Firefighter - Tallahassee State College

Become a Firefighter

Earn your State of Florida Firefighter certificate at the Tallahassee Fire Academy, where you will be prepared for a challenging and rewarding career as a firefighter. Our graduates are men and women who are action-oriented individuals who thrive on the physical challenges of firefighting and saving lives. Tallahassee Fire Academy understands its approach to learning and has developed a rigorous fire training program that emphasizes hands-on experience and quality.

The Tallahassee Fire Academy is certified as a fire training center by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training and offers the Fire Academy/EMT Combined Program Career Certificate. This certification prepares graduates for the state Firefighter II certification examination and the ability to join a department as a Firefighter EMT.

Firefighting I and II is a 492-hour course and meets the requirements set forth by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Division of State Fire Marshal for certification as a firefighter. The Firefighter I and II Program is a physically and academically challenging course that includes extensive classroom and practical field components.

The program focuses on:

Chemistry, behavior, and control of fire
Fire service history
Firefighter safety and health
Fire department communications
Building construction
Tactical ventilation
Fire streams
Personal protective equipment
Portable extinguishers

Drills and exercises
Ropes and knots
Water supply
Ladders, hose, sprinkler systems,
Forcible entry, search, rescue, and vehicle extrication
Salvage and overhaul
Fire prevention
Fire origin and cause determination

Loss control
First responder
Fire alarms
Incident Management System
Tactics and legal aspects
Fire and life safety initiatives
Hazardous materials identification and mitigation
Wildland firefighting

Under Florida Statute Chapter 633, individuals seeking employment as a professional firefighter in Florida must possess a firefighter certification. Evaluations are written and practical tests. County and City fire departments employ most firefighters. Firefighting I & II/EMT qualifies for financial aid and grants, and many scholarships are available now. Visit Scholarships for more information.

The Bureau of Fire Standards and Training is the governing body of all certified fire training centers. Visit the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Website.

Steps to Apply

Apply to TSC

Apply to TSC. If you have taken classes at TSC, you will still need to apply for admission into any new program at TSC to make sure your information is up to date.

Take TABE Test

All enrolled students who have not successfully completed college English and Math must take and pass the TABE Full Battery Level (A) with a score of 10th-grade level or higher in all categories. TABE Test | Cost: $25

Complete Docusign Form Packet

Review and complete the Docusign packet after completing your Workday application and passing the TABE.

Residency Declaration

Students seeking Florida residency for tuition purposes must submit a declaration proving they, or their parent/legal guardian, maintained legal residence in this state for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to their initial enrollment

After Applying

Do not obtain a medical examination until you have conditional acceptance into the academy. Conditional acceptance will be determined on the date of the individual interview.

Upcoming Courses

The Tallahassee Fire Academy course requires 492 hours of training (including 1st Responder) and up to 350 hours of Emergency Medical Technical (EMT) training. This academy is offered three times a year and lasts approximately 37 weeks.

Fire Spring Semester 2025

6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday
Start Date: January 6, 2025
End Date: June 9, 2025
Application Deadline: November 1, 2024

Fire Spring Day Class 2025

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
Start Date: June 6, 2025
End Date: September 9, 2025
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025.

Fire Fall Semester 2025

6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday
Start Date: July 7, 2025
End Date: December 15, 2025
Application Deadline: May 2, 2025

Through TSC’s Firefighter Certification Program, you will learn basic firefighting skills:

Extricating victims from wrecked vehicles
Fighting fire
Maintaining equipment
Communications
Fire prevention
Handling hazardous materials emergencies.

After completing the Fire Academy, you will go into our Emergency Medical Technician program.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Job growth and security, stimulating work environments and the opportunity to serve the public are just some of the benefits of a career in Emergency Medical Services (EMT). The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate prepares students to perform safely and efficiently as part of a medical team. You’ll grow personally as you help meet the needs of your patients, their families, and your community. It takes two semesters to become certified as an EMT. Evening classes are available for the EMT certificate program.

Completion of the EMT Applied Technology Certificate Program at TSC qualifies students to sit for the registry exam as an EMT. Once licensed, you may wish to launch your career at this point, or you may wish to build on this foundation by proceeding to apply for paramedic training to become a registered paramedic.

Interesting In Taking A Course? Request More Information

Firefighter FAQ

What equipment will I need?

None, all equipment is provided.

When can I expect to know if I have been accepted into the Fire Academy?

There will be individual interviews approximately 30 days prior to the beginning of class. You will be notified at the completion of the interview.

When are fees due?

Fees are due on or before the first day of class.

Do I have to become an EMT or Paramedic too?

Different fire departments have different requirements so you must contact the department you are interested in. Many local departments now require that you be a minimum firefighter and EMT before they will employ you.

What types of physical activities will I be involved in?

Students are engaged in physical activities to develop their cardiovascular capabilities and strength, as well as activities required of firefighters, such as lifting and carrying as well as raising ground ladders, using heavy equipment to perform forcible entry, directing fire hose streams, and other tasks.

Will a past criminal conviction prevent me from becoming a firefighter?

The state of Florida will not allow you to hold a certification if you have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor directly related to the position you are applying for. If you are not sure if you qualify, you may call the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training at (352) 369-2800.

I took the TABE or PERT test already. Do I have to take it again?

TABE or PERT results are good for a 2-year period. If you have not successfully completed college-level English and Math and it has been more than 2 years since your last TABE test then the answer is YES.