FIRE ACADEMY
OVERVIEW
The Fire Technology division of BAY EMT established an agreement with the Alameda County Fire Department and the Fremont Fire Department. This unique and collaborative effort made it possible for BAY EMT to conduct an accredited Firefighter I Academy for the ACFD Reserve Firefighter Program.
In the spirit of this collaboration, BAY EMT agreed to provide the educational and training services for the ACFD Reserve Fire Academy with ACFD as the ALA. The program philosophies of the fire academy align with the philosophies of the EMT program. The fire academy is designed to emphasize community awareness in our cadets while aiding in their personal growth.
HISTORY
The BAY EMT Program held its inaugural fire academy in 2013, enrolling 12 cadets. BAY EMT conducted seven academies from 2013 to 2019 through a collaboration with the Oakland Fire Department and Merritt Community College as the ARTP. In 2022, BAY EMT partnered with the Alameda County Fire Department to conduct the training for their Reserve Firefighter 1 Academy. Over the past ten years, these academies graduated 137 cadets, of whom 80 have been hired in fire agencies throughout the nation. The Fire Technology division of BAY EMT provides professional development training and offers the following services: volunteer opportunities, mentoring, mock orals, resume building and internships.
The 21-week fire academy is offered once a year. This is an accredited academy through the ACFD ALA. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to obtain a State Fire Marshal Firefighter 1 course completion certificate.
The BAY EMT Fire Technology Mission Statement: “We will develop professional firefighters utilizing the highest standard of training and quality education.”
FIRE ACADEMY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Become a member of the ACFD Reserve Program - required
EMT course completion certificate - required
Pass a physical abilities test - required
Completion of two fire science classes - recommended
ALAMEDA County FIRE DEPARTMENT Reserve FIREFIGHTER Program
The Alameda County Fire Department Reserve Firefighter Education and Training Program provides quality training for prospective professional Alameda County firefighters. It has proven itself an innovative and respected leader in developing future firefighters. The ACFD Reserve Firefighter Program emphasizes the value of recruiting well-trained and qualified firefighting personnel from the community.
Applicants entering the ACFD Reserve Firefighter Program can expect to enter the program as a reserve candidate. After an evaluation of previous education and training, candidates are placed into a three-tiered training program.
Level I offers career and educational guidance for candidates with no background in emergency medical services or fire science classes. Level II provides further career and educational guidance for candidates with some education or background in the fire service or emergency medical services. Level III prepares the candidate in an academy environment to become an active Alameda County Reserve Firefighter. The Level III candidate possesses an EMT course completion certificate and has completed a firefighter I academy.
Once a candidate completes the third level of training, they are qualified to become an Alameda County Reserve Firefighter.
Reserve firefighters can expect to participate in firefighter training, meetings, work experience and public education/relation opportunities within the community alongside professional firefighters. Reserve firefighters are also required to respond to emergencies, when requested, to support the efforts of professional firefighters.
ACFD RESERVE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS
Applications for the ACFD Reserves are currently being accepted.
The Fire Academy is currently in recess.
Enrollment for the 2027 ACFD Reserve Firefighter I Academy will open in October.
BAY EMT Cadets
ARE hired in the
following Fire
Departments
Alameda County Fire Department
Fremont Fire Department
Oakland Fire Department
San Francisco Fire Department
Richmond Fire Department
Berkeley Fire Department
San Jose Fire Department
Los Angeles Fire Department
Contra Costa Fire Department
Colorado Springs Fire Department
Sacramento City Fire Department
Marin County Fire Department
Livermore/Pleasanton Fire Department
Lathrop Manteca Fire Department
Burbank Fire Department
Seattle Fire Department
Sonoma Valley Fire Department
UC Davis Fire Department
CAL Fire
Mountain View Fire Department