Questions? Call (877) 995-5656 or email us at info@trainingdevgroup.com

To register for your online Fire Academy Course you only have to submit a completed Application and pay your tuition. A separate Boot Camp Registration Packet is located on the website. All waivers and forms in the boot camp registration packet will be due BEFORE you attend your on-site boot camp/skills session.

TDG Fire Academy Information

General Information
TDG Fire Academy is an online academy followed by a 14-day onsite boot camp/ skills session designed to prepare trainees for a career as a Basic Structural Firefighter. The academy is an authorized training facility through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) guidelines. Trainees who successfully complete the academy will be eligible for the TCFP certification exam. Per §427.201(d) and §427.305 of the Texas Administrative Code, the skills testing and final exam must be completed on-site and in a proctored setting (which takes place during the 14-day boot camp). In addition to the firefighter training provided in this academy, emergency medical training is also required by the TCFP before a firefighter certification is issued. (See section on Emergency Medical Training below and on application). Upon completion of the academy, successful passing of the state practical and written exam, and completion of emergency medical training, trainees can certify as Basic Structural Firefighters with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Successful trainees are eligible to receive International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) seals for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and Hazardous Materials Operations. These seals are accepted by many states in the US and provincesin Canada, as well as other countries, as evidence of firefighter training. Please note that all TCFP exam scores will expire after one year, therefore certifications and IFSAC Seals must beobtained prior to the exam expiration date.

TDG Fire Academy holds on-site class room and skills sessions at Johnson County Emergency Services District No. 1 (JCESD1) in Cleburne, Texas. Utilizing this facility will provide a top-notch experience for every student. The capabilities of this facility will allow for safe operations and for many other optionswith logistical set up and changes and with completion of the required skills mastery.

Requirements for Eligibility

• Minimum age – 18 years
• Maximum age – None set by TDG. Applicants should be aware that age limitations are set by
  each department.
• Minimum education – High School Diploma or GED
• Medical examination – physician examination and certification required. Physician must certify
 that applicant is physically capable of meeting the physical demands of the academy.
 (Medical examination must be done prior to attending 14-day skill-session/boot camp.)

Textbook

All textbooks for this program are provided in electronic format within your online course. If you wish
to purchase a hard copy of the textbook for your personal use you are welcome to do so but it is not
required.

Current Textbook: Jones and Bartlett Publishers,
Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills and Hazardous Materials Response 4th Edition

Be sure to read all instructions provided with this application (Following instructions is an essential skill in the Fire Service). Doing so will prevent problems with your registration.

Application Instructions

Personal Information
Supply the information indicated. All information is required. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) FIDO#
All class rosters, testing requests, course completion certificates, etc. are keyed to your personal TCFP FIDO #. If you do not have a number (and you probably don’t), go to the TCFP FIDO web site at:

https://auth.tcfp.texas.gov/account/login

Click on “Create Account”. Follow the instructions. If you do not have a valid Social Security Number
(United States) or SIN (Canada), you cannot obtain a PIN through the FIDO system. After you create your account you can login to view your PIN (top right of screen).

The TCFP PIN # is required. You cannot enroll without this number DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!

Emergency Contact

Enter information for the person you want to be contacted in the event of an emergency or occurrence
during the fire academy.

Educational Level

Mark the highest educational level you have attained. Minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED.

Fire Service Affiliation

If you are affiliated with a paid or volunteer fire department (or both), mark the appropriate box(es) and
write in the department name. If you have no fire service affiliation, mark “None”.

Emergency Medical Certification

If you have no emergency medical certification and have never held one, mark “None”.

If you hold, have held, or are training for an emergency medical certification, mark the appropriate
certification level and status as indicated.

Sponsoring Fire Department

If a fire department is sponsoring you in this academy, complete the department information. If this does not apply, mark “Not Applicable”. Sponsored means that you are an employee of the department and it is paying all or some expenses of the academy.

Criminal History

Review the criminal history information on the application. Initial and date this section after you have read and understood.

Emergency Medical Training

Read the information provided on emergency medical training. Upon successful completion of the
academy, you will complete the TCFP firefighter certification exam.
However, the Texas Commission on Fire Protection may not issue firefighter certification until you have
completed the emergency medical training requirements. Initial and date this section after you have read and understood. (Most students complete Fire Academy first and then obtain their minimum medical
training.)

Certification

Sign and date this section. By signing, you are certifying that the information you have provided on the
application is true and correct. Intentionally supplying incorrect information, omitting, or withholding
pertinent information will constitute grounds for dismissal from the academy.

Submission

Submit the application below and use your finger, stylus or mouse to provide your signature.

TDG Fire Academy Application

Personal Information

Find Boot Camp Dates HERE

Emergency Contact

Sponsoring Fire Department

Demographics

The following information is required by the Coordinating Board of the Texas College and University System:

Criminal History

Texas law requires that a criminal history check be conducted prior to being granted a firefighter certification by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. An information sheet titled “Criminal Conviction Guidelines”, excerpted from the applicable portion of the Texas Administrative Code, is included below for your reference.

Training Development Group does not conduct background checks on applicants for the Fire Academy. If you have been convicted of a felony or Class A or B misdemeanor, you should consider having your individual status evaluated prior to enrollment in this program. TDG Fire Academy is not responsible if your application for firefighter certification is rejected by the Commission for any reason. By initialing below, you certify that you are aware of the background requirements for firefighter certification and have considered their applicability to your individual situation.

I certify that I have read the paragraphs above. I understand that TDG Fire Academy is not responsible for determining my eligibility for firefighter certification

Emergency Medical Training

In addition to the firefighter training provided in this academy, the Texas Commission on Fire Protection requires emergency medical training prior to certifying individuals as firefighters. The Commission recognizes the following emergency medical training:

• Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Medical Service Personnel certification training;
• American Red Cross Emergency Response course, including the optional lessons and enrichment sections;
• American Safety and Health Institute First Responder course;
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification; or
Medical training deemed equivalent by the Commission (Canadian students who have successfully completed, at a minimum, the British Columbia Occupational First Aid Level 3 or Alberta First Responder Level III and HCA meet this requirement)

The fire academy does not include this training. If you have not had emergency medical training, you must obtain it after completing Fire Academy.

I understand that, in addition to this academy, emergency medical training is required before firefighter certification can be obtained from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection

Refund and Course Cancelation Policy

I certify that I have read and fully understand the Refund Policy and Course Cancelation Policy.

Certification

I certify that the above information is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I certify that I am the person described above. I understand that any intentional misrepresentation on this application constitutes grounds for dismissal from the academy.

Criminal Conviction Guidelines for Firefighter Certification by Texas Commission on Fire Protection

Excerpted from Texas Administrative Code
Title 37, Part 13, Chapter 403, Rule §403.7 Criminal Convictions Guidelines

(a) The following crimes are considered to relate directly to the ability, capacity, and fitness
required to perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of persons certified by the
commission:
(1) offenses under the Government Code, Chapter 419, relating to the Texas Commission on
Fire Protection;
(2) offenses under the Texas Transportation Code Title 6 Roadways, which are punishable by
fines greater than $200, or imprisonment, or both fine and imprisonment;
(3) offenses under the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, concerning controlled
substances;
(4) offenses under the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 483, concerning dangerous drugs;
(5) offenses under the following titles of the Texas Penal Code:
(A) Title 5–offenses against the person;
(B) Title 6–offenses against the family;
(C) Title 7–offenses against property;
(D) Title 8–offenses against public administration;
(E) Title 9–offenses against public order and decency;
(F) Title 10–offenses against public health, safety and morals;
(G) Title 11–offenses involving organized crime; and
(H) Title 4–inchoate offenses Chapter 15 preparatory offenses to any of the offenses in this
section;
(6) the offenses listed in this subsection are not inclusive, in that the commission may consider
other particular crimes in special cases in order to promote the intent of the statutes
administered by the commission.
(b) In all cases the commission shall consider:
(1) the nature and seriousness of the crime;
(2) the relationship of the crime to the purposes for requiring the certificate issued by the
commission;
(3) the extent to which the certificate might offer an opportunity to engage in further criminal
activity of the same type as that in which the person previously had been involved;
(4) the relationship of the crime to the ability, capacity, or fitness required to perform the
duties and discharge the responsibilities of the certificate holder;
(5) the level and nature of supervision of the person by others; and
(6) the level and nature of access to public, commercial, and residential properties, including
access after regular business hours and access to areas not open to the general public.

Title 37, Part 13, Chapter 403, Rule §403.9 Mitigating Factors

(a) In addition to the factors that must be considered under §403.7 of this title (relating to
Criminal Convictions Guidelines), in determining the present fitness of a person who has been
convicted of a crime, the commission shall consider the following evidence:
(1) the extent and nature of the person’s past criminal activity;
(2) the age of the person at the time of the commission of the crime;
(3) the amount of time that has elapsed since the person’s last criminal activity;
(4) the conduct and work activity of the person prior to and following the criminal activity;
(5) evidence of the person’s rehabilitation or rehabilitative effort while incarcerated or
following release; and
(6) other evidence of the person’s present fitness, including letters of recommendation from:
(A) prosecution, law enforcement, and correctional officers who prosecuted, arrested, or had
custodial responsibility for the person;
(B) the sheriff or chief of police in the community where the person resides; and
(C) any other persons in contact with the convicted person.
(b) It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to the extent possible to secure and provide to
the commission as required the recommendations of prosecution, law enforcement, and
correctional authorities as required by statute and these rules upon request by the commission
staff. The applicant shall upon request also furnish:
(1) a copy of the indictment, information or complaint;
(2) a copy of the judgement(s) or order(s) of the court adjudicating guilt, granting probation,
community supervision, deferred adjudication, or discharge from probation or community
supervision;
(3) a record of steady employment in the form of a letter from current or former employers;
(4) a record that the applicant has supported his or her dependents in the form of a letter
from a person in the applicant’s community with personal knowledge of the circumstances;
(5) evidence that the applicant has paid all outstanding court costs, supervision fees, fines, and
restitution as may have been ordered in all criminal cases in which he or she has been convicted,
in the form of copies of official records, documents, or a letter from the person’s probation or
parole officer where applicable concerning his or her current status; and
(6) a copy of the police or offense report(s).

Any prospective student who has been convicted of any felony offense or a Class A or
Class B misdemeanor should consider having an early review by the Texas Commission on
Fire Protection prior to enrolling in the fire academy. The Commission can deny
certification based on criminal history. While an early review is not required, it may be
beneficial if you are unsure of your status regarding certification. The form to request
early review is available from the Commission web site at:

https://www.tcfp.texas.gov/Services/GetPdf?filename=%2FForms%2FTCFP-012.pdf