St. Louis County Fire Academy
Recruit-Training Program
1266 Sutter Avenue * Wellston, MO 63133
General Information
The St. Louis County Fire Academy recruit-training program is an 11-week program which is held Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Tuition is currently $3,400.00 (subject to change). The full tuition amount is due two weeks prior to the start of a recruit class and can be paid by money
order, cashiers check, or cash. Credit cards and personal checks are not accepted.
For admission information and/or to request an INFORMATION PACKET, call Diane Snopek (St. Louis County Fire Standards Commission) at 314-889-8690.
The St. Louis County Fire Standards Commission maintains the waiting list, determines when applications will be released, and sets the minimum standards. When requesting an information packet (through the INFORMATION PACKET link), please include your name and address in the email.
The St. Louis County Fire Academy is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational corporation, which contracts with the St. Louis County Fire Standards Commission to provide firefighter training for St. Louis County. The training program is required by Charter for all firefighters employed by departments and districts in St. Louis County.
Our Board of Directors is composed of representatives from the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association, the GSLAFCA-Training Coordinates Association, the St. Louis Area Firefighter's Metro Council, the Independent Firefighters of St. Louis County, and IAFF Local 2665. The Fire Academy currently conducts three recruit classes per year, graduating on the average 72 recruits per year. The training
curriculum at the Fire Academy has been developed over many years to be responsive to the needs of the firefighters, the fire services, and the citizens of St. Louis County. The training will
meet and significantly exceed minimum requirements established by the National Fire Protection Association.
Our staff of lead and assistant instructors will conduct your classes. They include line firefighters and fire officers at all levels in the fire service. The Fire Academy
also utilizes the services of civilian instructors to provide training in select skill areas.
Effective September 12, 2005, State (Missouri Division of Fire Safety) Firefighter I and II and Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certification
is now required for successful completion of the "St. Louis County Fire Standards Commission Basic Firefighter Training Program". This includes the
written and practical exams for Firefighter I and II and Awareness and Operations. These tests are in addition to the St. Louis County Fire Academy's
written and practical exams.
In view of the fact that the majority of the departments and districts in St. Louis County require that their employees have their E.M.T.
(Emergency Medical Technician) and/or Paramedic license, you may wish to contact the St. Louis Community College at 314-644-9925 for information
regarding this training. This training may also be obtained through local hospitals.
The following items are not included in the tuition and must be provided by the recruit:
You must furnish turnout gear that meets NFPA standards. Employed firefighter recruits should check with their training officer to
confirm compliance and proper labeling of issued gear. Recruits attending as a private student may furnish new or used equipment as
long as it is fully servicable and in compliance
with applicable NFPA standards.
A black leather belt with a silver metal buckle (available at Leon Uniform Supply Co. - item #6505-1).
Black dress/uniform oxford shoes (available at Leon Uniform Supply Co. - men's item #932, women's item #752).
White cotton crew neck t-shirts.
Black socks.
25 foot (minimum) of 1/2" Kern Mantle static rope (available through the Fire Academy).
Fire Academy Personnel/Hours
The Fire Academy staff consists of the Board of Directors:
Chief Joe Bommarito, Riverview FPD
Chief Bill Fox, Shrewsbury FD
Chief Mike Marlo, West Overland EMS & FPD
Deputy Chief Mike Flavin, Spanish Lake FPD
Captain Phil Lopez, Clayton FD
Captain Rob Odenwald, Fenton FPD
Dave Schmalzer, Chief Instructor: 314-889-8676
Betty Stoecklin, Administrative Assistant: 314-889-8670
(Hours: June 15-August 24: Monday - Thursday: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm)
(Hours: after August 27: Monday - Thursday: 7:00 am - 4:00, Friday: 7:00 am - 11:00 am)
Deputy Chief Instructors:
Captain John Oddie
Captain Dean Everett
Captain Tim Buehne
More than thirty career firefighters also make up the team of teaching staff.
The Fire Academy office is closed for the following holidays: New Year's day, Martin Luther King, Jr. day, President's day, Memorial day, Independence day,
Labor day, Veteran's day, Thanksgiving day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas day.
Physical Agility Test
An applicant must participate in the Physical Agility Test prior to admittance to a Fire Academy class. This is an entrance requirement. The test is usually administered approximately one month prior to the beginning of an Academy class.
The Physical Agility Test is designed to test a person's endurance and ability to perform basic strenuous tasks that professional firefighters must perform. The test is comprised of six (6) tasks, which are simulations of actual tasks performed on the job. These six (6) tasks must be performed within seven (7) minutes or less.
Applicants will perform the tasks wearing a firefighters helmet, turnout coat, gloves, and self-contained
breathing apparatus. The total weight of the protective gear is approximately 45 pounds.
The following six (6) events comprise the Physical Agility test:
1. Hose Pull: Applicants must proceed forward with 200 feet of dry 1-3/4" fire hose and nozzel until the entire 200 feet of hose is
stretched out. This is completed as quickly as possible without stopping.
2. Ventilation Exercise/Kaiser Sled: While standing on ground level, the application must complete acceptable impacts with a nine (9)
pound soft impact sledgehammer to move the ram 5 feet in each direction on the Kaiser Sled.
3. High Rise: Applicants will carry two (2) high rise packs of 1-1/2" fire hose for a distance of approximately 70 feet;
ascent and descend two (2) flights of stairs.
4. Ladder Handling: Applicant must remove 16 foot ladder from a rack, carry it ten (10) feet and replace it on its original
position on an identical rack.
5. Attic Crawl: Applicants must proceed on hands and knees on rafters, which are 24 inches apart, through a ground level
attic prop.
6. Bag Drag: Applicants must, while walking backwards, drag a 140 pound sandbag 120 feet to the finish line.
This is a very strenous performance test which requires, among other
things, running; crawling; climbing stairs; and pulling heavy dead-weight objects.
Firefighting involves extremely hard and skilled physical work. The physical and mental demands of firefighting are sometimes underestimated. Because of this,
many applicants are overwhelmed by the Physical Agility Test. Demanding physical standards are absolutely necessary because firefighting requires a high level of
physical fitness and mental alertness.
Though participation in the physical agility test is an entrance requirement for the Fire Academy, failure to pass this pre-admission test will not prohibit an applicant from attending the Academy. This test is given to inform each application and their employers, if any, of the applicant's general physical strength and agility and should be considered by applicants and their employers, if any, in deciding whether the applicant is or can become, in the next 11 weeks, physically capable of performing as a professional firefighter. If after taking the physical fitness pre-test any applicant wishes to withdraw or postpone entry into the Fire Academy class, their request will be honored.
You will receive an Information Booklet on the Physical Agility Test from the Fire Standards Commission (Diane Snopek) when you request an Information Packet, which will explain the physical agility test in more detail .
Curriculum
Below is a list of classes covered during the 11-week training program:
Orientation (8 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to describe basic fire department organizational structure and operating procedures and distinguish among the duties and functions of fire department personnel.
Firefighter Safety (13 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to follow basic fire station, apparatus, and tool safety procedures and guidelines.
Fire Behavior (6.5 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to predict probable fire behaviors and know the actions necessary to change or prevent these behaviors.
Building Construction (6.5 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to identify structural characteristics of building construction types and recognize signs and causes of potential building collapse.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) (19 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to recognize toxic atmospheres, don and doff protection clothing, use a PASS device, and safely use, clean, refill, inspect, and store SCBA.
Arson Detection (6.5 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to identify his or her responsibilities in fire cause determination and protect evidence of fire cause and origin.
Ropes & Knots (6.5 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to identify and properly knot, use, and maintain various types of ropes used in the fire service.
Fire Apparatus (4 hours):
Covers operating, positioning, types, construction, and use of fire apparatus for firefighting and water supplies.
Fire Hose (9.5 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to identify and use hose couplings, tools, and appliances and will be able to load and roll hose. The student will also be able to make hydrant connections from various lays, and will be able to carry, drag, advance, and handle both charged and uncharged hoselines.
Auto Extrication (16 hours):
This class deals with subject matter of light rescue using hand-operated hydraulic tools and hands-on using heavy power tools. Junk cars are used for training.
AmerenUE (4 hours):
Covers electrical hazards associated with dealing with high voltage wires and how to deal with emergency situations associated with the first responder. This class is instructed by AmerenUE.
Water Supplies (3 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to describe the fundamentals of a water supply system, measure hydrant flow pressure, and connect a fire department pumper to various water sources.
Fire Streams (15 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to explain water and foam fire streams. The student will also be able to identify and operate a given selection of nozzles and tips, and assemble and operate a foam fire stream system.
Forcible Entry (6.5 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to identify and know appropriate applications and maintenance procedures for forcible entry tools.
Loss Control (6.5 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to safely and efficiently perform salvage and overhaul at a fire scene while protecting evidence for fire cause.
Ladders (20 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to identify, carry, raise, climb, inspect, and maintain fire service ground ladders.
Ground Cover Fires (4 hours):
Class matter deals with wildland firefighting. Goes into depth on firefighting, topography, weather, size-up, and tactics and strategy to protect wildland areas.
Fire Control (4 hours):
After completing this class, the student will be able to operate as part of a team to control and/or extinguish interior and exterior Class A, C, and D fires and passenger vehicle and wildland fires.
Prevention & I.D. (6.5 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to identify residential fire hazards, conduct a fire station tour and a residential fire safety survey, and make and document a fire and life safety presentation.
E.M.S. (3 hours):
Minimum emergency medical care performance capabilities to include infection control, CPR, bleeding control, and shock management.
Diversity in the Fire Service (4 hours):
Ventilation (6.5 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to apply the principles of ventilation to appropriately ventilate a building.
Positive Pressure Ventilation (8 hours):
This class covers fire behavior and air flow, size-up horizontal and vertical ventilation including (PPV), ventilation in high-rise buildings, and other situations.
Public Fire Education (6.5 hours):
Consists of planning and implementing fire prevention campaigns. Explains how to target age groups and work with media to control fires before they happen.
Report Writing (4 hours):
After completing this class, the student should be familiar with the procedure of filing an incident report and the importance of obtaining accurate and complete information.
Critical Incident Stress (3 hours)
Auto Fires (6.5 hours)
Laclede Gas/Natural Gas burn (8 hours):
Class studies the hazards of natural gas, explosive ranges, and properties of same. Also explores the dos and don'ts of dealing with natural gas. Focuses on firefighting duties of first-in engine company to a scene. Consists of four hours in classroom and four hours live fire training.
Sprinklers (4 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to perform basic operations at properties protected by automatic sprinklers.
Alarms & Communications (4 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to identify and properly use various fire service communications systems and equipment.
Extinguishers (8 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be above to identify and use portable fire extinguishers to extinguish small Class A, Class B, and Class C fires.
Flammable Liquids (8 hours):
This class deals with the chemistry of foam for fire suppression. Topics include concentrated foams, mixing, eductors, limitations, understanding fog nozzles, aspirating nozzles, and foam tubes. Includes hands-on live fire training field exercise.
Terrorism: Basic Concepts (8 hours)
Liquefied Propane Gas (8 hours):
Focuses on useful handling of hazardous materials incidents involving flammable gases. Students will learn about tank construction, properties of liquid propane gas, proper tactics for dealing with liquid propane gas, and will receive live fire training with liquid propane gas on site.
Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations (27 hours):
Recognition and identification of hazardous materials, labeling, placarding, scene control, and use of D.O.T. Response book.
Search & Rescue (24 hours):
After completing this lesson, the student will be able to identify and safely use various rescue and extrication tools, and conduct a search and rescue in a structure operating as a member of a team.
High Rise (8 hours):
Covers construction, fireground management, tactical considerations, elevators, life safety, ventilation, and water supply.
Structure burns (16 hours):
Live fire training evolutions. Class incorporates all skills taught for firefighting: suppression, safety, rescue, ICS, hose handling, PPV, water supply, etc.
Rapid Intervention training (4 hours):
After completion, the student will be aware of tasks and procedures to implement a rapid rescue of a downed firefighter.
Incident Command (4 hours):
This class combines command strategy with organizational procedures and is designed to be used for structural firefighting incidents using up to 25 companies. It is also used for other types of emergency incidents.
NIMS (4 hours):
National Incident Management System class: ICS 100 & 700.
Auto Fires |
Propane burn |
Recruit in SCBA |
Ladder training |
Hose Pull |
Gear |
Lecture |
Ventilation training |
Ladder training |
Rescue training |
Ventilation training |
Sprinkler training |
Ground Cover fire |
Auto Fires |
Auto Extrication |
Bag Drag |
Attic Crawl |
Ventilation Exercise |