Become a firefighter
As a firefighter, you often risk your life to protect the public. The St. Petersburg College Firefighting Academy prepares you for a challenging and rewarding career as a firefighter at its cutting-edge Fire and Public Safety Training Center.
Our academy is certified as a fire training center by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training. Once you complete the academy courses, you receive a certificate of completion and are qualified to take the state Firefighter II certification exams.
Certification
To become a professional firefighter in Florida, you must have:
- Certification as either Emergency Medical Responder, EMT-Basic, or Paramedic
- Firefighter II certification
- Completed Florida Firefighter Minimum Standards training (such as SPC's) OR
- Received an equal amount of training in another state as determined by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training
Combined Firefighter/EMT program
SPC also offers a combined Firefighter/EMT program for those who want to become certified firefighters and licensed Emergency Medical Technicians but who are not currently certified/licensed as either firefighters or EMTs. Download the Combined Firefighter/EMT Admission Guide
How to apply to the Firefighting Academy
- Take the Physical Abilities Test (PAT) Administered by SPC Fire Academy
You need to register in advance for this test. Contact the program office at 727-302-6873 for test dates and registration information. You must pass the PAT to proceed to step 3.
Need some help preparing for the PAT? Register for a Physical Abilities Prep Class. - Apply to SPC
Complete SPC's online admission application.
Request your high school and college transcripts. - Apply for SPC Fire Academy
Complete the application packet for Firefighter Academy, available after you pass the PAT.
Submission of the completed application packet will be explained after completing the
PAT. - Register
If you are accepted into the program, you will complete a registration form at the required
orientation. You will then be registered and will be contacted regarding tuition payment.
This academic program prepares you for the following careers. Salaries may vary based on a person's skills and experience, each employer's pay scale, and job market conditions. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Firefighters
Salary Data
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average
Florida Average
Projected employment for Florida
2024 Employment
22,490
2034
24,340
Percent Change
8
Projected Job Openings
1920
Skills you learn in SPC's Firefighting Academy
- History
- Fire Behavior
- Physical Fitness Training
- PPE & SCBA
- Hose & Ladder
- Maze (Confined Space)
- Forcible Entry & Ventilation
- Extrication
- Extinguishers
- Wildland Firefighting
- Mental Health Awareness
- Cancer Prevention
- Public Education
- Hazardous Materials
- Live Fire (Car, Gas, Class A, etc.)
- Building Construction
- Fire Control
- Fire Streams & Water Supply
- Fire Protection Systems
- Search & Rescue
- Loss Control
- Ropes & Knots
- Communications
- And much more
FIRE ACADEMY COSTS
SPC's Fire Academy is a postsecondary adult vocational training program. Students are not eligible for federal financial aid due to the length of the program; however, Florida Prepaid and Bright Futures can be applied toward tuition. Bright Futures eligibility is contingent upon the length of the program (minimum of 180 clock hours and the clock hours must occur within the starting and ending dates for regular term credit hour programs). A Bright Futures recipient with a prior baccalaureate degree is ineligible for funding. Contact Financial Assistance Services for further details.
Fees must be paid up front.
In-state tuition
- Fire/EMT Combo program: $6,379.10
- Fire Academy Only program: $3,968.46
Out-of-state tuition
- Fire Academy Only program: $7,909.38
Assistance for Veterans
Financial assistance is available to veterans who qualify. Contact the Veterans Services Office at 727-394-6258 for more information.
You may also fill out the Veterans Service Academy Survey.
Fire Academy schedule and length
The Fire Academy consists of 492 hours of training and is offered as a full-time and part-time schedule.
Full-Time Academy
- 13 weeks
- 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Monday through Friday
- Usually offered Spring and Fall (call academy office for details)
Part-Time Academy
- 23 weeks
- Tuesday and Thursday nights 4:45 – 10 p.m. and every Saturday all day 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Usually offered Summer April through September (call academy office for details).
Fire Training Center Office
727-302-6873