The Firefighter 1 program will prepare individuals to serve their local communities as volunteer firefighters as well as provide a solid foundation to further their training as career/paid firefighters.
CREDENTIALING INFORMATION
The Firefighter Program is governed by the Ohio Department
of Public Safety Division of Emergency Medical Services. Vantage Career Center is issued Fire Charter
130 pursuant to Section 4765.55 of the Ohio Revised Code. Students who complete this program will receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to take the Ohio Department of Public Safety division of Emergency Medical Services certification exam for Firefighter I. Students must pass their certification exam for Firefighter I to work part-time as a firefighter in the state of Ohio. Additional training in a Firefighter II program is required to be hired as a full-time firefighter in the state of Ohio.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
- Must be 18 years of age, except that a chartered fire training program may admit a student who is 17 years old provided that the student has graduated or is enrolled in the 12th or final grade in a secondary school program
- Applicants shall have not been convicted of any of the following: (1) any felony; (2) a misdemeanor committed in the course of practice; (3) a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
- Applicants shall have not committed fraud, misrepresentation, or material deception in applying for or obtaining a certificate issued under section 4765.55 of the Ohio Revised Code and Chapter 4765-20 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
- Must pass a WorkKeys assessment with a minimum of 4 in Math, Workplace Documents (skill to read and comprehend workplace documents), and Graphic Literacy (skill to locate and find information)
- Firefighting students must not have a beard.
- The Program Coordinator or Adult Education Director may allow some exceptions to these entrance requirements
Prerequisite: All applicants must complete ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System and IS-700 National Incident Management System, an Introduction prior to the start of classes. Free online training at
training.fema.gov
GENERAL INFORMATION
July 2023
- 160 total hours
- Plus 16 hours for EVOC and 8 hours for Basic First-Aid/CPR for those without qualifying prior training.
- Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays each week from 6 pm to 10 pm and most Saturdays (hours vary)
- Class size is limited
EDUCATIONAL COSTS
Program Cost and Information Sheet
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Grants - State Grants may be available for this program. Contact the Enrollment Coordinator if interested.
JOB OUTLOOK
Firefighters are in high demand, especially in rural/volunteer areas. Seventy percent of firefighters in the United States are volunteers. These training courses will prepare individuals for serving their local communities and give them a solid foundation to further their training as career/paid firefighters.
Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Physically fit applicants with paramedic training will have the best job prospects.
To explore this career further, visit the
O*NET Online website. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor.