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Firefighter Minimum Standards

Program Overview

 

Firefighter Minimum Standards, O.C. (FIRF-CERT) 16.4 credits, 492 clock hours

Students performing science lab

This is a 492-clock-hour program consisting of Firefighter I & II designed to prepare the student for the state written and practical exams. Students will be eligible, following successful completion of the FF-I portion, to receive a Certificate of Completion which allows the firefighter to function in the ‘hot zone’ as a volunteer firefighter. Following successful completion of the FF-II portion, the student will be eligible to attempt the FF-II minimum standards written and practical exams. Successful completion of both the state written and practical exams will make the student eligible for a Letter of Compliance from the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training (BFST) which allows the candidate to be hired as an FF-II by departments within the state of Florida. The program may be completed within a single term (16 weeks) if done as a standalone program.

 

Meet with FGC Staff

Learn more about the College and this program by scheduling an appointment with a program advisor. You can select in-person, phone or virtual meeting. We encourage you to visit campus if possible to see the beautiful landscape and feel the caring vibe from faculty and staff.

  • Contact a program advisor 

Tracey Higdon
Assistant Professor, Fire Fighter Program
 tracey.higdon@fgc.edu
 386-754-4210

Madison Morton
Coordinator, CTE Programs
 madison.morton@fgc.edu
 386-754-4219

Admission Requirements

For College Admission:

Complete the FGC Application for Admission: Apply Now

  • Submit High School transcript(s) to Office of Enrollment Services
  • Submit College transcript(s) for any institutions previously attended

For Program Admission: 

Apply online here: Fire Program Application Fall 2025 | Dynamic Forms

All completed admission documents must be received by Tracey Higdon prior to registration. 

Tracey Higdon
Assistant Professor, Fire Fighter Program
 tracey.higdon@fgc.edu
 386-754-4210

Testing Requirements

  • Physical Abilities Test
  • National Fire Selection Inventory (NFSI)
  •  TABE (If not exempt by state board of education rule 6A-10.0315)

Students must demonstrate competence in reading, math, or language through placement examination or by passing the appropriate reading, math or language courses, if not exempt by state board of education rule 6A-10.0315.

ACT, SAT, and PERT test scores may be used for placement into college-level courses if the test was taken in the past two years. To access test prep materials and to schedule an exam, go to Test Center. The Test Center is located in Building 7 and may be contacted at test.center@fgc.edu or 386-754-7378.

If you started 9th grade in the 2003-2004 school year or later at a Florida public high school, and graduated from a Florida, public high school with a standard high school diploma, you may be exempt from Placement testing in accordance with Senate Bill 1720.  Advisors still recommend all students placement test prior to the first term of registration in order to determine where you should start in college-level courses in order to be successful. 

Location

Florida Gateway College’s Public Safety Training Center (Olustee campus)

Hours

Classes are shift based and range from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm. 

Costs

Tuition

  • Tuition: $1,392.20
  • Lab fees: $2,268.00
  • Drug Screen: $88.00
  • Finger Prints: $50.00
  • Uniforms (variable depending on student needs): $150.00
  • Physical Assessment Test (BFST): $50.00
  • BFST Testing Fee: $30.00
  • Bunker Gear Rental: $1,000.00
  • NFPA SCBA Mask Fit: $33.00
  • EMR (if needed): $140.00
  • SERP: $35.00

Total: $5,451.70

   

 

 

Firefighter Minimum Standards, O.C.

492 

clock hours

99% 

state licensure rate

98% 

job placement rate

Guided Pathway

Review the guided degree pathway where you will find a detailed plan for your courses and other requirements each semester that prepare you for graduation and your transfer goals.

Firefighter Minimum Standards, O.C.

water treatment plant

What our graduates are doing now!

Certification as an FF-I enables the firefighter to function as a volunteer and participate in firefighting activities. FF-II certification allows the firefighter to function as a paid career firefighter within the state of Florida.

STARTING SALARIES

The average starting salary for Fire Fighters in Florida ranges around $45,000-$60,000. 

 

 

 

This is a very physical program with long periods of heavy physical stress in extreme temperatures. Students will experience live fire conditions (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)) while wearing full firefighter bunker gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Students with intense claustrophobia may experience difficulty under these conditions. The academic portion is fast-paced and requires good time management and study skills. Students will be prepared to successfully complete both the written and practical exams administered by evaluators from the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Firefighter Minimum Standards, O.C.

 

Career Coach plug here

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not a bill that you will receive from Florida Gateway College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Florida Gateway College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses. Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.
Cost of Attendance

 

 

 

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