Fire Academy

FIRS 1301 Block I Firefighter I

FIRS 1319 Block II Firefighter I

FIRT 1407 Block III Firefighter I

FIRS 1429 Block IV Firefighter I

FIRS 1433 Block V Firefighter I

FIRS 1423 Block VI Firefighter II

FIRS 1413 Block VII Haz Mat Awareness/Operations

FIRS 1103 Block VIII Physical Training Course (PT)

FIRS 1301 Block I Firefighter I

FIRS 1319 Block II Firefighter I

FIRT 1407 Block III Firefighter I

FIRS 1429 Block IV Firefighter I

FIRS 1433 Block V Firefighter I

FIRS 1423 Block VI Firefighter II

FIRS 1413 Block VII Haz Mat Awareness/Operations

FIRS 1103 Block VIII Physical Training Course (PT)

FIRS 1301 Block I Firefighter I

FIRS 1319 Block II Firefighter I

FIRT 1407 Block III Firefighter I

FIRS 1429 Block IV Firefighter I

FIRS 1433 Block V Firefighter I

FIRS 1423 Block VI Firefighter II

FIRS 1413 Block VII Haz Mat Awareness/Operations

FIRS 1103 Block VIII Physical Training Course (PT)

Regional Fire Academy Application and Registration

Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) requires every firefighter to hold two certifications, Fire and EMT.  San Antonio College currently offers classes for both certifications.  Regional Fire Academy (RFA) which is currently accepting students for the next available Academy, which starts in the Fall of 2026.

To reserve a seat and obtain more information email: sac-fa@alamo.edu.

For information on EMT, email: sac-ems@alamo.edu.

The Fire Academy is held every Fall Semester (August to December), Spring Semester (January to May), and Summer Semester (May to August) . The Academy meets Monday-Friday from 0600 thru 1700 hrs. for one semester (16 Weeks). 

The Fire Academy will cost approximately $4,100, this includes: books, uniforms, equipment, etc.  

Tuition can be paid for in multiple ways, such as cash, check, credit/debit card, etc. Other methods include scholarships, VA-GI Bill, student loans, or Financial Aid (https://studentaid.gov) or  https://www.alamo.edu/district/financial-aid/ .  Payment in full or by installments must be made by the payment deadline or you will be dropped from your classes. 

The First Responder’s Academy Campus is located at 15775 IH 35 South, Atascosa, TX 78002.

click to download a pdf

A City Fire Academy is one that is part of the employment process of that particular city. Most large city fire departments have a Civil Service type exam in which anyone who meets the minimum qualifications can take. Based on successful completion of the hiring process, you are ranked on a list. This whole process can take up to a year to complete and is very competitive due to a very high volume of people competing.  Most people inquire about a fire academy such as the San Antonio College Regional Fire Academy because they do not want to risk losing the time when they could be working towards certification and or their degree while searching for a job with a city that does not have their own fire academy which only hires certified firefighter/EMTs. 

In the State of Texas, a certified Firefighter must also hold Basic Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician in order to be certified/eligible for hire.  You have the option to either go to an EMT academy before the fire academy or after. 

Yes. Successful completion of the fire academy will earn you 27 college credit hours.  These hours will transfer right in to a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field at a University.  For those who are not seeking a degree, you can register as a certificate only student as opposed to a degree student. 

Yes. The State of Texas rewards Full Time Firefighters with a tuition waiver program at certain State Colleges under certain degree plans.  For instance, once you are a career firefighter in the State of Texas, you can register for classes that are approved by the Department and your tuition will be waived up to and including a Bachelor’s Degree. 

You will be required to pass a final exam with a score of 80% in order to graduate the fire academy.  You will also be required to complete all practical skills throughout the semester as well as be tested at random by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection on these skills.  To achieve certification, you must also pass the State Written Exam with a score of 70%. 

Yes. Firefighters are members of one of the most physically demanding occupations in the world. You must be in top physical condition to perform the tasks required of a Firefighter, such as rescuing victims, carrying equipment, raising ladders, and performing automobile extractions. In addition, Firefighters will be required to demonstrate proficiency in performing essential job duties.

To be hired by most fire departments, you will take a physical ability/agility exam.  One example of these exams includes the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).  Click on this link for an example of a Preparation Guide.

There are no restrictions based on age to become a cadet of the SAC Regional Fire Academy.  Every person performs at a different level physically no matter what age.  Our academy also includes cadet classes made of high school students as a dual credit academy.  Every fire department has different rules on age requirements but not all departments will put a limit on age.  Most departments will however have a physical ability exam to prove that the candidate can perform essential job functions. 

The Fire Academy programs at San Antonio College are accredited by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

The program accreditation is renewed annually.

The Fire Academy programs at San Antonio College located in San Antonio, Texas are accredited by the:

Texas Commission on Fire Protection

P.O. Box 2286, Austin, TX 78768-2286

(512) 936-3838

San Antonio College Accreditation

San Antonio College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award Associates and Baccalaureate Degrees. Questions about the accreditation of San Antonio College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the college and not to the Commission's office; the Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution's significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.

San Antonio College was established in 1925 and that year boasted 232 students and 46 instructors. In January of 1951, the college moved to its present location at 1300 San Pedro Avenue, just north of downtown.

Students who wish to view the school’s accreditation and licensing bodies documentation, may inquire at the reserve desk of the Learning Resource Center in the Moody Learning Center.