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We get an early start and report to the Henrico Fire Drill Facility
Henrico Fire Recruit Academy
Henrico Fire recruits with no prior fire-service experience participate in 36 weeks of instructions and training. Individuals with at least one year of professional fire-service experience are eligible for a six-week accelerated academy. Recruits typically meet Mon. – Fri. (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.) 40 hours per week. Henrico Fire’s Recruit Academy is not an overnight school, and recruits may return home at the end of each day. Regular attendance is required, and recruits split time between classroom learning and field training, to include live-fire exercises and ride-alongs.
Basic Full Academy |
Henrico Fire’s nine-month Basic Full Academy is for recruits who have no prior fire-service experience.
Accelerated Academy |
Henrico Fire’s six-week Accelerated Academy is for recruits with qualifying prior experience who are current on firefighter + EMT certifications.
“We’ll all encounter challenges in our career. It’s how we deal with those challenges that we encounter that defines us. Remember how it feels today to take the firefighter’s oath. How great it feels to have completed the Henrico Fire recruit academy.”
A Day at the Fire Recruit Academy
A typical day at the Fire Recruit Academy is highly structured, physically demanding, and focused on building the fundamental skills needed for emergency service work. Recruits begin early with accountability and physical conditioning, then progress through hands‑on training blocks, classroom instruction, and practical evolutions. Throughout the day, recruits work as a team, follow strict safety procedures, and reinforce the discipline and professionalism required in the fire service. By the end of the day, they have combined physical training, technical skills practice, and academic learning to steadily prepare for real‑world fire and rescue operations.
CFAI
The Commission on Fire Accreditation International grants accreditation to fire departments that meet international standards of excellence in fire and emergency services. This accolade signifies a department’s commitment to ongoing quality improvement, service delivery, and operational effectiveness. The impact of achieving CFAI accreditation includes enhanced community trust and potentially better funding opportunities for the department.
ISO1
The ISO1 is the highest rating given by the Insurance Services Office to fire departments, signifying superior property fire protection. Achieving an ISO1 rating involves rigorous evaluation of the fire department’s staffing, equipment, training, and geographic distribution of fire stations. This top rating can significantly reduce insurance premiums for local homeowners and businesses, reflecting the department’s efficiency in fire mitigation and response capabilities.
