Welcome! Interested in becoming a Firefighter?
ATTENTION! Enrollment
for
FALL 2012 Firefighter 1 Academy
opens
on April 25, 2012.
Click "Firefighter
1 Academy" link at left for
information
ALSO!
Now Enrolling... 2012 "Fireline Safety
Awareness For Hired Vendors"
Additional Class Available: Saturday April 14, 2012,
enrollment ends April 11, 2012!
CLICK HERE for registration information
About our program...
The Porterville College Fire Technology program has been serving both
working and prospective firefighters since the early 1980’s. At the
heart of the program is our State Fire Marshal Accredited Firefighter I
Academy, conducted each Fall, and our Interagency Wildland Firefighter
Academy which is held in the Spring. Other courses are offered on an
“occasional” basis to fulfill local needs.
Our academy instructors are working fire service professionals from local,
state and federal municipal and wildland fire agencies in Tulare, Kings
and Kern Counties. The program is coordinated by a retired fire
department chief officer with over 35 years of “hands-on” fire experience
and an extensive fire service training background.
The Tulare and Kings Counties’ Fire Chiefs Association, and the Tulare and
Kings Counties Fire Training Officers Association both offer tremendous
support to this program and serve as our program advisory group. They
also graciously make available the fire apparatus, equipment and
professional training facilities necessary to ensure the continued success
of this program.
Education...
Although the fire technology curriculum at Porterville College does not
include a Fire Technology degree program, it may be possible to use fire technology courses as “electives” in
other degree programs.
Coupling an Associates degree in nearly any subject
with completion of one, or both, of our fire academies, can greatly improve
an individual's fire service employment opportunities. It is important to recognize that
the fire service is not just about fighting fire. The fire service is a
large business that employs people in a variety of positions. Some
non-fire control jobs include:
- Clerical
- Warehousing
- Automotive repair
- Building construction
- Facility maintenance
- Business and finance
- Human resources and personnel
- Emergency and non-emergency medical services
- Mapping and planning
- Information technology
- Communications
- Education and training
- Public information and media
- Law enforcement and investigation
... and many more!
Career planning...
Starting a career in the fire service requires dedication and planning.
Successful job applicants have a good balance of education and training,
physical fitness, and other qualities. Our instructors are working fire
fighters and fire officers who can provide invaluable insight and guidance
to persons seeking employment in the fire service.
Contact Information …
For more information, contact:
Rich Stover - rstover@portervillecollege.edu
Please limit inquiries to essential
questions. Due to the volume of emails received about our Fire Academies,
response to inquiries may not be immediate, but your email will be
answered as soon as possible.
About our Academies...
Porterville College conducts a Basic Fire Fighter-1 Fire Academy in the
Fall and an Interagency Basic Wildland Firefighter Academy in the Spring
each year.
Entry-level firefighter job opportunities in California are growing as
municipalities work to fill vacancies created by retirements, and because
of population growth, the need to staff additional fire stations.
Firefighter salaries and benefits are very competitive and the personal
satisfaction of being a firefighter is great.
Persons interested in an exciting and rewarding career in the fire service
should consider attending one, or both, of our fire academies.
The one semester Firefighter-1 Academy is conducted from August through December
and helps prepare graduates to apply for entry-level
firefighter positions with most fire departments in the state of
California. It is accredited by the Office of the
California State Fire Marshal and
provides the training students need for certification by the State
Fire Marshal as a Firefighter-1. Please visit our Firefighter I Academy page for more information…
The Interagency Basic Wildland Firefighter Academy is conducted on ten
weekends annually in February through April. Graduates from this Academy
meet the minimum requirements for an entry-level seasonal firefighter
position with Cal Fire (CDF), the United States Forest Service, and other
Federal fire suppression agencies. Seasonal firefighting can provide the
experience needed to become eligible to apply for full-time employment
with many fire agencies, and is a good way to decide if a career in the
fire service is right for you. Please visit our Wildland Academy page for more information…
"Career Information"