Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Since 1977 (33 years)
What is your primary product or service?
Providing basic and advanced fire/rescue training
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
Central Florida Fire Academy is a consortium whose members are 12 Central Florida fire/rescue agencies. These agencies feel it is better to pool their resources to meet training needs than trying to do it all themselves. The consortium, in turn, is in partnership with the Orange County Public Schools, as part of its technical training branch.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
All of our instructors are currently employed in or retired from the fire/rescue service, thus able to share real life experience with their students. In addition, we have the facilities for creating real-life fire/rescue scenarios.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
Our main campus is at Mid Florida Tech in Orlando but we do hold some classes at the Technical Education Center of Osceola (TECO) in Kissimmee.
Provide detailed directions to your location
Driving Directions
The Academy is located on the southern end of the Mid Florida Tech campus, which is at the intersection of John Young Parkway and West Oak Ridge Road. (2966 W. Oak Ridge Rd, Orlando, FL 32809.
From the Florida Turnpike, take Exit 259 and head east on I-4.
From I-4 take Exit 79 and head south on John Young Parkway to Oak Ridge Road.
From the East-West Expressway (408/toll) take Exit 8. Head south on John Young Parkway.
From the Beeline Expressway (528/toll) take Exit 3 and head north on John Young Parkway.
If traveling south on John Young Parkway, turn left at Oak Ridge Road. Make a right turn at Chancelor Drive and proceed to the last MFT entrance.
If traveling north on John Young Parkway, turn right at the MFT entrance, just after Bear Bryant Lane. If you miss the turn at the entrance, proceed to Oak Ridge Road. Turn right to Chancelor Drive and then right again to the last MFT entrance. (For maps and directions, go to:
www.fireacademy.org/map_local.htm
What type of payments do you accept?
cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express
Which areas do you service?
Mainly Central Florida but some students come from elsewhere.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
The Fire Academy is a consortium of 12 fire/rescue agencies in partnership with Orange County Public Schools. While the instructional staff all work on a part-time basis, the administrative and maintenance staffs are composed of both full time and part time employees.
What are your hours of operation?
Mainly from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some classes are held in the evening from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. and some are held on the weekends from 8:00 to 5:00.
Contact Central Florida Fire Academy:
