serve as a volunteer Firefighter.

Firefighter II Course

The student must successfully complete the requirements for Firefighter I to enter Firefighter II. The Firefighter II course prepares the student to meet the requirements to become a state certified firefighter. Course content includes implementing the incident management system; construction materials and building collapse; rescue and extrication tools; vehicle extrication and special rescue; hydrant flow and hose operability; tools and appliances; foam fire systems; ignitable liquid and gas fire control; fire detection; alarm and suppression systems; fire cause and origin; radio communications; incident reports; pre-incident survey; and wildland firefighting. Students must successfully complete the program to be eligible to test for certification with the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training for Firefighter II. This exam encompasses both written and practical skills. Certification is required in the state of Florida to become a career Firefighter. 

Program Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of fire department organization, procedures and responsibilities 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of personal protective equipment
  • Demonstrate knowledge of ventilation practices
  • Demonstrate the proper use of ropes, tools and equipment 
  • Demonstrate proper use of fire hose, nozzles and appliances