Current Academy

81st Firefighter I Academy
January 8, 2024 - May 23, 2024

Upcoming Academy

82nd Firefighter I and II Academy
August 1, 2024 - December 11, 2024

Application of Interest for the
82nd Firefighter I & II Academy will open
March 1, 2024 at 8 am - May 31, 2024 at 12 pm

Application of Interest

Location:  Butte College is located between Chico and Oroville.  You can reach the college by taking Durham-Pentz Rd - off Highway 99, or Clark Rd - off Highway 70.  The Fire Academy office is in the Allied Health and Public Services (AHPS) Building Room 144.

Fire Academy Overview:

Watch the Academy In Action!

Video Extended Version

The Butte Fire Academy has been training future firefighters for over 40 years. The standards of the program are founded on the belief that only intelligent, skillful, strong, and adaptable people of good character are suitable for the fire service. The life-safety services provided by modern fire departments demand these skills and abilities, and our program is dedicated to providing the necessary training to augment the natural talents of our students.

Without exception, every student who attends the Butte Fire Academy finds the program to be extraordinarily challenging……read more

Days & Times:  The Fire Academy generally meets Monday through Friday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM, for about 20 weeks. Some weekends are required.

Units:  26 semester units & .5 unit of Critical Skills Workshop

Fees:

Financial Aid: Out-of-state students will be charged $295 per unit above the initial fee.  Financial Aid (530) 895-2311 and/or Veteran's benefits (530) 895-2566 may be available through Butte College for qualified students. Take note of Butte College's 7 Days to Pay Policy and make financial arrangements accordingly.

First time student? Take advantage of the Butte College Promise Scholarship Program.

Starting Fall 2019 this program will pay tuition and fees for new, first-time, full-time Butte College students for up to four semesters. To be eligible students will have to attend Fall and Spring concurrently. 

Certification:  The Fire Academy conforms to standards for certification by the California Board of Fire Services.  Upon successful completion, students may be eligible for the following certificates:

• Certificate of Achievement from the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges
• Swiftwater Rescue Awareness
• Emergency Response to Terrorism
• Confined Space Awareness
• Vehicle Extrication
• Fire Control 3
• Fire Control 4
• Rapid Intervention Crew Tactics
• Firefighter Survival
• Low Angle Rope Rescue
• State certification as a Firefighter I and II
• Cal Fire Firefighter 1C
• Wiland Firefighter Safety & Survival Level 1
• C-212 Wildland Fire Chain Saws Level A 8 HR
• L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
• S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
• S-130 Firefighter Training
• IS-100.C
• IS-200.C
• IS-700.B
• IS-800.D
• Hazardous Materials - FRO Broad Board and FRO DECON
• Fire Fighter Survival (2023)

1. Attend a mandatory 3-hour Fire Academy orientation. The mandatory 3-hour orientation is hosted twice each semester and will cover what is expected of you physically, mentally, and academically. Will also cover the Fire Academy policies and procedures, as well as the application process.
*No one will be allowed to continue with the Fire Academy application process without attending an orientation. 

Active military personnel currently deployed out of the area and therefore unable to attend one of these dates should contact the Academy office by emailing Mai Chang at changmai@ngskmc-eis.net for possible alternatives.

We also encourage students who are thinking about a career in the fire service or who are planning to attend a future session of the Academy to attend.  Our intention is for the potential candidate to be well informed and prepared for a successful experience in the Academy.

**Family members are welcome and encourage to attend.**

ACADEMY ORIENTATION DATES & TIMES - See Below:

2. Accumulative grade point average of 2.6 or higher from all community college/universities, including Butte College. An associate or bachelor's degree will override the GPA requirement. 

3. Students must be high school graduates or have a GED/CHSPE and provide evidence. 

4. Effective Fall 2024 students are required an active EMT card through a Certifying Authority and must be active throughout the duration of the Fire Academy. The course can be in progress at the time of application but must be completed before application deadline.

Application Process: The selection process is first come first serve. The Fire Academy will accept the first 40 applications who have met the requirements. Students must turn in a complete application to be considered. 

ALL correspondence is via email; you must provide an accurate email address that is checked often on the academy application. All required documents are not available until applications open. 

• Submit "Application of Interest” on the Fire Academy home page
  
  
• Complete and return Pre-Academy survey to AHPS 144 or send back electronically 
  
  
• Obtain a Butte College ID number
  
  
• Sign up and attend a mandatory academy orientation (separate from the college orientation)
  
  
• Must provide a copy of your high school diploma/GED/CHSPE. Transcripts are accepted
  
  
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or proof of completion of a degree program from an accredited school
  
  
• Must provide verification of an active EMT card
  
  
• Show evidence of a current CPR certification. Certification must be valid throughout the academy. The CPR certification must include Adult 1 & 2 Rescuer CPR, Child & Infant CPR, Adult, Child & Infant Obstructed Airway Maneuvers. The American Heart Association Health Care Provider or equivalent is the suggested source. ONLINE COURSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED!!! You must attend a face-to-face course.
  
  
• Complete a Personal History Statement
  
  
• Complete the medical portion of the PHS, including a physical and physician's release (within 90 days prior to academy start date). Students in the EMT program within the previous year will only need to make appointment for a physical. Please mention EMT to Fire student when making appointment with the scheduler. Students may visit their primary care physician for medical clearance and physical exam.
  
  
• Complete a background through CastleBranch (within 90 days prior to academy start date). Please note that a Felony or Misdemeanor conviction relating to crimes involving physical assault, use of a dangerous weapon, sexual abuse or assault, abuse of children, the elderly or infirm and crimes against property, including robbery, burglary, and felony theft are automatic disqualifiers. 

Important application
dates for the
82nd Firefighter I & II Academy:

*The first day to submit an Application of Interest is Friday, March 1, 2024 at 8:00 am. 

*The first day to submit the first part of the application is Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 8:00 am. The first part of the application is consist of: 

• Pre-Academy Survey
• Butte College Student ID Number
• Mandatory 3-hour Orientation
• High school degree or unofficial transcript/GED/CHSPE
• GPA verification of 2.6 or higher
• Active EMT Card
• CPR certifcicate (Basic Life Support)
• Personal History Statement

*The first day to submit the second part of the application is Friday, May 3, 2024 at 12:00 pm. The second part of the application must be done within 90 days before academy start date. Completion date before May 3, 2024 will not be acceptable.

• Medical Clearance and Physical Examiniation forms
  • Students in the EMT program within the previous year will only need to make appointment for a physical. Please mention EMT to Fire student when making appointment with the scheduler.
• CastleBranch Background Order
  • Students can place their background order at midnight on May 3, 2024.

*All requirements must be met and completed by:

Friday, May 31, 2024 at 12:00 PM

There are NO EXCEPTIONS to these deadlines. Failure of mail or courier services to deliver documents on time does not excuse the deadline. It is your responsibility to keep yourself informed of other campus departments' requirements (i.e., Bookstore hours of operation, Financial Aid deadlines, etc.).

Selection Process: The selection process is first come first serve. The Fire Academy will accept the first 40 applications who have met the requirements. Students must turn in a complete application to be considered. 

Applicants will receive a formal acceptance email for further instructions indicating:

1. Registration for Fire Academy courses.
2. Submit immunizations records to the SHC for new Butte College students.
3. Instructions to order Butte College Fire Academy uniform.
4. First day assignment on the first day of the Fire Academy.
   
   

Housing: There is no housing on campus. A list of off-campus housing can be found at www.butte.och101.com.

Transportation:  Cadets are responsible for their own transportation. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. There will be some off-campus training (up to a 4-hour drive/ride-along program). 

Information: Please call our office at (530) 895-2402 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Services Available to Students: The following link will provide information contained in the Butte College Current Student Webpage related to services available to enrolled students.  http://crlr.ngskmc-eis.net/currentstudents/. 

Examples of available services include:

• Academic Help
• Childcare
• Counselling
• Food/Housing Assistance
• Safe Place and Wellness
• Disabled Students
• Student Health Center
• Veterans’ Services