Texas Fire Academy’s basic structure fire suppression-training program covers all the objectives of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection’s Basic Fire Suppression Curriculum.

The Basic Fire Suppression Curriculum consists of 468 hours of basic fire protection training and is equivalent to the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, HazMat-Awareness and HazMat-Operations.

The course is taught on-line using Texas Fire Academy’s popular E-Learning platform. Although timelines can and do change, the basic course runs 18 weeks. During those 18 weeks cadets will participate in the virtual classroom at their own convenience; however, cadets are required to meet the hour requirements of the Commission within the designated week. See the Sample Schedule in the Downloads area for more information.

Cadets will spend 12 weekends in San Marcos practicing skills required by the course including, but not limited to, fighting fires, performing simulated rescues and hazardous materials simulations. This course is physically demanding and TFA requires physical training for all cadets. A description of the physical demands and the tasks currently performed is in the Downloads area.

 

Tips for Success:  **This course is extremely physically demanding** 

 

We recommend that you start physical training immediately.  Some suggestions to ensure success are as follows:  be able jog 1.5 miles and walk 5 miles comfortably, run in the extreme Texas heat or in sweats, be able to lift and carry heavy objects overhead for extended amounts of time (heavy ladders and hoses will be carried this way), work on your upper body strength and endurance, and have the ‘I will not quit’ mentality.  This course is run military style.  The reason being is that you can’t quit when you are in a fire, therefore, you cannot quit during training.  Also, you will need to be comfortable with enclosed spaces and heights.  We at Texas Fire Academy want to set you up for success, so please seriously consider these suggestions.

 

Basic Fire Fighter Academy Tuition : $4250.00 (subject to change)

This includes:

• Turn Out gear rental, PT gear, and T-shirts
• Fire Fighting Fundamentals and Hazardous Materials textbooks
• Initial Texas Commission on Fire Protection testing fees

 

To reserve a spot on the waiting list:

Submit a deposit of $1100.00, a completed and signed Course Application, signed Refund Policy, and signed Waiting List Policy. The outstanding documents and remaining tuition must be submitted no later than the last day of registration. 

 

Important Information:

Registration ends 3 p.m. on the last day of registration for each class. Incomplete registration requirements, documents and/or unpaid balance on tuition may result in the loss of the class seat to someone on a waiting list. All cadets are required to appear in person during the last week of registration at 3528 Hunter Road, San Marcos, Texas. Office hours are normally M-F from 9am – 3pm except on holidays.