Fire Training Academy
The Fire Training Academy is responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering comprehensive training programs that prepare firefighters to serve as highly skilled emergency responders throughout every stage of their careers. This includes recruiting and training new firefighter academy classes, delivering Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) education and certification, and providing ongoing professional development, continuing education, and leadership training for incumbent personnel.
The Fire Training Academy’s mission is to ensure every firefighter is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to safely and effectively respond to the diverse emergencies they may encounter. Through realistic, hands-on training and continuous education, we prepare our firefighters to provide fire suppression, emergency medical care, rescue services, and all-hazards emergency response while delivering exceptional service to our community.
Battalion Chief of Training
The Battalion Chief of Training provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and operational direction for the department’s Fire Training Academy and all associated training programs. This position is responsible for ensuring the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive training initiatives that prepare department personnel to safely and effectively perform their duties.
This position further establishes the vision, goals, and standards for the department’s training system by ensuring programs align with national standards, industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and organizational priorities. This position oversees recruit firefighter/emergency medical technician (EMT) training, continuing education, professional development, leadership development, and specialty training programs designed to maintain operational readiness.
Fire Training Academy Cadre
The Fire Training Academy Cadre serves as the primary instructional team responsible for the development, delivery, and evaluation of firefighter training programs. Under the direction of the Battalion Chief of Training, the cadre consists of a Training Captain, three Training Lieutenants, and one Firefighter/Instructor who collectively provide the subject matter expertise, instructional leadership, and hands-on guidance necessary to prepare personnel for safe and effective emergency response. The cadre plays a critical role in fostering a culture of continues learning, accountability, and professional excellence.
The Cadre serves as instructors, mentors, evaluators, and coaches, providing timely feedback and individualized guidance to personnel throughout their development. They assess performance, identify areas for improvement, reinforce safe operating practices, and ensure firefighters demonstrate the competencies necessary to perform their roles effectively. The cadre also assists in the development and refinement of curriculum, lesson plans, training materials, and evaluation processes to ensure programs remain relevant, consistent, and aligned with department and industry standards.
About the Facility
The Richmond Fire Department's Fire Training Academy occupies approximately four acres of training area in the adjacent County of Henrico, Virginia. The original academy was constructed in 1958 on a portion of its present site. After five years of study and designing, Richmond City Council funded the two phase project in 1985. The Henrico Board of Supervisors approved the project on April 30, 1985 with Phase I construction beginning on October 14, 1985. The academy was completed and dedicated on June 17, 1988. The architectural company was DePasquale and Associates.
Administration / Classroom Facility
In the summer of 2018, the audio and video equipment in both classrooms and in a breakout training area were upgraded. This upgrade introduced HQ quality video recording and remote viewing capabilities of live training classes, presentations and workshops. One of the classrooms has the capability of being divided into two smaller classrooms. The administration building also provides five offices, reception area, two locker rooms, shower/bathroom, kitchen, turnout gear storage/distribution room, tool and equipment room, exercise room and apparatus garage area.
Drill Tower / Burn Building / Maze
The burn building and maze are attached to the masonry drill tower which measures 60- 4- in height and 19- 9- in width. The tower has window openings on each level and is equipped with a standpipe system.
The two story burn building with basement and attic is constructed of block and concrete and is attached to the east side of the tower. The building is designed to simulate a dwelling and is used for training firefighters under actual fire conditions. There is an inside stairway from the basement to the attic and an outside stairway from ground level to second floor. Doors and window frames are metal. Steel shutters are provided to protect window glass and to block out daylight. Vents are provided so heat and smoke can be channeled from room to room and floor to floor. Smoke machines generate a non-toxic smoke for search and rescue training scenarios. The building is equipped with automatic sprinkler system, thermal heat sensors, emergency lighting and a public address system.
The maze is attached to the south side of the drill tower and can be entered from the outside and from the inside of the tower.
The black painted maze provides many obstacles for firefighters during a training session using self contained breathing apparatus. For the safety of the personnel utilizing the maze, it is equipped with emergency lighting and a public address system. These can be activated by the instructor or the student.
Fire Recruit Academy
Our Fire Recruit Academy is a 24-week program that involves both EMS and Fire-Rescue curriculums. Certifications received during this process include: CPR, EMT, Firefighter 1 and 2, EVOC, Hazardous Materials Operations, as well as NIMS IS100 and IS700. During the Academy, recruits participate in daily physical training that prepares them for a final physical ability evaluation administered at the end of the program. In addition to the evaluation of the obvious knowledge, skills and abilities associated with fire and EMS disciplines, recruits are also evaluated on teamwork, attitude, and work ethic.
Daily Company Training
Daily Company Training is designed to continually increase the proficiency of our uniformed staff in the daily tasks that we are assigned. Every day, with the exception of Holidays and Sundays, the company officer is required to conduct a daily training activity. The contents of which, are provided by the Fire Training Academy. Each day of the cycle falls into a broad category of training topics as follows: Tuesday:Truck Company Operations, Thursday:EMS, Saturday:Rapid Intervention / Firefighter Survival, Monday:Safety, Friday:Engine Company Operations. The format of the training will be either discussion, hands on training, or district familiarization. The daily drills are intended to last between thirty and sixty minutes.
Company Training at the Academy
Personnel of fire companies are scheduled for several days of training at the academy each year. This training includes EMT recertifications, fire extinguishment, rappelling, ground ladders, hose lays, SCBA, search and rescue, defensive driving, hydraulics, hazardous materials, and various special programs such as Mayday and High Rise Operations.
Training Manuals
The fire department maintains a library of various training manuals in all fire stations. The academy keeps the libraries current and writes the necessary supplements to manuals. An extensive library of fire service reference manuals and books is maintained at the academy.
Video Library
The academy purchases and maintains a library consisting of DVD's and power point presentations on topics related to the fire service for the purpose of enhancing training programs. The necessary audio/video equipment is also purchased and maintained by the academy.
Testing and Evaluation of New Equipment
The department is very interested in new technology and welcomes the opportunity to test and evaluate new equipment that may benefit our operations. The Chief relies extensively upon the academy's opinions and findings of facts.
Outside Training
Within reason, when private industry and private organizations, within the City, and other fire service groups make requests for assistance and use of the academy, the department makes every attempt to respond to their needs. Regional cooperation has become the standard.
