Fire Academy

FIRS 1301 Block I Firefighter I

FIRS 1319 Block II Firefighter I

FIRT 1407 Block III Firefighter I

FIRS 1429 Block IV Firefighter I

FIRS 1433 Block V Firefighter I

FIRS 1423 Block VI Firefighter II

FIRS 1413 Block VII Haz Mat Awareness/Operations

FIRS 1103 Block VIII Physical Training Course (PT)

FIRS 1301 Block I Firefighter I

FIRS 1319 Block II Firefighter I

FIRT 1407 Block III Firefighter I

FIRS 1429 Block IV Firefighter I

FIRS 1433 Block V Firefighter I

FIRS 1423 Block VI Firefighter II

FIRS 1413 Block VII Haz Mat Awareness/Operations

FIRS 1103 Block VIII Physical Training Course (PT)

FIRS 1301 Block I Firefighter I

FIRS 1319 Block II Firefighter I

FIRT 1407 Block III Firefighter I

FIRS 1429 Block IV Firefighter I

FIRS 1433 Block V Firefighter I

FIRS 1423 Block VI Firefighter II

FIRS 1413 Block VII Haz Mat Awareness/Operations

FIRS 1103 Block VIII Physical Training Course (PT)

A. Welcome Center

The center provides assistance with the following:

• Apply Texas application for admission
  • Completion of the SAC enrollment steps and    AlamoEnroll modules
• Submission of official transcripts, Bacterial Meningitis, and other important documents
• New Student Orientation Sign-Up
  • New student orientation is mandatory for all student entering SAC for the first time.
• Enrollment Coach assistance

Contact:

• SAC Virtual Welcome Center
  • Monday - Thursday     10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • alamo.zoom.us/my/sacenroll
• sac-nsoinformation@bagmakerblog.com

B. Financial Aid Office

The Financial Aid Office offers assistance in applying, processing, and maintaining financial aid.

Contact:

• dst-sfs@bagmakerblog.com
• (210) 212-5266
• Virtual Financial Aid Office
  • Fridays    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • alamo.zoom.us/my/sacenroll

 C. Assessment Center

The Assessment and Testing Center  provides assistance with

• Test Administration of the TSI Exam for college placement
• Evaluate student's TSI status

Contact:

• sac-assessment@bagmakerblog.com

A. Advising

Certified Advisors provide a variety of advising services including, but not limited to answering the following questions:

• What degree do I follow?
• What classes do I take?
• Do I get credit for my certifications and training?
  • Advance Standing - Certificate Equivalencies
• How close am I to graduating?
• When do I apply for graduation?
• I have enrollment holds, what do I do?
• How do I declare my major?

Contact:

• (210) 486-0328
• sac-bpsi@bagmakerblog.com (please include Banner ID and e-mail)
• Certified Advisor: Michelle Lara, mlara118@bagmakerblog.com

 C. Ready to Enroll

• Register for Classes: Click Here

TUITION EXEMPTIONS INSTRUCTIONS

Submission of Tuition Exemptions

FULL TIME FIREFIGHTERS

1. Employment verification letter signed by the Chief on departmental letterhead
   1. NOT older than two weeks
2. Tuition Exemption Form completed and signed
   1. Tuition Exemption Form Click Here
   2. Only fill-out highlighted areas
3. Attach a color copy of ...
   1. Driver's License
   2. TCFP FIDO Account Number
4. Proof of Enrollment
   1. Class Schedule
   2. Degree plan with the enrolled courses highlighted.
5. Submit all documentation as one file (preferably a PDF document) to sac-firescience@bagmakerblog.com

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

1. Employment verification letter signed by the Chief on department letterhead not older than two weeks
   1. At least one year as an active member of an organized volunteer fire department participating in the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System
2. Tuition Exemption Form completed and signed
   1. Tuition Exemption Form Click Here
   2. Only fill-out highlighted areas
3. Attach a Color copy of ...
   1. Driver's License
   2. TCFP FIDO Account Number
4. Proof of Enrollment
   1. Class Schedule
   2. Degree plan with the enrolled courses highlighted.
5. Submit all documentation as one file (preferably PDF document) to sac-firescience@bagmakerblog.com

NOTE: Tuition Exemption Forms must be completed every semester. All tuition exemptions will be processed and forwarded to Business Office on Thursdays.

LINK RESOURCES:

Government Code:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.54.htm#54.353
Administrative Code:
http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=19&pt=
1&ch=21&sch=Z&rl=Y
SFFMA Website:
http://www.sffma.org/
TCFP Website:
http://www.tcfp.texas.gov/
NFPA Website:
http://www.nfpa.org/

A. Business Office - Pay My Tuition

Provides a financial system of charges, refunds, and payments.

• Are installment plans available?
• How much do I owe? or I need a refund.
• How do I Pay?
  • Send money orders and certified checks to
    • 1819 N. MAIN AVE., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78212, ATTN: BUSINESS OFFICE
  • Online Payment Click Here

Contact:

(210) 486-0201

dst-VBO2@bagmakerblog.com

The Fire Academy is held every Fall Semester (August to December), Spring Semester (January to May), and Summer Semester (May to August) . The Academy meets Monday-Friday from 0600 thru 1700 hrs. for one semester (16 Weeks). 

The Fire Academy will cost approximately $4,100, this includes: books, uniforms, equipment, etc.  

Tuition can be paid for in multiple ways, such as cash, check, credit/debit card, etc. Other methods include scholarships, VA-GI Bill, student loans, or Financial Aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov) or  http://90.bagmakerblog.com/district/financial-aid/ .  Payment in full or by installments must be made by the payment deadline or you will be dropped from your classes. 

The First Responder’s Academy Campus is located at 15775 IH 35 South, Atascosa, TX 78002.

click to download a pdf

A City Fire Academy is one that is part of the employment process of that particular city. Most large city fire departments have a Civil Service type exam in which anyone who meets the minimum qualifications can take. Based on successful completion of the hiring process, you are ranked on a list. This whole process can take up to a year to complete and is very competitive due to a very high volume of people competing.  Most people inquire about a fire academy such as the San Antonio College Regional Fire Academy because they do not want to risk losing the time when they could be working towards certification and or their degree while searching for a job with a city that does not have their own fire academy which only hires certified firefighter/EMTs. 

In the State of Texas, a certified Firefighter must also hold Basic Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician in order to be certified/eligible for hire.  You have the option to either go to an EMT academy before the fire academy or after. 

Yes. Successful completion of the fire academy will earn you 27 college credit hours.  These hours will transfer right in to a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field at a University.  For those who are not seeking a degree, you can register as a certificate only student as opposed to a degree student. 

Yes. The State of Texas rewards Full Time Firefighters with a tuition waiver program at certain State Colleges under certain degree plans.  For instance, once you are a career firefighter in the State of Texas, you can register for classes that are approved by the Department and your tuition will be waived up to and including a Bachelor’s Degree. 

You will be required to pass a final exam with a score of 80% in order to graduate the fire academy.  You will also be required to complete all practical skills throughout the semester as well as be tested at random by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection on these skills.  To achieve certification, you must also pass the State Written Exam with a score of 70%. 

Yes. Firefighters are members of one of the most physically demanding occupations in the world. You must be in top physical condition to perform the tasks required of a Firefighter, such as rescuing victims, carrying equipment, raising ladders, and performing automobile extractions. In addition, Firefighters will be required to demonstrate proficiency in performing essential job duties.

In order to be hired by most fire departments you will take a physical ability/agility exam.  One example of these exams includes the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).  Click on this link for an example of a Preparation Guide.

There are no restrictions based on age to become a cadet of the SAC Regional Fire Academy.  Every person performs at a different level physically no matter what age.  Our academy also includes cadet classes made of high school students as a dual credit academy.  Every fire department has different rules on age requirements but not all departments will put a limit on age.  Most departments will however have a physical ability exam to prove that the candidate can perform essential job functions.