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Fire Academy Students spraying water at fire.Fire academy students spraying water at fire.
Fire Academy Students posing for picture in front of fireMt. SAC Fire Academy Students
Using the jaws of life to cut into a vehicleFire academy student using the jaws of life to cut into a vehicle
Fire Academy Gear in standing formationFire academy gear in standing formation
Students folding gear, and students climbing ladder on smoke house.Students folding gear, and students climbing ladder on smoke house.

Basic Fire Academy

Mt. San Antonio College offers a full-time Basic Fire Academy every Fall and Spring semester. The academy hours are from 6:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday for 15 weeks. The approximate cost for supplies, school registration, uniforms and safety gear is $5000.

Mt. SAC’s Fire Academy is a regionally accredited institution. Upon completion of the academy, an International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC)/ProBoard Firefighter I certificate will be issued along with other academy certificates. 

How to Apply

Prior to applying to Mt. SAC's Basic Fire Academy, students are required to take the following fire classes:

  • FIRE 1: Fire Protection Organization    
  • FIRE 2: Fire Prevention Technology    
  • FIRE 3: Fire Protection Equipment & Systems    
  • FIRE 4: Building Construction for Fire Protection                            
  • FIRE 5: Fire Behavior & Combustion                                              
  • FIRE 13: Fire and Emergency Service Safety and Survival

Most fire classes meet once a week for three hours a semester. Students will receive three units for each course completed with a "C" or better. Students must retake any class for which a "F" or "W" was earned before they will be considered eligible for the Basic Fire Academy.

In addition to the six fire courses, the following prerequisites must also be met prior to acceptance into the Basic Fire Academy:

  • EMT (Emergency Medical Technician): EMT certification may be taken at other colleges or at Mt. SAC. 
  • KINF- 51 or 52: A minimum of one semester is required. It is recommended that students take this class every semester until the academy begins in order to achieve and maintain an optimal level of physical fitness.

Once all required prerequisite courses have been completed, students may submit their applications for the Fire Academy.

BASIC FIRE ACADEMY SELECTION PROCESS

Mt. SAC Basic Fire Academy Video

83rd Basic Fire Academy
Spring 2027

The Public Safety Programs Office will accept completed applications for the 83rd Basic Fire Academy beginning Friday, September 4, 2026, at 8:00 AM through Friday, September 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM.

Please submit the completed application to the Public Safety Programs Office, Building 28B, Room 208.

All applications must include the following:

  • A copy of your EMT Course Certificate of Completion
  • An unofficial transcript (required only if prerequisite coursework was completed at a college other than Mt. SAC).

Basic Fire Academy Application

Important: Applications submitted before or after the specified application period will NOT be accepted.

Important Update: Entrance Exam Dates

The 83rd Basic Fire Academy Entrance Exam has returned to its originally scheduled dates: Friday, November 6, 2026 and Saturday, November 7, 2026. 

Please Note: Attendance on both days is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the 83rd Basic Fire Academy. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Safety Programs Office at  mnavarro62@mtsac.edu  or  tchen@mtsac.edu.

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