Introduction
The Minimum Standards Firefighting Program is designed to provide entry level training for individuals who have not yet entered the firefighting field or who are serving as volunteer firefighters. The graduate will be employable as a full-time firefighter with duties in fire prevention and extinguishments as well as duties in the enforcement of municipal, county, or state fire prevention codes.Purpose
The Fort Myers Fire Academy provides the required minimum standards of training for employment as a certified firefighter under the direction of a fire service supervisor. The program focuses on developing the skills, work habits, traditions, and the knowledge necessary to insure graduates a successful career in the fire service. The Fort Myers Fire Academy also provides continuing education and training to certified firefighters for personal development and professional advancement.
Mission
The mission of the Fort Myers Fire Academy is:
To offer the highest quality vocational and technical Firefighting programs
To train highly competent recruits
To assist our graduates with employment in the fire service
To enable certified & employed firefighters to upgrade their job skills for career advancement through advanced and specialized training
To respond to the educational needs of the citizens, communities, and industries in the Academy’s service area
To develop into the highest quality fire school in the State of Florida through the implementation of continuous improvements.
Philosophy
The philosophies of the Fort Myers Fire Academy are:
To command excellence is to demand excellence
Training requires dedication, diligence, and integrity
A disciplined learning environment is required in order to better simulate the demeanor necessary to be effective on the job
The two types of failure we will never except are failure to train and failure to learn, for these failures cost lives.
We teach as if lives depend on us because they do
ADMISSIONS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
To apply for admission into the Minimum Standards Firefighting Recruit program each applicant must:
Be at least 18 years of age.
Have no felony convictions, or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude.
Have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
Be of good moral character.
Have passed a physical examination by a licensed Florida physician - EKG included.
Possess a valid Florida Driver’s License.
Have proof of hospitalization/accidental medical insurance. (School Insurance Available)
Submit fingerprints
Submit copies of TABE scores.
Be affiliated or be willing to become affiliated with an active fire department.
Pass A Physical Agility Test
Possess A Current CPR card
Fees
Tuition is charged for adult students at a very reasonable rate which may vary slightly from year to year. Current fee information is $1,925.00 for Firefighter Program plus $94.00 for Fingerprints . These fees may change after July 1, 2007 due to legislative decision.
Fees are due one week prior to the beginning of each class. There will be no admission without payment of fees. Students unable to pay the fee must complete an application for financial aid. Information from one application can be used to determine eligibility for several programs that are available.
Please note that the admissions process will be interrupted until financial aid has been confirmed. The above procedures include returning students.
Student’s using VA Benefits must pay their own fees as VA checks are sent directly to the student and not the school.
Fees are regulated by the Florida State Legislature and the Fort Myers Fire Academy and are subject to increase from one school year to the next.
Returned Checks are subject to a processing fee and will require a cash payment to clear.
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