Firefighter 1 & 2 Certificate (F12C-CC)

CT State Community College Catalog 2023-2024 New students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2023 will begin as students of Connecticut State Community College under this catalog.  Continuing students from one of the 12 community colleges will be transitioned into a CT State program in this catalog as of the start of the Fall 2023 term. The policies, courses and programs described are applicable as of the Fall 2023 term and may be updated as circumstances require.

This Certificate was developed in collaboration with local fire agencies to provide career pathways that meet the needs of emergency response and fire service in an outside of New Haven County. This program offers high quality, diverse learning and training opportunities to prepare students for the industry. Fire Department applicants who have post-secondary firefighting education have a clear advantage over other candidates. This technical certificate program will help graduates secure employment in the firefighter and emergency responder profession.

CT State CC students are prepared as first responders in a fire, traffic accident or medical emergency. Training includes CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test), FFI (Firefighter I), FFII (Firefighter II), and EMT, (Emergency Medical Technician), as most fire departments require prospective candidates to have certification as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). This program is designed to incorporate the orientation to fire service with the necessary theory and hands-on applications needed to become a certified Fire Fighter. This program qualifies students to take the state certification exam with the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training (which includes both written and practical skills) to become a Certified Fire Fighter in the State of Connecticut. An association or volunteer status is needed to have full certification. Continued population growth will increase the number of emergency calls requiring firefighter responses. Many situations that firefighters respond to are medical-rather than fire-emergencies, and the aging population will lead to an increased demand for emergency responders.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will:

• Understand the essentials of firefighting including fire department operations, firefighting equipment and safety, chemistry of fire, techniques of firefighting, and utilization of equipment in fire suppression.
• Understand the Candidate Physical Ability test (CPAT)used in the selection of firefighters in participating fire agencies throughout the State of Connecticut.
• Demonstrate the physical ability to perform job tasks related to firefighting.
• Prepare for the national certifying exam for EMT and the State Practical Examination for EMT
• Explain fire department safety standards and principles of fire science. 
• Prepare for civil service exams given to prospective firefighters.
• Understand fire apparatus and pumps, fire streams, fire service pressure calculations, and fixed fire extinguishing systems such as sprinkler and standpipe operations.

There are prerequisites, medical, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and physical requirements required for program enrollment, as well as mandatory attendance at an information session. Students must either test above MAT* 085 and ENG* 066, or complete these courses with a “C” or better prior to entering the program. Due to practical training, some courses in this program take place at the New Haven Regional Fire Academy. Students are required to wear a uniform in all classes and have structural firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (required PPE gear is Turnout and SCBA). Each student must rent or own the required PPE gear.