{"id":30,"date":"2018-07-02T18:59:35","date_gmt":"2018-07-02T18:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pss.austincc.edu\/fireacademy\/?page_id=30"},"modified":"2025-09-18T15:02:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T15:02:12","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pss.austincc.edu\/fireacademy\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-30","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"layouts":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","heading":"","accordion":[{"title":"What are the application deadlines?","description":"

The Fall deadline is April 1st; the Spring deadline is October 1st. Late applications are accepted but will be reviewed only if classes need to be filled.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"The ACC application asks for my Area of Study. What is this?","description":"

The Fire Academy is part of the Public and Social Service (PSS) Area of Study. More information about the Areas of Study can be found here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"How long is the Fire Academy and when do the classes meet?","description":"

The Fire Academy is 17 weeks long.\u00a0Online classes are Monday and Friday. In-person classes are held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, required Firefighter Agility classes meet either before or after class depending on the semester. (In the Fall, before class from 6:30-7:30am, and in the Spring after class from 5-6pm.) Attendance is\u00a0MANDATORY<\/strong>.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Where are the classes held?","description":"

Classes are held at the Austin Fire Academy at 4800 Shaw Lane, Building F, Austin, Texas 78744.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"How many hours of college credit do I receive?","description":"

28 credit hours.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Do the college credit hours earned transfer to an Associate Degree?","description":"

Fire Academy graduates can apply 12 semester hours to ACC\u2019s Fire Protection AAS Degree. Contact the department chair for information about transferring to degree programs at other colleges.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"How much does the Fire Academy cost?","description":"

Exact prices vary. See estimated costs<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Does the Fire Academy have dorms available?","description":"

No.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Does the Fire Academy include EMT Training?","description":"

No, however students may take the required training through ACC (\u201cEmergency Medical Technician<\/strong><\/a>,\u201d EMSP 1501) or other sources.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Will I become a certified firefighter upon graduation?","description":"

Yes, once you have completed all training requirements per the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and pass the TCFP Basic Firefighter test. Cadets must have completed approved emergency medical response training before receiving TCFP certification. See www.tcfp.texas.gov<\/strong><\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"What training certificates do I receive upon graduation?","description":"

Upon graduation and successful completion of TCFP written final exam:
\nTexas Basic FF Certification
\nIFSAC FFI and FFII, Haz Mat Awareness and Ops (must submit applicable forms and payment)
\nTrained to NFPA 1006 Rope Rescue I and Confined Space I<\/p>\n"},{"title":"What if I want to work as a firefighter outside of Texas?","description":"

Texas is a member of the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). Once you receive a TCFP Basic Firefighter certification and obtain an IFSAC seal, you should be able to become certified in any state that is an IFSAC member, as well as the Department of Defense. See https:\/\/ifsac.org\/about\/frequently-asked-questions<\/strong><\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Are there any physical limitations that will disqualify me from becoming a firefighter?","description":"

Pre-Academy Physical Check<\/span><\/p>\n

Automatic Disqualifiers<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

In accordance with <\/span>NFPA 1582 Standard on Medical Requirements for Firefighters and Fire Department Physicians<\/b>, you will be expected to operate under the following, but not limited to, essential firefighting functions while at the ACC Fire Academy:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Operating both as a member of a team and independently in situations of high stress conditions<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Spending extensive time outside exposed to the elements<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Tolerating extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing duties; fire fighters are required to perform physically demanding work in hot (up to 400 degree temps), humid (up to 100%) atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Experiencing frequent transitions from hot to cold and from humid to dry atmospheres<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Working in wet, icy, or muddy areas<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Performing a variety of tasks on slippery surfaces such as rooftops or ladders<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Working in areas where sustaining traumatic or thermal injuries is possible<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Facing exposure to carcinogenic dusts such as asbestos, toxic substances such as hydrogen cyanide, acids, carbon monoxide, or organic solvents, either through inhalation or skin contact<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) that weighs approximately 50 lbs while performing fire-fighting tasks<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Performing physically demanding work while wearing positive-pressure breathing equipment with 1.5 in of water column resistance to exhalation at a flow of 40 L\/min<\/span><\/li>\n
  11. Working for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration<\/span><\/li>\n
  12. Making rapid transitions from rest to near-maximal exertion without warm-up periods<\/span><\/li>\n
  13. Operating in environments of high noise, poor visibility, limited mobility; at heights; and in enclosed or confined spaces<\/span><\/li>\n
  14. Using manual and power tools in the performance of duties<\/span><\/li>\n
  15. Relying on senses of sight, smell, hearing, and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, to maintain personal safety and to make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environment throughout the duration of the operation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Category A Medical Conditions<\/b><\/p>\n

    Category A medical conditions are those that would preclude a person from performing as a member in a training or emergency operational environment by presenting a significant risk to the safety and health of the person or others. There shall be NO Category A Medical Conditions for the following:<\/span><\/p>\n