Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I become a Career Firefighter in Mississippi?To become a career firefighter in the State of Mississippi, you must get hired by a local fire department. The local fire department will send you to the basic firefighter course within one year of your hire date to be trained. The current basic course is six weeks in length. To become a volunteer firefighter, contact your local volunteer department or the county fire coordinator for your county.
- I am not a resident of Mississippi. Can I take a course at the Academy?
Requirements for student admission:
18 years of age
Standard High School diploma or Certificate of GED notarized by the issuing institution or school board
Employed or sponsored by one of the following: Municipal, County (career, volunteer, or combination) or Industrial fire protection department/organization. (MS Code Annotated 1972, Section 45-11-8(1)) - What is the training schedule for course deliveries?
Courses are normally taught on Monday through Thursday. The first day of the course will begin at 8:00 (unless otherwise indicated) and the Instructor will address the beginning time for the remainder of the course. Courses are based on a ten hour day schedule and often training is conducted in night evolutions. - What is the difference in Group A fee and Group B fee for courses?
Group A fee students are representatives of: A Mississippi municipal (career or volunteer) fire department, Mississippi County (career, combination, or volunteer) fire department, Mississippi Emergency Management Personnel, Military personnel assigned full time to a Mississippi Base, or the Choctaw Fire Department.
Group B fee students are representatives of: Any out-of-state students, state government employees, federal government employees, industrial organizations, for profit entities, law enforcement, medical entities, dispatchers, arson investigators - What does the course fee include?
Course fees include the instruction, course supplies, and books. Also, if the course is on campus Monday through Thursday, most course fees include breakfast and lunch daily with dorm accommodations. Reference the current year course catalog for those that meals and dorm are excluded for additional pricing information. Meals are not provided for courses held on Friday or Saturday. If any questions regarding this, please contact us at 601-932-2444. - What types of payment are accepted for courses, books or memorabilia sales?
If your department requires a purchase order, please submit this to the Admissions Office with the application. Most courses are invoiced after completion. However, some courses require payment in advance. The types of payment currently accepted for courses include purchase orders, checks, warrants, money orders, and cash. Debit or credit cards are not accepted at this time. - How do I make changes to a course registration?
Please visit our Course Policies page regarding cancellations or substitutions. - How do I see if there are any vacancies in a particular course?
Students are enrolled in courses daily. Our website has a link from the home page under “Recent News” to list the available course openings. You may also contact the Registrar at 601-932-2444 or gpeterson@msfa.state.ms.us.
Note: It is always best to submit an application for any course you are interested in taking. A hold file is kept on courses so that when an opening occurs, a replacement can be selected or if an additional delivery may need to be added. - When is the dorm open?
You may check in the dorm in the evening from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., on the day prior to the start of your course. All students must check out no later than Thursday morning by 7:00 a.m. The dorm is not open on the weekends unless a weekend course is scheduled. Only registered students of a course are allowed to stay in the dorm. - Can I move to another room once in the dormitory?
You must see your course instructor for the process to request to be moved to another room.
Also, be advised that all rooms have a three student occupancy. - How do I get a transcript of courses I have taken?
Request for transcripts must be in written form from the student, department head, training officer, or city/county/state administrative officer. The name and student ID number of the student must be listed. The transcript will be mailed to the address listed on the request. - What does a transcript cost?
There is no fee for a transcript. - Can I get a replacement certificate for one that was lost or destroyed?
Yes. General academy replacement certificates cost $2.50. If the certificate has an IFSAC seal, the replacement cost is $7.50. To request a replacement certificate, send the fee along with your name, student ID number, and a note indicating which certificate you need and an address to mail the certificate to. - How do I purchase memorabilia items?
Items available on-site in the Administration building. You can also purchase online here.
