Fire Academy

Firefighter/Paramedic Trainee is an entry level (recruit) position assigned to our department’s Fire Academy. Once offered a position, all candidates must successfully complete our paid in-house training program, which is approximately 16-months long, and prepares recruits for a demanding, yet fulfilling career in the fire service. Our highly specialized training consists of comprehensive classroom and practical instruction on emergency medical care, firefighting methods and operations, community risk reduction practices, public relations, physical fitness, and associated topics.

Recruit classes take place Monday through Friday from 0700-1600. Our program starts with eight (8) weeks of fire training focusing on firefighting skills, methods, and knowledge. After completing the fire training portion of the program, students are trained to the EMT Basic level with clinical rotations on Gwinnett County Med Units and hospital rotations. The EMT class concludes with students taking the National Registry EMT Exams. The final 40 weeks will be spent in Paramedic school, which consists of more advanced medical skills and knowledge as well as clinicals at a variety of different locations. This class will also conclude with the National Registry Paramedic Exams. Student recruits are evaluated daily and must successfully complete all fire and medical training elements in order to graduate from the program.

Upon completion of the Fire Academy training, recruits are transferred into the field and work a 24-hour on/48-hour off schedule and are assigned to one of three (A, B, or C) shifts.  Firefighters report to work at 0700 the day of their shift and continue working until 0700 the following morning. At the beginning or during their shift, a firefighter is required to check all personal protective equipment, check and clean all apparatus and assigned equipment, clean and maintain the station, attend and participate in all training and public relations events, and participate in other activities all the while being ready to respond to emergencies throughout the shift.

To succeed, recruits need to work hard and be passionate about serving their community.