Student Rules

Alcohol

Alcohol is not allowed at the NETC and will be confiscated. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is limited to the Command Post Pub and at coordinated activities held at the Log Cabin.

Attendance

You are required to attend all course sessions. If you don't, you may not receive a certificate or a travel reimbursement.

If you need to leave campus early and miss part of a course or graduation, notify the training specialist in writing. The training specialist, in collaboration with the National Fire Academy (NFA) superintendent, may waive the attendance requirement in extraordinary circumstances if you complete all course requirements.

If you receive approval to leave early, forward the approval to the NETC Admissions Office so your travel reimbursement isn't limited.

COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements

The health, wellness and safety of our students, instructors and staff is paramount. NETC staff is continuously monitoring and evaluating the national COVID-19 situation and the current guidance in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Based on COVID-19 conditions, training at the NETC campus will be evaluated weekly.

If you are ill within 14 days prior to training, we ask that you do not attend training.

We want you to closely monitor your health and avoid situations or areas that are high risk for COVID-19 or other fever-related illnesses 14 days prior to arriving.

Vaccination and testing requirements

Vaccination: The NETC does not require vaccination or other proof of vaccination for contractors, visitors, students and instructors.

Screening: The NETC does not require COVID-19 testing regardless of community level or vaccination status.

Steps we're taking to protect you

We have put in place various COVID-19 mitigation measures on the NETC campus. These mitigation measures are like what you are currently experiencing in your state or jurisdiction. We will implement priority behavior practices daily on the NETC campus as follows:

1. Frequently washing hands or the use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
2. Avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth.
3. Staying at home when sick, or in other words, not making the trip to NETC.
4. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Dress code

Please wear clothing that projects a professional image and is appropriate for classroom activities. If the NFA superintendent or your instructor determines that your clothing is not appropriate, you must change before you can return to class.

Classroom

Appropriate business casual attire includes:

• Slacks, to include khakis and capri pants.
• Suits.
• Sport coats or blazers.
• Skirts or dresses.
• Shirts with collars.
• Sweaters.
• Dress or casual shoes.

Fire Investigation students: Please refer to your pre-course materials for guidance on appropriate attire to wear during exercises.

Never appropriate in the classroom:

• Shorts.
• Flip-flops.
• Clothing that shows offensive images or text.
• Clothing that exposes your midsection.
• Ripped clothing.

Reasonable accommodation

You can wear religious attire when it does not impose an undue hardship on classroom activities. If you have a disability, we will accommodate your attire if it does not impose an undue hardship on classroom activities.

Recommended graduation attire

• Blouse or dress shirt with tie.
• Class shirt.
• Departmental dress uniform.
• Dress slacks.
• Skirt or dress.
• Sport coat or blazer.
• Suit.

Laptops and other personal computer devices

You can't connect your laptop, mobile phone, USB drive or any other personal computer devices to government equipment without approval of the course manager and classroom information technology technician.

Your USB devices must be scanned by the technician before we will allow them to connect to government equipment. You are not allowed to connect equipment to our network.

Service animals

Animals are not allowed on campus, except for guide/service animals. Please notify the NETC Admissions Office at least 2 weeks in advance if you are bringing a guide/service animal. The service animal must always be in the student's presence. The animal cannot be left in the dormitory room unattended.

Smoking

You can't smoke inside NETC buildings. This includes smokeless tobacco and smokeless electronic vaporizers (e-cigarettes).

If you smoke inside your dorm room, we will:

• Ask you to leave campus.
• Deny your travel reimbursement request.
• Charge you to clean the room.

Visitors

Only you, as the assigned student, are allowed in your dorm room. Relatives or friends can't stay on campus and they can't access campus work spaces or buildings. The NETC Housing Office can provide you with information on off-campus accommodations for visitors, but you are responsible for arranging and paying for the accommodations.

Weapons

Weapons are prohibited on campus. This includes:

• Ammunition.
• Bow and arrows.
• Handguns, pistols, rifles, shotguns.
• Knives with blades longer than 3 inches.
• Machetes.

Security personnel may search you, your vehicle or your luggage. For your own protection, and to register you as quickly as possible, do not bring weapons of any kind to campus.

Law enforcement officers with concurrent jurisdiction who require a firearm for the performance of official duties must obtain an exception from us prior to arrival to carry a firearm at NETC. Please email NETC Security or call 301-447-1513 for questions and further information.