Firefighter Academy at Gaston College

Ignite your passion for service and safety with Gaston College’s Firefighter Academy. Our comprehensive 12-week program equips you with the skills and knowledge to become a certified firefighter, ready to protect and serve your community.

Program Overview

The Firefighter Academy at Gaston College is will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in firefighting. Upon successful completion, graduates receive certification through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).

Training Both Body and Mind

The academy is both rigorous and demanding, emphasizing physical and mental preparedness, along with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to meet the challenges of fire service. To prepare candidates for the physical demands of firefighting, and for the physical tests often required during fire department hiring processes, recruits participate in physical training during the first hour of each day. Exercises use job-specific props to build muscle memory and peak fitness.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Recruits will acquire the KSAs necessary to perform in the fire service, including:

• Communications
• Health and Safety
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Building Construction
• Portable Extinguishers
• Fire Behavior
• Forcible Entry
• Loss Control
• Ladders
• Ventilation
• Ropes & Knots
• Search & Rescue
• Water Supplies
• Hose, Streams, & Appliances
• Fire Control
• Fire Rescue Operations
• Life Safety Initiatives
• Hazardous Materials Operations
• Mayday Protocols
• Traffic Incident Management
• Emergency Medical Care

Additional Academy Information

Duration: The Firefighter Academy runs Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a total of 12 weeks. Two cohorts are offered each year, beginning in January and September.

Location: All classes are held at the Gaston College Regional Emergency Services Training Center, 1250 Life Skills Lane, Dallas, NC 28034.

Costs: Tuition is waived for affiliated recruits (those on a fire department roster) through the North Carolina Community College System. For non-affiliated recruits, there is a $186 registration fee. All recruits must pay a $325 fee for uniforms and books.

Contacts

William Thompson, Director
[email protected]
704.922.6256