Fire Science

Degrees and Certificates

Fire Science,
Associate of Technical Science Degree

Program Learning Outcomes

Possess the industry recognized skills required for entry-level employment as a firefighter, meeting International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) standards for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Operations and other industry standards.

Demonstrate and appropriately use fire service equipment and procedures in conjunction with a variety of emergency response incidents; possess industry recognized apparatus operation knowledge, skills and abilities.

Identify fire protection systems used in various occupancies including sprinkler systems, extinguishing agents, early warning devices, fire pumps, smoke and flame detection, and standpipes.

Possess industry recognized hazardous materials first responder competencies to the level of First Responder Operations.

Demonstrate the principles of effective risk management during incident operations including managing emergency scene safety with multiple responding units regarding the resources of time, personnel, equipment and jurisdictional authority.

Understand the ethical responsibilities and consequences of working in an emergency services-related environment.

Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving abilities, teamwork, communication, intercultural appreciation, and technical and information literacy skills as they apply to the fire service.

Demonstrate employee traits considered strong in a professional work environment: dependability, appearance, positive attitude, thoroughness, timelines, safety, and the human relations skills necessary for work in emergency services.

Apply basic firefighting skills to a wild land/urban interface environment.

Have a thorough knowledge of the hiring process to include Civil Service Examinations.

Classes

FS 106: Basic Fire Science

Credits

Through a combination of lecture and hands-on training, students will learn how to perform basic functions of structural firefighting in a safe and effective manner. This course in combination with Intermediate Fire Science (FS 121) will include an embedded certification of IFSAC Firefighter One. Fire Department Sponsorship Required.

FS 107: Customer Relations for Fire Service

Credits

This course advances the student's skills in maintaining good relations with the public through effective communication and delivering customer service in a sometimes difficult setting. Includes the roles and responsibilities firefighters play in community relations and public information/education. Also includes the firefighter's roles caring for the 'internal' and 'external' customers.

FS 110: Pumpers and Water System Hydraulics

Credits

Studies of fluid mechanics dealing with the mechanical properties of water at rest and in motion, its application to suppression operations, and fire streams. Includes municipal and rural water supply operations, basic fire pump components, systems and operational skills. Fire Department Sponsorship Required.

FS 121: Intermediate Fire Science

Credits

Through a combination of lecture and hands-on training, the student will learn how to perform intermediate functions of structural firefighting in a safe and effective manner. This course in combination with Basic Fire Science (FS 106) will include an embedded certification of IFSAC Firefighter One. Fire Department Sponsorship Required.

FS 130: Wildland Firefighting Basics

Credits

Provides the new wildland firefighter with basic FFT2 Red Card-qualifying skills to effectively and safely suppress wildfires while under close supervision. Fire Department Sponsorship Required.

FS 152: Building Construction

Credits

Overview of engineering principles by building construction, characteristics of building classifications, life and fire safety devices, fire assemblies, fire loading, fire resistance, and flame spread ratings. Covers the hazards of various methods, techniques, components and materials of building construction. Fire Department Sponsorship Required.

FS 160: Tactics

Credits

Includes the planning, implementation and evaluation of basic fire tactics at the responding officer level. Principal elements include size-up, fire simulation, fire behavior, tactics, strategy, resource requirements and proper allocation of resources. Fire Department Sponsorship Required.

FS 180: Hazardous Materials Operations

Credits

Designed to prepare the student in the knowledge of hazardous materials and how it relates to the fire service. This course will include embedded certifications of IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations. Fire Department Sponsorship Required.

FS 196: Cooperative Work Experience

Credits

Designed to provide students with on-the-job practical field experience. One credit for each five hours of work experience per week.

FS 200: Advanced Fire Science

Credits

Through a combination of lecture and hands-on training, students will learn how to perform advanced functions of structural firefighting in a safe and effective manner. This course will include an embedded certification of IFSAC Firefighter Two. Fire Department Sponsorship Required.

FS 296: Work Experience

Credits

Designed to provide students with on-the-job practical field experience. One credit for each five hours of work experience per week.