Firefighter Academy Program (Sponsorship & Apprenticeship Opportunity)

New Hanover County Fire Services is currently seeking diverse candidates who are looking to start a career as a firefighter through the Firefighter AcademyProgram. It is the goal of NHC Fire Rescue to recruit and hire a team of qualified employees who are representative of the diverse community members that we serve. The First Responder Academy Firefighter Program is a cohesive program that prepares students for a career in firefighting and has two tracks: one for the First Responder Academy Sponsorship Opportunity and one for the Firefighter Apprenticeship Opportunity. The Sponsorship and Apprenticeship opportunities are both offered at the same time though Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) in July 2024. After successful completion of the program, both sponsorship and apprenticeship candidates will be eligible to gain employment with New Hanover County Fire Services.
This academy, which starts in January and July of each year, is a comprehensive program which includes Firefighter Certification, Hazardous-Materials Certification, Basic Emergency Medical Technician Certification, Emergency Vehicle Driving Certification, Mayday/Safety Survival skills and other vital information necessary for future firefighters.
To be considered for this program, candidates are required to complete a video test, panel interview and a physical agility assessment. Participation in the program is also contingent upon satisfactory background checks, driving checks, physical, and drug screening. Final selection is made by the fire chief and is selected based on department staffing needs.
Sponsorship or apprenticeship CFCC students must agree to provide at least 24 hours per month of station duty at the fire department while attending the program. Station duty may include but is not limited to incident responses, citizen assists, equipment, apparatus, or facility maintenance, housekeeping or janitorial duties, response to emergency situations, and participation in training.
Specific Information Pertaining to the First Responder Academy Sponsorship Opportunity:
Students sponsored by NHCFR have no out-of-pocket school expenses. Housing options may be available for students who live more than 50 miles away.
Successful graduates of the First Responder Academy will be offered a casual part-time Firefighter position and eligible to transition into full-time employment as vacancies allow. Sponsorship candidates will have to successfully complete the physical agility test before the end of the training program to be eligible to transition into career positions at the end of the program.
Specific Information Pertaining to the Firefighter Apprenticeship Opportunity:
This unique opportunity serves as a gateway for New Hanover County to intentionally select candidates for full-time employment who can help to actualize the department's goal of increasing diversity in the department and making our staff more representative of our community.
There is no student out-of-pocket school expense and recruits are paid a stipend of $15.20 per class hour for living expenses while attending the program.
Apprenticeship candidates will have to successfully complete the physical agility test before the end of the training program to be eligible to transition into career positions at the end of the program. Successful graduates of the Firefighter Training Apprenticeship Program will be offered employment as a full-time Firefighter with New Hanover County Fire Rescue.
All Firefighter academy professional training shall be conducted at Cape Fear Community College. All training must be completed within the minimum time frames set by the Cape Fear Community College Fire Academy Recruit training program. Upon satisfactorily completing the requisite Fire Academy Recruit community college training program, trainees are eligible for selection for a full time Firefighter position.
Required Education and Experience:
Must be 18 years old and have High school diploma/GED by the time the Firefighter Academy starts.

Those interested in participating in the Apprenticeship program will be asked to submit a personal essay at some point during the recruitment process.
For more information about the CFCC First Responder Academy, applicants can visit https://cfcc.edu/public-safety/firefighter-academy/ or call CFCC at 910-362-7799. Employment Type: Volunteer/Intern