Bureau of Training

The City of North Bricksfield Fire Department Bureau of Training was established in 1943 when adaquate replacements were needed when firefighters went off to World War II. Since then, the department has continually operated the Academy on the outskirts of the city. Firefighters apply for the department and come to the academy to perform a physical. If they pass the physical, they often wait on a list for at least a year to be called to come in and take a test. If they score high enough on the test, they are accepted to the academy. If they do not score high enough on their first try, they are put back on the list. If they do not score high enough on the second try, they must re-take the physical before being returned to the list. The Training Academy is a 12 week long intensive training school where recruits are put through tough skills building exercises. They live in dorms at the academy and are only permitted to leave on Sundays. A minimum EMS certification of Certified First Responder (CFR) is required. If the recruit is not a CFR, they are required to stay on academy grounds to complete their 51 hour course on Sundays. Most of the recruits already have degrees in Fire Science but they still take classes on it. The focus of the academy is on fire suppression but some fire prevention is taught because firefighters often travel to local schools. After graduation from the academy, recruits are made probationary firefighters and assigned to an engine or ladder company. The top 10 graduates of the class are given their choice of company. The Fire Training Academy is also the auxilary station for the department. It houses the Reserve Engines and Ladders.