Connecticut State Commission on Fire Prevention and Control

Recruit Firefighter Programs

Recruit Firefighter Program Applications

Applications are available 30 days prior to the start of the Class

The Recruit Firefighter Program’s Prerequisites

The applicant is at least 18 years of age, has a high school diploma or GED, and has the general capacity for adult learning.

The applicant is an employee of the Fire Department or affiliated as a member or volunteer of the Fire Department for a minimum of 6 months, and the Fire Department is committed to overseeing the training.

The applicant has documented proof of meeting the fire department’s Medical and Physical Fitness requirements.

The applicant has a valid IAFF/IAFC Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) card dated within 2 years prior to the program’s start date.

The applicant is emotionally fit to perform firefighting evolutions without special considerations, and where applicable, to meet the 29 CFR 1910.134 standard for the use of respirators (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus).

Recommended Prerequisites

EMR/MRT minimum EMS training (Medical training is offered at CFA if needed) NIMS for the Fire Service and NIMS 700. (NIMS related courses can only be delivered online through the NFA web site)

How to Become a Career Firefighter

To become a Connecticut Career Firefighter you must first apply for the position at the city or town that may be hiring or posting for the entry position. Every city or town in Connecticut has its own criteria for hiring and is responsible for their own examination process. A prospective firefighter should research where they would be interested to work and the hiring process for that department. Most cities or towns rank candidates based on the results of a written examination and oral interview or assessment. CPAT (Candidates Physical Ability Test) may be an application or pre-employment requirement. 

Listserv Sign up

Sign up for the Connecticut Fire Academy’s CFPC-News Listserv. The CFA sends up-to-date emails to subscribers to provide such information as; Job Announcements, Training Opportunities, CPAT information and other Connecticut and Regional Fire Service related News.

Recruit Firefighter Program

The Recruit Firefighter program is a 70 day, 14 week, resident course that focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for the newly hired career firefighter or for the volunteer firefighter to perform entry-level tasks under direct supervision. The training consists of theory and practical skills development delivered on an incremental basis that will develop the maximum retention of job knowledge, skill competency, and safe practices. The recruit will establish a strong will for teamwork, company morale, self-discipline, and orderliness, precision and conduct to be a firefighter. Participation in daily Physical Fitness Training is required. Recruits will reside at the Connecticut Fire Academy weekdays throughout the course. The recruits are expected to satisfactorily perform both academically and physically to established standards while strictly adhering to and maintaining decorum of conduct, discipline and mutual respect.

Attendance Requirements - The tremendous instructional demands and contact hours to meet the requirements of the Recruit Firefighter Program certificate make approvals for excused absences extremely unlikely.  Recruits should plan their personal schedule accordingly.

Please review the more detailed description of the Recruit Firefighter Program THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.

Application documents to the Recruit Firefighter Program will be available on this web-page 30 days prior to the start of the class.

Class sizes are limited and preference given to applicants hired or employed by the sponsoring Fire Department.

Physical Fitness Preparedness

As a way to better serve the state fire service, the Connecticut Firefighters Health and Safety Consortium has formalized our recommendations for preparation for the Recruit Firefighter Program. Historically over the past 5 years, using field-level fitness testing, greater than 40% of incoming recruits have been determined to be obese and otherwise deconditioned for their start as Recruits.

All future recruit classes will require this greater preparation for the rigors of training in order to address the obvious inherent physical risks of not being adequately prepared for both training and the beginning of a tremendously demanding profession.

These current modest but bold steps will address the obvious physical risks of poor conditioning, and ensure that each sponsoring fire department gets the most benefit from their respective investment in our Recruit Firefighter Program.

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)

Recruit applicants are required to have a CPAT card issued no more than 2 years prior to the start of the program. A waiver may be granted after validation of a comparable Fire Department Physical Ability Test.

Deadlines for 2017 Connecticut CPAT applications are;

July 21, 2017 for the Fall test cycle that will meet the CPAT requirement for the Spring 2018 Class 61.

Medical Examination Requirements

Recruit applicants are required to have a Pre-Employment Fire Department physical or Fire Department Medical Examination within the past 12 months prior to the class start date.

For those in need of a Pre-Recruit Medical Examination, the NFPA 1582 Medical Examination Guidance will assist a Physician in complying with the National Fire Protection Association’s 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments medical evaluation.

An OSHA 1910.134, Respiratory Protection Program Guidelines Medical Evaluation Questionnaire is also available for the Physician in the medical evaluation process.

Review the links below to assist with completing the Medical Examination Confirmation, and Medical Certification page of the FIRE DEPARTMENT REGISTRATION.

Program Readiness

The Recruit Firefighter Program follows modern educational theory in these four main areas:

  • Academics (Cognitive Learning Domain)
  • Skill Proficiency (Psychomotor Domain)
  • Professional Demeanor (Affective Domain)
  • Work Capacity (Physical Fitness for the occupation)

For each of these areas, in which the recruits are both trained and measured, there is an opportunity to prepare and improve readiness and performance prior to arriving and during residence.

The Recruit Firefighter Program Preparation Guide provides additional information on how the prospective recruits can BEST PREPARE BEFORE THE START OF THE CLASS.

Click the link below for an orientation video that will prepare the Recruit candidate for the Recruit Firefighter Program.

Orientation to the Recruit Firefighter Program

The Connecticut Fire Academy offers the prospective Recruit Firefighter a 2 hour orientation session to learn about the rigors the Recruit Firefighter Program, methods to prepare them prior to arrival and an opportunity to ask question related to the program.

Please register by using the Connecticut Fire Academy’s Student Application Form 2018 for this FREE class.

Scheduled Dates:

  • June 19, 2018 - 10am to 12pm - Course Number: 17532 - Held at CFA
  • June 20, 2018 - 6pm to 8pm - Course Number: 17533 - Held at CFA
  • June 25, 2018 - 10am to 12pm - Course Number: 17534 - Held at Fairfield Regional F.S.
  • June 25, 2018 - 6pm to 8pm - Course Number: 17535 - Held at Fairfield Regional F.S.
  • June 20, 2018 - 6pm to 8pm - Course Number: 17536 - Held at New Haven Regional F.S.
  • December 12, 2018 - 10am to 12pm - Course Number: 18327 - Held at CFA
  • December 13, 2018 - 6pm to 8pm - Course Number: 18328 - Held at CFA
  • December 17, 2018 - 10am to 12pm - Course Number: 18329 - Held at Fairfield Regional F.S.
  • December 17, 2018 - 6pm to 8pm - Course Number: 18315 - Held at Fairfield Regional F.S.
  • December 18, 2018 - 6pm to 8pm - Course Number: 18330 - Held at New Haven Regional F.S.
Tentative Dates for future Recruit Classes

Recruit Class 62

Fall 2018: August 27th – December 7th 2018

Applicant for Class 62 requires a CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) card issued no earlier than August 27, 2016.

 

Recruit Class 63

Spring 2019: February 12th to may 22nd 2019

Applicant for Class 63 requires a CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) card issued no earlier than February 12, 2017.

Application documents to the Recruit Firefighter Program will be available on this web-page 30 days prior to the start of the program.

Class sizes are limited and preference given to applicants that have been hired or is employed by the sponsoring Fire Department.

Recruits should be capable of meeting the Baseline Physical Fitness Standards outlined in the Connecticut Firefighters Physical Fitness Assessment and Preparation Guide.