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LATERAL ENTRY

medical rescue from roof

Calculate Lateral Entry Pay Find out what you qualify for

Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services is offering a 4-week Fast-track Lateral Entry Training class for current Georgia firefighters in March, 2025.

Experienced firefighters who do not qualify for the Fast-track class can still apply and attend our full Fire Recruit Academy.

Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (CCFES) Fast-track Lateral Entry Program eligibility includes the following minimum qualifications:

  • Current Georgia State Firefighter Certification (minimum of NPQ Firefighter I)
  • Certificates for NPQ Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Levels
  • Current Georgia State Office of EMS License at the level of EMT, EMT-I, AEMT, or Paramedic
  • National Registry will be permitted but the applicant should have an application for their GA EMS License in process by the first day of employment.
  • Applicants must also possess certifications required by each EMS license level per the State Office of EMS (i.e – BLS/CPR for EMT and ACLS for Paramedic).
  • Applicants must have two (2) years of continuous experience as a career firefighter with a State of Georgia Certified Fire Department with no more than a one-year break in service immediately prior to the application date.

Click here to learn more about our hiring process

4-Week Fast-track Training Overview

Week 1

First two (2) days

  • HR Orientation for New Employees
  • Introduction to Command/Training Staff, Rules and Regulations, and Expectations
  • Physical Testing Overview, No Harassment Training, and Courageous Conversation
  • Computer Skills (Kronos, Telestaff, LMS, email, etc.) 

Remainder of week

Fast-Track Recruits will be tested on the packet of information/skills that they received post-job offer.  These tests will likely be spread out over the course of three (3) days depending on the size of the class.  Fast-Track Recruits will be tested on the following:

  • Cobb Fire – Basic Firefighter Skills (All 15)
  • GFSTC – NPQ FF 1 Skills (Training Staff will pick 20 out of 150)
  • GFSTC – NPQ Hazmat Awareness (Training Staff will pick 5 out of 10)
  • GFSTC – NPQ Hazmat Operations (Training Staff will pick 4 out of 8)
  • Georgia State Office of EMS Student Minimum Competencies (SMCs) (Training Staff will pick 12 from the appropriate level)

Each Fast-Track Lateral Recruit will be tested on the same skills as the next with the exception of the EMS skills which will be based on each individuals licensure level.

Recruits who do not pass skills testing ARE NOT TERMINATED!  The recruit will be placed into R.I.P. status temporarily and then will attend a full Fire Recruit Academy with the next Recruit Class.

Week 2

First week of Firefighter Indoctrination

  • Building Construction Review, Fire Behavior
  • Fire Attack/Hose Practice
  • Search and Rescue
  • Ladders/Aerial Ops
  • Forcible Entry

Week 3

Second week of Firefighter Indoctrination

  • Ventilation
  • Firefighter Survival/Mayday
  • IMS/ Blue Card Command System
  • Highrise Ops
  • Vehicle Extrication (1-day overview)

Week 4

 EMS Indoctrination

  • Protocol Class
  • Handtevy Application
  • Policies and Procedures (Operative IQ, Narcotics, Imagetrend documentation)- two (2) days
  • Equipment Familiarization

Completion

Following successful completion of the Fast-Track Lateral Entry Training Academy, the Fast-Track Lateral Recruit will transition to the assigned station in a solo status to be monitored by the Station Officer. The Fast-Track Lateral Firefighter will be on the typical 18-month probationary period. 

During their probationary period, all classes/ certifications that were not required for hire, but required as part of a regular Recruit Academy, will be obtained by attending the course when it is offered in the current or next recruit class (i.e. – NPQ FF II, VMR Class, etc.). Fast-Track Lateral Firefighters will be responsible for completing all continuing education for the year as required for any other firefighter assigned to the Response Division.

Paramedic Pay

Firefighters holding a Paramedic Certification in the State of Georgia will receive a salary increase following successful completion of the Lateral Entry Training Academy. For those assigned to ALS stations, that increase will be DPS +2 or 10% of the Market Control Point (MCP) of Pay Grade 2.  For those not assigned to ALS Stations that increased will be DPS +1 or 5%.

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