Gloucester Fire Academy

Upcoming Courses

Throughout the year, the Gloucester County Fire Academy offers several courses of interest to emergency services personnel. Complete a registration form to sign up for a class.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: OPERATIONS MISSION SPECIFIC 9.2 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONS MISSION SPECIFIC 9.6 PRODUCT CONTROL
Dates: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 0800-1600 hrs.

A fire fighter's ability to recognize an incident involving hazardous materials or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is critical. They must possess the knowledge required to identify the presence of hazardous materials and WMD, and have an understanding of what their role is within the response plan.

DRILL GROUND INSTRUCTOR: INITIAL OR RE-CERTIFICATION
Dates: April 10 or May 9
Times: 0800 hrs. to 1500 hrs.

This program is designed to ensure that instructors know and understand the safety issues inherent in all areas of Fire Fighting training. Instructors must be capable of demonstrating the proper methods of identifying and correcting an unsafe act/task as it occurs. Safety must be stressed during training, so the firefighter develops good habits.

NJDFS Apparatus Driving: Essentials for the Professional Driver and Emergency Services Organization
Dates: May 2
Times: 0830 hrs. to 1500 hrs.

Apparatus driving is an essential skill that must be mastered through training and education to ensure the safety of responders and the general public. Additionally, member organizations benefit from the training and education by reducing liability exposure and improving service life of their equipment.

AUTO EXTRICATION II
Dates: Saturday, May 16, 2026, and Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Times: 0830 hrs. to 1630 hrs. Saturday/ 1900 hrs. to 2200 hrs. Tuesday

This mostly hands-on course continues where Auto Extrication I left off. Using numerous skill stations and multi-crash scenarios, students will be able to demonstrate the key principles and practices of safe and effective vehicle extrication.

BASIC SQUAD COMPANY CONCEPTS
Dates/Times: Friday, May 29, 2026: 1900 - 2200 hrs., Saturday & Sunday, May 30, 31: 0800 to 1600 hrs.

This class will cover four of the fire service disciplines for Squad Companies, Engine Co, Truck Co, Rescue Co and Hazardous Materials.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT COMMANDER
Zoom Dates: June 1, 3, 8, 10, 2026, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm zoom classes
In-Person Date: June 13, 2026, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm practical skills and testing at GCFA

This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills to perform his/her role as the Incident Commander at an incident involving a release or potential release of a hazardous material. Some of the topics covered include personal protective clothing, decontamination, hazardous materials containers, branch functions within the incident command system, and the eight-step process for managing hazardous materials incidents.

NJ FIRE INSPECTOR
Dates: Monday's & Wednesday's, June 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, July 1, 6, 8, 13, 0900-1700 hrs.

Exam Review Date: July 15, 2026, 0900-1700
Exam Date: July 20, 2026, 1830-2200

This program was developed under a contract with Kean University’s Fire Safety Training Program under the direction of the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. It is designed to ensure that prospective Fire Inspectors are competent in the basics of fire code enforcement. The student will become familiar with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, including the International Fire Code – New Jersey edition, and other reference standards. The program will consist of classroom lectures, homework assignments (including ride-along time), quizzes, mid-term and final state exam.

HEAVY VEHICLE RESCUE – LEVEL 1

Dates: Friday, June 5, Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026
Times: Friday: 1900 hrs. – 2200 hrs. / Saturday: 0800 hrs. – 1600 hrs./ Sunday: 0800 hrs. – 1600 hrs.

The Heavy Vehicle Rescue program is a specialized program focusing on accidents involving large trucks and autos. The program eliminates time consumption of rescuers learning on the job. Precious minutes of the Golden Hour are saved thus reducing the mortality of those involved in accidents. Rescuers may apply these techniques immediately upon returning to their agency.

FORCIBLE ENTRY

Dates: Saturday & Sunday, June 13 &14, 2026
Times: 0800 hrs. to 1600 hrs.

This 16 hour class will cover the basic Forcible Entry techniques for one and two person FE on inward and outward opening doors. Non-destructive FE techniques will be covered as well as FE using power tools.

ROPE RESCUE FOR THE SQUAD COMPANY
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, June 27-28, 2026
Times: 8 am to 4 pm

This sixteen-hour program will teach the student basic rope rescue skills utilized by the squad company. Skills will include knot tying, picket systems, anchoring, patient packaging, raising and lowering mechanical advantage and belay systems. Skills will be applied to complete multiple rope rescue scenarios.

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