RECRUIT SCHOOL
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services Recruit School Training consists of two phases that last 34 weeks:
Firefighter Training
The first phase of recruit school is the fire side. This side lasts 12 weeks. Recruits will have both classroom instruction and hands-on training in a field environment on the training grounds, utilizing the IFSTA training manual 7th edition, "Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations". Recruits will physically demonstrate techniques on the training ground that they learn in the classroom environment. Recruits will participate in some form of physical training at least three days a week during recruit school. This physical training can consist of running, strength training, or drills that will develop both personal fitness and teamwork. At the end of the 12 week firefighter training, recruits will be tested for NPQ Firefighter 1, NPQ Firefighter 2 and NPQ Hazardous Material Awareness and Operations level to become certified Georgia firefighters.
Emergency Medical Training
The second phase of recruit school consists of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT). This portion of recruit school lasts for 22 weeks. The first ten weeks is basic EMT training, which includes working alongside professional emergency responders to witness basic skills as a first responder. The next 12 weeks is Advanced EMT training which includes more academics as well as clinical rotations at a fire station or on the ambulance. Clinical rotations provide the opportunity to experience real-life situations and allow hands-on use of practical skills taught in the classroom. The typical 8-hour classroom day contains both lecture and practical exercise components. Recruits must pass all major testing during both the basic EMT training and the Advanced EMT training, which includes weekly tests and a Cobb County Final Exam. Once the recruits have successfully completed the Cobb County final exam, they must pass the National Registry of EMT's written and practical test for both EMT and AEMT levels.
For questions, contact our recruiters from Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services via email at