South Bay Fire Fighter 1 & 2 Academy Information

South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium is an Accredited Regional Training Program that operates the Fire Academy known as the South Bay Regional Fire Academy (SBRFA). South Bay and the SBRFA is an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) with State Fire Training (SFT). SBRFA utilizes the most current Fire Fighter Curriculums approved by SFT; the Fire Academy curriculum meets or exceeds the standards for certification by the State Fire Training, State Board of Fire Services, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

South Bay’s Director of Fire Academy Director with two former graduates of the South Bay Regional Fire Academy, now working for Oakland FD.

SBRFA is a structured “para military” setting with stringent uniform and grooming standards, demanding physical fitness expectations, high academic standards with a focus on professionalism that is expected by the fire service. The SBRFA format is intended to properly prepare our graduates for successful entry into a fire service career.

SBRFA offers our recruits the State Fire Training Fire Fighter Certification Testing based on the most current Fire Fighter 1 & 2 curriculums. The State Fire Training Fire Fighter 1 & 2 Curriculums and Certification Testing process are approved by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and ProBoard.

Fire Academy Estimated Costs & Expenses

Firefighter Employment

  • Any criminal conviction may inhibit your ability to secure gainful employment in the Fire Services

Fire Academy Training Locations 

South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium Gavilan College Campus

Bailey Ave., San Jose, CA 95141
Fire Academy Office – E119
Fire Academy Classroom – B113

Other South Bay Fire Academy partnering agency sites and training locations include:

  • Milpitas Fire Department
  • San Jose Fire Department
  • Palo Alto Fire Department
  • Hollister Fire Department
  • Spring Valley Metro Ed Campus – San Jose
  • Gavilan College Campus – Hollister
  • Other sites and partnering agencies as required

Fire Academy Hours

(Part-Time Program)

  • Dates: 09/30/2023 – 03/29/2024
  • Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • 0700-1800 each day

Fire Academy Prerequisites

1. Minimum age requirement: 18 years of age

2. Public Safety First Aid, AED, and CPR Certification (CA Health and Safety Code 1797.182)

*Training equivalent to the current American Heart Association’s guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care at the Healthcare Provider level or BLS level

3. South Bay Regional Fire Fighter Academy Preparation Class

*This is a required cohort class to attend the Fire Fighter Academy

Certificates Issued Upon Graduation

Certificates issued may vary based on the Fire Academy format, specifics on each of these will be provided during the Preparation Class, typically upon successful completion of the Fire Academy graduates receive the following:

South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium

  • Fire Fighter 1 Certificate of Completion (SFT 2019 FF1 Curriculum implementation January 2020)
  • Fire Fighter 2 Certificate of Completion (SFT 2019 FF1 Curriculum implementation January 2020)

California State Fire Training (SFT)

  • Fire Fighter 1 Certification (SFT 2019 FF1 Curriculum implementation January 2020)
  • Fire Fighter 2 Certification
  • Confined Space Rescue Awareness
  • Fire Fighter Survival
  • Common Passenger Vehicle
  • Fire Control 3 – Structural Fire Fighting
  • Fire Control 4A – Ignitable Liquids
  • Fire Control 6 – Wildland Fire Fighting Essentials
  • ICS 200 Basic Incident Command System
  • Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations

CAL FIRE & National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)

  • Fire Fighter 1C: Wildland
  • NWCG – L180 Human Factors in the wildland fire service
  • NWCG S-130 Basic Wildland Fire Orientation
  • S-110 Basic Wildland Fire Orientation
  • NWCG S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

California Specialized Training Institute/Cal OES

  • Haz Mat – First Responder Operations

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

  • FEMA IS-100B Introduction to Incident Command System
  • FEMA IS-200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
  • FEMA IS-700B NIMS, An Introduction National Incident Management System
  • FEMA IS-800B NIMS, National Response Plan

Note: Additional certification may be offered

Fire Fighter Certification Testing

South Bay Regional Fire Academy will conduct Fire Fighter Certification Testing during the course of the Fire Academy. Firefighter Certification Testing fees are included in the Estimated Costs & Expenses.

State Fire Training Fire Fighter Certification Testing will include:

  • Module 1 – Fire Fighter 1A Structure
  • Module 2 – Fire Fighter 1B: Hazardous Material/WMD
  • Module 3 – Fire Fighter 1C: Wildland
  • Module 4 – Fire Fighter 2A: Structure

Fire Fighter 1 & 2 Academy Guide to Registration

To register and attend the Fall 2023/2024 South Bay Regional Fire Fighter 1 & 2 Academy, follow the steps below:

Step 1:

CLICK HERE to be added to the South Bay Regional Fire Academy Open Enrollment Notification List for all future Fire Fighter Academy Courses, Registration Information, and to request to be added to the Information Meeting contact list.

Step 2:

Once you have been added to the South Bay Regional Fire Academy Open Enrollment Notification List, you will receive an RSVP email to attend an Information Meeting Session. An email to attend an Information Meeting Session to be released May 2023. The email will provide you with a link to reserve a seat in one of the scheduled meetings.  You will only be required to attend one meeting. The meeting will provide you an overview of all information needed to attend the Fire Fighter Academy Preparation Class, and successfully complete the South Bay Regional Fire Academy.

Step 3: 

Attend your scheduled Information Meeting Session.

Tuesday 05/09/2023
9:00 AM & 1:00 PM 

Thursday 05/11/2023
2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

Tuesday 06/06/2023
9:00 AM & 6:00 PM

Thursday 06/08/2023
2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

Saturday 07/08/2023
9:00 AM & 1:00 PM

Sunday 07/09/2023
9:00 AM & 1:00 PM

To attend the information meeting, students must reserve a seat in advance. Walk-ins will not be permitted.

Students are required to:

  1. Arrive on time, late arrivals will not be allowed to attend
  2. Dress appropriately, business casual or professional
  3. Provide a copy of your resume
  4. Bring valid identification or California’s Driver’s License
  5. Bring a pen and paper to take notes
  6. Cell phones or other electronic communication devices will not be permitted in the classroom during the session.

Step 4:

At the conclusion of the information meetings, the Fire Fighter Academy Preparation Class Pre-Registration Form Link, and the Fire Fighter Academy Preparation Class Registration Checklist will be emailed to students who attended an Information Meeting session. Students interested in attending the Fall 2023/2024 Fire Fighter 1 & 2 Academy will be required to attend and complete the Fire Fighter Academy Preparation Class.

Step 5:

Registration for the Fire Fighter Academy Preparation Class will open on Thursday, 07/13/2023 at 6:00 PM. The registration link will be emailed to the students who attended an information meeting. The class is limited to 30 seats and 5 stand-by spots with no waitlist. Enrollment fills up quickly, usually within 24-48 hours once registration opens. Entry will be based on first-come, first-serve.

Step 6:

Acceptance and stand-by emails for the Fire Fighter Academy Preparation Class will be emailed to the students on Tuesday, 07/18/2023 no later than the end of the business day. Upon acceptance into the Fire Fighter Academy Preparation Class, you will be required to pay the course fee of $125.00 to secure your reservation.

Step 7:

Attend and complete the Fire Fighter Academy Preparation Class.

Step 8:

On Monday, 08/21/2023 at 6:00pm, the Fire Fighter 1 & 2 Academy Pre-Registration Form Link for the Fall 2023/2024 Fire Fighter 1 & 2 Academy will be emailed to the students who have successfully completed all required prerequisites listed above.

The South Bay Fire Fighter 1 & 2 Academy is limited to 25 recruits and 5 standby spots with no waitlist. Enrollment fills up quickly, usually 24-48 hours once registration opens. Entry will be based on first-come, first-serve. 

Step 9:

Acceptance and stand-by notifications will be emailed to the students no later than Thursday, 08/24/2023 at 6:00pm, the end of business day. Upon acceptance into the Fire Fighter 1 & 2 academy, students will be required to pay the full tuition of $4,500.00 to secure your reservation. This fee does not include Uniform & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is required to attend the Academy. Instructions to purchase the required additional uniforms and equipment through the vendor will be provided to you in your acceptance email notification.

Residency, Financial Aid, or VA

If you would like additional information regarding Residency or Financial Aid, CLICK HERE.

Any students using VA Benefits will need to contact the Gavilan College Veteran Resource Center for additional information prior to registration.

Fire Academy Contact Info.

Fire Academy E-mail: fireacademy@theacademy.ca.gov