• The Miami-Dade County Academy of Fire Rescue (MDCAFR) is a public service education academy that will provide academic, career and technical education for high school students in Miami-Dade County.
• The MDCAFR is a joint effort between Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR), Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), and Miami Dade College (MDC).
• Beginning in the sophomore year of high school, students will embark on a journey to become educated, trained, and certified as Firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) in the State of Florida.
• Health Science 1 & 2 courses will be offered in the sophomore year to students who have attained a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the previous year.
• Firefighting 1 & 2 and First Responder courses will be offered to students in the junior year who have attained a minimum GPA of 2.5, and have successfully completed Health Science 1 & 2.
• A Dual Enrollment Emergency Medical Technician program, with Miami Dade College, will be offered to students in the senior year with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (unweighted) and have successfully completed First Responder.  Those students who fail to meet the requirements for Dual Enrollment will receive a Directed Studies course.

Benefits / Credits / Certifications:

• Students meet graduation requirements by completing the career development program.
• College tuition may be reimbursed as established by the Department of Education and the Gold Seal Program.
• Students can earn 11 credit hours towards related AS degree in Emergency Medical Services provided they qualify for the Dual Enrollment program.
• Cadet Firefighters earn certification through the Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire Standards and Training for the State of Florida.

Entrance Requirements:

• Students must be in the 10th grade and have a minimum 2.5 GPA for the previous year.
• Students must have parental consent.
• Students must pass:
  • Background check
  • Required drug test
  • Extensive medical examination as required by the Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, prior to the start of the school year.
• Students must possess good physical fitness and strength for lifting and moving activities related to this career field.  Students with respiratory disorders, such as asthma, may not be able to pass the required medical examination.
• Students must possess U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
• Students must have proof of school insurance.
• Students must complete and submit the application package including:
  • Personal History Questionnaire
  • Five hundred (500) word Career Statement expressing their reasons for entering the MDCAFR
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation, and may be required to complete an oral interview
  • Copy of FL Driver's License or State I.D.
  • Official transcripts
  • Student & Parent Waiver Forms
  • Student/Parent Commitment Form
  • Non- User of Tobacco Affidavit
• Students must be sixteen (16) years of age by the first day of class.
• Students must pass the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) with minimal scores as listed to participate in Dual Enrollment Certificate.

Program Requirements:

• Students enrolled in the Academy must take modular-based written and practical skills examinations.
• State mandated minimum passing exam scores are as follows:
  • Firefighting 1 & 2 =  70%
  • First Responder =   80%
• Class work requires reading and comprehension of rigorous technical material, completion of daily homework assignments, and several research papers.  Failure to complete daily assignments may result in self-elimination from the program.
• Absences, whether excused or unexcused, beyond five percent (5%) of the scheduled classes, are carefully monitored and may lead to dismissal from the program.
• Practical training evolutions in the firefighting classes demand rigorous physical exertion, performing at extreme heights, and functioning in confined spaces under controlled conditions with direct supervision.
• Participation in Fire/Rescue activities requires an extremely high level of discipline for everyone's safety; as such, the Fire Service is a "para-military" organization.  Classes and drills will be conducted under very strict guidelines and discipline.
• Students are required to obey all rules and regulations of the MDCAFR.  Failure to do so could result in dismissal from the program.

Curriculum Outline

10th Grade:

• Health Science 1 (#8417100 - One secondary credit - Core Requirement for First Responder)
• Health Science 2 (#8417110 - One secondary credit - Core requirement for First Responder)

Note: Weight Training course should be substituted for Physical Education to meet physical body-building requirement.

11th Grade:

• Part 1:
  • Firefighting 1 (#8918110 - One credit - Core requirement for Pre-Firefighting & Rescue Training - Firefighter I)
  • First Responder (#8417171 - One secondary credit - Prerequisite for EMT dual enrollment)

Students will begin specialized training in the firefighter career track.  They will be exposed to the various skills and equipment used in the fire service.  Each student will be assigned to a fire department officer as his or her personal mentor.  For entry into this portion of the career track, students must be able to go through an application process involving criminal background checks, physical assessments, and reference submissions. 

• Part 2:
  • Firefighting 2 (#8918120 - One credit - Core requirement for Pre-Firefighting & Rescue Training - Firefighter I)
  • First Responder (#8417171 - One secondary credit - Prerequisite for EMT dual enrollment)

Students will be exposed to the opportunities and variable career paths in the fire service.  This will be accomplished through guest lecturers, worksite visits, and an overview of the skills and training required for a successful career in fire suppression, prevention and emergency medical services.  Students will enhance problem solving and critical thinking skills that are needed to become a successful fire service employee.  They will also be introduced to valuing diversity, developing leadership and technological skills in dealing with a multi-ethnic community.

12th Grade:

• Emergency Medical Technician (Dual enrollment with Miami-Dade College)

Dual Enrollment Guidelines

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate Admission Requirements:

• Completion of admissions process for dual enrollment.  (Process should begin during summer of the junior year.)
• Minimum GPA 3.0 unweighted
• Successful completion of the college Computerized Placement Test (CPT)
• Meet minimum CPT exam score requirement:
  • Reading 83
  • English 83
  • Algebra 72
• Completion of the application process
• Completion of the required Health Record (required for EMS 1431)
• Completion of the criminal background check (required for EMS 1431)
• Successful completion of a First Responder course
• Hold a current BLS (Basic Life Support) CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) card.

The MDCPS Health Science Education program has a memorandum of agreement in articulation with MDC for the First Responder program completer toward an Associate in Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services.  Upon First Responder program completion, students will receive MDC course credit for:

• HSC 0001 - Introduction to Health Care (3 credits)
• EMS 1059 - Responder in Emergency Care (1 credit)
• EMS 1059L - Responder in Emergency Care lab (1 credit)

***EMS 1059 and 1059L are prerequisites for the MDC EMT Certificate program.

Course Sequence at MDC Medical Center Campus:

• EMS 1119 - Emergency Medical Technician -  4 credits
• EMS 1119 - Emergency Technician Lab - 2 credits
• EMS 1431 - EMT Hospital/Field Experience - 3 credits

***EMS 1431 requires six 8-hour hospital rotations and five 12-hour ride time rotations. If student is under 18 years old, parents must sign a "Hold Harmless Waiver" with MDC.
***Students must be at least 18 years old to take the EMT certification exam, and to enroll in a Firefighter II course.

Medical Examination

A medical exam is required for participation in the program. The examining medical professional needs to be aware of the type of physical activities the student will be performing during firefighting training.  The examination should reveal any condition or deficiency which would interfere with the performance of described activities. Of major concern, is whether the safety or health of the student would be compromised by permitting him/her to engage in the described training due to any preexisting or current medical condition, injury, illness or deficiency revealed during the medical examination.

Types of physical activities the students will be performing include, but are not limited to:

1. Physical Training (supervised by instructors)
 a) Cardio Vascular (such as running, step ups, etc.)
 b) Strength (pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, etc.)

2. Lifting and carrying as well as raising ground ladders.
 a) Each student will raise and climb all ladders from 24' to 50' in length.
 (NOTE:  These ladders are very heavy in their construction)

3. Using heavy equipment to perform forcible entry.
 a) Sledgehammer, fire axe, gas-powered saws, etc.

4. Directing fire hose streams
 a) 1 ¾" and 2 ½" handlines
  ***NOTE:  These nozzles have considerable reaction against the student

5. Ropes and knots
 a) Each student shall hoist forcible entry tools, ground ladders, etc. to a height of 20 feet.

6. Breathing Apparatus
 a) Each student shall perform all tasks (physical training excluded) while wearing breathing apparatus and full bunker clothing.

7. Students shall demonstrate search and rescue procedures.
 a) Each student shall remove injured persons (125 pound dummy) from  immediate hazards by the use of carries, drags, and stretchers.

8. Each firefighter student shall comply with NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications.

Essential firefighting functions which students will be expected to perform are:

• Wear personal protective equipment that weighs approximately 50 pounds while performing firefighting tasks which would include the lifting, carrying, and raising of heavy ground ladders, using heavy equipment and tools to perform forcible entry or vehicle extrication, working with heavy hose lines that have considerable reaction.
• Work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration. Make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods.
• Tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing duties. Must perform physically demanding work while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body cooling mechanisms.
• Perform a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces, such as rooftops or ladders.
• Rely on senses of sight, hearing, smell and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environment throughout the duration of the operation.

Uniform Requirements:

• The student will be responsible for the maintenance and replacement of all uniforms required for the program.
• All students must be in full uniform attire on designated days.
• Replacement uniform costs are as follows:
  • Polo Shirts:  $25.45
  • BDU Pants:  $44.23
  • Drill/P.T. Shirt:  $10.45
  • P.T. Shorts:  $9.95
  • Belt: $21.59
  • Boots: $65.00
  • Total Set $176.67