Aparicio-Levy Technical College

About the Firefighter Program

This program prepares students for entry-level positions as firefighters. Students learn the knowledge and skills needed for the Florida Minimum Standards Firefighter exam.

This program follows the State of Florida Firefighter curriculum, which offers comprehensive training that prepares the candidate to take the State Certification exams. The curriculum includes the framework set by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

Examples of topics covered: orientation to the fire service, fire alarms and communication, vehicles, apparatus and equipment, fire behavior, portable extinguishers, fire streams, fundamentals of extinguishment, ladders, hoses, tools and equipment, forcible entry, salvage, overhaul, ventilation, rescue, protective breathing equipment, safety, controlled burning.

The Firefighter program is very demanding – both academically and physically. Students need to be physically fit in order to be successful in this program. See Florida Statute  "Qualifications for Certification".

Program Change

The Tampa Fire Rescue program, formerly operated under Learey Technical College, is now operated under Aparicio-Levy Technical College.

Nothing has changed except the title of the college operating the program.

Both Learey and Aparicio-Levy are technical colleges, part of the Hillsborough County Public Schools system.

Aparicio-Levy Technical College now operates BOTH the Tampa Fire Rescue and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue programs.

Program Length

492 clock hours (approximately 5 months for the day academy, 7 months for the night academy)

Class Schedule

• The Tampa Fire Rescue class meets Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This class is approximately 5 months long.
• The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue class meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, and Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This class is approximately 7 months long.

Program Costs for the 2024 classes:

$ 2,657.00* for Tampa Fire paid to the school (plus students must rent approx. $1,000 in bunker and SCBA gear from an outside agency)

$ 3,457.00* for Hillsborough Fire (includes rental bunker and SCBA gear) paid to the school

Students will also have other expenses including a medical exam, fingerprinting, personal purchases, testing fees, etc. Complete information will be given during the orientation.

*Program costs are subject to change.

Admissions Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• EMT or NREMT certification
• FL driver's licence or photo ID
• Medical exam
• Fingerprinting and background check
• Additional state-required forms
• Basic Skills Graduation Requirement:
  • Mathematics                           10
  • Reading & Language Arts      10

Special Requirements

Students must have completed an approved EMT program to enroll in this program. Passing the NREMT is highly recommended before beginning this program.

See Qualifications link for Florida State Statutes regarding employment as a Firefighter (including information about past arrests that could preclude you from becoming a firefighter) and information about the physical demands of the firefighter profession.

Licensure - Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be eligible to take the Florida Minimum Standards Firefighter exam (both physical and written tests).

For more information on Florida State firefighter certification and testing, visit the State website.

Florida Department of Education Curriculum Framework