Fire Fighters protect life and property through fire prevention and fire suppression.  They may be volunteers or paid employees of municipalities or fire districts. Specialty fields within this service include fire suppression, rescue or medical response, fire prevention inspection, fire cause investigation, hazardous materials response, public fire safety education, fire instruction and fire service management.

Worker requirements include manual dexterity, mechanical aptitude, special relations aptitude, physical strength and endurance, ability to work to capacity in the hostile environment of fire, ability to work independently and as part of a team, ability to assimilate and apply technical materials, and very good physical health.

Specific duties may include handling fire nozzles under pressure, positioning and climbing ladders, helping people to safety, operating pressure pumps, conducting fire and life safety inspections, presenting fire safety lessons to the public, and conducting training for fire personnel. 

Qualifications For Certification:
 (See Policies, Procedures, and Regulations of the Commission) (pdf)
In order to become a certified Fire Fighter in the state of Alabama:

1. The applicant must be a member of a fire department in the State of Alabama.
2. The applicant must meet the minimum age requirements of 18 years.
3. The applicant must provide evidence to the prospective employer of his or her knowledge and ability to do the described work.
4. The applicant must pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test or another validated physical ability test.
5. The applicant must meet educational requirements as set forth by the hiring authority.
6. The applicant must pass written and practical examinations which are administered by the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission. These tests are taken upon completion of basic training courses which are provided by the hiring authority, but must be no more than one (1) year from employment date. 

The Application Process:
To apply for the Fire Fighter I Certification Course as a career fire fighter

1. The candidate's chief must submit a Notice of Employment (pdf) (AFC& PSC 04) within 10-days of employment.

2. The candidate's chief must submit a Physical Statement (pdf) (Form AFC&PSC 05) before beginning the Fire Fighter I school.

3. The candidate must submit an official Alabama Fire College Successful CPAT Completion form prior to entering the Fire Fighter I school.

To apply for the Fire Fighter I Certification Course as a volunteer firefighter

1. The candidate must submit a letter of sponsorship from his sponsoring department.

2. The candidate must submit a Physical Statement (pdf) (Form AFC&PSC 05) before beginning Fire Fighter I school.

3. The candidate must submit proof of medical insurance.

4. The candidate must submit an official Alabama Fire College Successful CPAT Completion form prior to entering the Fire Fighter I school.

The volunteer firefighter completing the Fire Fighter I Certification Course will be given the Volunteer Fire Fighter Certification Exam.  However, the volunteer firefighter has up to one year (365 days) to secure employment as a career firefighter, and challenge the Fire Fighter I certification examination. 

I want information on the Fire Fighter I Recruit School at the Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa.