Rules and Guidelines Governing Students

Responsibility for compliance with these rules and guidelines rests with the students. Become familiar with the content. For additional help, request an explanation from any Fire Academy Instructor.

Overall charge of the Academy begins with the Executive Director who directs the training programs with help from other staff members. Instructors have delegated responsibilities, one of which is to ensure that all students fulfill their obligations to the Academy.

1. CLASS ATTENDANCE: All students will be required to attend orientation on the first day of class. The first day of delivery, class will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the Academy rules and procedures being read and explained. Some special classes may begin at other specified times. Only one class will be in the cafeteria during testing times.
2. CLASS SCHEDULE: A schedule of activities may be posted in the classroom area. Special night evolutions may be scheduled in some courses.
3. PERSONAL ITEMS: The Academy will not assume any responsibility for loss, theft, or damage of personal items.
4. WITHDRAWALS: Should it become necessary for a student to withdraw from a course, the course instructor must be notified. All equipment and supplies issued to said student shall be returned before departing and a withdrawal slip signed by student.
5. GENERAL CARE OF THE ACADEMY FACILITIES: Students are required to place all refuse in the proper containers, to use only surfaced walkways between training sites, observe all posted signs, and to avoid any abuse of the Academy’s facilities. Abuse or damage of state property may result in dismissal from the Academy.
6. PARKING: Students must park their vehicles in the following parking lots: front of the Administration Building or front of the Dormitory Building.
7. TARDINESS: Students are required to be punctual for all classes, physical training, and other activities. Classes will begin promptly at the scheduled time, unless specific instructions are given. Tardiness may be charged at any time during the scheduled training day or for any required function outside the classroom. The first tardy will result in an oral reprimand; the second in a written reprimand being placed in the course file with a copy directed to the student’s employer; and the third will result in dismissal of the student from the Academy. Tardiness is defined as up to 15 minutes after the designated class start time.
8. ABSENCES: Failure to report to class for a scheduled activity at the specified time will be recorded as an absence. Unless special permission is received from the Course Instructor, students are not permitted to leave the Academy at any time during training hours. Failure to comply will result in an unexcused absence and dismissal. Emergency leave may be allowed for legitimate reasons. Make up of all classes and exams missed during a student’s absence shall be completed upon the student’s return. Make up of classes in some courses may not be available until the next scheduled course, and the student’s record will indicate “Dropped”. Due to the course material in some classes, students may be required to enroll from the beginning of the course. A student is considered absent when they are 15 minutes or beyond past the designated class start time.
9. AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) FEDERAL REGULATIONS (REVISED): In accordance with ADA Federal Regulations, the sponsoring department/organization may request an oral examination process for their personnel who have a qualifying disability covered by the ADA regulations. To request oral testing as a reasonable accommodation, the department and/or student must submit a written request with supporting documentation from a professional with an appropriate medical licensure to make a diagnosis and to recommend the reasonable accommodation. Please note that oral testing for Hazardous Materials courses is not a reasonable accommodation since the student must demonstrate the ability to read and comprehend notations on signs, place cards, MSDS sheets, and labels for testing purposes.
10. COMMUNICATIONS: Students should have the ability to read, write, and understand the English language. Additionally, the student should have the ability to comprehend written precautions, instructions, and warnings in the English language, including, but not limited to material safety data sheets and posted warnings regarding hazardous, flammable or explosive materials and hazardous or unsafe areas and physical conditions.
11. COMPUTER INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL STUDENTS: Depending on the course you are taking, you may have access to computer lab. You may also have access to the Internet, but you will be bound by Academy policy and ITS policy regarding use of State Computer Systems.
    • The Mississippi State Fire Academy will allow you to bring your own personal computer equipment for use, but will not be responsible for any loss or theft of computer equipment. The Mississippi State Fire Academy does not offer any repair service for student’s own personal equipment.
    • Some areas of the Academy campus do not currently have wireless access.
    • If you are planning on doing some work at home in advance of your class, and want to use the Academy’s computers while you are here, please save your work in file formats compatible with older systems. Using .doc, .xls, .ppt will work, but the newer .docx, .xlsx, .pptx will not work. Also, any documents created in Microsoft Works cannot be converted.
12. RELEASING OF TEST SCORES AND TRANSCRIPTS: Test scores and training records will be released only upon written request from the individual or one of the following: individual’s department head or training officer. Student transcripts shall be obtained only by a written request from the student, the chief officer in charge, or a designee from the organization represented. Name, MSFA student ID number, and mailing address must appear on the written request.
13. CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE: Immoral or disorderly student conduct, profane, obscene, vulgar, or indecent language, and any racial or sexual slurs/harassment may result in dismissal from the Academy. The Instructor Chief and/or the Executive Director will handle all infractions committed by students. Harassment is any unwarranted or unwanted verbal or nonverbal conduct which threatens, intimidates, pesters, embarrasses, annoys, degrades, or insults another person, either female or male, where such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an offensive, intimidating, degrading, or hostile environment. Sexual harassment includes unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or nonverbal actions of a sexual nature. (Immoral or disorderly conduct, misconduct, profane, obscene, vulgar, or indecent language, and any racial or sexual slurs/harassment will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal from the Academy with two years suspension.)
14. DRESS CODE: Comfortable clothing such as warm-ups, coveralls, or other suitable clothing may be worn in class and for evolutions not requiring protective clothing. All students will be required to wear NFPA recommended protective clothing for designated evolutions. Students are required to wear shirts with sleeves in public areas of all Academy buildings. “T”-Shirts, sweat-shirts and caps must be official fire department, fire service, industrial, law enforcement, emergency medical services, or solid. Other T-shirts and caps are not permitted. Shorts and dresses shall be no shorter than 4 inches from the top of the kneecap. Students participating in hot drill evolutions should wear long sleeve shirts and long pants for additional personal safety. Full coverage shoes are required at all times while attending the Academy.
15. CLASSROOM DEMEANOR: Students using vulgar, disrespectful, or disruptive remarks, or engaging in other activities strictly prohibited by Academy rules and procedures will face disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include dismissal and two years suspension. Students are required to maintain classroom cleanliness. Each student is responsible for the removal of trash from their area and the alignment of his/her nameplate, books, and chair each day.
16. CELL PHONE USAGE: If a student finds it necessary to bring a cell phone to class, it must be on silent mode at all times. It will be acceptable for a student to use the cellular device to record classroom lectures. However, cell phone usage or recording is prohibited during the following: a) Basic firefighting class – all class times b) Any course during testing process (skills or written) c) Any post course test review process d) Any other time the course Instructor deems necessary to prohibit usage
17. GRADES AND EXAMINATIONS: Students who complete the course with an overall average of 70% or greater and satisfactorily complete all physical and practical exercises will receive a certificate indicating successful completion. Failure to complete all of these requirements will result in course failure and will be noted on their permanent training record. See Course Instructor for copy of testing procedures.
18. All Multi-Level Accredited Courses Will Be Tested For Each Level. Successful Completion Of Both Levels Is Required For Accreditation. Contact The Curriculum Coordinator For Complete Details.
19. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: Academic misconduct or dishonesty is any type of cheating that occurs in relation to a formal academic exercise. All students cheating during training will be subject to immediate dismissal.
20. PHYSICAL TRAINING: All students must participate in every aspect of training. Failure to participate will result in an “Incomplete” grade in the course.
21. BREAKS—The instructor in charge of the class will set times for breaks. Taking breaks outside of the designated break areas is prohibited. Students are allowed in the front office area only when conducting official business or with prior authorization from an instructor.
22. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES: Students are responsible for the care and return of all Academy issued equipment and/or supplies.
23. PERSONAL HYGIENE AND GROOMING: Students are expected to maintain personal hygiene and acceptable appearance during training at the Academy. A student who has hair (stubble, mustache, sideburns, beard, low hairline, bangs), jewelry, or other impediment to the proper seal of the facepiece of a self-contained breathing apparatus, shall not be permitted to participate in training courses requiring the use of self-contained breathing apparatus.
24. MEDICATIONS: The Academy does not provide oral medications for students.
25. ILLNESS OR INJURY: If students are ill or injured, they must report immediately to the Course Instructor so proper medical care may be provided and a record maintained. Any special medical issues must be indicated in the appropriate location found on the Academy’s General Admission Application. The Mississippi State Fire Academy does not provide medical insurance coverage for students.
26. USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS: The Academy prohibits the use of any tobacco products inside all buildings on the campus and while using training equipment. Containers are provided outside the buildings for disposal of cigarettes and cigars.
27. WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES: Weapons of any type and/or explosives are prohibited on Academy grounds. Any student found displaying and/or carrying any type of weapon or explosive will be subject to immediate dismissal.
28. GAMBLING, INTOXICANTS, NARCOTICS: Gambling in any form, possession of alcoholic beverages or illegal narcotics is prohibited on Academy grounds. Violation of any of the above will result in immediate dismissal.
29. VIOLATION OF THE LAW: Any student arrested or under the influence of any intoxicants or narcotic substances, etc., while enrolled at the Academy will be subject to immediate dismissal.
30. STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: Student grievances should be made in written form (within ten (10) working days) to the Instructor Chief who will review the grievance and take the appropriate action. Written appeal of the Instructor Chief’s decision can be filed with the Executive Director for review. Any further appeal is filed with the office of the Commissioner of Insurance whose decision is final.
31. MINIMUM AGE—Students attending courses at the Mississippi State Fire Academy must be a minimum of 18 years old.
32. UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL: Unauthorized personnel are restricted from the State Fire Academy Field Training Complex.
33. FIRE FIGHTER STAMINA: Fire fighter training can be a physically and mentally stressful activity. Training requires considerable physical exertion—exposure to high temperature and humidity levels, and toxic atmospheres. It requires working at height and in confined spaces. Results could cause elevated body temperatures, increased pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, and the ability to react quickly to emergency situations. Persons with known heart or lung disease, hypertension, pregnancy, or other medical or mental conditions are advised to check with his/her personal or department physician before participating in any of these activities.