Training Course Descriptions

The Utah Fire and Rescue Academy offers the following types of courses:

Direct Delivery - Courses include all necessary manuals (loaners), handouts, quizzes, and related classroom materials. These courses also include a completed course syllabus with UFRA instructors assigned and the scheduling of necessary props. Direct Delivery classes must be scheduled through the department's assigned UFRA Program Manager.  It is also the responsibility of the department to schedule certification testing if such testing is desired.

Supported Delivery - Courses may include student manuals (if available) and a copy of the current UFRA curriculum for subject requested. It is the responsibility of the department to supply/schedule instructors and supply all relevant student materials. It is also the responsibility of the department to schedule certification testing if such testing is desired.
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College Credit - Direct Delivery classes will be the only classes available for college credit. College credit will only be awarded if the student applies for credit at the time the course is delivered.
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Legacies in Leadership video series - This series captures thoughts from fire service leaders with advice for the next generation of leaders. Viewers will hear how the nation’s fire service legacies started their careers, learn about the impact of notable emergency incidents, and perspectives on how the fire service has changed and what the future holds.

Use the links below to find detailed information on each of the core courses. UFRA does offer additional courses at special events such as Winter and Regional Fire Schools. These courses and events are advertised in advance.

Apparatus Driver Operator – Aerial

Content Includes: Driving, stabilizing, positioning, and operating skills, fire ground strategy and tactics, emergency operations, and apparatus maintenance and testing procedures. Meets or exceeds NFPA 1002 Professional Qualifications for Fire Apparatus Driver Operator - Aerial

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: Apparatus Driver Operator – Pumper
  • Full PPE needed
  • Class Limit: 18 students
    • Number of students allowed will be dependent on the number of apparatus supplied.
  • Department(s) must provide three apparatus minimum
  • Manual: IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Driver/Operator Handbook 3rd edition
  • Class Length: 40 hours, additional 8 hours for certification testing

Apparatus Driver Operator - Pumper

Content includes: Fire pump theory and operation, driving skills, regulations and laws, hydraulics, fire ground operations, specialty pumping, and apparatus maintenance and testing procedures. Meets or exceeds NFPA 1002 Professional Qualifications for Fire Apparatus Driver Operator - Pumper.

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification Available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: Firefighter II
  • Full PPE needed
  • Class Limit: 18 students
  • Department(s) must provide three apparatus minimum
  • Manual: IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Driver/Operator Handbook 3rd edition
  • Class Length: 72 hours, additional 8 hours for certification testing

Basic Emergency Vehicle Operations (BEVO)

Content includes: Vehicle familiarization, safe operation of an emergency vehicle by teaching "safety through avoidance," legal and moral responsibilities, vehicle maintenance and records. It combines classroom and field training to reinforce the skills presented. If taken in the 16 hour format, this course will cover the driving and apparatus placement skills for ADO-Pumper Certification.

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery
  • No certification offered
  • Pre-requisites: none
  • Class Limit: 24 students
  • Department(s) must supply apparatus - one per six students
  • Offered in 8 or 16 hour format

Basic Ventilation Tactics

This class will give students a foundation of ventilation on the fire ground. Instructors will facilitate discussions on current fire-ground challenges, modern tactics. Instructors will help eliminate the intimidation of ventilation and show how simple this operation is with a basic understanding of building construction and fire dynamics reinforced with hands-on training.

At the end of class, each student will be able to:

  • Operate/use the necessary tools to ventilate.
  • Establish both residential and commercial exhaust points.
  • Understand the difference between conventional and light-weight construction and placement of exhaust points.
  • Understand safe roof access and egress.
  • Work in different staffing configurations.
  • Understand the value of having the 5th side (the roof) as an option on the fireground.

 

  • Offered Direct Delivery only
  • No certification offered
  • Pre-requisites: none
  • Class Limit: 18 students
  • Class Length: 8 hours

Command Training Center - Fireground Operations and Tactics

Focuses on fireground operations to include staffing, resource management, risk management strategies, operational strategy, building triage and functional and tactical assignments.  Students will utilize computer simulations to implement learned information and skills.  Residential and small commercial tactics are discussed using computer simulations.

  • Offered Direct Delivery only 
  • No certification offered
  • Class Limit: 14 students (class minimum 8/10 based on population)
  • Class Length: 12 hours, offered in 4, 8- hour blocks or 3, 4-hour blocks

Note:  Additional CTC courses are under development

Command Training Center - Rural Incident Command

Content includes: Training on rural and residential structures including basics of fire behavior, risk management, firefighter accountability, initial reporting, communications, strategy, tactics, and water supply. Course is comprised of 4 hours of classroom instruction followed by 4 hours of hands-on instruction, including 2 hours in the CTC managing simulated structure fires and 2 hours fireground drills. Rural Incident Command is intended for any first responders in rural settings or with limited resources.

  • Offered Direct Delivery only
  • No certification offered
  • Pre-requisites: none
  • Class Limit: 12 students (class minimum 8/10 based on population)
  • Class Length: 8 hours, offered in 4-hour block format
  • Host agency/department must supply pumping apparatus
  • Full PPE with SCBA needed for fireground drills

Company Officer Inspector

The target audience for this course is Fire Company Officers and other fire department personnel performing life safety and business inspections.

Content includes: Identification of fire hazards, fire prevention measures, inspection techniques, and pre-fire planning, fire suppression and detection systems, exiting, two fire inspections on business occupancies. The course gives the student the necessary tools and knowledge to perform life safety and company fire Inspections on business occupancies.

  • Offered Direct Delivery only
    • Delivered in a blended learning format.  Online learning course with two instructor led days.
  • No certification offered
  • Pre-requisite: none
  • Manual: Current Utah adopted IFC Pocket Guide
  • Class Limit: 12 students
  • Class Length: Delivered over a 5-week period.  Combination of instructor led and online learning.  Twelve hours classroom and fire inspections (first day -  four hours, last day - eight hours).
  • Note:  Course final is the completion of a business inspection, completion of all modules, tests and quizzes.

Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator

Simulation Training is rapidly becoming the benchmark in advanced technology training. The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy “Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS)” program creates driving experiences that allow participants to perfect their skills by employing a variety of challenging scenarios and emergency situations. During this 4 hour “Introduction,” Instructors will guide students through a wide range of skills, from basic vehicle operations to more advanced scenario based driver training. Participants will encounter realistic driving situations, including changing weather, day & night driving, various road conditions, emergency procedures and traffic conflicts. Driver Training should be considered a vital part of any departments training program. EADS is designed to provide enhanced emergency apparatus driver training to meet these needs.

  • Offered Direct Delivery only
  • No certification offered
  • Class Limit: 8 students per 4 hour block

Firefighter I

Content includes: Safety, ICS, fire behavior, PPE, fire attack, search and rescue, ladders, ventilation, salvage and overhaul, vehicle fires and extrication, and ground cover fires etc. The course is designed to be taught in 4 and 8 hour blocks and can be expanded to include live fire components. Certification available, must be scheduled separately, live fire testing required. Meets or exceeds NFPA 1001 standard (Firefighter I & II).

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request).
  • Full PPE with SCBA needed
  • Pre-requisite(s): Hazardous Materials Awareness and Hazardous Materials Operations certifications
  • Manual: IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th edition
  • Class Limit: 20 students
  • Class Length: Approx. 116 hours, additional 8 hours needed for certification testing

Firefighter II

Content includes: ICS, inspections, prevention, investigation, hose testing, flammable gas emergencies, fire attack and control, equipment maintenance, rescue and extrication. Covers all required topics for certification under NFPA 1001 (Firefighter I & II).

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: Firefighter I certification
  • Full PPE with SCBA needed
  • Manual: IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th edition
  • Class Limit: 20 students
  • Class Length: Approx. 40 hours, additional 4-8 hours needed for certification testing

Fire Inspector I

Content includes: Identification of fire hazards, fire prevention measures, inspection techniques, and pre-fire planning, fire suppression and detection systems, exiting, occupancies, occupancy loads, plan reviews, classroom discussion and actual inspections of both under-construction and occupied buildings. Class covers all required topics for certification under NFPA 1031 (Inspector I).

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification Available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: Hazardous Materials Awareness certification
  • Manual: Current Utah adopted IFC edition, IFSTA Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement 8th edition, Utah Inspector's Guide 2023
  • Class Limit: 16 students
  • Class Length: 45 hours, additional 4 hours needed for certification testing

Fire Service Instructor I

Content includes: Introduces the student to basic instructional concepts and techniques with emphasis on fire and rescue service training, effective communication, teaching from lesson plans, methods of instruction with emphasis on skills training and adult learning. Class covers all required topics for certification under NFPA 1041 (Instructor I/II).

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery   
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
    • Pre-requisite: None 
    • Manual: IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor 9th edition, UFRA Student Workbook
    • Class Limit: 12 students
    • Class Length: 16 hours, certification testing included in the 16 hours

Fire Investigator I 

Content includes: Determining the cause and origin of a fire, when to call an investigator, rules for preserving evidence, identifying fire setters, testifying in court, and the motives and methods of arsonists. Meets the requirements of NFPA 1033 (Fire Investigator).  

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: None
  • Manual: IFSTA Fire Investigator 3rd edition
  • Class Limit: 16 students
  • Class Length: 45 hours, additional 8 hours needed for certification testing

Fire Officer I

Content includes: Human resource management, community and government relations, application of fire department policies, fire investigation procedures, emergency service delivery and safety considerations. Class can be offered for College credit. Addresses the NFPA 1021 requirements for Fire Officer I.

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification Available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form)
  • Pre-requisite: Firefighter II Certification, Fire Service Instructor I Certification
  • Manual: IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer 6th edition
  • Class Limit: 16 students
  • Class Length: 48 hours, additional 5-8 hours needed for certification testing

First Responder Mental Health Awareness

This course is designed to give first responders a thorough understanding regarding the issues of mental illness and suicide in the fire service.  Topics include how stress plays a destructive role in propagating mental illness, why the fire service is so prone to mental illness and suicide, how fire service culture and day-to-day life add to the problem, and where the true sources of mental degradation reside in the fire service.  This class serves as a foundation from which mental treatments, interventions, and wellness programs originate. 

  • Class Length: 2 hours

Forcible Entry

Content includes: Responder preparedness, safety, size-up, entry and egress, building construction- doors, windows and gates, tools and equipment, forcible entry and egress principles and techniques. Emphasizes practical demonstrations and exercise. Course meets the majority of requirements for the Firefighter I skills for forcible entry. The course does not completely cover the information needed for the Firefighter I written test.

  • Offered Direct Delivery only 
  • No certification offered
  • Hosting agency must supply a location suitable for the prop placement
  • Full Structural PPE needed including protective eye wear. No SCBA required
  • Pre-requisite: None
  • Class limit: 12 students
  • Class Length: 4 hours

Hazardous Materials Awareness

Note: It is strongly recommended that students who will be taking the HM Awareness certification test include chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the IFSTA Hazardous Materials for First Responders 5th edition in their study materials.

Content includes: Recognizing and identifying the presence of hazardous materials and determining basic hazard and response information from placards, labels, container markings, and shipping papers. Course topics include understanding the risks and potential outcomes of a hazardous materials incident, using the DOT Emergency Response Guide, when and how to request additional resources, and the need for an Incident Command System. Course meets the requirements for Firefighter I certification and in compliance with federal OSHA regulations for firefighters (first responders) responding to hazardous materials incidents. Course meets the requirements of NFPA 472 (Hazardous Materials - Awareness , Operations, and Technician).

  • Online Delivery only 
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: none
  • Manual: D.O.T. Emergency Response Guide (current edition)

Hazardous Materials Operations, Basic - Online Blended Course

Content includes: Basic skills necessary to safely and effectively manage (in a defensive mode) the initial activities of an emergency involving the uncontrolled release of dangerous chemicals, basic incident management, recognition and identification, PPE, decontamination, and product control techniques. This course is designed to allow a wide range of scheduling options for delivery. The cognitive learning portion of the class will be delivered online. Review dates and practical skill(s) dates are worked into the schedule/syllabus to complete the course. Course meets the requirements of NFPA 472 (Hazardous Materials - Awareness,  Operations, and Technician ).

  • Offered Direct Delivery only
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: Hazardous Materials Awareness
  • Course is delivered in a blended learning format with several instructor led days.
  • Manual: IFSTA First Responder to Hazardous Materials Emergencies 5th Edition
  • Class Limit: 18 students
  • Full PPE with SCBA needed
  • Minimum time for completion 30 days - maximum time for completion 90 days, additional 4 hours needed for certification testing

Hazardous Materials: Operations, Basic - Live, On-site Instructor

Content includes: Basic skills necessary to safely and effectively manage (in a defensive mode) the initial activities of an emergency involving the uncontrolled release of dangerous chemicals, basic incident management, recognition and identification, PPE, decontamination, and product control techniques. Course meets the requirements of NFPA 472 (Hazardous Materials - Awareness, Operations, and Technician).

  • Offered Direct or Supported Delivery 
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available 
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: HM Awareness (must be completed prior to taking the operations level class)

  • Manual: IFSTA First Responder to Hazardous Materials Emergencies 5th edition

  • Class Limit: 18 students
  • Full PPE with SCBA needed
  • Class Length:  48 hours, additional 4-8 hours needed for certification testing (dependent upon the number of students being tested)

Hazardous Materials: Technician

COURSE CURRENTLY UNDER REVISION

Content includes: Basic skills necessary to safely and effectively manage and mitigate (in an Offensive Strategy) the initial activities of an emergency involving the uncontrolled release of dangerous chemicals as per NFPA 472. Course includes basic incident management, recognition and identification, PPE, decontamination, and product control techniques. Meets or exceeds NFPA 472 Standards for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents, 2013 Edition (Hazardous Materials - Awareness , Operations, and Technician).

  • Direct Delivery only
    • Department must submit an application for the Hazardous Materials Technician class
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: Hazardous Materials – Hazardous Materials Operations Level, Pre course work Managing the Incident
  • Manual: J&B, Managing the Incident, 4th edition Student Workbook
  • Class Limit: 16 students
  • Department(s) must provide SCBA's for each student
  • Class Length: 120 hours. 40 hours Hazardous Materials Science/Chemistry and 80 hours Hazardous Materials Psychomotor/Skills.

Incident Safety Officer

Content includes:  Classroom presentation or the National Fire Academy's "Incident Safety Officer."  Course covers the basic qualifications, expectations, and responsibilities of an Incident Safety Officer during both emergency and non-emergency scene operations. 

  • Offered Direct Delivery only
  • Certificate of Completion:   National Fire Academy State Sponsored certificate upon successful completion
  • Pre-requisites: none
  • Student Manual:  NFA Student Manual 4th edition 2020
  • Class limit:  25 students
  • Class Length: 16 hours (broken into 2, 8-hour days or in 4 hour blocks).

Live Fire Training: Fire Behavior/Flashover

Content includes: Classroom presentation on basic fire behavior. Students witness fire behavior in a confined environment and describe the signs to look for and the skills needed to survive an impending flashover. Students witness fire behavior from the incipient phase through flashover in a safe environment and learn concepts and practices to prevent injury or death.  INTRO VIDEO

  • Offered Direct Delivery only
  • No certification offered
  • Pre-requisites: NFPA 1403 pre-requisites for live fire training
  • Class Limit: 12 students per 4 hour block
  • Full PPE with SCBA needed

Live Fire Training - Initial Fire Attack

Content includes: Demonstration and performance of interior structural fire attack operations, incident command, personnel accountability, fire behavior, attack strategies, forcible entry, and fire stream management. This course includes participation in evolution based live fire exercises. Satisfies the class A interior and class B exterior fire control training requirements for Firefighter I certification.

  • Offered Direct Delivery only
  • No certification offered
  • Pre-requisite: NFPA 1403 Pre-requisites for live fire training or Firefighter I certification
  • Class Limit: 12 students per 4 hour block
  • Full PPE with SCBA needed

Mental Resiliency for the Fire Service

On the job stresses of firefighting can lead to lasting emotional trauma. Recent studies on long‐term traumatic exposure show that resilience training and techniques can lessen the effects of stress and improve mental well‐being. This course is designed specifically for all firefighters. It teaches resilience as a personal skill set to deal with the emotional trauma that can be encountered on the job. By building and strengthening firefighters to best handle the stresses of the job then we can support life‐long emotional well‐being.

  • Class length: 2 Hours

Spouses Classes: Understanding Your Firefighter & Your Relationship

Being a firefighter, both career and volunteer, is a demanding service which takes a toll on its members.  Unfortunately the stresses and burdens of the service don’t end with the firefighter, but impact the family and the spouse as well.  Being in a relationship with a firefighter can be challenging for the spouse and the relationship, or it can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.  Come and learn about the stresses that commonly exist within a firefighter relationship, what behaviors are common and which are alarming, strategies to make sure you’re taking care of yourself, and what spouses can do to support their firefighter and their unique relationship.  Relationships require work, and firefighter relationships require a better understanding of each other to be successful. 

  • Class Length: 2 Hours 

Vehicle Extrication

Content includes: Responder preparedness, safety, size-up, vehicle anatomy, tools and equipment, accident anatomy, extrication principles, and techniques. Emphasizes practical demonstrations and exercise. Course meets the requirements of the Firefighter II objectives for vehicle rescue.

  • Direct Delivery only 
  • No certification offered
  • Hosting agency must supply one vehicle per every 5 students
  • Full PPE needed
  • Pre-requisite: None
  • Class limit: 20 students
  • Class Length: 8-16 hours, depending on the number of students

Wildland Firefighter I / NWCG Firefighter II (Basic)

Content includes: Knowledge and skill set to recognize primary factors affecting the start and spread of wildfire, potentially hazardous situations, basic tool use and line construction skills. Meets requirements of NWCG Basic Firefighter and NFPA 1051 (2012) standards (Wildland Firefighter I &II).

  • Offered Direct and/or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
  • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • Pre-requisite: affiliation with a Utah fire department
  • NWCG materials is the mandated curriculum
  • NWCG certificates issued for course completion (S-130 / S-190 / I-100 / L-180)
  • Class Length: 40 hours

Wildland Firefighter I / NWCG Firefighter II (Skills Crosswalk: Basic)

Content includes: Provide “Structural” firefighter with the knowledge and skill set to recognize primary factors affecting the start and spread of wildfire, potentially hazardous situations, basic tool use and line construction skills. Meets requirements of NWCG Basic Firefighter and NFPA 1051 (2012) standards (Wildland Firefighter I &II).

  • Offered Direct and/or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form)
  • NWCG certificates issued for course completion (S-130 / S-190 / I-100 / L-180)
  • NWCG materials is the mandated curriculum (Cross Walk / G-Series)
  • Pre-requisite: Affiliation with a Utah Fire Department and Structural FFI certification.
  • Class Length: 22 hrs. (17 hrs plus skills 5 hrs.)

Wildland Firefighter II Advanced / NWCG Firefighter I (Advanced)

Content includes: Train the FFTII / ICT5 (type 5 incident commander) in the use of fire-line reference materials, communications, tactical decision-making, and implementation of the Risk Management process. Meets requirements of NWCG Advanced Firefighter and NFPA 1051 (2012) standards (Wildland Firefighter I &II).

  • Offered Direct and/or Supported Delivery
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • NWCG certificates issued for course completion
  • Prerequisites – Wildland FFI / NWCG FF II
    • Completion of the NWCG FFI / ICT5 Task Book
    • Affiliation with a Utah fire department
  • NWCG materials is the mandated curriculum
  • The supported classes are S-211 Portable Pumps & Water Use (16-20 hrs) / S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws (25-37 hrs)
  • The supported classes are not offered as part of Wildland Firefighter II but can be taken during the Fall/Winter NWCG course selection
  • *ICT 5 requires S-133 Look Up, Down & Around (4 hours)
  • Class length – S-131: 4 - 8 hrs

Wildland Firefighter II Advanced / NWCG Firefighter I (Advanced X-Walk)

Contents include: Train the FFTII Structural firefighter / ICT5 (type 5 incident commander) in the use of fireline reference materials, communications, tactical decision-making, and implementation of the Risk Management process. Meets requirements of NWCG Advanced Firefighter and NFPA 1051 (2012) standards (Wildland Firefighter I &II).

  • Offered Direct and/or Supported Delivery 
  • Utah State Fire Service Certification available
    • Certification testing must be scheduled separately, a minimum of 30 days prior to requested test date (Examination Request Form).
  • NWCG materials is the mandated curriculum (Cross Walk / G-Series)
  • *ICT 5 requires S-133 Look Up, Down & Around (4 hours) NWCG Certificates issued for course completion
  • Pre-requisites:
    • Affiliation with a Utah fire department and Structural FFII
    • Completion of the NWCG FFI / ICT5 Task Book
  • Class Length: 17.5 hrs. plus 5 hrs. skills

Contact the Training Program Manager assigned to your county to schedule a class for your department. List of Program Managers.