Entry-Level Firefighter Training

Weekend Fire Academy

Complete the fire academy while continuing to work or attend school during the week. Online academics prepare students for 11 weekends (21 total days) of hands-on skills, live fire, and testing.

474 Total Hours 11 Weekends · 21 Days TCFP / IFSAC Pathway

Available Classes

Weekend Academy options

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Online Academics

Students will be assigned approximately 5–10 chapters to complete at home during the week. These assignments provide the knowledge needed to understand and safely apply the material during the corresponding hands-on skills weekend.

Academics are completed during the week.
Skills weekends apply the assigned online material.
Students must communicate early if they begin falling behind.

Three Separate Subject Exams

Students complete three separately tested subjects: HazMat (Awareness and Operations), Firefighter I, and Firefighter II. Exams are scheduled during assigned testing windows.

One subject is prepared for and tested at a time.
Separate testing supports focused review and exam readiness.
Testing structure supports a higher passing rate but does not guarantee a passing score.

Written and practical testing locations are provided in the official class schedule. Travel may be required to Texas State University and other assigned regional training or testing sites.

Academy training includes

PPE and SCBA

Inspection, donning, emergency procedures, air management, and confidence training.

Fire hose and fire streams

Deployment, advancement, nozzle control, water application, and coordinated movement.

Search and victim removal

Team search, orientation, communication, rescue, and firefighter survival.

Ground ladders

Selection, carries, raises, placement, climbing, and safe operations.

Forcible entry and ventilation

Tool use, access, ventilation methods, coordination, and fireground safety.

HazMat operations and decontamination

Recognition, defensive actions, emergency decon, product control, and PPE.

Vehicle extrication

Scene safety, stabilization, glass management, tool use, and victim access.

Live-fire training

Supervised attack, search, hose movement, communication, accountability, and teamwork.

Tuition

What the $4,000 tuition includes

Credit card convenience fees apply.

The academy price includes key training, equipment, and testing services required during the program.

Turnout gear rental

SCBA use during scheduled training

Applicable TCFP testing fees

Written testing and applicable proctoring during assigned testing windows

SAC proctoring fee when taken during the assigned testing period

Online course access

Hands-on skills and live-fire training

HazMat Awareness, HazMat Operations, Firefighter I, and Firefighter II

Tuition-waived remedial training may be available. Students who meet CTRTA qualification requirements may be eligible for tuition-waived remedial training. Testing fees, gear rental, deadlines, attendance requirements, and other conditions may still apply. Review current policies.

Flexible Payment Options

Pay in full or use a 0% APR payment plan

Students may pay the full course cost at once or divide the remaining tuition balance into monthly payments for up to four months. Credit-card convenience fees apply to card payments. All payment arrangements remain subject to the published registration deadline.

Pay in Full

Single Payment

$4,000 plus any card fee

Includes the $4,000 tuition plus any applicable non-refundable card convenience fee.

Two-Month Plan

$1,500 per month

Two equal tuition payments after the required deposit and applicable credit-card convenience fee have been paid.

Three-Month Plan

$1,000 per month

Three equal tuition payments after the required deposit and applicable credit-card convenience fee have been paid.

Four-Month Plan

$750 per month

Four equal tuition payments after the required deposit and applicable credit-card convenience fee have been paid.

Seven-day deposit deadline The $1,000 deposit and any applicable card convenience fee must be paid within seven calendar days from the date the invoice is issued. A seat is not secured until the required payment is received.

$250 course-transfer fee A $250 transfer fee applies to an approved transfer requested before the registration deadline. Students must pay any additional tuition difference when moving to a higher-cost course. Only one transfer is permitted. A second transfer request forfeits the student’s seat and all funds previously paid. No transfers are accepted after the registration deadline.

Some plans may not be available Payment-plan availability depends on the amount of time remaining before the published course registration deadline.

Paid in full by the registration deadline Selecting a payment plan does not extend the deadline. The entire tuition balance must be paid by the published registration deadline.

$150 per week late fee A late fee of $150 applies for each week tuition or required fees remain unpaid after the published registration deadline. All tuition, late fees, and other required charges must be paid in full by the start of the first day of class. Any student with an outstanding balance at that time will be dropped from the course without a refund of funds already paid.
Review the Full Reimbursement Policy

Admission Requirements

Be at least 18 years old by the first day of in-person skills.
Provide a valid government-issued photo ID.
Meet applicable TCFP eligibility and background requirements.
Complete enrollment, waivers, and financial requirements.
Be able to safely participate in physically demanding training.

Daily Expectations

Skills weekends generally run Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Arrive on time and prepared for the assigned training site.
Bring water, required clothing, identification, and student supplies.
Lunch is generally one hour; bring a bag lunch when practical.
Participate in equipment checks, accountability, cleanup, and dismissal activities.
Complete approximately 5–10 assigned chapters at home during the week to prepare for the corresponding hands-on skills weekend.
Attend assigned weekday written-testing appointments.

Appearance and Safety

Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear.
Facial hair must not interfere with the SCBA facepiece seal.
Jewelry and other items that create a safety hazard must be removed during training.
Follow all instructor, safety officer, PPE, rehab, and accountability instructions.
Professional conduct is required in person and online.

Medical preparation Fire Academy training is physically demanding. CTRTA strongly recommends that students who have not seen a primary care provider within the past year schedule a medical evaluation. Students with known high blood pressure, cardiac conditions, or other medical concerns should consult their provider and obtain required medical clearance before participating.

TCFP and IFSAC Pathway

CTRTA provides training designed to prepare students to sit for the applicable TCFP/IFSAC written and practical examinations. CTRTA is not responsible for determining or ensuring any student’s eligibility for TCFP certification. Each student must independently verify and satisfy all TCFP eligibility and certification requirements. Course completion does not guarantee exam eligibility, certification, or issuance of an IFSAC seal.

Complete the required training and practical skills.
Pass the applicable written and practical examinations.
Meet current TCFP prerequisites and application requirements.
Apply through FIDO for the applicable certification and available IFSAC seals.

Attendance and Academic Progress

All required online work, benchmarks, skills, and examinations must be completed.
Makeup training must be completed within the required course window.
Repeated unexcused absences, tardiness, unsafe conduct, or academic dishonesty may result in removal.
Students must communicate with CTRTA before missing required training or testing.

EMS and certification requirements
Texas firefighter certification includes additional state requirements, which may include approved EMS training. Students are responsible for satisfying current TCFP requirements and completing all certification applications within the required timeframes.
Review CTRTA Policies

Ready to begin the Weekend Fire Academy?

Review the class schedule, registration deadline, academic and skills requirements, travel expectations, payment terms, and current policies before submitting enrollment.

Course dates, locations, instructors, testing arrangements, and availability may change. Current CTRTA and TCFP requirements control. Review CTRTA Policies.

Required Grooming, Jewelry and Electronic-Device Standards

Students in courses involving live-fire training must remain clean-shaven for the entire course. No jewelry is allowed except a silicone ring: no watches or smartwatches, necklaces, chains, earrings or other piercings. AI-powered or recording smart glasses, wearable cameras, headphones, earphones, earbuds and Bluetooth listening devices are prohibited during training and testing. Unauthorized AI use and recording are prohibited. Instructors may authorize designated equipment for a specific activity. Violations may result in removal from training or course dismissal.

Read the full CTRTA policies