Fire Course Offerings

This 8 hour course is required for anyone wishing to obtain or renew a Drill Ground Instructor Certification issued by the Division of Fire Safety. The intent of this course is to ensure that instructors understand the safety issues and adopted NFPA Standards inherent in SCBA/Smokehouse and Live Burn firefighting training.

Instructors must be capable of demonstrating the proper methods of identifying and correcting an unsafe situation as it occurs. This course is required for those fire service instructors that wish to teach specified modules in the Firefighter I course in the State of New Jersey. This course will provide .5 Instructor CEU’s.

• PREREQUISITE: NJ Firefighter 1
• Instructor(s): Lieutenant Todd Felter, Linden Fire Dept.
• Date(s): April 26
• Class Limit: 22 Student Max.
• Time: 0830 – 1630
• Attire: Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment: All Class Materials Provided
• Cost:
  • Union County – $35.00
  • Out of County – $50.00
• View Registration Form

Firefighter 1 is an entry level program that introduces the novice firefighter to the basics of nationally recognized firefighting techniques. Methods of instruction will include classroom theory as well as skill oriented “hands-on” drill sessions. Recruit performance will be evaluated throughout the course including mid-term and final exams, both written and practical. The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety’s standardized Firefighter 1 test is given as part of the final exam.

This program meets the performance objectives of the N.F.P.A. standard 1001 and N.J.A.C. 5:73-4.3 standard which will allow a firefighter to perform firefighting under direct supervision. Recruits will also receive Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operational Levels of training as required by N.J.A.C. 5:75-6.1. Full Personal Protective Equipment is required for ALL sessions. Recruits must be 16 years old or older to participate in this program.

Please Note: All Firefighter 1 recruits must complete CPR and Bloodborne Pathogen training prior to receiving their FF1 Certification from the NJ Division of Fire Safety. This training will not be included in this program and must be provided at the agency level.

Registration for this program may only be completed by the appointing fire agency.

Department representatives should contact the Academy for an application and CPAT packet.

Deadline for completed applications is May 8, 2023.

• Orientation: Monday, June 12, 2023 1900 hours
• Dates: Monday, June 19, 2023 thru Friday, July 21, 2023
• Time: 0800-1700 Monday through Friday
• Cost:
  • In-County $250.00
  • Out of County $400.00
• View Registration Form

This course is designed to meet the requirements of NFPA 1001, Professional Qualifications for Firefighters and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Firefighter II certification regulations. This course shall provide the student with the knowledge and skill to operate at an emergency scene with minimal supervision and is offered to firefighters who are currently certified through the NJ Division of Fire Safety at the Firefighter 1 level.

Each student is required to provide their own copy of the required textbook, Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills by Jones and Bartlett, which they shall bring to each class. Uniform requirements for all classes is departmental Class-B, with full PPE being required for all practical sessions and live burns.

Registration for this program can only be completed by the sponsoring fire agency.

Department representatives should contact the Academy for an application.

Deadline for completed applications is March 13, 2023

• Date: Monday, March 27, 2033 thru Saturday, May 20, 2023
• Class meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
• Time: Mon./Wed. 1900-2300 Sat. 0800-1600
• Cost:
  • Union County $200
  • Out of County $300
• View Registration Form

This presentation will cover lithium-ion battery basics, failure modes, and case studies that include considerations for operational tactics, fire investigations, and personal health and safety.

Michael G. Abraham, PE is a licensed electrical engineer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). He works out of the ATF Fire Research Laboratory located in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

He provides forensic engineering support to Federal, State, and Local investigations on electro-mechanical engineering matters as they pertain to the origin and cause of fires and explosions. Michael also responds as a member of the ATF National Response Team (NRT) to large-loss fire and explosion scenes. He has instructed nationally on behalf of the ATF, internationally for the US State Department, and for several state and local organizations.

• Instructor(s): Michael G. Abraham PE, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
• Date(s): February 22, 2023
• Class Limit: 50 Student Max.
• Time: 0900 – 1400
• Attire: Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment: All Class Materials Provided
• Cost:
  • Union County – No Fee
  • Out of County – No Fee
• View Registration Form

This 8 hour course is required for anyone wishing to obtain or renew a Drill Ground Instructor Certification issued by the Division of Fire Safety. The intent of this course is to ensure that instructors understand the safety issues and adopted NFPA Standards inherent in SCBA/Smokehouse and Live Burn firefighting training.

Instructors must be capable of demonstrating the proper methods of identifying and correcting an unsafe situation as it occurs. This course is required for those fire service instructors that wish to teach specified modules in the Firefighter I course in the State of New Jersey. This course will provide .5 Instructor CEU’s.

• PREREQUISITE: NJ Firefighter 1
• Instructor(s): Lieutenant Todd Felter, Linden Fire Dept.
• Please note date change
• Date(s): March 9
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  0830 – 1630
• Attire:  Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  All Class Materials Provided
• Cost:
  • Union County – $35.00
  • Out of County – $50.00
• View Registration Form

This 8 hour course is required for anyone wishing to obtain or renew a Drill Ground Instructor Certification issued by the Division of Fire Safety. The intent of this course is to ensure that instructors understand the safety issues and adopted NFPA Standards inherent in SCBA/Smokehouse and Live Burn firefighting training.

Instructors must be capable of demonstrating the proper methods of identifying and correcting an unsafe situation as it occurs. This course is required for those fire service instructors that wish to teach specified modules in the Firefighter I course in the State of New Jersey. This course will provide .5 Instructor CEU’s.

• PREREQUISITE: NJ Firefighter 1
• Instructor(s): Deputy Chief Wayne Hanns (Ret.), Linden Fire Dept.
• Date(s): March 7 and 14
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  1830 – 2230
• Attire:  Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  All Class Materials Provided
• Cost:
  • Union County – $35.00
  • Out of County – $50.00
• View Registration Form

This 40 hour course of instruction meets the requirements of NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2002 edition, specified at N.J.A.C. 5:73-5.2(c). Textbooks will NOT be provided.

Students will need to purchase the 9th edition of IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor manual. This class will meet every Thursday for five consecutive weeks. 

• PREREQUISITE: 21 years of age and NJ Certified Firefighter-1 for three years min.
• Instructor(s): Lieutenant Todd Felter, Linden FD
• Date(s):
  • April 13, 20, 27
  • May 4, 11
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  0830 – 1730
• Attire:  Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  9th edition of IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Manual. (NOT PROVIDED)
• Cost:
  • Union County – $275.00
  • Out of County – $375.00
• View Registration Form

This 40 hour course of instruction meets the requirements of NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2002 edition, specified at N.J.A.C. 5:73-5.2(c). Textbooks will NOT be provided. Students will need to purchase the 9th edition of IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor manual. This class will meet every Thursday night for ten consecutive weeks. 

• PREREQUISITE: 21 years of age and NJ Certified Firefighter-1 for three years min.
• Instructor(s): Deputy Chief Wayne Hanns (Ret.), Linden FD
• Date(s):
  • Jan. 19, 26
  • Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23
  • Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  1830 – 2230
• Attire:  Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  9th edition of IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Manual. (NOT PROVIDED)
• Cost:
  • Union County – $275.00
  • Out of County – $375.00
• View Registration Form

This course will give the student the knowledge and skills to meet the objectives of Level II Fire Service Instructor for NFPA std. 1041 Fire Service Professional Qualifications, and meet part of the requirements for the Level Il Fire Service Instructor for New Jersey State Certification. Textbooks will NOT be provided. Students will need to purchase the 9th edition of IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor manual. This class will meet every Thursday for five consecutive weeks. 

• PREREQUISITE: 21 years of age and NJ Certified Firefighter-1 for three years min.
• Instructor(s): Lieutenant Todd Felter, Linden FD
• Date(s):
  • January 19, 26
  • February 2, 9, 16
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  0830 – 1630
• Attire:  Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  9th edition of IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Manual. (NOT PROVIDED)
• Cost:
  • Union County – $275.00
  • Out of County – $375.00
• View Registration Form

This 48-hour course is designed to build the skills necessary to be an effective fire service leader. It is the first level in the series of programs required to receive Fire Officer 1 certification and is designed to meet the education and time requirements of N.F.P.A 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 3rd Edition, for Fire Officer 1 and N.J.A.C. 5:73-8.2 qualifications for Fire Officer 1.

Course content will include a mixture of lectures, case studies, and classroom exercises designed to acquaint the student with the role of the company officer in a fire department and introduce basic management and leadership theories, practices, and functions.

Topics covered include firefighter health and safety, managing resources, planning and readiness, fire prevention, building construction, and risk management. This class will meet every day for six consecutive days.

• PREREQUISITE: NJ Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, and 3 years firefighting experience.
• Instructor(s): Captain Mark O’Grady (Ret.), Roselle FD
• Date(s):  April 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 17
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  0830-1630
• Attire: Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  NFPA Fire Officer: Principals and Practice, 4^th Edition Student Manual (NOT PROVIDED)
• Cost:
  • Union County – $300.00
  • Out of County – $375.00
• View Registration Form

This 48-hour course is designed to build the skills necessary to be an effective fire service leader. It is the first level in the series of programs required to receive Fire Officer 1 certification and is designed to meet the education and time requirements of N.F.P.A 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 3rd Edition, for Fire Officer 1 and N.J.A.C. 5:73-8.2 qualifications for Fire Officer 1.

Course content will include a mixture of lectures, case studies, and classroom exercises designed to acquaint the student with the role of the company officer in a fire department and introduce basic management and leadership theories, practices, and functions. Topics covered include firefighter health and safety, managing resources, planning and readiness, fire prevention, building construction, and risk management. This class will meet every Tuesday and Thursday night for eight consecutive weeks.

• PREREQUISITE: NJ Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, and 3 years firefighting experience.
• Instructor(s): Captain Mark O’Grady (Ret.), Roselle FD
• Date(s):
  • April 18, 20, 25, 27
  • May 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
  • June 1, 6, 8
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  1900-2200
• Attire: Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  NFPA Fire Officer: Principals and Practice, 4^th Edition Student Manual (NOT PROVIDED)
• Cost:
  • Union County – $300.00
  • Out of County – $375.00
• View Registration Form

This two-day course is designed to meet the needs of company officers responsible for managing the operations of one or more companies during structural firefighting operations. This course is designed to develop the management skills needed by company officers to accomplish assigned tactics at structure fires. This course meets the NJ Division of Fire Safety requirement for training on the Fire Tactics series of instructional courses necessary to receive a Level 1 Fire Officer certification. 

• Instructor(s): Captain Patrick Wirkus, Elizabeth Fire Dept.
• Date(s):  February 21 and 22
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  0800 – 1600
• Attire:  Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  All Class Material Provided
• Cost:
  • Union County – $100.00
  • Out of County – $150.00
• View Registration Form

This two-day course is designed to meet the needs of company officers responsible for managing the operations of one or more companies during structural firefighting operations. This course is designed to develop the management skills needed by company officers to accomplish assigned tactics at structure fires. This course meets the NJ Division of Fire Safety requirement for training on the Fire Tactics series of instructional courses necessary to receive a Level 1 Fire Officer certification. 

• Instructor(s): Captain Patrick Wirkus, Elizabeth Fire Dept.
• Date(s):  May 8 and 9
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  0800 – 1600
• Attire:  Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  All Class Material Provided
• Cost:
  • Union County – $100.00
  • Out of County – $150.00
• View Registration Form

This two-day course is designed to meet the needs of company officers responsible for managing the operations of one or more companies during structural firefighting operations.

This course is designed to develop the management skills needed by company officers to accomplish assigned tactics at structure fires. This course meets the NJ Division of Fire Safety requirement for training on the Fire Tactics series of instructional courses necessary to receive a Level 1 Fire Officer certification. 

• Instructor(s): Captain Patrick Wirkus, Elizabeth Fire Dept.
• Date(s):
  • Saturday, January 28
  • Sunday, January 29
• Class Limit:  20 Student Max.
• Time:  0800 – 1600
• Attire:  Uniform or Business Casual
• Equipment:  All Class Material Provided
• Cost:
  • Union County – $100.00
  • Out of County – $150.00
• View Registration Form

• Orientation: Wednesday, September 6, 2023
• Dates: Monday, September 11, 2023 thru Thu. December 21, 2023
• Time: 0800-1700 Monday through Friday
• Cost:
  • In-County $1,750.00
  • Out of County $2,000.00

This program, which incorporates the Firefighter 1 and 2 training courses, introduces the newly hired Career Firefighter to the basics of nationally recognized firefighting techniques presented in a paramilitary setting. Methods of instruction will include classroom theory, skill oriented “hands on” drill sessions, and a physical training and conditioning program. Student performance and progress will be evaluated throughout the course through the use of quizzes and evaluations which include written, practical and physical assessments.

The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety standardized Firefighter 1 and 2 certification exams are given as part of the final evaluation. The Basic Firefighter Training Course exceeds the performance objectives of the N.F.P.A. standard 1001, N.J.A.C. 5:73-4.3, and N.J.A.C. 5:75-6.1. Upon successful completion recruits will receive certification in Firefighter-1, Firefighter-2, HazMat Awareness, HazMat Operations, ICS-100, 200, 700, and 800, Bloodborne Pathogens, Right to Know, Traffic Incident Management, and AHA CPR for Healthcare Providers.

Registration for this program can only be completed by the employing fire agency.

• Department representatives should contact the Academy for an application and CPAT packet.
• Deadline for completed applications is January 13, 2023.
• View Registration Form