Regional Fire Academy

Program Coordinator: Chief, John W. Randall (ret.)
Phone: (409) 832-5041
FAX: (409) 838-2032
E-mail: firefighting@lit.edu

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) establishes eligibility requirements for the Fire Academy. Eligible students must be at least 18 years of age and a high school graduate or have an earned GED certificate. We encourage all prospective fire academy applicants to enroll in the Basic EMT courses at LIT before coming to the fire academy and to work towards the Paramedic after graduating from the academy. Individuals may contact the Regional Fire Academy Coordinator at (409) 839-2967 for additional information. The phone number for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection is (512) 936-3838.

The 18 SCH Regional Fire Academy is a one semester in length certificate of completion program that prepares the student for a career in fire protection. The curriculum satisfies the basic training requirements of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) for structural firefighter certification. The Fire Academy is offered in the fall and spring semesters during the day as a credit program.

The LIT Regional Fire Academy's rigorous physical fitness course is designed to prepare cadets for the physical nature of the job. This physical ability test is used by some our local fire departments as a hiring requirement.

Cadets entering the Fire Academy must meet the minimum standards which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Pass a physical examination using National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) criteria.
• Be at least eighteen years of age.
• Possess an honorable discharge, if served, for all military service.
• Possess either a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate.
• Possess a valid driver's license.
• Possess a valid social security card.

Students must take the Work Keys Workplace Documents Exam and score a Level 5, or take the TSI reading and score a minimum 351. Cadets must successfully pass a criminal background check. Applicants may be denied employment based upon their criminal history. Students who want to know if their criminal history might affect their ability to become certified can request an early review of eligibility by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and their history will be reviewed. The early review of eligibility form is available online at http://www.tcfp.texas.gov.

During the students' course of study, they receive certificates for hazardous materials awareness and hazardous materials operations. Students successfully completing the Fire Academy receive a certificate of completion, eighteen semester credit hours of college credit, and are eligible for state basic structural firefighter certification testing. Graduates of this academy should be prepared to pass civil service examinations and the various employment tests given by government agencies. Upon state certification, graduates are eligible for International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seals for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and Hazardous Materials Operations.

The Lamar Institute of Technology Regional Fire Academy offers professional development/continuing education courses for those currently certified by the TCFP. Most of the professional development courses are TCFP certification courses offered in cooperation with LIT Workforce Training.

All courses in the recommended program of study require a grade of 'C' or better.

Awards

• Basic Fire Academy, Certificate