Alabama Fire College
SERVE. SHARPEN. SUCCEED.
2025 FIRE EXPLORER WEEKEND
150+ STUDENTS
60+ INSTRUCTORS/VOLUNTEERS
EXPLORERS FIRE WEEKEND
The chilly weather didn’t stop 157 students from training at the Alabama Fire College on February 21-23 for the annual Fire Explorers Weekend. Young adults from Alabama and Georgia participated in hands-on firefighter training, including live fire, rappelling, confined space, and extrication exercises. Participants represented Explorer Posts from Alabama (Elkmont, Helena, Hoover, Montevallo, Mulga, Oxford, Tanner, and Toney), and Georgia (Catoosa County, Cobb County, and Oconee County).
The Fire Explorers, a Learning for Life program, is designed for individuals aged 14-21 who are interested in fire and emergency services careers. It provides hands-on career exposure through training, ride-alongs, and practical projects It emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and essential firefighting skills Explorers receive training on policies, emergency protocols, and equipment use while also gaining career and educational guidance. Additionally, they engage in community service, competitions, and national events to enhance their career readiness.
InVEST
Basic Level: Volunteer Certification
Intermediate Level:
InState Volunteer Emergency Services Training
1,284 233 181 143
The numbers above represent the number of awardees of each level of the InVEST Program since its inception in 2012 The program was developed for the Volunteer fire service to recognize individuals dedicated to training and education Learn more at www.alabamafirecollege.org/invest or contact your Regional Coordinator.
Master Level:
(1) 16hr non-certification course
+ Paramedic License OR 4yr college degree
Fire Fighter II certification +
Fire Instructor I certification
+ (1) certification (not previously used)
+ (1) Apparatus Operator certification (any)
+ 40hrs of non-certification courses (EVD, ISO, NFA courses, NIMS, Mobile Fire Suppression Training, etc.)
Advanced Level:
(3) certifications (not previously used)
+ EMT Basic
*OR*
(4) certifications (not previously used)
+ 50hrs of non-certification courses
+ (1) certification course (not previously used)
*OR*
(1) 16hr non-certification course
+Intermediate/Advanced EMT/equivalent license OR 2yr college degree
+ (2) certification courses (not prev. used)
*OR*
(1) 16hr non-certification course
+ (7) certifications courses (not prev. used)
CURRICULUM+ CERTIFICATION UPDATES
NFPA 1010, Standard on Professional Qualifications for Firefighters (2024)
(potential release dates Spring 2026)
Fire Fighter I
Fire Fighter II
All associated programs:
Volunteer Fire Fighter, Fire Fighter I/II Recruit School, Fire Fighter I/II
Bridge, Fire Fighter I Recertification
Fire Support Person (new level)
Fire Apparatus Operator:
Emergency Vehicle Driver ARFF Driver
Mobile Water Supply Pumper
Aerial
Marine Fire Fighter
1010
Airport Fire Fighter
ALABAMA FIRE FIGHTER LICENSE PLATE
NFPA 1081, Standard for Facility Fire Brigade Member Professional Qualifications (2024)
(potential release dates mid-2026)
Incipient Advanced Exterior
1081
Interior Structural Member Leader
NPFA 1550, Standard for Emergency Responder Health and Safety (2024)
(potential release dates mid-2026)
Fire Department Safety Officer: Health and Safety Officer
Fire Department Safety Officer: Incident Safety Officer
1550
Looking to obtain an Alabama Firefighter license plate for your vehicle?
the criteria and cost on the Alabama Department of Revenue’s website.
(managed by the Alabama Fire College)
(managed by the Alabama Forestry Commission)
Not listed? Have the appropriate form, found at www.alabamafirecollege.org/tag, signed by your chief and submit to your county license official. Add someone to your departments roster:
Volunteer Fire Departments: Contact the Alabama Forestry Commission
Fire Service Briefing
Fire College Weekend
Personnel Standards & Education Commission: Work Session & Quarterly Meeting
National Fire Academy State Weekend
NFPA Safety Summit
April 8 @ 10am. Zoom link posted at www.alabamafirecollege.org/events.
North Alabama - March 14-16 www.alabamafirecollege.org/fcw
Work Session: April 15 @ 12:30pm
Quarterly Meeting: April 16 @ 9am
Personnel Standards & Education Commission work sessions and meetings are open for public attendance. More info can be found at www alabamafirecollege org/commission
Save the date! June 7-8. Registration will open soon.
Save the date! September 4. Registration will open soon.
FIRE MARSHALS ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA
Spring Conference
March 5-7 at Lake Guntersville State Park www.alfiremarshals.org
NATIONAL FIREFIGHTERS TRAINING FOUNDATION
South Alabama Firefighter H.O.T. Weekend
March 8-9 in Fairhope, AL www.alabamafirefighterstrainingfoundation.com
CENTRAL ALABAMA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION
Fire Department Operations, Strategies, & Tactics: A View from Alabama (2 dates)
March 12 at Shelby Co. 280 Services Building or March 13 at Trussville Civic Center
www.alabamafirecollege.org/cafca-view
CULLMAN FIRE RESCUE
Cullman Leadership Conference
more at www.alabamafirecolleg.org
March 31-April 1 at Cullman First Baptist Church www.alabamafirecollege.org/cullmanleadership
Class options:
Command and Control for Company Level Operations (W0296)
Incident Safety Officer (W0729)
Introduction to Unified Command for All-Hazard Incidents (W0609)
Leadership in Supervision: Creating Environments for Professional Growth (W0646)
New Fire Chief: Challenging Issues (W0760)
New Fire Chief: Contemporary Issues (W0762)
The mandatory meal plan fee of $100 includes six meals: (1) on Friday evening, (3) on Saturday, and (2) on Sunday.
A single room for each participant for a twonight stay is included. A few rooms for married couples are available- please notify the Fire College if you would like a double room. Transportation to and from the National Fire Academy is the responsibility of the individual/department. Attendees traveling by bus will leave AFC on the evening of Thursday, June 5, and will return on the morning of Monday, June 9.
PUBLIC EDUCATION UPDATES FROM NFPA
Website Updates and Seasonal Topics
This winter, join NFPA in raising awareness about carbon monoxide safety. Visit nfpa.org/co to access a variety of free resources, including safety tips, educational videos, a podcast, a community toolkit, and much more. Share these valuable materials with your community to help keep everyone safe. Heating, winter storms and candles all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter months. Nearly half of all home heating fires occur in January and February, and December. Put a freeze on winter fires by reviewing our safety information. Learn more. Download printable fire safety books and stories for kids at sparkyschoolhouse.org. Play Sparky’s Match Game at sparky.org.
Professional Development and Conferences
Spotlight on Public Education (SOPE) Conference: Join us for this three-day event focused on the unique challenges of fire and life safety education in diverse communities. Gain valuable insights and skills from experts, and network with peers.
Dates: Monday, June 16 – Wednesday, June 18
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Register today!
CRR Kitchen Table Session: Please note: We’ll keep you updated if we need to adjust the schedule. If you share this information with others, please encourage them to email us at CRR@nfpa.org to be added to our invitation & updates list. Wednesday, March 19th at 10amCT: Seattle Fire Department’s Dr. Karen Grove, Fire Prevention Director, alongside Asst. Chief Timothy Munnis and Dan Flores, Analyst and CRR Lead will join us to share Seattle’s first Community Risk Assessment. Over the course of an 18-month project, the Seattle team conducted their CRA, leaning on the process outlined in NFPA 1300 and insights gathered from their CRAIG 1300 dashboard.
The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) will select 40 fire departments to each receive a $750 stipend to conduct a Home Fire Sprinkler Week outreach program during the week of May 11-17, 2025. The stipend program is generously funded by a grant from State Farm®. Applicants for the stipend must sign up for the free Built For Life Fire Departments (BFLFD) program and describe their plan to use and evaluate their awards.
NFPA News: Protecting Fire and Life Safety Standards
Across the U.S., anti-regulatory sentiments and well-financed lobbying efforts are persuading lawmakers to weaken or erase the fire and life safety codes meant to protect the public. Can we reverse this dangerous trend? Read more in The Assault on Safety in the latest NFPA Journal.
WEEKEND CLASSES FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS
The following classes are offered to Alabama VFFs on a weekend-based schedule. Tuition is waived; student is responsible for books Call 1(800)241-2467 to register.
Technical Rescue Personnel: Rope Rescue Awareness & Operations: March 8, 9, 22, 23
Technical Rescue Personnel: Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician: April 12, 13, 26, 27
Fire Apparatus Operator: Mobile Water Supply:
May 3-4
Fire & Emergency Services Instructor I:
June 7, 8, 21, 22
Fire & Emergency Services Instructor II:
July 12, 13, 26, 27
Fire Apparatus Operator: Pumper: August 9, 10, 23, 24
Fire Officer II: September 3, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 27, and 30; via Zoom
NFA CLASSES ON CAMPUS
Decision Making for Initial Company Operations: March 8-9
Strategies and Tactics for Initial Company Operations: April 28-29
Preparation for Initial Company Operations:
July 26-27
Youth Firesetter Program Manager: September 22-23
NEW INVISIBLE DISABILITIES TRAINING REQUIREMENT FOR AL FIRE FIGHTERS
This behavioral health awareness online course will educate students regarding: critical incident stress management & peer support signs & symptoms of behavioral & emotional distress benefits of psychological support & education understanding mental health diagnosis & treatment suicide awareness This course meets the prerequisit for the following courses: Fire Fighter I/II, Peer Support Member TRP: Rope Awareness & Operation Rescue, & Volunteer Fire Fighter.
A new training requirement for Alabama fire departments went into effect on January 1, 2025. All certified career and volunteer staff are required to complete training for invisible disabilities within six months of being certified and every other year after that. In order to complete this training, departments must sign up with KultureCity, the training provider.
The training is completed online, and Kulture City is responsible for keeping the training current and providing the sensory kits as prescribed in the agreement that they will make with each department. To contact Kulture City, please email alfirstresponder@kulturecity.org.
Register your department: www.kulturecity.org/apply-for-sensoryinclusive-first-responder-certification/.
ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE
Regional Services
www.alabamafirecollege.org/regional
It’s our goal to extend training opportunities into every county in Alabama. To accomplish this objective, we have a network of regional coordinators to facilitate training at the local level The regional staff is available to answer questions, set up training, and respond to the needs of fire service across the state
REGION 1: Danny Southard dsouthard@alabamafirecollege.org (256)434-0459
REGION 2: Mike Hill mhill@alabamafirecollege.org (256)590-6647
REGION 3: Skip Kittrell skittrell@alabamafirecollege.org (205)960-2793
REGIONS 4 & 7: Rudy Rooks rrooks@alabamafirecollege.org (256)463-8469
REGION 5: Jeff Roberts jroberts@alabamafirecollege.org (205)292-5531
REGION 6: Baine Vaughn bvaughn@alabamafirecollege.org (334)301-2491
REGION 8: Jeff Ludlam jludlam@alabamafirecollege.org (251)680-7883
REGIONS 9 & 10: Dwayne Yelder dyelder@alabamafirecollege.org (334)549-3692
Reid Vaughan, Section Chief (205)343-7414 rvaughan@alabamafirecollege.org
Distance Learning
Kelli Southard, Coordinator ksouthard@alabamafirecollege.org
Get Alarmed, Alabama!
Jonathan Ledbetter, Program Manager smokealarms@alabamafirecollege.org www.alabamafirecollege.org/smokealarms
High School Career-Tech Programs
Jennifer Gonzales, Training Specialist jgonzales@alabamafirecollege.org www.alabamafirecollege.org/careertech
Jefferson County is taking bold steps to address a critical need in its emergency medical services (EMS) sector To help meet this challenge and strengthen the EMS workforce, the Jefferson County Commission, in collaboration with the United Way of Central Alabama, is offering a tuition-free training program for individuals pursuing certification as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs), and Paramedics.
Addressing the EMS Shortage
The shortage of qualified EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics in Jefferson County has been a growing concern, made worse by the demands of the COVID-19 crisis. With emergency medical professionals working tirelessly on the front lines, the need for new recruits has never been greater. This new initiative offers a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in entering the EMS field, ensuring that Jefferson County has a steady pipeline of qualified, trained personnel ready to serve the community
The cost of tuition and necessary supplies will be covered for eligible individuals This scholarship program is available for those who live in Jefferson County or work in Jefferson County in the EMS field, and are admitted into an EMS program at Alabama Fire College. Programs include training for EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics. This initiative is designed to help reduce financial barriers for prospective EMS professionals and accelerate their path to certification and employment.
Who is Eligible?
To take advantage of this opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be 18 years or older
High School Graduate or GED holder
U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident
Resident of Jefferson County OR employed in the EMS field within Jefferson County
Must be enrolled in one of the following Alabama Fire College EMS programs: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or Paramedic Program
Funding and Support
This workforce development initiative is supported, in part, by federal funds through the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Jefferson County Commission received a federal award (SLFRP1176) to help fund this important program, which is a vital part of the county's ongoing recovery efforts from the pandemic.
Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Reimbursement Program
INCLUDES ALL THREE LEVELS: EMT, ADVANCED EMT, & PARAMEDIC
Each year, emergency medical service agencies in Alabama hire more than 300 Emergency Medical Services Personnel (EMSP)s to offer life-saving support to their communities. In addition to these paid openings, the more than 900 volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in Alabama also rely on certified and committed EMSPs to meet their community needs. The State of Alabama created the Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Reimbursement Program (Act 2018-524) in 2018 and modified the program in 2023 (Act 2023-353). The legislation allows for students who obtain their EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic certification from an Alabama Community College, the Alabama Fire College, or the University of South Alabama to be reimbursed their tuition costs for the training.
COMMIT FOR TWO YEARS, GET REIMBURSED TUITION
In order to qualify for the Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Program, the applicant must commit – and show verification of a commitment – to at least two years of service to a volunteer fire or rescue squad. This increases the worker’s experience and helps local communities.
