Fire Recruit Academy
Our Fire Recruit Academy is a 20-week program that involves both EMS and Fire-Rescue
curriculums. Certifications received during this process include: CPR, EMT, Firefighter
1 and 2, EVOC, Hazardous Materials Operations, as well as NIMS IS100 and IS700.
During the Academy, recruits participate in daily physical training that prepares
them for a final physical ability evaluation administered at the end of the program.
In addition to the evaluation of the obvious knowledge, skills and abilities associated
with fire and EMS disciplines, recruits are also evaluated on teamwork, attitude,
and work ethic.
Daily Company Training
Daily Company Training is designed to continually increase the proficiency of
our uniformed staff in the daily tasks that we are assigned. Every day, with the
exception of Holidays and Sundays, the company officer is required to conduct a
daily training activity. The contents of which, are provided by the Fire Training
Academy. Each day of the cycle falls into a broad category of training topics as
follows: Tuesday:Truck Company Operations, Thursday:EMS, Saturday:Rapid Intervention
/ Firefighter Survival, Monday:Safety, Friday:Engine Company Operations. The format
of the training will be either discussion, hands on training, or district familiarization.
The daily drills are intended to last between thirty and sixty minutes.
Company Training at the Academy
Personnel of fire companies are scheduled for several days of training at the
academy each year. This training includes EMT recertifications, fire extinguishment,
rappelling, ground ladders, hose lays, SCBA, search and rescue, defensive driving,
hydraulics, hazardous materials, and various special programs such as Mayday and
High Rise Operations.
Fire Officers Academy
The Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services' Fire Officer's Academy
is a multifaceted two week training program designed for newly promoted Fire Officers.
The students are instructed by presenters from the public and private sectors including
university professors, subject matter experts, city administrators, and department
leaders. The course instructors, in addition to lecture material, often include
interactive elements to their presentations. The current program will cover hard
and soft human resource skills, core survival skills, learning the organization,
safety / EMS issues, and tactical / strategic concerns. Each student receives a
course manual, which by the end of the course, will have an abundance of hand outs,
notes, and reference material which will aid the newly promoted officer. The students
will also have a group project to complete at the end of the course.
Public Safety Program at Franklin Military Academy
Franklin Military Academy with the assistance of the Richmond Department of Fire
and Emergency Services is provides "Cadets" in the Public Safety Program with the
opportunities to receive fire related instruction from certified fire personnel
and to be exposed to the challenges and personal rewards of a career in the fire
service. Franklin Military Academy is an Alternative High School located at 701
North 37th Street in Richmond, Virginia, which when opened in August of 1980, was
the first public military academy in the nation. In September of 2004, Franklin
Military Academy decided to offer a Public Safety Program that included police and
fire courses.
Apparatus Testing
The academy conducts an annual ISO mandated test for all pumpers.
Accountability Tags
The academy takes photographs and provides two tags to all members of the department.
The tags have bar codes that provide individual personnel information.
Training Manuals
The fire department maintains a library of various training manuals in all fire
stations. The academy keeps the libraries current and writes the necessary supplements
to manuals. An extensive library of fire service reference manuals and books is
maintained at the academy.
Video Library
The academy purchases and maintains a library consisting of DVD's and power point
presentations on topics related to the fire service for the purpose of enhancing
training programs. The necessary audio/video equipment is also purchased and maintained
by the academy.
Testing and Evaluation of New Equiptment
The department is very interested in new technology and welcomes the opportunity
to test and evaluate new equipment that may benefit our operations. The Chief relies
extensively upon the academy's opinions and findings of facts.
Outside Training
Within reason, when private industry and private organizations, within the City,
and other fire service groups make requests for assistance and use of the academy,
the department makes every attempt to respond to their needs. Regional cooperation
has become the standard.
