Now Law: Corrado Bill Accredits Fire Academy Classes

Senator Kristin Corrado’s legislation to help firefighters use their academy training to earn college credits has been signed into law.

“Firefighter training classes are just as rigorous and challenging as college courses, and I am pleased they will now be recognized as such,” said Corrado (R-40). “Accrediting fire service training creates a pathway to a fire science bachelor’s degree, opening the door to career advancement. Ensuring New Jersey’s four year state colleges will award these credits is a common-sense move to help firefighters climb the career ladder and better protect Garden State residents, their property, and our community at large.”

Corrado’s law, S-3519, would allow a firefighter who successfully completed a course at a county fire academy to receive college credit through a four-year public college that offers a fire science degree program. The new law also directs county fire academies to work together with four-year colleges to identify similar classes between the two schools.

Degrees in fire science can lead to management positions in firefighting, fire safety, and fire investigation.