Basic training is responsible for the training of all new members. Recruit firefighters are trained and certified in the following areas:
- Firefighter I & II (NFPA 1001 Standard, 2008 Edition)
- VFIS Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC)
- Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations
(HMFRO) - Basic Rope Operations
- Virginia Fire Programs-Mayday/Firefighter
Survival - Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Automatic External Defibrillation (AED)
Recruit school consists of 24 to 26 weeks of classroom studies, fireground practice, and physical fitness training. Prior to graduating, recruits receive some of the most intense and highest quality training possible.
Recruit School Suppression/Rescue-Based Training
| History, Organization, and Terminology | Emergency Vehicle Operations Course | |
| Company Operations | Building Construction | |
| Fire Behavior | Fire Protection Systems | |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus | Fire Hose | |
| Aerial and Ground Ladders | Water Supply | |
| Search and Rescue | Foam Operations | |
| Extinguishers | Fire Streams | |
| Communications | Incident Management System | |
| Fire Prevention | Fire Inspection | |
| Water Safety | Swift Water Rescue | |
| Hazardous Materials | Auto Fires | |
| Life Safety Rope | Elevator Rescue | |
| High Rise Operations | Salvage and Overhaul | |
| Personnel Accountability | Utility Rope | |
| Rapid Intervention Team | Personal Protective Equipment | |
| AMTRAK/METRO-Train Operations | Terrorism Awareness | |
| Hand and Power Tools | Forcible Entry | |
| Ventilation | Utility Control | |
| Vehicle Extrication | Technical Rescue Awareness | |
| Firefighter Safety and Survival |
Recruit School EMS-Based Training
CPR, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, and Automatic External Defibrillator Certification.