The Academy offers classes for recruit training where new firefighters are instructed in the classroom, then put through rigorous hands-on drills to gain the skills and knowledge needed to earn New Jersey State Firefighter Certification. Our recruit program is well over 200 hours in length.
We also offer classes such as Pump School, Basic, Advanced and School Bus Extrication, F.A.S.T. / R.I.T. Firefighter Rescues Programs, Reading Smoke, Understanding Flowpaths, Elevator Rescue, Large Area Searches, Hazardous Materials, and Flashover Awareness.
All of our classes are provided free-of-charge to Ocean County Firefighters in a continuing effort to prepare Ocean County's Bravest for the changing needs of their profession and to keep the residents and visitors of Ocean County safe.Fire Academy InstructorsThe instructors listed below are the driving force behind this facility. They continue to train and learn as well as taking the time to give back to the fire service as an instructor. The thing that makes our instructors extra special is they are volunteers just like our students. They give of their time freely in an effort to keep out volunteer fire service alive. The Academy, Ocean County and the fire service thanks you for your dedication and selflessness.
Dennis Allen
Kenneth W. Balfrey
Erik Batykefer
Brent Cunningham
Adam Ellender
Kaitlyn Freeman
Michael Gomez
Joseph Gugger
David Hansen
Jerry Hayes
William Hollingsworth
Joseph J. Howell, Jr.
Roger Hull
Jordan Lavundi
Jessie Langguth
Shane Leaming
David McKay
John McKay
Daniel P. Mulligan
Delaney O'Connor
Carl Schubauer
Zach Sharp
Jay Sonnenfeld
Raymond L. Van Marter
Chris Ventrice
Michael Wolfschmidt
SPRING 2026 Training CoursesThe Ocean County Fire Academy provides many types of training to all of our firefighters. Some classes have been opened up to members in the EMS field as well. Spring 2026 Classes are here. Click here--->
Fire Training Announcement - Spring 2026 to view the course catalog.
To Print the Catalog: Fire Training Announcement - Spring 2026.pdf
JANUARYNJDFS R.I.C. Member Challenge Exam
1/31/2026
Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
FEBRUARYNJDFS R.I.C. Member Challenge Exam
2/11/2026
Wednesday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Technology & Apps for the Instructor and Company Training Officer
2/17/2026
Tuesday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
NJDFS ICS-300
2/19, 2/21, 2/26, & 2/28/2026
Thursdays 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm; Saturdays 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Animal Emergencies
2/23/2026
Monday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
MARCHFirefighter Down
3/4/2026
Wednesday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Fire Behavior and Flashover Recognition **CLASS FULL**
3/7/2026
Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
NJDFS R.I.C. Member Challenge Exam
3/11/2026
Wednesday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
***New Session Added*** Fire Behavior and Flashover Recognition
3/14/2026
Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Response to Common Emergencies
3/18 and 3/21/2026
Wednesday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm; Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Basic Pump Operator's Course
**MUST ATTEND ALL DAYS**
3/25, 3/28, 4/1, 4/4, 4/8, and 4/11/2026
Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm; Saturdays 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
NJDFS Fire Police
3/25, 3/27 and 3/28/2026
Wednesday and Friday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm; Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Working with Administrators & Elected Officials
3/30/2026
Monday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
APRILNJDFS - Fire Service Rapid Intervention Crew
4/13, 4/15, 4/18, 4/20, 4/22, 4/25, 4/27, 4/29 and 5/2/2026
Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm; Saturdays 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Life Before the Lines - Victim Centered Fireground Search & Rescue
4/14, 4/16 & 4/18/2026
Tuesday & Thursday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm; Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Stop the Bleed for 1st Responders
4/23/2026
Thursday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
MAYIntroduction to Fire Service Law
5/4/2026
Monday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Basic Pump Operator's Course
**MUST ATTEND ALL DAYS**
5/6, 5/9, 5/13, 5/16, 5/20, and 5/23/2026
Wednesday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Saturdays 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
For the Love of the Engine - the Artery of the Fire Incident
5/9/2026
Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
JUNESchool Bus Extrication
6/3 & 6/6/2026
Wednesday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Electrical Emergencies
6/4/2026
Thursday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT) - Prep Course
*Prospective OCFA Fire 1 Recruits ONLY*
6/7/2026
Sunday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
NJDFS R.I.C. Member Challenge Exam
6/13/2026
Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fireground Survival
6/18 & 6/20/2026
Thursday 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
NJDFS Haz Mat Incident Commander
**MUST ATTEND ALL DAYS**
6/22, 6/24, 6/27, 6/29, 7/1, 7/6, and 7/11/2026
Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm; Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
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