College of the Sequoias Firefighter 1 & 2 Academy Application Information
*Admission requirements and procedures are subject to change at any time.
Firefighter Academy Admission Requirements:
- Prospective cadets must complete two prerequisite courses
- Fire 159
- EMT 251
- A minimum grade of “C" in EMT 251 is required.
- It is possible to complete these prerequisites courses elsewhere, and in some cases, exceptions may be granted based upon the applicant's fire service experience.
- Completed Application during open application window.
- Applications will be evaluated based on the application rubric.
- Completion of the Firefighter Academy Physical Agility Component.
- Current CPAT completion within 1 year will waive this requirement.
- Students must provide their own personal protective equipment.
- Medical clearance prior to admission to the Fire academy. Fire Cadets should be in good physical condition, as physical training is an integral part of the academy.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS TIMELINE
Spring 2027 Applications will open
September 1, 2026 thru September 13, 2026
SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR SPRING 2027
Our Spring Fire Academy will be offered
MONDAY-THURSDAY 4:45 PM - 9:00 PM
SATURDAY 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Prior to Fire Academy Applications
*Complete a COS Web Application. Required for all new students.
Submit an Admissions application using CCCApply. Submit the application Online and print a copy of the confirmation page for your records. For more information, please call (559) 730-3727. Make sure your name reads the same on both the Application and Orientation Form.
Returning Students: Complete the COS update form in BannerWeb
Fire Academy Physical Agility Exams: Pass/Fail within 2 attempt
Physical Agility Practice Session -Tuesday 9/15/26 @ 5 pm OPEN INVITE COS HANFORD CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
Physical Agility Practice Session - Saturday 9/19/26 @ 8 am OPEN INVITE COS HANFORD CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
Physical Agility Practice Session - Thursday 9/24 @ 5 pm OPEN INVITE COS HANFORD CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
Physical Agility Exam - Saturday 9/26/26 @ 8 am INVITE ONLY, COS HANFORD CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
Physical Agility Exam - Tuesday 9/29/26 @ 5 pm INVITE ONLY, COS HANFORD CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
Applicant Review & Follow up (as needed): TBD
Applicant *Tentative Academy Acceptance Notification: TBD
*pending completion of Physical Agility
Firefighter Academy 21-47 Orientation: 10/13/2026 *Tentative
Program Start Date: 1/19/2027 *Tentative
*Applications will be ranked and based upon scoring rubric and date of submission
*Top 40 applicants will receive an invitation to participate in the Physical Agility Component
Practice sessions are open to everyone
Candidates that receive a conditional academy acceptance must participate and pass one of the two Physical Agility Exams
APPLICATION SCORING RUBRIC (*Revised March 26)
Section | Max Points Available |
Section 1: Pre-Requisite Course Work (Required for Entry)
- EMT 251 or Equivalent Completion
- AHA BLS Healthcare Provider CPR Certification
- Fire 159 Intro to fire protection course completion
| N/A |
Section 2: Education - MA/MS/PhD = 7 points
- BA/BA = 5 points
- AA/AS = 3 points
- 20+ College Units = 2 points*
| 7 |
Section 3: Additional Points Available
- Current NREMT/EMT Certification = 7 points*
- Current Paramedic License = 10 points*
- Military Service (DD214 Required) = 5 points
- Fire Tech Courses 1 Point Each = 6 points Max
FIRE 125, FIRE 155, FIRE 157, FIRE 160, FIRE 163, FIRE 182
| 21
|
Section 4: Fire Service Field Experience
- Full-Time 6 Months – 1 Year = 5 Points
- Full-Time 1 Year – 2 Years = 10 Points
- Full-Time 2+ Years = 15 Points
- Part-Time/Volunteer 1 Year – 2 Years = 5 Points
- Part-Time /Volunteer 2 + Years = 10 Points
| 15
|
Section 5: Foreign Language Certification of Language Proficiency Form
| 2
|
Section 6: Physical Agility Component
| Pass/Fail within 2 attempts
|
Total
| 45 Max |
