In collaboration with the Rio Grande Valley Emergency Training Alliance, Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Harlingen conducts two Firefighter Academies per year. Fire cadets must be sponsored by one of the 16 fire departments listed below. To learn more about the academy, please contact your local fire department for further information and required qualifications.

Firefighter Certification

Basic firefighter certification consists of 24 weeks of classroom and hands-on training to comply with the Texas Commission of Fire Protection requirements for preparation of the Texas State Exam. Training is conducted at various training sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

Basic Emergency Technician Certification (EMT-B)

During the course of this five-week intense program, students perform the skills and use the equipment commonly used in emergency medical services. In addition, students are instructed in optional procedures such as intraosseous infusion and chest decompression. Throughout the course of the program, students will complete hours of rotations with local hospitals and EMS providers. Upon successful completion of the program, students who meet the requirements of the Texas Department of Health will be qualified for certification as basic or paramedic emergency medical technicians.

Current city fire department members include:

Another option is the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic program.

During the course of this 260-hour intense program, students perform the skills and use the equipment commonly used in emergency medical services. In addition, students are instructed in optional procedures such as intraosseous infusion and chest decompression. Throughout the course of the program, students will complete 48 hours of clinical rotations with local hospitals and EMS providers. Upon successful completion of the program, students who meet the requirements of the Texas Department of State Health Services will be qualified to test for the National Registry EMT basic certification. 

All EMS students must:

• Complete online or pick up a Prospective Student Packet with an EMS Program advisor located in Building A Room 111.
• Have a Student Physical Exam Form completed by a physician and turned in to the EMS Department Office.
• Hand deliver the packet to an advisor in the EMS Program.
• Provide proof of immunizations . Hospitals and clinical facilities have the right to refuse students who have asked for exemptions from immunizations for personal or religious reasons. These cases will be handled individually. Students without proof of completed immunizations will not be allowed to continue in the program, without exception.
• Have transportation in order to get to clinical/Practicum rotation sites.
• Obtain criminal background check through L1 Identity and drug testing at the student’s expense. http://www.morphotrust.com/
• Be drug screened through NTC.

Failure of either the criminal background check or the drug screen will result in dismissal from the EMS Program. There is no re-testing or re-investigation.

For more information, contact the Texas State Technical College Continuing Education Department at 956-364-4606.

To register for this program, please click here.