Student Policies

Attendance

• Attendance at every class orientation is mandatory. Failing to attend an orientation is grounds for dismissal from that class.
• Classes begin promptly at the assigned start time. Arrive on time and prepared to take notes or perform assigned tasks.
• A student who arrives more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time will not be admitted to that class unless prior arrangements have been made with the point of contact or senior instructor.
• Students arriving late must report their attendance to the instructor and sign in at the designated time.
• Students who are absent for more than three (3) sessions in any course will have to repeat the entire course.
• All make-ups must be authorized by the Academy Director. No walk-ins will be allowed.
• If you miss a session, contact the class’s point of contact or senior instructor to schedule a make-up.
• A $25.00 fee will be charged to the student’s department when a make-up class must be scheduled and the Academy must arrange staffing for that classroom session or certain practical sessions. Written approval from the student’s training officer or chief must be received before the make-up is scheduled.
• Because of the complex nature of most practical sessions, practical make-ups may only take place during another scheduled session.
• A student may not move on to the next practical session if a missed session has been deemed a prerequisite for a later module where safety might be compromised without it.

Online Classes

• Start time: all online classes begin promptly at 18:30.
• Missed lectures: if you miss a synchronous online lecture, submit a one-page summary paper covering the key topics and learning objectives of that session to the Lead Instructor within one (1) week to receive attendance credit.
• Recording: online sessions are recorded in Microsoft Teams for educational purposes.
• Cameras: students must remain on camera for the entire lecture. Cameras may be off during designated breaks but must be turned back on immediately upon return.
• Engagement: active participation is tracked through your visible presence.
• Backgrounds: must be professional and free of distractions. Use a solid wall or a tastefully decorated space. Professional virtual backgrounds are permitted if they are not distracting.
• Homework and quizzes: all online assignments and assessments must be submitted on time.
• Passing grade: a minimum overall score of 75% is required to pass the class.

Academic Requirements & Integrity

• Recruits are required to keep pace with all class assignments, quizzes, online participation, and workbooks. Failing to do so may require remedial measures and could result in dismissal from the class.
• Any student found to have cheated on a test or exam will be immediately dismissed from that class, and the agency that generated the exam will be notified.
• Any student found to have plagiarized the work of another author or a previous student will be dismissed from that class.
• Any student who shares the content of an exam or written assignment is subject to dismissal from that class.

Dress Code

Student attire:

• Academy-issued short-sleeve shirt
• Dark blue or black uniform pants
• Black belt
• Black socks
• Black work shoes or boots
• Department hat, or a plain blue or black hat
• Uniforms must be kept neat and clean. Shirts must be tucked in at all times, and pants may not be bloused in boots.
• Attire deemed offensive, culturally insensitive, or inappropriate is cause for removal from any academy-hosted class.

Student Personal Safety

• Cosmetics are not permitted during live fire training evolutions.
• Students in any training that uses a respirator must have completed an OSHA respirator medical evaluation and must provide proof, on the Academy form or another acceptable form, that a medical professional has certified them as medically fit to wear a respirator before the class starts.
• A valid fit test is required for any class that uses a respirator. A fit test is valid if it is dated no more than 12 months before the end date of the course.
• Jewelry may not be worn during any practical class session. Medical alert devices are exempt, provided they do not interfere with safe operations.
• Hair may not extend below the collar at any time during classroom or practical sessions. Wigs and hair extensions may not be worn.
• Caffeine consumption should be curtailed at least eight hours before any class with a physical component. Students in a class with a physical component may not consume caffeine-enriched supplements or beverages during class.
• Any student taking a medication, prescription or over the counter, with known side effects that may affect their safety or participation must notify Academy staff before participating in any session.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• The level of PPE required for each class is determined by the Academy based on the course content and potential for injury.
• All firefighter PPE must comply with current OSHA and NFPA standards.
• All PPE must be maintained, fully functional as designed, and free of defects, including rips, tears, missing reflective striping, and snaps, zippers, buttons, or Velcro that no longer fasten as designed.
• Helmets may not have excessive adornments contrary to NFPA guidance.
• Firefighting gloves should be compatible with the coat they are worn with. Gloves with wristlets are required when the coat wristlets have no thumbholes.
• Students with facial hair that interferes, or could interfere, with the facepiece seal will not be permitted to participate in evolutions that require a respirator.

Injuries & Illness

• Any injury or illness on Dunlap Fire Academy premises must be reported immediately to the lead instructor or an academy representative. Emergency medical care will be rendered as required.
• The student’s department will be notified of an illness or injury, with care taken to protect the student’s confidentiality regarding its specific nature.
• Personnel or students will fill out the appropriate Dunlap Fire Academy accident/injury form.
• Injured students in a class with a physical component may not return to class without written clearance from their department’s attending physician specifically stating that they can return to firefighting training without restriction.

Conduct

• The use of stimulants, intoxicants, or the illegal use of any drug or substance is strictly prohibited on academy property. Reporting to the Academy after using any of these will be treated as use during training hours and will result in automatic dismissal.
• Do not stand or sit with your feet against walls or on tables or chairs, and do not mark, alter, or damage any Academy property.
• Do not interfere with any other class or meeting in session. Proper decorum is expected at all times.
• Any act or behavior pattern deemed prejudicial to the good order and discipline of the class, including but not limited to talking out of turn or sleeping during class, may result in dismissal from the Academy.
• Students are expected to clean up after themselves. Soda cans, coffee cups, water bottles, paperwork, and similar items go in the trash or recycling receptacles provided.
• Profane or discriminatory language or gestures are strictly prohibited.
• The display of any offensive, profane, or discriminatory items or materials is strictly prohibited. This includes any item of dress deemed suggestive or offensive.
• Physical contact between students is strictly prohibited except when necessary to accomplish a class objective, such as carries and drags.

Tobacco Products

• Tobacco use by any student in a class with a physical component is strictly prohibited on Academy premises for the duration of the course.
• Students in classroom-only sessions may use tobacco products only outside the academy building and at least 15 feet from any entry door.
• Electronic cigarettes are classified as tobacco products under these rules.
• There is no smoking on the Academy training grounds (within 15 feet of the training tower).

Parking

• Park in the north parking spots and the spots directly in front of the Dunlap Fire Station.
• Students are not permitted to park on the east or south side of the building.

Cell Phones, Radios & Pagers

• Cell phone use is prohibited during class. Phones must be left in your vehicle or turned off, and may be used only during designated breaks or after class is dismissed.
• For an emergency communication, notify the instructor to arrange use of a phone.
• Any radio needed for a student’s duties must be kept at minimum volume and may not disturb the class.
• Pagers must be set to silent or vibrate, and pager and portable radio audio for on-duty personnel must be set so it does not interfere with the class.

Electronic Devices

• Personal computers, tablets, PDAs, and similar devices are acceptable for taking notes. Power outlets are limited in some classrooms, so charge devices fully beforehand.
• Devices used for these purposes should not have any alerting or keystroke indicators silenced during class.

Photography

• Taking photos or video during any class session is strictly prohibited without the express permission of the class’s senior instructor or point of contact and the consent of anyone appearing in the photo or video.

Breaks

• Break times are set at the discretion of the instructor.