(792 clock hours) (27.72 occupational credits)
Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician - Combined is a two-part program with each part taking one semester. This combined program prepares the student for employment as a State of Florida certified Firefighter/EMT. This program is approved by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight and the Florida Department of Financial services, Bureau of Fire Standards and Training. The curriculum adheres to the latest Florida DOE curriculum frameworks based on the Curriculum National EMS Education Standards and Instructional Guidelines and Bureau of Fire Standards and Training official course curriculum. Upon completion, students are eligible to take the National Registry EMT certification exam and the State of Florida Firefighter-II certification exam.
The Firefighter/EMT-Combined course will start each spring, summer, and fall semester at the Olustee site, although the fire portion is not currently offered during the summer term.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will perform patient care procedures within their defined scope of practice during the clinical setting.
- Students will apply basic knowledge and demonstrate critical thinking skills in order to assess and treat a variety of medical and trauma injuries across the lifespan.
- Students will demonstrate professional behaviors in the classroom and clinical environments.
- Students will be able to summarize fire department policies, procedures, and organizational principles as they apply to the expectations of entry level fire department personnel.
- Students will be able to apply firefighter safety and health practices through the selection and application of equipment for given firefighting tasks.
- Students will be able to summarize physical and chemical changes that occur with fire, and understand the effects of fire on common building materials.
- Students will be able to identify and demonstrate knowledge of different sources of fire suppression, to include portable fire extinguisher systems, static water sources, and pump operated systems.
- Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of strategies related to building searches, ventilation, ladder deployment, and fire attack tactics.
- Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate through written reports, radio transmissions, and face to face interactions.
To be officially considered for this program a student must:
- Have a high school diploma or GED certificate,
- Be 18 years of age or older by the completion of the EMT portion of the program,
- Complete a physical examination, provide proof of immunization requirements and laboratory studies,
- Schedule an appointment to meet with EMS Program Coordinator by calling (386) 754-4292,
- Complete all required preparatory courses prior to acceptance into the program,
- Take the TABE entrance exam, and
- Pass the required drug screen and finger print based background check.
Meeting with the Program Coordinator provides an opportunity to answer questions and provide the student with a Program Application package. Please bring the following information to your appointment:
- Proof of Florida residency
- Copies of TABE test scores
- Proof of health insurance
- Valid driver’s license
Students entering the Firefighter/EMT Combined program (FFED) must take the Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) within six (6) weeks of entering the program or be exempt. Students must score a minimum of 10th grade levels in math (627), reading (597), and language (608) to complete the program. Students not meeting these levels must take remedial course work to achieve these levels on a retest.
A student who has previously tested and referred to developmental education may be reported as meeting basic skills requirements once they successfully complete the required developmental education and may not need to be retested.
The student should be post-tested to determine whether or not they meet the exit requirements before they take the related professional licensure examination or certification. (Rule 6A-10.040, F.A.C.)
Students will comply with background screening standards (FAC 69A-37.036) within clinical agencies for student training. In addition, students will be certified drug free by urinalysis and tobacco free by sworn affidavit (FAC 69A-37.062 (2) (a)).
*In order to meet clinical agency requirements where student training will take place, all students in the Public Service Training Center must now meet state and federal regulations as described by Florida Statutes S.400.211 and 401. An in-depth background screen is required. In addition, Firefighter/EMT students must establish that they are drug free by voluntarily submitting to drug screening analysis; tobacco free by sworn affidavit; and show proof of immunity of communicable diseases of childhood.
This is a limited access program. A student should not assume admission until officially notified, in writing, by the Program Coordinator.
Program Notes:
A student must:
Be responsible for providing his or her own transportation between the campus and the health agencies selected for the clinical experience, obtain liability insurance, which is available at registration through the College, at the student’s expense, and be 18 years or older in order to drive an ambulance in the state of Florida (F.S. 401.281).
Students are responsible for obtaining their own NFPA compliant turn out (bunker) gear.
The student must complete and pass a background investigation to include criminal history (FAC 69A-37.036) and drug urinalysis.
The student must satisfactorily pass the required entrance written examination.
The student must attend the mandatory orientation and satisfactorily pass the physical fitness entrance test.
The student must be certified by affidavit to be tobacco free (FAC 69A-37.062 (2) (a)).
The preferred order of courses is EMS 0110 , FFP 0030C , then FFP 0031C . Any students who have already completed FFP 0010C or FFP 0030C may enter the program but must complete EMS 0110 prior to entering FFP 0031C .
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