Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do to reserve my place in the fire academy?
To reserve your place in class, please submit the following documentation
and deposit:
- Application filled out
- Driving record
- Physical examination form filled out by doctor
- $300 deposit
How long is the fire training academy?
The class is 16 weeks long.
What do I need to do to reserve my place in the EMT school?
To reserve your place in the EMT class, please submit the following documentation and deposit:
- Application filled out
- Immunization records for rotations which include the following shots:
* (2) MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
* Tetanus vaccine (within the last 10 years)
* TB test results (within the last year)
* Hepatitis B (a series of 3 shots) – You must have had the 3rd shot
in the series before the 4th week of class for ride-outs
- CPR Healthcare Provider Training card
- $200 deposit
How long is the EMT school?
The EMT school is 5 weeks long, which includes 3 weeks of classroom
training and 2 weeks of hospital and ambulance ride-outs.
When is the balance of the tuition due for the fire academy & EMT school?
The balance is due the week before class starts.
Do you accept the GI Bill or give financial aid assistance?
Unfortunately, we do not accept the GI Bill or provide financial aid
assistance at this time.
How are you affiliated with Cedar Valley College?
We have a Partnership Education Agreement with Cedar Valley College
for Continuing Education hours.
How many college credit hours will I receive when I attend the fire training academy or EMT school?
Through Cedar Valley College, you will receive 54.1 Continuing Education Units
(CEUs) for the fire academy. The (CEUs) can be converted to credit hours through
colleges who have a fire administration program.
You will receive 17.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the EMT school. The
(CEUs) can be converted to credit hours through colleges who have an
Emergency Medical Technician program.
Will tickets on my driving record stop me from being accepted into the fire training academy?
Driving history is evaluated on an individual basis.
When and where can I purchase uniforms for the Fire Academy & EMT school?
You may purchase everything except the pants and shoes at the fire training
academy on Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Do I need to wear uniforms on the first day of Fire & EMT class?
Yes, you are required to come to school on the first day of class in uniform.
Will I be paid while attending the fire academy?
No, you will not be paid while attending classes, unless you are a city employee.
Where is the DeSoto fire training center located?
The address for the training center is 501 E. Wintergreen Road in DeSoto. It is
approximately one half mile south of Hampton Road.
Can I pay the balance of the tuition while I’m attending classes?
We require the balance of the tuition to be paid the week before class starts.
Does the fire training academy assist in job placement?
What if I only have some of the bunker gear and need to rent the rest of it?
We usually rent complete sets of bunker gear to those who need it. After those are
rented, if there are additional items left that you require, we will make arrangements
to rent single items.