SAU TECH ACADEMICS - ARKANSAS FIRE ACADEMY
Canadian / Out-of-State Students

FIREFIGHTER STANDARDS COURSE
For Canadian Students

The Arkansas Fire Academy is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (NPQS or ProBoard) to certify personnel to Fire Fighter II under NFPA 1001, Standard on Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, Hazardous Materials Operations under NFPA 472, Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents, and Driver Operation under NFPA 1002, Standard for Firefighter Personnel.

NEED IFSAC CERTIFICATION?

Are you seeking IFSAC certification as a Fire Fighter II under NFPA Standard 1001? The Arkansas Fire Academy, a division of Southern Arkansas University - Tech (SAU-Tech), in Camden, Arkansas may be the answer to your needs.

Through our Industrial Training Program and Fire and Emergency Response Degree Program, we offer our Firefighter Standards course to non-Arkansas residents and industrial personnel. This program is also a vital part of our Associate Degree in Fire and Emergency Response program through SAU-Tech. What does this mean? It means, that in addition to receiving quality training to the Firefighter II level, you can also earn college credit towards an associates degree by successful completion of this course. SAU-Tech also offers education via the Internet. Courses to be offered include the General Education Core Curriculum and some of our Fire Science courses. Once you leave Camden, you could continue your education through SAU-Tech via computer at home or with attendance at an accredited local college or university.

FIREFIGHTER STANDARDS

The Firefighter Standards Course is eight weeks long and is structured around the Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) of NFPA Standard 1001, 2002 edition. This course includes nighttime training, exercises and drills.

HAZ MAT OPERATIONS

One week of the FFS Course is dedicated to Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations training to meet the training requirements outlined in NFPA Standard 472.

DRIVER OPERATOR

One week of the FFS Course is dedicates to Driver Operator to meet the training requirements outlined in NFPA Standard 1002.

MANDATORY PREREQUISITES

1. Meet Canadian standards for age, health, fitness, education, etc...
2. Complete 12th Grade or have your GED.
3. A copy of the results of a medical physical examination conducted by a physician and a copy of your immunization record. This must reflect measles, mumps and rubella. Immunity can be shown by providing a serological test confirming immunity or having received two doses of measles and one dose of rubella.
4. Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) card. (American Red Cross, "CPR for the Professional Rescuer"; American Heart Association, "CPR Course C" or "CPR for Health Care Provides, modules 1 through 4"; or equivalent.) *
5. Occupational First Aid Level III or First Responder Level III. *
6. Official transcript of your high school or college records.
7. Proof of Insurance.

* - Proof of CPR and EMS training must be sent with application.

YOUR COSTS

You will be responsible for your transportation from your home to Little Rock, Arkansas and then back home. We will provide you with transportation from Little Rock National Airport to the AFA and from the AFA back to LRNA upon graduation. (Please keep us posted on ALL travel arrangements and changes to the same.)

As of 5/10/05, it costs $5,050.00** (U.S. dollars) to attend the AFA's Firefighter Standards course. This price covers the costs of:

1. Lodging and linen at our dormitories,
2. Meals - 3 meals per day Monday through Thursday and 2 meals on Friday at the cafeteria,
3. Two Arkansas Fire Academy T-Shirts,
4. An IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting manual and its study guide,
5. IFSAC Seal fees for four subject areas,
6. An IFSTA Driver/Operator handbook,
7. SAU Tech tuition for 15 semester/credit hours (plus the ability to convert your EMS training to 3 semester/credit hours.),
8. AFA Industrial FFS Course fees.

You will need to provide meals for yourself on Friday evenings and on the weekends. You are responsible for bringing enough money for the normal expenses you might incur during your stay. There is a small convenience store 1.5 miles from the campus where you can purchase some food items. Larger stores are available in Camden, approximately 7 miles from campus. We provide a shuttle service to and from the Camden stores once a week.

** - Prices are subject to change based on costs of housing, food, books, and college/tuition fees.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

We recommend that you bring your own personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus. If not, we can provide personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus for your use during training.

We do not provide student duty uniforms. We encourage our students to bring their work uniforms from their home departments. If you don't have a uniform, work style clothing (blue jeans, T-shirt, and shirt) will suffice. We provide boots to those who do not have them.

LIVING ACCOMODATIONS

Each room consists of two single beds, one to two desks, and two wardrobes. There is common kitchen area open from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday evenings and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Refrigeration is limited.

There will be two (2) students to each room. Students should bring their own toiletries and personal items. Students may also bring a TV or radio, but the Academy will not be responsible for any personal belongings. There is a student TV room located in the commons area of the dorm. There also is a common bathroom facility located on each wing of the dorm. Note: Because of the bathroom facility, you should bring shower shoes.

Each student is expected to follow all housing rules and regulations. Each student will have his/her room inspected at least once a week. These inspections will not be scheduled.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Students are encouraged to use the SAU Tech gymnasium, student career center and student Learning Resources Center during their stay.

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

If you are interested in attending one of our Firefighter Standards courses, complete the Arkansas Fire Academy and SAU-Tech enrollment forms.

Mail them to the address near the bottom of this web page. Please write "Attention: Academy Registrar" under the address. Payment must be made by cashier's check, certified check, or money orderONLY (in U.S. dollars only please) on the morning of the first day of class.

Affidavit of Support - IFSAC -Fire Academy (pdf)
Arkansas Fire Academy Application for Admission (pdf)
SAU Tech Admission Checklist (pdf)
SAU Tech Admission Requirements for International Students (pdf)
SAU Tech Application for Admission and Demographic Information Sheet

Due to limited time and budget cuts, we will not return voice mail messages; however e-mails will be answered promptly (shixson@sautech.edu)

TO AVOID DELAYS IN PROCESSING YOUR PAPERWORK

Do NOT mail or fax your application to SAU Tech. Send your paperwork directly to the Arkansas Fire Academy ONLY!

ENTERING THE U.S.

All Canadian students attending the Firefighter Standards Course MUST process through the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) counter at their point of exit from Canada or at their point of entry into the U.S. If the Student I-20 Form is not properly processed by Immigrations personnel, the student will be sent home.

The Arkansas Fire Academy (AFA) is located in East Camden, Arkansas approximately 100 miles south of Little Rock. The AFA is proud to be a division of Southern Arkansas University-Tech, which, in turn, is part of Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas.

Rachel Nix                                                     Sarah Hixson
Director                                                                Secretary II
Arkansas Fire Academy                                   AFA - Camden
P.O. Box 3499                                                    Telephone: 870-574-1521 X 107
Camden, AR 71711                                          Fax: 870-574-0817
Telephone: (870) 574-1521                            E-mail: shixson@sautech.edu
Fax: (870) 574-0817