Frequently Asked Questions

  1. If I am not from Texas, how will this certification be recognized in the state where I choose to work as a firefighter?
  2. What is IFSAC?
  3. When can I get started?
  4. How does “Fast-Track” work?
  5. Are there payment options?
  6. What is the refund policy?
  7. Do I need firefighter gear?
  8. Do I need to purchase any textbooks other than the Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills?
  9. What if I miss a skills day?
  10. Is the course physically demanding?
  11. What grade average must I maintain?
  12. What do I need to bring to class?
  13. Where does the class meet?
  14. Do I need to have a physical?
  15. How long is the class?
  16. Who makes the rules?


 


Q. If I am not from Texas, how will this certification be recognized in the state where I choose to work as a firefighter?
A. First, you will need to check if your state is an IFSAC member. Go to http://www.ifsac.org to look for your state’s staus. Secondly, check with the fire department you choose to work for to see if they will accept the IFSAC Seal for your basic fire certification. If the answer is yes, then our program will work for you.

 



 


Q. What is IFSAC?
A. IFSAC stands for the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. IFSAC accredits the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, or TCFP. Fire Academy Online is regulated by TCFP. Go to TCFP website for more details: http://www.tcfp.state.tx

 



 


Q. When can I get started?
A. First, you should register for the class at LEAST TWO (2) weeks before the class starts. The program will walk you through registration and payment. You must pay at least one (1) week before the first scheduled Saturday. If you pay through PayPal, you should be able to start the course right away. However, the textbook is mandatory and should be ordered as soon as possible. Enter coupon code: ABBTONL   for a 20 percent discount. If you choose to mail a check, you will be notified via e-mail when you can start the course. Make checks payable to:
Fire Training Specialist LLC
8014 Kirchner Rd. Manvel, TX 77578

Then, call: (281)489-9221 and let us know about your payment plans.

You MUST complete the first online session before the first skills session. It may take you several days to complete so allow plenty of time. There will be a written exam on the first Sat that covers Chapter 1-4 in detail.

 



 


Q. How does “Fast-Track” work?
A. You will register and start the online portion of the class. In most cases, you will have 3 months to complete the online academics before coming to Houston for the skills session. All Internet and Disc assignments must be completed before you can begin the skills session. The skills session will take 12 days, and the state test will be given on the 13th day.You should contact FAO for details and to recieve all the required paperwork as well as hotel and travel arrangements to the Academy. Space is limited, so register and call 281-489-9221 as soon as possible. Buy the textbook now! Coupon Code ABBTONL 

 



 


Q. Are there payment options?
A. Yes, you can pay half now and start the Internet portion of the course. You must pay the balance due within the first 8 weeks of class. Contact us for more information on payment options at: (281) 489-9221. The Texas Forest Service does offer grants for volunteer firefighters. For more information, click on:
http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=1662&terms=training+grants

 



 


Q. What is the refund policy?
A. Once you have access to the internet portion of the program, there will be no refunds and the entire $2000.00 is due. We will work to get you into any other class in order to complete the training.

 



 


Q. Do I need firefighter gear?
A. YES, you will need to bring full protective clothing that meets NFPA specifications for structural firefighters’ protective clothing. There are some vendors that will rent the gear on a day-to-day basis. Make sure that the gear has the NFPA tag in it or you will NOT be allowed to participate for that skills day.
Fire Training Specialist offers Gear Rental for students for one time flat rate of $200.00 per class (12 days or 12 weeks) plus a $500.00 Safety Deposit that will refunded once gear is returned.

 



 


Q. Do I need to purchase any textbooks other than the Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills? Coupon Code ABBTONL 
A. Although the Fundamentals is the only mandatory text, we strongly recommend you obtain both the IFSTA Essentials and IFSTA Haz-Mat for First Responders. They will be a great help in completing the disc assignments. The extra texts will cut your work time in half. Get them!! They can be found on Ebay.com, Amazon.com, or the IFSTA web pages.

 



 


Q. What if I miss a skills day?
A. If you have to miss a skills day, you will have to make arrangements to make it up before the next scheduled meeting. If you cannot make up the day, you will have to wait for the next class to be at the same point and join that class. Saturday students MAY be able to make up the missed day with the fast Track students.

 



 


Q. Is the course physically demanding?
A. YES. Firefighting is very demanding both physically and mentally. Fire Academy Online (FAO) will evaluate you on BOTH during your skills session activities.
Although FAO will not do physical training, or physical agility testing, we do ask that you be able to…


  • Run at a steady pace for 1 mile
  • Be able to lift a percentage of your weight over your head
  • Work in enclosed spaces in extreme temperatures of hot/cold
  • Lift and carry a 150 lb. person , and/or any other situation a firefighter may be called on to perform.

Failure to perform any of the fire related skills activities will result in an incomplete for the course. You will be evaluated to YOUR maximum ability. You will NOT be asked to perform activities uncommon to firefighting. We do not waste your time. For more information on physical requirements and working conditions, click here.

 


 


Q. What grade average must I maintain?
A. There will be a test online for every chapter in the book (except for the medical chapter) as well as an exam taken every skills day. You will take 36 chapter tests (open book), 11 majors, and 1 final. If your average drops below a 75% for two weeks, or you would not be able to achieve a final grade of 75%, you will be dropped from the course. You will have access to the additional textbooks (IFSTA and Essentials) to study for the state curriculum. Our students have achieved the highest grades on all phases of state testing and continue to hold the highest overall average on state exams.

 



 


Q. What do I need to bring to class?
A. There will be a test over the first session on the first day of class. Bring a three(3) ring binder for all the handouts, pens, pencils, notepad and book.You must complete the assignments for each session before the skills day for that session. Wear dark blue work pants, dark blue T-shirt and black shoes. The first day, you will need to sign injury waivers and complete required paperwork from Fire Academy Online and the State of Texas.

 



 


Q. Where does the class meet?
A. Skills sessions are held at the Fort Bend County Fire Training Field in Richmond, Texas. The address is 260 Clay St. Richmond, Texas 77469. Aprox. 12 miles SW of Houston

 



 


Q. Do I need to have a physical?
A. YES. Before you can perform any skills, you must bring a statement from a physician allowing you to perform firefighter duties. The physical examination statement MUST be specific to firefighting duties. We can provide you with the form when you call. Physical requirements for firefighting include:


  1. Strength and stamina enough to climb 6 or more flights of stairs while wearing fire protective ensemble weighing at least 50 lb or more and carrying equipment/tools weighing an additional 20 to 40 lb.
  2. Arm-hand steadiness, manual dexterity, and finger dexterity enough to use manual and power tools in the performance of duties.
  3. Speech, sight, and hearing enough to determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life threatening environment throughout the duration of the operation.
  4. Visual acuity enough and motor coordination enough to operate fire apparatus or other vehicles in an emergency mode with emergency lights and sirens.
  5. Physical strength enough to rescue-drag or carry objects and victims from newborns up to adults weighing over 200 lb to safety, despite hazardous conditions and low visibility, in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Extent flexibility, mobility, and balance enough to bend, twist, and reach out when climbing or working on ladders.
  6. Physical strength enough to advance water-filled hose-lines up to 2.5 inches in diameter from fire apparatus to occupancy (approximately 150 feet); can involve negotiating multiple flights of stairs, ladders, and other obstacles.

 



 


Q. How long is the class?
A. We will meet every Saturday for twelve (12) weeks or (12) days in a row for Fast Track. During this period, you will complete 144 hrs of the 468 hrs of basic fire suppression training. The 12 skills days could last for 12 hrs each and be intense, fast-paced training. The state-required skills along with the 11 majors, a mid-term, the final exam, and live fire exercises will take place at the Fort Bend County fire training facility located at 260 Clay Rd Richmond, Texas (12 miles SW of Houston). Class start time is 0800hrs.  call for details.

 



 


Q. Who makes the rules?
A. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection sets standards for all training academies in Texas. For more information on the rules and the commission, see the commisions website: http://www.tcfp.state.tx.us/

 



 


For more information, please contact us via email at: