V.C., Fire Fighting Certificate

Degree, Diploma or Certificate Type: V.C.
Major Code: FIRE-VC
CIP: 0743020300

This course consists of lecture and practical applications that exceed the course hour requirement by the State of Florida for the Professional Firefighter. This course contains in-depth instruction into the broad spectrum of functions required of a firefighter. Topics of instruction include ladder and fire hose simulations, extrication, rescue, initial response to hazardous materials, live fire training, fire department communications, forcible entry, basic building construction, ventilation operations, fire detection and suppression. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will receive a certificate of completion in Firefighter I and II. The student will also be eligible for the State of Florida Minimum Fire Standards examination for the Professional Firefighter, provided that the student has met or exceeded the scholastic examination requirement (TABE requirement described below) and has met all other college requirements. The volunteer firefighter certificate (Firefighter I) will not be issued for partial completion of this course. A course grade of C (80 percent) is required for successful completion.

This is a limited-access program. Permission of the Fire Science/EMS Program Manager is required to register for this course. Candidates Must:

• Apply and be accepted to Seminole Community College
• Complete the Fire Science/EMS Fire Standards application form
• Attend the mandatory Firefighting orientation program
• Provide official transcripts indicating completion of a standard high school diploma or equivalent
• Provide documentation candidate is 18 years of age
• Meet the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training vision requirement of 20/20 or correctable to 20/20; complete the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Medical Examination form
• Obtain a Medical Examination that will meet the evaluation standards set forth in the National Fire Protection Agency's (NFPA) code 1582, Chapter 6 for Medical Evaluations of Candidates
• Be able to meet or exceed the medical requirements listed in NFPA 1582 prior to admission into the course

Priority admission will be granted to those candidates who (in order of preference):

• Hold a valid Florida Paramedic Certification
• Hold a valid Florida EMT-B Certification
• Is sponsored by a professional (paid) fire department (supplies all personal equipment)
• Have obtained an associate degree or higher
• Have completed the scholastic examination requirements with the required minimum scores (see below)
• Have obtained an overall GPA of 3.0 (minimum 15 credit hours)
• Is a graduate of SCC's EMT-B program (not state certified)
• Is a graduate of a Florida institution's EMT-B program (not state certified)
• Have attempted to meet the scholastic examination requirements; however, has not met the required minimum scores (see below). The course offered during the day will be held only in January and August of each year. The course offered during the evening will be held only in January and July of each year.

Scholastic Evaluation Examination Requirements:

All candidates applying for FFP0021 Firefighter I and II (Minimum Fire Standards) Program must complete the following scholastic examination requirements within six weeks after acceptance into the program:

TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education): Candidates must receive a score of 10 for each of the subject areas: reading, language, and math. Any candidate accepted into the program must complete this requirement by the sixth week of the fire standards program or they will be withdrawn from the program regardless of their grade point average in the program. If unsuccessful at obtaining a score of 10 on each subject exam, the student will be allowed to re-take the exam until a score of 10 or higher is achieved. However, these students will be required to participate in remediation exercises.

Due to the competitive nature of the Minimum Fire Standards application process and the intense coursework during the program, it is highly recommended that students accomplish the TABE requirement before applying to the program.

Exemptions: The following exemptions to completing the TABE exam exist if the candidate meets one or more of the following requirements:

CPT Scores: Candidates must achieve the following scores to be exempt from completing the TABE exam:

• Reading: 83
• Sentence Skills: 83
• Elementary Algebra: 72

If any of the above scores are below the minimum requirements, the student must complete the TABE exam with a score of 10 in each subject area as stated above. Students may not retake any portion of the CPT exam.

SAT Scores: Candidates must achieve the following scores to be exempt from completing the TABE exam (Scores must be less than two years old):

• Verbal: 440
• Math: 440

If any of the above scores are below the minimum requirements, the student must complete the TABE exam with a score of 10 in each subject area as stated above. Students may not retake any portion of the SAT exam.

ACT Scores: Candidates must achieve the following scores to be exempt from completing the TABE exam (Scores must be less than two years old):

• English: 17
• Reading: 18
• Math: 19

If any of the above scores are below the minimum requirements, the student must complete the TABE exam with a score of 10 in each subject area as stated above. Students may not retake any portion of the ACT exam.

Students who have passed or exempted all four parts of CLAST may request a TABE waiver. Passing scores are 295 in Reading, English Language Skills and Math and 5 on the Essay. A CLAST exemption is designated as a score of 996, 997 or 998.

If a student has earned an Associate in Arts degree or higher, the student will be exempt from the scholastic examination requirements upon approval of the counseling/advising department. Associate in Science degrees are NOT exempt.

Any student who desires to be eligible for the TABE exam exemption must contact the counseling department and request a TABE exam waiver form. Student may pick up waiver form results from the Testing and Assessment Center.

The Fire Science/EMS department cannot grant an exception to the TABE exam.

Did you know?

A full-time firefighter's salary ranges from $22,000 to $50,000 per year, while part-time firefighter's average $8 to $25 per hour.