2025 Courses

2025 Schuylkill County Training Academy Courses

All Students must pre-register for courses. No walk-ins accepted. If the minimum number of students has not been met 10 days before the start date, students will receive email notification of cancellation of the course.

There is no fee for students from member companies of the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association.

For Non-member or Out-of-County students there is a fee. Students must bring a check made payable Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association on the first day of class.

Click here for a calendar view of courses

Hazmat Operations Annual Refresher 12/10/24 at American Hose Tamaqua

Hazardous Materials Operations Annual Refresher (HMOR)

FSC: 0737 Hours: 6.0 (Lecture: 2.0hrs / Lab: 4.0hrs)

Prerequisites: Age 16 and up, Hazardous Materials Operations

Description: This course will allow a hazardous material emergency responder at the First Responder Operations Level to receive refresher training as required annually by federal regulation.

Out of County Cost: $33, please make checks payable to the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association on the first day of class.

Instructor: Jesse Zimmerman

Dates & Times: Tuesday 12/10/24 1800-2100 & Thursday 12/10/24 1800-2100

Location: American Hose Fire Co. Tamaqua, 39 Mauch Chunk St Tamaqua, PA 18252

Click Here to Register

Emergency Services Driver Training (EVDT) 12/16/24 at Humane Pottsville

Emergency Services Driver Training (EVDT)

FSC: 0235 Hours: 16.0 (Lecture: 8.0hrs / Lab: 8.0hrs)

Prerequisites: Age 18 and up, Current Driver’s License

Description: This course is suitable for both novice and veteran emergency vehicle operators. This course provides instruction for emergency personnel who may be involved in operating emergency vehicles. Topics included: defensive driving, emergency response, vehicle maintenance, and a driver training obstacle course. Students will be responsible for securing apparatus to drive.

Out of County Cost: $51, please make checks payable to the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association on the first day of class.

Instructor: Mike Kitsock

Dates & Times: 12/16/24 1800-2200, 12/18/24 1800-2200, & 12/22/24 0800-1600

Location: Humane Fire Company #1 200 Humane Ave. Pottsville, PA 17901

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Solar Panel Awareness for the Fire Service 1/14/25 at Friendship Fire Co

Solar Panel Awareness for the Fire Service

FSC: 0381 Hours: 4.0 (Lecture: 4.0hrs / Lab: 0.0hrs)

Prerequisites: Age 16 and up

Description: This course is intended for Emergency Responders, as well as, other private or municipal agencies. This course is an awareness level program covering system types, code compliant installations, associated hazards, and safe work practices near solar PV systems. The course will introduce students to solar PV system operations, components, design and recommended practices.

Out of County Cost: $33, please make checks payable to the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association on the first day of class.

Instructor: Guy Arndt

Dates & Times: Tuesday 1/14/25 18:30-22:30

Location: Friendship Fire Co. #1 147 N 7th St Frackville, PA 17931

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Electric Vehicle Safety for Emergency Responders 2/11/25 at Friendship Fire Co

Electric Vehicle Safety for Emergency Responders

FSC: 0120 Hours: 6.0 (Lecture: 6.0hrs / Lab: 0.0hrs)

Prerequisites: Age 14 and up

Description: This program contains information on hybrid and electric vehicle safety and technology upgrades, which may pose concerns with extrication efforts. This course covers basic vehicle safety and technology changes at an emergency response level. Operating systems, construction and safety features are discussed throughout the program. Safety features such as: air bag systems, seat belt pretention systems, fuel system and charging stations, safe work zones, low, medium, and high voltage systems, vehicle construction materials, hybrid vehicles, and passenger compartment upgrades. Changes to size-up, extrication techniques, and the use of a Field Operations Guide will also be presented in this program.

Out of County Cost: $36, please make checks payable to the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association on the first day of class.

Instructor: Guy Arndt

Dates & Times: Tuesday 2/11/25 18:30-21:30 & Tuesday 2/18/25 18:30-21:30

Location: Friendship Fire Co. #1 147 N 7th St Frackville, PA 17931

Click Here to Register

Incident Safety Officer 2/17/25 at Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Co Sheppton

Incident Safety Officer (ISO)

FSC: 0108 Hours: 16.0 (Lecture: 16.0hrs / Lab: 0.0hrs)

Prerequisites: Age 18 and up, Hazardous Materials Operations, and NIMS ICS for the Fire

Service, or NIMS ICS for Emergency Medical Service, or Equivalent

Description: This course focuses on the duties of the person who finds him/herself in the role of the responding safety officer at the scene of an incident. It is an incident-specific, scene-oriented course designed to teach what a safety officer on the scene needs to know and be able to do, using scenario to convey instructional points. Students should be experienced company officers, familiar with safety issues, the Incident Command System, hazardous materials management, and applicable NFPA standards and federal regulations.

Out of County Cost: $54, please make checks payable to the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association on the first day of class.

Instructor: Brian Hollenbush

Dates & Times: Monday 2/17/25 18:00-22:00, Tuesday 2/18/25 18:00-22:00, & Saturday 2/22/25 08:00-16:00

Location: Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Co 900 Center St Sheppton, PA 18248

Click Here to Register

Minimum Student Ages will be enforced. For 16 years old, your birthday must be on/before the start date of the class in 2008. For 18 years old, your birthday must be on/before the start date of the class in 2006. For example if the class start date is July 1,  your birthday would be 7/1/2006, 7/1/2008 or before.