Recruit Firefighter Program Applications
Connecticut Fire Academy
Recruit Firefighter Program
Tentative Dates for Future Recruit Classes
Connecticut Fire Academy
Recruit Firefighter Program
Class 67
February 2, 2021 to May 26, 2021
The Recruit Firefighter Program is obligated to provide training to those applicants that have been hired by or are employed full time by the sponsoring Fire Department and the Fire Department has contacted the CFA.
Class 67 roster will be limited to 40 Recruits to meet the COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for Occupying the Connecticut Fire Academy.
Applications received from Self-Pay or candidates not employed by the sponsoring Fire Department will be accepted and placed on a waiting list until the final class size is determined.
Letter to Chief and Training Officers
Application Information
In order to thoroughly complete the application, the Fire Department should have available copies of the following for the Recruit to read and understand prior to attending the program:
A Fire Department Copy for the Recruit Applicant to Review
Recruit Firefighter Program Rules and Regulations
DESPP - Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action Policies
A Copy for each Recruit
Connecticut Firefighters Physical Fitness Preparation Guide
Acclimation to the Training EnvironmentThese PDF documents are set to be printed on both sides of the paper.
The Fire Department Registration is the only document required for the Fire Department to complete prior to February 25th for Class 67.
Section 1 – Fire Department Registration
This section will register the applicant with the CFA and provide the program with important FD information prior to the start of program.
STEP 1: Print Section 1 CHECKLIST - Fire Department Registration & Required Items
LINK to: FD Registration Checklist
STEP 2: Print Section 1, FIRE DEPARTMENT REGISTRATION
LINK to: Fire Department Registration Packet /Fillable
Section 1 – Fire Department Registration Packet should be received by CFA no later than Monday, February 25, 2021.
The signed originals will be collected from the Recruit during the scheduled Recruit Orientation.
Mandatory Recruit Firefighter Program Orientation Sessions
The Recruit Applicant will be assigned an Orientation Session after processing of the Fire Department Registration Packet
Session 1A – February 2, 2021 08:00 – 12:30
Session 2A – February 2, 2021 13:00 – 16:30
Session 3A – February 3, 2021 08:00 – 12:30
Session 4A – February 4, 2021 13:00 – 16:30
Mandatory Recruit Firefighter Program Physical Fitness Orientation Sessions
The Recruit Applicant will be assigned Physical Fitness Orientation Session after processing of the Fire Department Registration Packet
Session 1B – February 5, 2021 08:00 – 12:30
Session 2B – February 5, 2021 13:00 – 16:30
Session 3B – February 6, 2021 08:00 – 12:30
Session 4B – February 6, 2021 13:00 – 16:30
Recruit Firefighter Program Rules and Regulations and DESPP Policies
Attached are the 2019 Recruit Firefighter Program Rules and Regulations and DESPP Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action Policies as approved by the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
The Recruit Firefighter Program Rules and Regulations are to be read and understood by the Recruit prior to the start and retained by the department throughout the program.
LINK to: 2020 Recruit Firefighter Program Rules and Regulations
LINK to: DESPP Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action Policies
Your preparation both physically and academically should start the day you applied for your first Firefighter position.
Prepare yourself for the Academy NOW
Whether preparing for career as a firefighter or a Recruit Firefighter Program, the better your physical condition, the greater the chance your body can adapt to the rigorous training. It is imperative to be in the best shape possible. Candidates (or those who are pursuing a Firefighter Career or on FD hiring list) should refer to the Recruit Firefighter Program Readiness webpage for information.
Physical Fitness Preparedness
Of the four main areas of training and testing, Work Capacity in the environmental circumstances in which they will perform has the most potential to undermine a Recruit’s success.
Not being physically prepared for the rigors of the profession while acclimated to the environment always leads to poor academic performance (too tired to study), poor skill proficiency (too exhausted to concentrate and perform properly), and a poor attitude about the training program (too stressed to appreciate the importance of the program demands). These are minor in comparison however, to how a lack of physical work capacity and physical readiness can contribute to injury and death on the training or fire ground.
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.
LINK to: Connecticut Firefighters Physical Fitness Assessment and Preparation Guide
Please have your candidate complete the Self-Administered Physical Fitness Test and use the Preparation Guide to prepare for the first day of the program.
Acclimatization to the Training Environment
Fire Service Candidates (those on a Fire Department hiring list) need to seriously prepare and acclimatize themselves with the fire ground training weather environments found during those seasons. Fall Recruit Firefighter Programs typically begin in the late summer when heat and humidity can cause the heat index to reach extreme conditions. Spring Recruit Firefighter Programs typically begin mid-February when exposure to the cold and wind chill challenge firefighters abilities to stay warm and dry.
To perform firefighter training and work in the weather conditions at the start of a Recruit Class may require weeks of preparation depending on condition and acclimatization to the heat or cold of the recruit.
LINK to: Acclimatization to the Training Environment
For the safety of the Recruit, any potential or new hire should be provided a copy of this document 4-6 weeks in advance to the start of a class.
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.
LINK to: NFPA 1582 Medical Examination Guidance for Physician
LINK to: OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire
COME PREPARED
Your preparation both Physically and Academically should start the day you applied for your first Firefighter position.
Recruit Firefighter Program Readiness