What to Expect

The Lawrence County Fire Academy Recruit Class programs are structured to provide students with complete entry-level firefighter training required for NFPA 1001 Firefighter I certification.  This 10-week training package will give new firefighters the essential training they need to be safe and effective public safety professionals.

The following paragraphs explain several specifics of the program and are intended to help set student expectations such that they are prepared to succeed.

Curriculum

The LCFA Recruit Class program bundles multiple training courses to provide students all prerequisites for Firefighter I certification.   The individual courses that are offer in this bundle include:

• Intro to the Fire Service (PSFA)

• Fire Ground Support (PSFA)

• Exterior Firefighter (PSFA)

• Interior Firefighter (PSFA)

• Hazardous Materials Operations (PSFA)

• NIMS IS-100 (FEMA)

• NIMS IS-700 (FEMA)

• Healthcare Provider CPR (AAOS)

• Basic First Aid (AAOS)

Age Requirements

Students must be at least 16 years of age by the first day of class to participate in the LCFA Recruit Class program.  Pennsylvania Child Labor Law restricts 16- and 17-year-old students from participating in the final 48 hours of academy training.  Students who are 16 or 17 years old are dismissed from the academy when they have reached the extent of training that is permitted by law. These students receive a voucher to return to the next available academy session free of charge after they have turned 18.  Students who return after they reach age 18 are only required to complete the final 40 hours of training.

Tuition

The cost to enroll in the LCFA Recruit Class is $550.  This tuition covers the costs of books, uniforms, and consumables used during training.   Upon successful completion of the program, students from Lawrence County fire departments are eligible for a $50 tuition refund as an incentive to finish the program.   Please note that 16- and 17-year-old students and students from outside of Lawrence County are not eligible for tuition refunds.  Tuition checks are to be made out to the Lawrence County Fire Chiefs Association.  

Uniform, Appearance, and Facial Hair

LCFA students are representing their respective public safety agencies and communities.  As such, each student is expected to take pride in their appearance and to be readily identifiable as a public safety professional.  Each LCFA student is issued uniform attire consisting of the following items:

• Short Sleeve T-Shirt

• Long Sleeve T-Shirt

• Class B, Button-down Shirt

• Station Trousers

• Station Boots

• Uniform Belt

At the completion of the class, Class B shirts are to be turned in, but the remainder of the uniform items may be kept by the student. These items are compatible with duty uniforms worn by most individual fire departments, so the academy uniform can easily become a station uniform at the student's home department.

Students will receive instruction on how to properly wear the Academy uniform and are expected to wear their uniforms for each class session.  It is also expected that students will keep their uniforms neat and clean throughout the program.

As a matter of safety, students must remove all piercings for the duration of each Academy session.   Male students are expected to have hair that is well trimmed such that it rests above the ears.   Female students are expected to wear hair pulled up and back such that it fits neatly under a typical fire service helmet.  

Per the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and LCFA uniform standard, facial hair is not permitted.  Facial hair of more than one day's growth is not permitted.  The lead instructor on duty shall have final authority on determining a student's compliance with facial hair policy.  Students who arrive to class with facial hair will be required to shave, or they will be dismissed from the class session.

Attendance

Each Academy class session provides the student with valuable, lifesaving information.  Students are expected to be present and on time for each session.   However, the Academy staff understands that there may be extenuating circumstances that result in tardiness or absence.  Whenever possible, students are expected to notify the staff in advance of an anticipated late arrival or absence.  

Students who miss class are responsible to make up the time and material they missed.   Make up sessions must be coordinated with the Academy staff.

Absences are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Gross absenteeism in the opinion of the Academy staff will result in the student being issued a written warning.   Further absences after the issuance of a written warning will result in dismissal from the program without refund.

Computer and Internet Access

Certain components of LCFA Recruit Classes require access to a computer and reliable internet access.   Class announcements and assignments may be transmitted via electronic means through email or a learning management platform.  Starting in 2020, some classroom sessions may be held using video conferencing applications such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet due to pandemic restrictions.   Students should coordinate with their respective fire departments to ensure they have ready access to a computer with a webcam and a high-speed internet connection.

Health and Wellness

The health and wellbeing of each student is of paramount importance.  Upon enrollment, each student will be required to undergo a Medical Evaluation to Determine Fitness for Firefighter Training to ensure that the student is medically and physically capable of completing firefighting tasks according the NFPA 1582.   This evaluation must be completed by a medical professional prior to the first day of class. 

Throughout the program, students will have routine vital sign screenings to monitor blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation.  Medical providers and Academy staff shall have final authority to determine fitness for duty based on the results of vital sign screenings and may remove a student from an exercise or from the entire program as a matter of safety.

LCFA staff members are under no obligation to modify training scenarios or skill requirements to accommodate a medical condition or an injury.  

Discipline

LCFA students are expected to model professional and safe behavior at all times.  On the first day of class, students are provided a copy of the LCFA student policy and Firefighter Code of Ethics that outlines acceptable behavior.  Behavioral infractions are divided into two categories: incidental infractions and major infractions.   Incidental infractions may result in a drill ground disciplinary action (such as jumping jacks) or a work detail assignment (such as mopping a floor).  Major infractions result in verbal warnings, written warnings, and/or removal from the program depending on the severity of the infraction.

While it is important to define disciplinary actions, it is equally important to note that students may also be rewarded for extra effort or performance beyond expectation.  Throughout LCFA programs, students have the opportunity to earn reward incentives such as gift cards for local merchants or scholarships to attend other training programs.

Testing and Evaluation

Written exams are given at regular intervals throughout the program to ensure that students are grasping classroom concepts.  Students must pass each progressive exam with a score of at least 70% to continue the program.  

Aside from Individualized Education Plans issued by a school district to students under age 21, LCFA staff members are unable to provide any other form of accommodation for written exams.

Students must also demonstrate competency of essential fire ground skills at regular intervals throughout the program.  Each student is provided with a list of required skills along with detailed steps for completing each skill.  Students will be given multiple opportunities to complete the skill demonstration before reaching skill benchmark deadlines.   Failure to complete the prescribed skills in a satisfactory manner before the skills benchmark deadline shall result in dismissal from the program.   LCFA staff members are unable to provide special accommodation or alter any skill station for any reason.

Certification

LCFA Recruit Class programs are designed to provide students with all the prerequisite training required for NFPA 1001 Firefighter I certification.  Firefighter I certification exams are separate from LCFA programs and are offered at designated testing sites around the Commonwealth of PA.  Upon completion of the LCFA Recruit Class, students are eligible to take this optional (but highly encouraged) exam.  Firefighter I certification exams consist of a 100-question written exam and demonstration of 12 firefighting skills for a state certified evaluator.  Firefighter I certification is a nationally recognized credential verifying mastery of fire ground skills according to NFPA 1001, Standard on Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications.