Recruit Firefighter Program Applications
Connecticut Fire Academy
Recruit Firefighter Program
Tentative Dates for Future Recruit Classes
Recruit Class 67
Spring 2021: February 16th – May 26th 2021
Applicant for Class 67 requires a CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) card issued no earlier than February 16, 2019.
Start date may be adjusted to meet State COVID restrictions.
Recruit Class 68
Fall 2021: August 30th – December 9th, 2021
Applicant for Class 68 requires a CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) card issued no earlier than August 30, 2019.
Application documents to the Recruit Firefighter Program will be available on this web-page 30 days prior to the start of the program.
During the Pandemic, Class sizes WILL BE LIMITED to and preference given to applicants that have been hired or is employed by the sponsoring Fire Department.
CFA COVID residency restricts the class size to 40 Recruits.
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