Welcome !

On behalf of Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services, welcome to our Training Academy’s website to find out more information about Firefighter Education and instruction.

Our Firefighter education and training programs are designed to provide an economical, long-standing learning opportunity for students with an interest in becoming certified professionals within our industry. CCFES’s Training Academy programs will enable students to obtain the knowledge, skills, and a proper attitude necessary to succeed in the field of fire suppression. Many of our programs are created to support agency specific training needs across the profession. Academy staff are here to provide opportunities and student-focused learning activities that encourage and stimulate innovation, competency and increase success when taking certification exams.

The entire Training Academy staff wishes you success as a student with our agency, as well as in your career as a future public safety professional.

Sincerely,

Clayton County Training Academy Staff

GENERAL INFORMATION

Clayton County Fire & Emergency Service’s (CCFES) Training Academy operates under the direction of Deputy Chief Rich Elliott.  If you cannot find what you are looking for on this site, you can submit a question related to the training academy under the ‘Submit a Question’ link on the right side of this page.

The Clayton County Public Safety Training Academy provides entry-level initial education, continuing education, and refresher courses for all CCFES employees. We also provide training to other members of the public safety community including other fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency management offices from around the State of Georgia. The primary office for the Training Academy is located at 7810 Highway 85, Riverdale, Georgia 30274. A list of courses and a training calendar for our events can be located on our online academy. 

INITIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM OFFERED TO CITIZENS

We offer some of our initial education courses to members of the public who meet our prerequisites and are willing to pay tuition for these programs.

Program Description – Firefighter Recruit Training Program

This program is an initial education program that will provide a student, with no prior firefighter training, the ability to acquire State of Georgia Firefighter certification. It will also allow the student the opportunity to achieve national recognition and hold NPQ certifications in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, HazMat Awareness and HazMat Operations.

CCFES’s Firefighter Recruit Training Program is a 14-week course that follows the standards established in NFPA 1001 and NFPA 472 as revised, as well as other departmental and State rules, regulations, and policies. This is one of the toughest courses offered through our academy that will test students’ mental, physical, and intellectual limits. This course is only offered from 0800-1700, Monday through Friday, on site (in person) at the department’s training academy campus.

During this course, students can expect a boot-camp styled format with rigid rules and expectations, daily physical fitness training, multiple quizzes and exams (both written and hands-on skills) each week with attendance and a minimum GPA requirement to remain in the program. Students will experience and must show competence in industry-specific tasks and drills throughout the program to continue, and ultimately graduate. All program requirements must be met for students to be allowed to sit for State of Georgia and national recognition exams and certifications.

Upcoming Dates Offered:

• 11/11/2024 – 3/14/2025
• 3/31/2025 – 7/18/2025

Prerequisites and Requirements:

CCFES will allow members of the public, space permitting in department sponsored programs. Each member of the public must be at least 18 years of age, submit the following documents and adhere to the follow requirements:

• Copy of valid Georgia driver’s license and MVR or Georgia Driving History Report created within three months of submission.
• Copy of high-school diploma (from accredited institution), a state issued general education development equivalency (GED), a Home School Affidavit, or transcribed foreign transcripts stating the student has met minimum High School graduation requirement for the United States of America. To be certified as a firefighter in the State of Georgia, this requirement must meet and be approved by the Georgia Firefighters Standard & Training Council.
• The applicant must complete a background report with Advantage Student (https://infomart-usa.com/advantagestudents/). Students convicted of a felony in the past ten years (except provided in O.C.G.A. 25-4-8) will not be admitted into our program. Depending on the severity, frequency, and status of non-felony charges, admission into our program may be restricted. This report must be current (created within three months of application).
• Copy of a physical stating good condition as determined by a medical examination from a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner. Each student will complete CCFES’s minimum physical agility requirements (The Firefighter Combat Challenge Course) within the first week of the program. Failure to complete this requirement may result in the student being dismissed from the program, at the discretion of the Deputy Chief, Chief Training Officer.
• Results from a ten-panel drug screen with Advantage Student (https://infomart-usa.com/advantagestudents/). Students can be asked to complete this test at any time throughout the course at their expense. Positive results will result in dismissal from the program.
• Insurance certificate/card showing that the potential student has current health insurance in place throughout the length of the program.

After the above prerequisites and requirements are met and submitted to the academy, the proposed student will be assigned a date/time to come in and meet with staff to complete the following:

• Signature on appropriate forms including the student information sheet, course rules, course completion requirements, liability release, code of ethics, consent to disclose, uniform and textbook requirements, and additional fee(s) acknowledgement form.
• Payment of tuition. CCFES has payment plans available for students, when requested. Those students who choose to make installment payments throughout the program rather than all-at-once must sign an agreement form. Missing tuition payment may result in the student being dismissed from the program. All fees are non-refundable.

Program Tuition / Cost:

All employees of CCFES will receive their initial firefighter training program at no cost. Anyone interested in pursuing employment with our agency can click here.

CCFES will admit personnel from other public safety agencies, space permitting. Tuition discounts are available at the discretion of the Fire Chief. Anyone employed with another public safety agency should have their department contact our Training Academy directly for additional information.

CCFES will allow members of the public, space permitting. The regular tuition rates for our Firefighter Recruit Training Program is $1,500.