Entry-Level Fire Cadets and Interns:

Entry-Level Fire Cadets and Interns with no prior firefighting experience will attend the Franklin Fire Department’s Recruit Academy, a 20-week program that provides comprehensive firefighting training and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification for those who need it.

The Academy includes two weeks (80 hours) of EMR instruction followed by 18 weeks of firefighting training. This full-time, 40-hour-per-week program is held at the Franklin Fire Department Training Center at 419 Century Court and is taught by FFD instructors.

Training follows the standards established by the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting.

Recruits participate in daily physical training that includes running, strength conditioning, and team-building activities. By the end of the Academy, recruits will test for the following certifications (unless already qualified):

• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
•  Hazardous Materials Awareness
•  Hazardous Materials Operations
•  Firefighter I
•  Firefighter II

Certified Firefighter (Lateral Hire):

Lateral hires who are already certified firefighters will spend approximately four weeks attending in-house training.