Best Firefighting Schools In USA- Every year, a lot of firefighting job opportunities are opened for interested aspirants, and this has led to an increase in aspiring firefighters in the country. However, before venturing into firefighting, you would want to have the relevant skills and experience.
Aspiring firefighters are expected to attain relevant education and gain experience from prominent firefighting schools. To help you pursue a career as a firefighter, this article is a compilation of the best firefighting schools in USA, and how to get started.
However, before we proceed, here is a brief of who a firefighter is. A Firefighter is someone highly skilled and trained to extinguish and rescue people/animals trapped in hazardous fire situations.
That said, below is our list of the best firefighting schools in the United States, the requirements to enroll, the cost, and the duration of the program within the individual schools. So, to start your career as a firefighter, it would be useful if you attend any of these schools. Read on.
List Of Firefighting Schools In USA
There are over 50 schools to be trained to become a firefighter in USA. Here are some of them;
- The University of Florida.
- Brayton Fire Academy.
- Idaho State University
- Fox valley technical college
- Ohio Fire Academy
- Alabama Fire Academy
- Broward Fire Academy
- Lake superior state university.
- New Jersey City University, New Jersey.
- Del Mar College, USA.
- University of Cincinnati, USA
- Parkland College, USA
- Western Iowa Tech community college, USA
- Western Technical College, Wisconsin.
- San Jacinto College, Texas.
- Coral Springs Regional Institute of public safety
- Seminole State College Fire Academy.
- Butte College.
- Alabama fire College, Alabama.
- Oklahoma State University, USA
- Chattahoochee Valley Community College.
- Cuny John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
- Bates Technical College, USA
- Lindenwood University
- Skagit Valley College
- Houston Community College
- Metropolitan Community College, Penn Valley.
- Alamo College Districts
- Lake University.
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
Best Firefighting Schools In USA.
Here are the ten best Fire fighting schools in USA in no particular order;
- Broward Fire Academy.
- The University of Florida
- Brayton Fire Academy
- Ohio Fire Academy
- Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety.
- Fox Valley Technical College
- Western Iowa Technical Community College
1. Broward Fire Academy
The Broward Fire Academy is a Fire fighting institution in South Florida where aspirants can attain Fire fighting skills. The academy offers students Firefighter I and II programs.
In Broward Fire Academy, students can choose to attend night or day classes. Each of the Fire fighting programs in the schools has met the stated requirements from the Bureau of Fire Standards for Firefighters.
Course cost:
The cost of studying in the academy differs depending on the time of the study. Day classes cost $2,129, while the Night classes cost $2,149. Also, students will have to purchase the required uniforms, books, helmets, boots, and other necessary supplies.
Note: The above tuition cost is for residents of the state, out-of-state residents are required to pay a slightly higher charge. To pay the resident tuition as a non-resident, your legal residence must be ready or filled one year before the classes begin.
Duration;
The fire fighting course at Broward Fire Academy is covered within 398 hours. Part-time studies are completed within 6 months, taken on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm to 10.30 pm and Saturdays from 7 am to 5.30 pm. While, full-time studies are completed within the span of 3 months, from Monday to Friday, 7.00 am to 5.30 pm.
Requirements to enroll for the course
To be eligible for the Firefighting course, applicants must;
- Should have obtained EMT.
- They must be at least 18 years old.
- Have a high school diploma earned from a recognized provincial school or any equivalentcertificate.
- Take a BFA physical agility test.
- Also has a current BLS Healthcare Provider(CPR & AED) card.
- Take and pass the TABE.
2. The University of Florida.
Another high-rated school to pursue a career in Fire fighting is the University of Florida. The institution is located in Gainesville, Florida. A notable fact is about 70% of undergraduate students are opportune to work in Florida.
The school offers two-degree programs for Firefighters. Students can attend the 4 years bachelor’s degree program in Fire and Emergency services or the two years master’s degree program in Fire and Emergency services which are all offered online.
Cost.
The tuition fee for the master’s program in Fire and Emergency services course at the University of Florida is $30,134. A bachelor’s degree costs $28, 658 per year.
Duration.
The duration of the fire and Emergency services course at the school is four years for the bachelor’s degree program and two years for the master’s degree program.
Requirements to enroll for the course.
- A high school diploma with good grades or any equivalent certificate.
- Students must have had a high school GPA of at least 4.4
- Must have taken and passed the IELTS exams.
- Must have an EMT background.
- Have proven clean criminal tracks.
- Applicants must be in good health.
3. Brayton Fire Academy.
Brayton Fire Academy also known as TEEX, is a Fire fighting school that offers students training for 12 weeks, after completing the program, students can get the Pro Board certifications and IFSAC in Firefighter I and II. Also, the academy offers online training alongside a 21-day internal Bootcamp at Brayton Fire Training Field.
Brayton Fire Academy’s tuition cost.
Both the online and physical classes’ tuition fees are $5,400.
Duration of the program.
Taking the Firefighting course at the Brayton Fire Academy is covered within 12 weeks held at Brayton Fire Training Field. Online training can be taken at the student’s pace, alongside a 21-day Bootcamp at the training field.
Requirements for studying at the academy.
- Students must be at least 18 years old.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Must have attained a High school diploma or any equivalent certificate.
- Must submit a copy of their passport (for international students ).
- A health report indicating that the applicant has taken a meningitis vaccination recently.
- Applicant’s color photo.
4. Ohio Fire Academy.
The Ohio Fire Academy is a renowned firefighters school in Ohio that has been acknowledged by the Pro Board and Fire Service Accreditation Congress. Firefighters and departments seeking to advance further can apply for the online training offered by the academy.
Ohio Fire Academy’s tuition cost.
The tuition fee for the academy is $1,550, students are however expected to cater for the course’s textbooks, dorm, and gear fees. They can also rent or purchase self-contained breathing apparatuses.
Duration of the program.
The course runs for 360 hours covered for 40 days. Classes are taken from 6 a.m to 5 p.m on weekdays and during scheduled evening sessions.
Requirements for the course.
- Applicants must have a High school diploma or an equivalent certificate.
- Driver’s license.
- Applicants must have taken a COMPASS test within the past 24 months. However, applicantscan also use the previous ACT or SAT scores as a substitution for the COMPASS.
- Valid medical insurance documents.
- A document containing your police records.
- Medical clearance.
- Applicants are to complete a National Incident Management System (NIMS).
5. Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety.
Another prominent Fire-fighting school in the United States is the Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety. The institute has been acknowledged four times as a Training and Educational Provider by the State of Florida.
Aside from that, Coral Springs offers different courses for applicants interested in pursuing a career as EMT, firefighter, or paramedic. The school also offers drivers/companies operation classes to students.
Tuition fee.
Students are to pay $3,412 for their tuition, uniforms, and other supplies. Students are to rent or acquire bunker gear, gloves, helmets, and books.
Duration of the program.
There ar2e three types of students at the academy; Full-time, part-time, and Part-time accelerated. All students are expected to cover 496 hours 15-17 weeks, 35-3 weeks, and 23-25 weeks for Full-time, part-time, and Part-time accelerated students respectively.
Requirements to enroll in the fire-fighting program.
A high school diploma or an equivalent.
Police records.
Medical clearance.
Driver’s license.
EMT or Paramedic license.
An Entrance Physical Ability Test (e-pat).
6. Fox Valley Technical College.
Among our list of best firefighting schools In USA is the Fox Valley Technical College. The institution is among the top-rated public colleges in the Appleton Area of Grand Chute, Wisconsin. The school offers a 2-year associate degree in Fire protection for Firefighters.
Cost.
Students are expected to pay the fee of $6, 345 each year. Students are also expected to purchase books, uniforms, and other supplies.
Duration.
The duration of taking the Fire protection for Firefighters at Fox Valley Technical College is 2 years. Before graduating, students are expected to complete the period.
Requirements to be enrolled in the institution.
High school diploma or an equivalent.
Documents of medical records.
Proof of funds.
Driver’s license.
Criminal records.
Students are expected to have taken and passed the ACT or Compass assessment withinthe past 3 years.
7. Western Iowa Tech Community College.
Another renowned school to pursue a career as a firefighter is the Western Iowa Tech Community College, which is located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has three firefighters programs; An entry-level certificate in Firefighting, a one-year diploma in Fire science, and also a 2-year associate’s degree in Paramedic/ fire fighting.
Tuition fees.
Entry-level certificate; In-state tuition is $2,167 and Out-of-state tuition is $2,178.
Diploma in Fire Science; In-state tuition is $6, 304, while out-of-state is $6,336.
Associated degree; In-state tuition is $15,366, while out-of-state tuition is $15, 444.
Duration of the program.
To study the firefighting course at Western Iowa Tech Community College, entry-level certificate students are to spend one semester, two years for the associated degree in Paramedics, and one year for the diploma in Fire science.
Requirements to enroll in the school.
Applicants must have a valid National Registry card or Iowa AEMT or EMT certification
A completed application submitted to the Office of Admissions at Western Iowa Techcommunity college.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or any equivalent certification.
Students should have a current CPR card.
A current IOWA EMT certification card.
Medical and Criminal records.
Conclusion
As an aspiring Firefighter, it is important to attend a fight-fighting school that would scale and set you a successful career as a Firefighter. Above are our collection of seven best firefighting schools In USA, begin your fight fighting journey by applying for any of the schools mentioned in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
To become a firefighter, the university of Florida is the best institute in USA
The best state in America to work as a firefighter is Indiana, USA.
Amarillo, Texas has the best fire department in the US
References
Top ten schools for Firefighters .
Five top fire academies to consider.
Fire Management service at university of Florida.
Fire valley technical college.
Western Iowa Tech community college.
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