Students in the employment of a public or private fire agency are considered "Sponsored Students" and are subject to the rules and regulations of both their department and the Joint Fire Academy.
Station Uniform (per uniform specifications of your department)
Uniforms will be clean and neat in appearance.
Footwear will be shined.
Shirts will be department station uniform, or JFA T-shirts when appropriate.
No shoulder patches.
No badges.
Name tags will be provided by JFA.
Ties shall be worn during classroom instruction.
Sweats, when authorized, will be permitted and must be issued by JFA.
Hair shall be neatly groomed; length and bulk of the hair shall not be excessive or present a ragged, unkept, or extreme appearance. Hairstyles that preclude the proper wearing of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or any other Safety Equipment shall not be permitted. Hair will be worn so that it does not extend below the bottom of the uniform shirt collar while student is standing in an erect position.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory at all scheduled class hours and drills. Hours may be adjusted to meet special circumstances or for excused absences.
Excused absences include:
Court Summons (verified by subpoena);
Illness (verified in writing)
NOTE: Some jurisdictions allow family sick leave
Death in the immediate family (may require verification by death certificate);
Spousal leave for childbirth.
NOTE: Students are responsible for making up all missed work. All makeups must be scheduled with the coordinator within three (3) working days.
Tardiness: Tardiness will NOT be tolerated. Recruits shall be in place (in their seats or on the drill ground) at the assigned time and in the required dress.
Absences: Un-excused absences are not allowed. A dayÕs absence equals a loss of eight (8) hours of instruction.
Students shall not leave the Academy during hours of regular assignment without permission of a staff member.
Any absence must be reported immediately to the Academy Coordinator and your home agency. Notification must be made by 0800 hours.
After being absent or tardy for any reason, the student must report to the Academy Coordinator.
All absences (including excused) must be cleared with the Academy Director or sponsoring agency before returning to class.
A Notice of Counseling will be given for attendance problems.
Students shall be present and must sign in prior to the start of class each day, and will sign out at the end of the day.
Signing in for another student or indicating an arrival time other than the true time will be considered a violation of Academy rules.
Students are expected to be prepared for class at all times.
When off site at a fire station or other training facility, the classroom and restroom are the only facilities to be used by students without the permission of the instructor. Wandering about the premises is not permitted.
Use of tobacco is not permitted in any instructional facility. Use of tobacco products is restricted based on site regulations. Students are responsible for cleanup of tobacco products.
Use of alcoholic beverages or any illegal drugs is not permitted. Students found to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs may be subject to termination from the JFA.
Gambling is not permitted.
Students using prescription drugs which they should reasonably know may affect their physical performance (such as driving) MUST notify the Academy Coordinator.
Food and drinks are permitted in designated areas only. Food and drinks are not allowed during instructional periods.
For safety reasons, only authorized personnel are allowed to operate any audio/visual or firefighting equipment without permission of the Staff.
All fire officers will be addressed by their rank.
Breaks will be provided according to Joint Fire Academy regulations. Breaks will be scheduled by the instructor to take place at an appropriate point during the instruction. Reasonable adult standards of individual bathroom breaks are acceptable.
No sleeping in class.
No standing in back of the classroom.
Students are expected to use the waste receptacles provided and to pick up after themselves. At the end of each day, as part of the training and learning process, the students shall perform specific cleaning duties in classrooms, restrooms, kitchens, locker areas, showers, and grounds, as determined by the host agency.
Report any damage discovered to the instructor or the Academy Coordinator.
On or off-site students may only use the phone with Coordinator approval during breaks or for emergencies purposes.
Long distance calls shall NOT be charged to the phone of the Academy site. Use a Calling Card.
The business phone number to be used for incoming calls will be dependent on the class location, and will be provided to the students for family emergency situations. Your department and family should be advised of these numbers.
Students will be called out of class for emergencies ONLY.
Students will NOT be allowed to wear pagers or beepers or use cellular phones.
Safety clothing has been provided for the protection and safety of the students. At all times, follow the direction of the instructor as to the appropriate safety attire.
Students will not be allowed to participate in field exercises if their safety equipment needs repair. Ragged, torn, or frayed clothing shall be reported immediately to the Academy Coordinator for evaluation.
Regulations cannot cover every conceivable type of hazard that may exist during a training exercise. Good judgment and a positive attitude toward your own safety and that of your fellow firefighters will go far in preventing accidents.
During manipulative training exercises, only safety eyewear (including sunglasses) may be worn, and only with the consent of the instructor.
Horseplay is dangerous and is not permitted. Students involved in this type of behavior will be subject to disciplinary action and possible termination from the Academy.
NOTE: The JFA assumes NO responsibility for lost or stolen articles. Take care of your equipment and your supplies.
Academy students will be required to perform typical fire service skills without being a hazard to themselves or to other students. Students must demonstrate both strength and technique to perform manipulative skills correctly and safely.
Maintaining physical fitness is a primary responsibility of firefighters, however, the Academy attempts to provide a regular physical fitness program.
Students MUST report any injuries to the instructor or Academy staff IMMEDIATELY. Staff will administer or request appropriate medical treatment. Any reported on-site injury requires immediate transportation to a designated medical facility for evaluation by a physician. A medical release is required before returning to manipulative training.
As requested, students shall make a written report of any injury received during the Academy. Describe what happened, when, where, and particularly HOW it happened, and the names of witnesses, if any. This report shall be filed with the Academy Coordinator before the end of the next class day.
Academy staff from the sponsoring agency will complete the appropriate ÒSupervisorÕs First Report of InjuryÓ for sponsored students.
Taking notes and maintaining your notebook is an important part of Academy training. You will develop your notebook so it can be used as a basic recruit firefighter text. As a professional in the fire service, your notebook will serve you throughout your fire service career. Keep it up to date!
Notebooks are subject to review and evaluation by Academy staff.
Written quizzes and examinations may be given daily or weekly during the Academy. There will be a written midterm and final examination.
A 75% score is required to pass any written quizzes or tests.
Failure in any written quizzes or exams will result in the student receiving a "Notice of Special Counseling", and direction for further study.
Repeated or continual failures on written quizzes and exams will result in a recommendation for termination form the Academy.
Students must maintain an overall average of 75% throughout the Academy.
Manipulative skills tests or evaluations may be given after instruction and sufficient time to practice and master required evolutions.
Students must pass all mandatory manipulative skills tests. Certain life safety manipulative tests may require a 100% score, as determined by Academy staff.
A student who fails to perform manipulative skills to satisfactory standard shall be counseled for determination of the appropriate remedial training.
Students shall maintain a dignified and professional appearance and be alert at all times, both in the classroom and on the drill ground.
Talking during class is not permitted.
All recruits will be evaluated and counseled on their progress weekly. Both the Recruit and the Counselor will sign the weekly evaluation sheet.
A "Notice of Special Counseling" may be issued by an instructor or Academy staff member to document noteworthy behavior (good or bad). Notices may be issued for any of the following reasons:
Failure to understand or demonstrate knowledge of fire service skills, techniques, or technical information.
Failure to perform fire service manipulative skills.
Violation of safety standards, rules, or regulations.
Disruptive behavior in the classroom or on the drill ground.
Insubordination; refusal to carry out orders.
Attendance problems, including tardiness.
Positive performance and behavior may also be documented on this form.
All "Notices of Special Counseling" will be reviewed with the student as soon as possible after the incident or behavior. Notices will also be reviewed by a representative of the student's agency. All notices will be placed in the studentÕs training file. A student receiving more than three (3) negative notices may result in termination from the Academy based on the review of the student's agency Fire Chief.
Discipline will be maintained at all times during the Academy. Students are expected to exercise and exhibit self-discipline, and instructors and Academy staff will impose directed discipline. The principle of "Progressive Discipline" will be utilized.
Students may be terminated from the Academy for the following reasons:
Failing grades; failure of any final examination.
Failure to abide by all rules and regulations.
Showing disrespect to instructors, staff, or other class members.
Violation of safety rules and standards.
Cheating, or involvement in cheating.
Inappropriate behavior demonstrating discrimination against an individual or group of people.
The following release/termination process will be followed:
Academy staff and the Academy Director will review all recommended Academy releases.
Upon a finding for release, the Academy Director will advise the studentÕs sponsoring agency.
The JFA Governing Board will also be advised in writing.
The following appeal process will be followed:
If the students' agency chooses to appeal the Academy staff recommendations for release, they shall appeal to the Academy Board of Appeals. The Board of Appeals shall consist of three Fire Chiefs, not represented in the Academy with participating recruits, and who are members of the Santa Clara County Fire Chief's Association. The student shall remain in the Academy until final disposition. The Board of Appeals' ruling shall be final.
From time to time, students will be asked to give a confidential evaluation of instructors and classes. Comments will be considered seriously, so be sure to give them due attention.
Host agency or off-site classes may necessitate adherence to more strict rules. These will be spelled out clearly in advance.
Offensive language is prohibited.
Changing clothes
No underwear in the common areas; bathroom/locker rooms only
JFA shirts and shorts only in common areas.
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