Firefighting 2+2 Options
There’s a science to fighting and preventing fires.
In this program, you’ll study that as you learn about fire safety and hazards and the behavior, combustion, suppression, and cause of fire and its related emergencies. The Firefighter program combines fire service and general education courses including specialized technical rescue, victim extraction, basic first aid and CPR, and vehicle experiences focused on the practices and techniques of firefighting in accordance with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Medical Services, Office of Fire Services’ requirements.
The Firefighter program combines fire service and general education courses including initial firefighter certification, fire science core classes, various elective awareness and rescue courses, and vehicle training, and you’ll experience live fire training. Once you successfully complete the initial courses, you’ll be eligible for State of Ohio certification testing, as stipulated by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services, Office of Fire Services. Each initial stand-alone training course leads to Ohio certification.
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What you’ll learn
- Learn to understand, apply, and evaluate information relative to performing the duties of a firefighter.
- Acquire proficiency with all technical skills related to the practices and techniques of firefighting.
- Demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviors consistent with the expectations of area employers and the local fire services community.
Possible careers
- Entry-level fire service position
- Volunteer firefighter positions
- Required state certifications to apply for paid position at a fire department
Initial training courses for certification
The Ohio OVFF course is an entry-level/awareness course focused on fireground safety and support. The course combines specialized subject matter, classroom lecture, and hands-on, practical material covering the basics of firefighting as defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Coursework covers 36 hours of training in fire department organization, personal protective equipment/SCBA, forcible entry, scene control, ladders, fire hose and appliances, and more. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing.
Entrance requirements
- College or work force application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend firefighter orientation/interest meeting or meet with program coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
Completion requirements
- Complete 36 hours of curriculum instruction
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Volunteer Firefighter Course Objectives’
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam)
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services
This course is designed to take the Ohio volunteer firefighter through the Ohio Firefighter I curriculum as defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Coursework combines specialized classroom material, practical instruction, and learning experiences regarding firefighting practices and techniques. Topics include fire department organization and safety, fire alarms and communication, portable extinguishers, ropes, salvage, overhaul, victim extrication, live fire training, and others from NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter 1. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing. Students who meet Pro-Board eligibility requirements can apply.
Entrance requirements
- College application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend Firefighter Orientation/Interest Meeting or meet with program coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
- Submit copy of Ohio Volunteer Firefighter certification (not verification printout)
- Complete training that meets NFPA 1001, CH 4.3 performance capabilities for emergency medical care:
- Completion of an approved Emergency Medical for Firefighters course (8-hour minimum) or
- Copies of Ohio EMS certification
- Complete an approved 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operators course within 12 months of course start date (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved 24-hour Hazardous Materials Operations course (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Submit a completed Belmont College NFPA 1582 physical form
- Complete a criminal background check
Completion requirements
- Complete at least 124 hours of training including:
- minimum 96 hours of firefighter training
- minimum 24 hours Hazardous Materials Operations
- minimum 4 hours Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score of at least 73%
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Firefighter I Course Objectives’
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam)
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services
The Firefighter I course combines specialized classroom material, practical instruction, and learning experiences regarding firefighting practices and techniques outlined by the Ohio Firefighter I curriculum and defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Topics include fire department organization and safety, fire alarms and communication, portable extinguishers, ropes, salvage, overhaul, victim extrication, live fire training, and others from NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter 1. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing. Students who meet Pro-Board eligibility requirements can apply.
Entrance requirements
- College application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend Firefighter Orientation/Interest Meeting or meets with Program Coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
- Complete training that meets NFPA 1001, CH 4.3 performance capabilities for emergency medical care:
- Completion of an approved Emergency Medical for Firefighters course (8-hour minimum) or
- Copies of Ohio EMS certification
- Submit a completed Belmont College NFPA 1582 physical form
- Complete a criminal background check
Completion requirements
- Complete at least 160 hours of training including:
- minimum 132 hours of firefighter training
- minimum 24 hours Hazardous Materials Operations
- minimum 4 hours Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course
- Complete an approved 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operators course within 12 months of course start date (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score of at least 73%
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Firefighter I Course Objectives’
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam)
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services
The Firefighter II Transition course is designed to take the Firefighter I through the Ohio Firefighter II curriculum as defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Coursework combines specialized classroom material, practical instruction, and learning experiences regarding firefighting practices and techniques. Topics include fire department reports and communications, liquid and flammable gas fires, victim extrication, fire cause, assisting rescue operations teams, live fire training, and others from NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing. Students who meet Pro-Board eligibility requirements can apply.
Entrance requirements
- College application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend Firefighter Orientation/Interest Meeting or meets with Program Coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
- Submit copy of Ohio Firefighter I certification (not verification printout)
- Complete training that meets NFPA 1001, CH 4.3 performance capabilities for emergency medical care:
- Completion of an approved Emergency Medical for Firefighters course (8-hour minimum) or
- Copies of Ohio EMS certification
- Complete an approved 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operators course within 12 months of the course start date (May be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved 24-hour Hazardous Materials Operations course (may be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Complete an approved Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course
- Submit a completed Belmont College NFPA 1582 Physical Form
- Complete a criminal background check
Completion requirements
- Complete at least 84 hours of firefighter training
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score of at least 73%
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Firefighter I Course Objectives’
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services
Firefighter I and II combines specialized classroom material, practical instruction, and learning experiences concerned with the practices and techniques of firefighting outlined by the Ohio Firefighter I and II curriculums and defined by the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services and the Ohio revised Code. Topics include fire department organization and safety, fire alarms and communication, portable extinguishers, ropes, salvage, overhaul, department reports and communications, liquid and flammable gas fires, victim extrication, fire cause, assisting rescue operations teams, victim extrication, live fire training, and others taken from NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter 1 & 2. Successful students are eligible for state certification testing. Students who meet Pro-Board eligibility requirements can apply.
Entrance requirements
- College Application
- 18 years of age
- High school transcripts
- Entrance criteria/exam demonstrating cognitive proficiency
- Copy of driver’s license
- Attend Firefighter Orientation/Interest Meeting or meets with Program Coordinators
- Submit and sign all program waivers
- Complete training that meets NFPA 1001, CH 4.3 performance capabilities for emergency medical care:
- Completion of an approved Emergency Medical for Firefighters course (8-hour minimum) or
- Copies of Ohio EMS certification
- Submit a completed Belmont College NFPA 1582 physical form
- Complete a criminal background check
Completion requirements
- Complete at least 244 hours of training to include:
- minimum 216 hours of firefighter training
- minimum 24 hours Hazardous Materials Operations
- minimum 4 hours Courage to be Safe: Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives course
- Complete an approved 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operators course within 12 months of the course start date (May be completed during the course but prior to certification)
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 100
- Submit copies of National Incident Management System, IS 700
- Complete course assignments and receive a passing score of at least 73%
- Meet 100% of course attendance/make-up criteria
- Pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%
- Complete and submit the ‘Firefighter I & II Course Objectives’
Certification requirements
- Pass the practical skills examination within 180 days of course completion
- Pass the written certification (knowledge) examination (score of at least 70%) within 180 days of course completion
- Submit a completed application within 90 days of passing the knowledge exam (generally, this is an electronic process that occurs at the end of the written exam)
- Meet criteria for certification as specified by the Ohio Division of EMS, Office of Fire Services