New York State Frederick L. Warder Academy of Fire Science

Register for the Academy

DHSES Learning Management System

Registration Fees

Course registration fees are nonrefundable.

New York State residents — $25

Out-of-State — $50

Payable in advance with registration form.

Materials Fees

See in course description. 

Lodging and Meal Fees

Academy Resident: — $40/day (No dinner on in-coming nights)

Academy Commuter: Meals Only — $8/day, includes breakfast and lunch. (Dinner may be available to purchase at $9/day)

Meals and lodging may be paid upon arrival. 

Payment Method

Fees may be paid by check, money order or signed PO/Voucher payable to “Academy of Fire Science”.

If MasterCard or VISA is being used, the registration form must include a credit card number, expiration date and signature.  

Please fax credit card registrations to (607) 535-4841.

Payment must accompany the registration form.

Prerequisite Courses

Those Academy courses requiring prerequisites must provide a copy of proof of completion and must accompany the registration form.

Acceptance Notice

Students receive written notification of acceptance. This notification also details mandatory registration and accommodation fees as well as any associated course material fee referenced in course descriptions.

The Fire Academy also offers National Certification testing for Firefighter I and II, Fire Instructor I and II, and Fire Officer I and II.

Learn More About National Certification Testing

Recruit Firefighter Training Program (RFFT)

Recognizing a continuing need for municipal fire departments to comply with the requirements of Part 426.6 of Title 9 of the New York Code of Rules and Regulations (Minimum Training Standards for Firefighting Personnel in the State of New York), the Office of Fire Prevention and Control conducts two sessions of the RFFT program annually.

RFFT schedules are available under Academy Course Information. RFFT is currently a 15-week program, meeting Monday through Thursday most weeks with travel in Sunday night. 

Some sections of the mandatory training require the Sponsoring department to complete, as they are not covered in the Recruit Firefighter Training Program and are specific to the Sponsoring Department. These topics include department rules and regulations, communications and personnel policies, among others. The program is generally scheduled for a four-day week in order that your training officer has the opportunity to ensure those ‘local sign-off’ sections are delivered and documented. Emergency Medical Technician training, Code Compliance Technician/Building Safety Inspector, Rope Rescue Technician and Hazardous Materials Technician courses will not be offered in conjunction with this program; however, they are available separately and typically on either end of the program.

Class size will be limited to 40 students. Applications must be received at the Academy by fax or email [email protected] no less than four (4) weeks prior to the class start date, and will be reviewed for acceptance into the program.  Acceptance criteria include: complete application including accurate name of recruit and copy of the formal hire date prior to program start date.  Admission will also be considered by the date that complete registration forms are received.   Please print and complete the Registration Form, then return to the Academy via fax or email [email protected] ; when a firefighter has been accepted, a confirmation will be provided by the RFFT Program staff. Upon confirmation, an invitation will be provided to the Sponsoring Chief/MTO for an informational meeting prior to the start of the class.

If you have any questions or desire additional information regarding the program, please refer to the FAQs or contact the Academy of Fire Science at (607) 535-7136.

**PLEASE NOTE: Although the Recruit Firefighter Training Program is intended to provide required basic training for recently-hired career firefighters, volunteer firefighters may apply for admission to the program. Admission is only considered when space is available. All volunteers will be required to interview with RFFT staff regarding sponsorship requirements and program expectations prior to a decision on their application. Volunteers will be notified of acceptance not more than two weeks prior to program start.

Overview

The main, five-story building contains administrative offices, student housing and lounges, and cafeteria. The adjacent classroom building provides eight traditional classrooms, a computer center, a 298-seat auditorium, a fitness room, and a library. Both these buildings are fully sprinklered.

Facilities for hands-on training include the arson simulator and burn building, void search and rescue simulator, hazardous materials training site, sprinkler laboratory, SCBA maze, roof simulator, Avet area, and a confined space mock-up. Fishing, baseball, volleyball, and jogging are among the outdoor recreational opportunities.

Location and Transportation

The Academy is located at the intersection of NYS Route 14 and College Avenue in the Village of Montour Falls, Schuyler County, the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. It is approximately 40 miles south of exit 41 or 42 of the NYS Thruway and 20 miles north of Elmira and NYS Route 17. Elmira Corning Regional Airport is approximately 15 miles from the Academy, where car rentals are available.

View Map to the Academy of Fire Science

Accommodations

The administration and residential building accommodate a total of 70 students in single occupancy rooms and 6 single bed handicap accessible rooms. There are 5 12-person dormitories and 1 four bed dormitory that are utilized by the Recruit Firefighter Program. Rooms are assigned on a first-come/first served basis. Limited accommodations are available for disabled students in our 6 handicap accessible rooms.

Meals

Meals are served cafeteria style. A full-service breakfast or lunch, offering a variety of hot and cold entrees including soup at lunch, is provided. Dinner consists of a choice of entrees, salad bar, and dessert. Coffee, tea, and snacks are available throughout the day. Medical dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice at the time of registration or by notifying the kitchen staff upon arrival. Note - Bagged lunches are available upon request for off campus courses. Dinner (for students arriving the evening before) or breakfast (for 1pm start times) is not available. Serving hours are:

Breakfast - 7:00 am - 7:45 am

Lunch - 12:00 noon - 12:45 pm

Dinner - 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm

Check-In Times

Resident students may check in after 5pm on the evening preceding an 8am class start - dinner is not served that night. For classes starting at 1pm, check in time is after 11am the same day - no lunch is served on check-in day.

Amenities

Rooms are equipped with bed linens, blankets, pillows, towels, soap, a radio/alarm clock and phones. Televisions are located in common areas. The Academy does not have a laundry facility.

Rules

The buildings are non-smoking. Alcohol is not allowed in the buildings or on the grounds of the Academy. Dress is informal. Any special clothing requirements will be detailed in your acceptance notice.

Academy Library

The Academy's library has an extensive collection of fire-related materials including books, periodicals, technical papers, manufacturers information, and videotapes.

Learn More About the Academy Library