COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO
2407 CALDWELL BLVD.

NAMPA, IDAHO 83651
208-562-2671
http://cwi.edu/program/fire-service-technology

Updated: December 10, 2025

Job Classification:  Students that have an interest in Fire Service Technology.

The College of Western Idaho Fire Service Technology Program is establishing an eligibility list for the Fall 2026 Fire Academy (Basic Technical Certificate). Interested students are required to take or submit a score from the Public Safety Answers Recruit Entry Exam and Interview. after Monday, January 5, 2026. All testing must be completed by Thursday, March 5, 2026. Upon completing the exam and interview, the College of Western Idaho will contact you with further details on the admission process after the closing date of March 5, 2026.

Department Overview:

Are you interested in becoming a full-time or volunteer firefighter or looking to formalize your structural fire training toward a degree? The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fire Service Technology (FST) Basic Technical Certificate (BTC) is an academy style program located at the Nampa Fire Protection District’s Fire Training Facility in the fall semester of 2026 that is designed to be completed in one semester and prepares students for opportunities as a full-time or volunteer firefighter. The curriculum is based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) requirements. The local fire department trainers and command staff are the ones who assisted CWI in the development of the curriculum, and they will also provide the instruction. We hire the majority of our instructors from the Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Meridian, Middleton, Kuna, and Nampa Fire Departments.  The CWI FST BTC academy focuses on teaching students to analyze and solve problems in firefighting based on real-world situations and scenarios. Students will be presented with the highest level of classroom instruction, hands-on demonstrations, and will participate in live burns. In addition, students will enroll in a co-requisite physical fitness course designed specifically for firefighters.

The CWI Fire Service Technology BTC program requires a separate application after passing the Public Safety Answers Entrance Exam and interview. Upon satisfactory completion of the Basic Technical Certificate program, students are afforded an opportunity to take the Fire Fighter I, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and Hazardous Materials Operations testing, proctored by Idaho Fire Service Training Division, part of the State of Idaho – Division of Career and Technical Education. 

Note: Registrations for Fire Service Technology courses are restricted to students within the program.

Area Information:  Southwest Idaho

Population:  850,000

Process: The Fire Service Technology – BTC is currently eligible for Title IV funding for students to receive Federal Financial Aid.

Job Requirements

Age: 18

High School Grad/GED: Yes, and it must be from an accredited program that CWI accepts for admission to CWI.

Necessary Certifications: Potential CWI FST BTC students need to complete and pass an Emergency Medical Technician program prior to August 17, 2026. Potential CWI FST BTC students must also possess and maintain a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT, or Paramedic certification by August 17, 2026, unless an exception is approved by the Director of Fire Service Technology. For more information about completing the EMT program at CWI, visit http://cwi.edu/program/emergency-medical-technician-emt

Additional Requirements: Prospective students must complete a criminal background check; CWI Fire Service Technology BTC application; CWI Math and English placement test; an oral board interview; and medical/vision/hearing fitness exams. The cost for this process listed above will be paid for by the prospective student. As stated above in necessary certifications, a potential CWI FST BTC student must possess and maintain a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT, or Paramedic certification by August 17, 2026, unless an exception is approved by the Director of Fire Service Technology.

Prospective students obtaining a passing score on the Public Safety Answers entrance exam test and interview will be contacted by CWI staff  after March 5, 2026 in order to complete a pre-application for the program and be given a timeline for completing the other required paperwork/processes needed to start the academy on August 17, 2026. There is a mandatory new student orientation on June 24, 2026 (Tentative).