Fire Science

Welcome

Prospective Fire Fighter Academy Student:

Thank you for your interest in Mendocino College’s Fire Fighter Academy, FSC-90. We are excited about your interest in participating in this program, and hope that this orientation packet helps answer your questions and prepares you for success in this program.

Basic Facts

FSC-90 classes will start in January of 2027 and the classes are scheduled Monday through Friday from 7 am until 5 pm each day. This class has some scheduled Saturday classes (to be determined). Classes are estimated to end in May of 2027 and Capstone testing process at the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, California is scheduled to occur in the end of May or the beginning of June, 2027 (date to be determined).  

Students are required to attend the academy every day. Students who miss more than 5% of a mandated subject matter or are absent for more than 24 hours are dropped from the course, per State Fire Training regulations. 

Mendocino College partners with the College of the Siskiyous for the final exam Capstone testing. This structured, skill and knowledge-based assessment testing process meets strict State Fire Training (SFT) requirements. After successfully passing these tests, students will receive their Fire Fighter II certificate.  

To participate, students are required to purchase academy uniforms, rent Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and pay for the course’s tuition costs. A complete listing of the equipment costs and tuition costs is listed later in this packet. Financial Aid is available to help students participate in this program. You will find more information about assistance later in this packet.

Interest List 

Students who are interested in attending the FSC-90 Academy - and are currently working to complete their enrollment prerequisites – can add their names to the College’s Interest List, This list is intended to keep students up to date about the upcoming academy’s schedule and other important information. To be added to the FSC-90 “Interest List” please email or call the College’s Public Safety Coordinator, Chris Dewey, with your name, email address, and phone number. 

Chris Dewey – cdewey@mendocino.edu or Office Number 707-468-3205

*Being added to the College’s Interest List does NOT guarantee enrollment. To be enrolled in the FSC-90 course, students are required to meet a number of prerequisites, including EMS training, obtaining a medical clearance from a doctor, and passing a Candidate Physical Fitness Test.  More information about the course prerequisites is listed below. 

Enrollment List

Mendocino College uses a first-come, first-served enrollment process, and students should not wait for the orientation session to submit their proof of meeting the course prerequisites. Students are encouraged to submit these documents directly to the College’s Public Safety Coordinator, Chris Dewey, as soon as possible to ensure enrollment in FSC-90.

Chris Dewey – cdewey@mendocino.edu or Office Number 707-468-3205

Once all the prerequisites enrollment documents are submitted and confirmed by the College’s Public Safety Coordinator, students will receive an official email notification of acceptance in the FSC-90 Fire Academy Session and instructions to complete the enrollment process with the College Admissions and Records Department. 

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Mandatory Orientation: 

Attendance at Workshop Required

Saturday, October 24, 2026, Ukiah Campus

Class Dates: January, 2027, to May, 2027

Capstone Testing Dates: Travel to Weed, CA (TBD, End of May or early June, 2027)

Class Times: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Location: Mendocino College, Ukiah Campus, and other off-site Fire Agencies

Mendocino College uses a first-come, first-served enrollment process, and students should not wait for the orientation sessions to submit their enrollment packets. The enrollment process will be completed, and students will receive an email notification of acceptance after all prerequisite documents are received.

Submitting your prerequisite documents holds your place in line for a space in the Academy.

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Prerequisites: 

The following pre-enrollment requirements must be completed to enroll in the class:

• Apply online as a Mendocino College student at:  https://www.mendocino.edu/  
  • This is unnecessary if you are a continuing student of Mendocino College or have been enrolled during the last two semesters. 
• Obtain a Fire Program Medical Clearance (less than one year old);

• Possess an EMT, or an EMR / Public Safety First Aid certification 
  • OR Proof of Current Enrollment
    • You can obtain these certifications in these College courses:
    • Mendocino College Course EMS 202 - First Aid / Emergency Care / CPR 
    • Mendocino College Course EMS 135 - Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
    •  
• Pass the California "Candidate Physical Fitness Test" (CPAT) Test

A CPAT test is the recognized International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) standard for measuring an individual’s ability to handle the physical demands of being a firefighter. 

To be considered for FSC-90 Academy enrollment, candidates can complete this requirement by:

• Taking the CPAT test at an approved Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC)  https://www.fctconline.org/cpat/ 
• OR: Show proof of successful CPAT completion at another California State Fire Training Academy, OR 

• Proof of successful completion must be less than a year old. 

  For more information on FCTC testing schedules and locations, academy candidates are encouraged to visit the FCTC website at https://www.fctconline.org/cpat/ 
   

• Submit Your Student ID Number and all Documents to the Mendocino College Public Safety Coordinator

  Mendocino College uses a first-come, first-served enrollment process, and students should not wait for the orientation sessions to submit their enrollment packets.

  Return all documents to: Chris Dewey, Mendocino College Public Safety Coordinator

• Email: cdewey@mendocino.edu

Mendocino College uses a first-come, first-served enrollment process, and students should not wait for the orientation sessions to submit their enrollment packets. The enrollment process will be completed, and students will receive an email notification of acceptance after all prerequisite documents are received.

Submitting your prerequisite documents holds your place in line for a space in the Academy.

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Enrollment Fees, Materials, and Uniform Costs: 

Students must purchase their uniforms and some personal protective equipment (footwear, hoods, gloves, for health reasons). 

Rental Gear:

Students must rent wildland and structural turnouts, bunker boots, SCBAs, and other specific safety equipment. Specifications and sources for these items that student will rent is in this attached flyer:

Estimated Total Costs:

Course Fees, Course Materials, Purchased Uniforms, and Rented Gear 

Estimated Total: $4,534 (approx)

Detailed Academy Costs:

Students will be responsible for purchasing uniforms and renting their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and Wildland Protective Gear, as well as covering student tuition costs and fees. This guide lists the estimated costs for this program, and suggested vendors.

Daily Class Uniform (Class “B” Uniform)

Physical Education Uniform

PPE, SCBA & Wildland Gear

Mendocino College has approved “911 Safety Equipment” as our official vendor for the rental of Personal Protective Equipment, SCBA, and Wildland gear. Students may use department-issued gear, or are required to rent PPE, SCBA, and Wildland Gear. The total cost for renting gear for the Fire Fighter Academy is $1,378, and students must also pay for shipping and a $100 security deposit. See attached flyer for additional details and order online codes.

Personal Protective Equipment Specifications:

Wildland Boots: Black in color, heavy-duty, lace‐type work boots with deeply lugged soles and heels (Vibram), and leather tops at least eight inches in height. The toe of the boot should be made of a hard material, such as hard leather, to reduce the risk of toe injuries. Steel toes are not required, but do give added protection. Can be a dual-compliant boot. NFPA 1977

Structure Gear: If you are using department-issued structure gear, it must meet current standards and be inspected at orientation. Structure gear rental is available. See attached flyer.

SCBA: If using your department-issued SCBA, it must be a SCOTT SCBA, and you must show proof of fit testing. SCBA rental is available.

Fit testing will occur at orientation.

Tuition & Fees Costs

Total Course Cost Breakdown

Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to visit the Financial Aid Office early (before the orientation sessions), to determine their eligibility and begin the application process.

To begin the financial aid process, students are encouraged to complete the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and the form can be found on the College’s Financial Aid website, under the “Apply for Financial Aid” tab:

https://www.mendocino.edu/enrollment-services/financial-aid/apply-financial-aid

The Financial Aid Office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, and is located in the MacMillan Hall, Room 1130, Ukiah Main Campus, 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah. Their phone number is 707-468-3110, and they can be contacted by email at financialaid@mendocino.edu 

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Once you’ve successfully completed the Academy and Capstone testing, you will meet the training requirements for the California State Fire Marshal Firefighter II. You will be able to apply for your Firefighter certification after successful completion of the task book and experience requirement of:

• 1 year as a volunteer or reserve firefighter, or
• 6 months as an intern/full-time paid firefighter with a California fire department.

The California State Fire Marshal Fire Fighter curriculum is Nationally Accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board). Students who complete the Academy and Experience requirements are eligible to apply for both National Certification and California Certification.