The full academy is 26 weeks. Recruits work Monday – Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and are off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Some training will take place at night, which recruits will know about in advance. 

• It is very important to begin recruit school in a physical condition that will permit you to actively participate in the physical tasks required in school. 
• In the early weeks of recruit school, there will be occasional running, on average 2-3 miles a week, and various forms of physical conditioning exercises that are overseen by our Health and Wellness Manager.
• Physical conditioning exercises will vary and will include weightlifting and body weight exercises such as push-ups and pull-ups. The amount of weight and exercises will be dictated by our Health and Wellness Manager based on the individual needs of each recruit. It is expected for a firefighter to carry an extra 50-75 pounds of weight under strenuous and potentially high heat/humid conditions. 
• You will participate in the “firefighter training course” at various points throughout the academy.
• This is a physically challenging, job-specific course that is designed to strengthen the muscle groups most used in the firefighting profession and will require you to work in an anaerobic state wearing turnout gear and air pack. 
• Your turnout gear and air pack will add approximately 50 pounds of weight and hamper your body’s ability to cool down. 
• During fire school, a typical morning consists of physical conditioning to include cardio and/or strenuous weight training for about one hour, and the first one-two hour rotations of practical drills. Practical drills are hands-on skills that recruits are required to demonstrate with proficiency. In the afternoon, there are several more hours of practical drills. This schedule is only a typical day and will change occasionally to accommodate various classes.

The LCFR work schedule is equivalent to about 48 hours per week.

LCFR operates on a 24-hour rotation. Members work 24 hours on (6:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. the following day), followed by 48 hours off. Whenever their shift falls on their assigned "Kelly Day" (occurs once every seven shifts), they are given the day off. Kelly days are assigned for a two-year period, then re-bid based on seniority.  

Loudoun County has 15 volunteer companies that provide emergency services to the community and surrounding areas. There are operational, as well as administrative volunteer opportunities. For more information about volunteering in Loudoun County, visit OpenNewDoors.org.

Location
The Offices of Communications and Training are located at 16600 Courage Court, Leesburg.

From Points West
Follow Route 7 East to Leesburg. At traffic light at intersection with Sycolin Road, take a right on Sycolin. Travel 1.6 miles and take a left onto Loudoun Center Place. Travel one-tenth of a mile and turn right onto Courage Court. The building is straight ahead.

From Points East
Follow Route 7 West. Merge onto US-15 bypass south / VA-7 W / Leesburg bypass toward Warrenton / Winchester. Turn left onto Sycolin Road Southeast Travel 1.6 miles and take a left onto Loudoun Center Place. Travel one-tenth of a mile and turn right onto Courage Court. The building is straight ahead.

Please send an email to our recruitment team at [email protected] or fill out the form below.