Studying is not only recommended while taking Fire or EMS courses but is essential. In order to succeed in any of the classes the student must make time to study at least 4-5 hours per day. This is a major commitment on the students to work hard and succeed in these programs. The student must make a 77 or higher on both the course and the final exam. If one does not pass the final exam, the student will be failed even though they may have had adequate grades during the semester.

Technical Standards

Students should be able to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations, such as the help of compensatory techniques and/or assistive devices.

1. Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical/placement judgment
2. Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
3. Communication abilities sufficient for effective interaction with others in expressive and writtenEnglish, including computer literacy
4. Remain continuously on task for several hours while standing, sitting, walking, lifting, bending, and/or transporting patients/clients
5. Physical abilities sufficient to move from area to area and maneuver in small spaces; full range of motion, manual and finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination
6. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective patient/client care and operate equipment
7. Ability to reach and operate overhead equipment
8. Auditory ability sufficient to access essential patient information
9. Normal or corrected visual ability sufficient for patient/client assessment
10. Olfactory senses (smell) sufficient for maintaining environmental safety
11. Ability to present professional appearance and attitude, implement measures to maintain personal physical and mental health and emotional stability

Health and Safety Policies

Students enrolled in the Fire Academy of NCTC spend a great deal of time in critical areas of the program’s affiliations, and are therefore exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other dangerous health and life safety hazards. These policy guidelines were created to outline those work-related hazards and to offer specific methods to protect the student during clinical instruction. Guidelines are also offered for student responsibilities concerning health-related policies for the program.

Fire Academy students will take responsibility for maintenance of their health to enhance their educational experience. In addition, students will meet the requirements of clinical agencies and regulating agencies of the State of Texas.

Dual Credit students will complete the Physical Ability Exam during the 1st week of class.

The Physical Ability Exam consists of six separate events. These events are designed to simulate actual job related tasks. During the exam, candidates will be required to travel a distance of 85 feet between each of the events. Candidates must walk, no running is allowed between the events. All standards are for both genders and all ages. Event: 1 is graded as a timed event. Events 2 -6 are graded as pass/fail. All candidates are given 5 minutes and 30 seconds to successful complete event 1. If time elapses prior to the completion of the event 1, the test is concluded and the candidate fails. During the exam, the candidate wears a 50 pound vest to simulate the weight of SCBA and protective clothing. Candidates must wear long pants, hard hat with chin strap, work gloves, and footwear with no open heel or toe.

Candidates must obtain a physician’s signature on the release form on the application. This may require candidates to obtain a physical exam by their physical prior to the physician’s signing of the release. A complete physical examination is required prior to registration into the fire academy. Applicant’s failing to submit a physician’s release signature will not be allowed to participate in the required physical ability performance tasks.

Candidates will be provided with the weight vest and hard hat with chin strap. Candidates will be required to bring their own work gloves.

The six events include the following:

Event 1: Stair Climb

This event is timed. Total Time allowed: 5 minutes and 30 seconds.

This event requires candidates to wear an additional 25 pound that will be added to the candidate’s weight vest. Prior to the initiation of the timed event, candidates will have a 20-second warm-up on the StepMill at a set stepping rate of 50 steps per minute. During this warm-up period, you are permitted to dismount, grasp the rail, or hold the wall to establish balance and cadence. If you fall or dismount the StepMill during the warm-up period, you must remount the StepMill and restart the entire 30-second warm-up period. You are allowed to restart the warm-up period twice. The timing of the test begins at the end of this warm-up period when the proctor calls the word "START." There is no break in time between the warm-up period and the actual timing of the test. For the test, you must walk on the StepMill at a set stepping rate of 60 steps per minute for 3 minutes. This concludes the event. The additional 25 pounds of added weight for the event are removed from the candidate’s vest. The candidate then walks 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.

These events are pass/fail.  Completion of these events results in pass.

Event 2: Hose Drag

200 feet of 1 3⁄4" dry hose with a 2 1⁄2" nozzle attached will be folded in a standard manner on the ground. The candidate will grasp the hose line and advance 75 ft. in a straight line, make a 90 degree turn and continue an additional 25 ft. The applicant shall stop within the marked area and dropping to one knee, pull the hose line until 50 ft. of hose is within the marked area. The candidate then walks 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.

Event 3: Equipment Carry

The candidate shall remove two saws from a tool cabinet and place them on the ground. The candidate shall then pick up both saws and carry them while walking 75ft., turn 180 degrees and continue walking back to the tool cabinet. Candidates will then place both saws on the ground, next to the cabinet. The candidate will then place each saw, one at a time, back into the cabinet. The candidate then walks 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.

Event 4: Ladder Raise and Extension

The candidate shall approach the top rung of a 24 ft. extension ladder, lift the unhinged end from the ground, and walk it up hand over hand until it is stationary against a wall. The applicant shall then immediately proceed to a secured 24 ft. ladder and extend the fly section to the top and then back down in a controlled hand over hand fashion. The candidate then walks 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.

Event 5: Forcible Entry

The candidate shall repeatedly swing a sledge hammer in a chopping motion at a weighted object. The force of the hammer swings must provide enough force to move the object being struck a total distance of approximately 5 feet. The candidate then walks 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.

Event 6: Rescue

The candidate shall grasp a 165 lb. mannequin and drag it 35 ft. to a pre-positioned drum, make an 180 degree turn and proceed an additional 35 ft. to the finish line.

North Central Texas College will not admit a prospective student to any of the Health Sciences Programs whose criminal history disqualifies him or her from participating in a clinical rotation pursuant to the policy of the Dallas-Fort Worth Health Council (DFWHC) or the associated clinical site(s).

Applicants must meet eligibility guidelines outlined in the DFWHC’s Community Standards for Drug Screening & Background Checks, which exclude applicants with the following criminal histories:

• DUI/DWI Conviction within 3 years of registering for the program. Three year period starts on date of conviction.
• Felony convictions, including deferred adjudications, nolo contendere, no contest.
• Misdemeanor convictions or felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons (physical or sexual abuse).
• Misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, theft over $1,500, computer crimes of fraud, etc.).
• Felony deferred adjudications for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances.
• Registered sex offenders.
• OIG, GSA and Medicaid Sanctions.
• Terrorist Suspect List.
• Pending charges and warrants for arrest.

Additionally, clinical sites may have more restrictive eligibility requirements. In determining whether to admit an applicant with criminal history, the North Texas Central Texas College will consider various factors including, but not limited to:

• Whether the student’s criminal history prevents him or her from being eligible to participate in a rotation at one or more clinical sites;
• The nature and seriousness of the crime;
• The extent to which the program might offer an opportunity to engage in further criminal activity of the same type as that in which the person previously had been involved; and
• The relationship of the crime to the ability, capacity, or fitness required to participate in the program.

North Central Texas College does not guarantee clinical placement and reserves the right to dismiss a student who commits any violation of law during the program.