Curriculum System
Candidate Development
Prepare
Curriculum Overview
FORGE is the Falls Training Complex pre-hire development program for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the fire service. The program introduces participants to the expectations, physical demands, teamwork, culture and foundational skills associated with a fire-service career. No prior fire, EMS or state certification is required to participate.
FORGE is not a state certification course and does not provide Firefighter I, Firefighter II, EMT or paramedic certification. It is designed as career preparation and exposure to the profession.
Participants who successfully complete the full FORGE program receive 5% credit on a future Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department civil service hiring test.
Primary Training Areas
Candidate Readiness
Physical Preparation
Fire-Service Foundations
PPE / SCBA
Hose & Ladders
Search & Forcible Entry
Fireground Fundamentals
Interview / Hiring Preparation
Primary Courses
Representative programming within Forge. Scheduled offerings appear in the current course catalog below.
FTC Pre-Hire Development Program
The anchor FORGE pathway. A structured multi-session program covering fire-service culture, fundamentals and readiness for candidates preparing to enter the hiring process.
Candidate Physical Readiness
Job-related physical conditioning and work-capacity preparation built around the demands of firefighting tasks and physical ability testing.
Fire Service Foundations
Classroom orientation to fire-department organization, terminology, discipline and expectations before hands-on skills begin.
PPE / SCBA Fundamentals
Donning, doffing, inspection, air management and confidence work with structural protective equipment and breathing apparatus.
Ground Ladder Fundamentals
Carries, raises, placement and climbing technique for single and extension ground ladders in a controlled training setting.
Search Fundamentals
Primary search technique, orientation, communication and crew integrity introduced at the candidate level.
Forcible Entry Fundamentals
Tool identification, body mechanics and conventional forcible-entry technique on training props.
Engine Company Fundamentals
Hose loads, stretches, nozzle handling and basic engine-company assignments for prospective firefighters.
Interview & Hiring Preparation
Application, oral-board and professional-presentation preparation for candidates pursuing career fire-service positions.
Candidate Skills Evaluation
A structured evaluation session giving candidates measurable feedback on skills, readiness and areas for continued development.
Current Course Catalog
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