Firefighter Academy

• Proof of age 18 by the first day of class (no exceptions)
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED
• The student must be eligible to enroll in ENG 1021 or provide proof of completion of ENG 1021, or its equivalent, with a grade of C or higher
  • English self-guided assessment or take the Accuplacer Test
• Set up a meeting with Advising

The fire academy consists of FST 1000, FST 1001, FST 1007, and FST 2053. Remember to sign up and register for all four. Classes run
concurrently, and students will meet and attend these classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Registration for the Spring 2026 Semester will start on Monday, October 27, 2025. Students with all the required pre-requisites are admitted to the program on a first-come, first-served basis. The two courses are co-requisites and prospective students need to talk with an RRCC Pathway Advisor for admittance into the program. .

Please complete the steps shown below.

• After completing the steps to becoming a RRCC student, meeting with a RRCC advisor is mandatory. Meetings with the department chair are also encouraged.
• Ensure eligibility to enroll in ENG 1021 either through placement exam scores or prior coursework, or show proof of prior completion of ENG 1021, or its equivalent, with a C or better.
  • English self-guided assessment or take the Accuplacer Test
• Obtain a copy of your high school diploma or GED.
• Obtain proof of age 18 by the first day of class (no exceptions).
• Once the above documents/processes have been completed, meet with the advisor for a second time if needed.

The following information shall be required in order to attend the fire academy.  All forms are due on your first day at the academy.  If you are missing any of these documents, you will not be able to participate in the academy.  Each nonparticipation day will result in an F being issued.  If you run into any issues obtaining the documents, contact the Fire Science Department immediately and they will assist you.    

• Proof of completion of a background check through CastleBranch.   
• A completed medical release form, signed by a health care provider, documenting that you do not have any condition that would endanger your health during your education.   
• The medical release form can be completed by the student’s primary care physician, or at the Red Rocks student health clinic.  

After you have registered for the academy, you will receive an email outlining your next steps and specific instructions for completing the mandatory physical, background check, and Incident Command training.

• The mandatory orientation for the Fall 2026 Academy will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 5:00pm in the Community Room (Room 1280) on the Red Rocks Community College Lakewood Campus.
• Please arrive no later than 4:45 pm to check in
• After this date we will no longer register students for this semester’s academy except under certain circumstances approved by the
  Department Chair. We reserve the to adjust this orientation time, location, presentation, and attendance requirements due to circumstances that might arise beyond our control.
• All requirements, rules, and expectations by the school or partner agencies, including academy drill grounds and or classrooms, must be adhered to.
• The Fire Academy training is academically, physically, and mentally rigorous and exacting; students are strongly encouraged to bring at least one parent, spouse or significant other to this meeting so that they too may understand what will be asked of each Fire Academy student.
• At the orientation, the Red Rocks Fire Academy Instructor Cadre will explain the guidelines, procedures, and policies required to successfully complete the Academy and pass the State Written and Practical Exams. You will be sized for your personal equipment (PPE).   

• The Academy is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays beginning at 0730 to 1700 hours. The first day of training is Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and the last day of training is Thursday, December 10, 2026.  
• A class schedule will be provided at the beginning of the class. We reserve the right to adjust the topics of each class session as needed.
• Students can expect approximately two (2) hours of homework/study time for each hour of time spent in class or on drill ground. This equates to an additional 16+ hours per week outside of the classroom or drill ground.

The following text and workbooks are required for all fire academy students:

• IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting, 8th edition

It is also highly encouraged that all students download the following Apps:

• App - Essentials of Fire Fighting 8 | IFSTA

A Graduation Ceremony will be held in the RRCC Community Room, to be scheduled after the end of the semester. Dates will be announced during the academy.

You may be eligible for tuition assistance through the College Opportunity Fund (COF) and the Chief George Goldbach Scholarship Fund.    

To see if you qualify, follow these steps: 

• Complete the FAFSA financial aid application (ASSET/DACA recipients, complete the CASFA).  Contact Financial Aid if you would like help with this step.
• Apply for and authorize the College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend. (Colorado residents only).
• Have a complete financial aid file.
• Be classified as a Colorado resident for tuition purposes.
• Declare an eligible certificate listed here.
• If you need to update your program of study, you can click here to learn how.
• If you already have a certificate or degree declared but want to add one of the eligible certificates as a second priority, email Student.Records@rrcc.edu from your student email account to request the change.
• Please reach out to the Financial Aid office if you have any questions.
• Contact the Red Rocks Foundation for-scholarship opportunities, e.g., Chief George Goldbach Memorial Scholarship and the Cody and Shelby Allen Endowed Memorial Scholarship. 

• Please see the tuition rates webpage for current tuition rates.
• All tuition and costs listed are approximate and subject to change.
• Financial aid may be available, please contact RRCC Financial Aid directly with questions regarding financial aid.
• Required textbooks and workbooks (approximately $300).
• Information for additional items that will be required for the academy, e.g., uniform pants, boots, etc., will be provided via email, and also at the academy orientation session.  

The program demands a high level of academic performance, both within the classroom as well as with homework assignments. This requires that the student attend all class sessions as well as adequately prepare for and follow through with the self-study workload outside of class. Students can expect approximately two (2) hours of homework/study time for each hour of time spent in class or on drill ground. This equates to an additional 16+ hours per week outside of the classroom or drill ground.

The following text and workbooks are required for all fire academy students:

• IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting, 8th edition

It is also highly encouraged that all students download the following Apps:

• App - Essentials of Fire Fighting 8 | IFSTA

In 2012, with the approval of Amendment 64, the use of recreational marijuana became legal in Colorado for those 21 years of age and older. In 2015 in the case of Coats vs. Dish Network, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that employers do have the right to refuse employment, or terminate employment, for the use of marijuana (recreational or medical), even in situations where that use was when the employee was not on paid time. Currently most public safety agencies and healthcare agencies continue to prohibit the use of marijuana in their substance abuse policies and employment policies, which includes students who are completing rotations as part of their educational program.

Bring the following information to the first day of class:

• Required Documentation
• Required textbooks obtained from the RRCC bookstore
• It is suggested all reading material be purchased once accepted into the program and not wait until after orientation night.
• Lunch and snacks as needed for personal consumption
• No refrigeration is provided on site or is limited.  

The following criminal offenses appearing on a criminal background check will disqualify an applicant for admission to CCCS Nursing, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire Science, and Allied Health Programs. 

• Any misdemeanor theft crimes in the 5 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Crimes of violence (assault, sexual offenses, arson, kidnapping, any crime against an at-risk adult or juvenile, etc.) as defined in section 18-1.3-406 C.R.S. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any offense involving unlawful sexual behavior in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any crime, the underlying basis of which has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 C.R.S. in 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any crime of elder or child abuse, as defined in section 18-6-401 C.R.S. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any crime related to the sale, possession, distribution or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Any felony theft crimes in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any offense of sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist, as defined in section 18-3-405.5 C.R.S. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• Crimes of moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc.) in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
• More than one (1) D.U.I. in the 7 years immediately preceding the submittal of application.
  • Any felony homicide conviction (no time limit).
• Registered Sex Offenders (no time limit).
  • Listed on the U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or Specially Designated Nationals (SDN).
• Listed on Health and Human Services/Office of Inspector General List of Excluded Individuals/Entities or the GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs.
• Any offense in another state, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the above offenses.
• If the investigation reveals information that could be relevant to the application, the designated individual responsible for background checks may request additional information from the applicant. The offense shall be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• Students who have successfully completed the terms of a deferred adjudication agreement will not be disqualified.
• If any applicant feels the criminal background check is inaccurate, they may appeal the decision and request a review with the specific community college applied at. It is the applicant’s burden to produce substantial evidence that proves the crimes charged are incorrect.