Fire Science Program
The Fire Science degree provides occupational specialty and general education courses. Although most core courses are designed for fire service personnel, certain courses are appropriate for those individuals working in the private sector within the disciplines of fire protection and prevention.
Program curricula were developed through the efforts of the program advisory board, and utilization of national guidelines for higher education in the fire service.
Courses and degree are continuously updated to meet NFPA Guidelines. Prior to admission, potential students must contact the program advisor. Please phone (425) 564-2012 or go to the Fire Science program website for advising session dates and times.
Designed for those either seeking a career in the fire service or are newly hired. Degree gives a solid background in fire science core curriculum and general education. If a student is not employed in the fire service, they are required to attend one group advising session held monthly on the main campus.
On this page:
- Fire Science - Associate in Arts Degree
- Fire Officer - Certificate of Accomplishment
- Fire Science - Certificate of Achievement
- Fire Investigation - Certificate of Completion
- Fire Prevention Specialist - Certificate of Completion
Associate in Arts Degree Fire Science
Brief Description
The Fire Science associate degree is designed for those either newly hired or seeking a career in the fire service. This degree gives a solid background in fire science core curriculum and general education.
Learning Outcomes
Degree recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Demonstrate proficient skills, knowledge, and abilities as listed in NFPA 1001 for Firefighter One
- Communicate effectively during emergency and non-emergency operations and situations
- Effectively work as a team member in a variety of emergency and nonemergency situations
- Possess entry-level requirements as a firefighter
- Effectively utilize critical thinking and problem solving abilities as they apply to the fire service
- Demonstrate basic understanding of all the national core curriculum requirements as outlined by Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this degree [PDF]
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| CORE CURRICULUM | ||
| FS 101 | Fire Behavior and Combustion | 3 |
| FS 102 | Introduction to Fire Prevention and Practices | 3 |
| FS 105 | Fire Service Hydraulics | 3 |
| FS 110 | Fundamentals of Emergency Services | 3 |
| FS 120 | Fire Investigation | 3 |
| FS 137 | Fire Protection | 3 |
| FS 152 | Building Construction | 3 |
| FS 160 | Fire Tactics & Strategies | 3 |
| FS 177 | Wildland/Urban Interface | 3 |
| FS 190 | Fire Inspection & Codes | 4 |
| FS 201 | Emergencey Medical Technician | 8 |
| FS 275 | Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival | 3 |
| DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS | ||
| BTS 161 | Business Software Essentials | 5 |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 |
| ENGL& 235 | Technical Writing | 5 |
| PSYC& 100 | General Psychology | 5 |
| SOC& 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| Choose 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| CHEM& 110 | Chemical Concepts w/ lab (6 Cr) | |
| CHEM& 121 | Introduction to Chemistry (6 Cr) | |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| CMST& 101 | Introduction to Communication (5 Cr) | |
| CMST& 210 | Interpersonal Communication (5 Cr) | |
| CMST& 220 | Public Speaking (5 Cr) | |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| MATH 130 | Introduction to Statistics (5 Cr) | |
| MATH 138 | College Algebra for Business & Social Science (5 Cr) | |
| MATH& 141 | Precalculus I (5 Cr) | |
| Electives | 7 | |
| Grand Total | 90 | |
Certificate of Accomplishment Fire Officer
Brief Description
The Fire Officer certificate is designed for individuals who have completed an AA degree in Fire Science and are seeking a promotion in the fire service. The curriculum follows the IAFC Professional Development recommendations in higher education for a supervising fire officer.
Learning Outcomes
Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Apply basic management principles and theories at Fire Officer I level
- Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills for Fire Officer I
- Apply effective communication skills in emergency and non-emergency situations
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this certificate [PDF]
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| FS 131 | Fire Service Instructor | 3 |
| FS 140 | Incident Safety Officer | 2 |
| FS 210 | Incident Management Multi Company Operations | 3 |
| FS 215 | Hazardous Materials Incident Management | 3 |
| FS 232 | Human Resources Management | 3 |
| FS 233 | Fire Service Administration | 3 |
| FS 261 | Incident Management I | 3 |
| Total | 20 |
Certificate of Achievement Fire Science
Brief Description
The Fire Science certificate is designed for people working in fire service and who want to enhance their level of knowledge in the fire sciences. This certificate assists in fulfilling Joint Apprenticeship Training Consortium (JATC) requirements for fire science core courses.
Learning Outcomes
Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Apply effective communication skills in emergency and non-emergency situations.
- Understand fire science core curriculum as outlined in Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education.
- Utilize general education knowledge at Firefighter One level.
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this certificate [PDF]
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 |
| FS 120 | Fire Investigation | 3 |
| FS 137 | Fire Protection | 3 |
| FS 152 | Building Construction | 3 |
| FS 160 | Fire Tactics & Strategy | 3 |
| FS 190 | Fire Inspection & Codes | 4 |
| Choose 5-6 credits from of the following: | 5-6 | |
| CHEM 100 | Chemical Explorations (5 Cr) | |
| CHEM& 110 | Chemical Concepts w/ lab (6 Cr) | |
| CHEM& 121 | Introduction to Chemistry (6 Cr) | |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| CMST& 101 | Introduction to Communication (5 Cr) | |
| CMST& 220 | Public Speaking (5 Cr) | |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| MATH 138 | College Algebra for Business & Social Science (5 Cr) | |
| MATH& 141 | Precalculus I (5 Cr) | |
| electives | 8-9 | |
| Total | 45 | |
Certificate of Completion Fire Investigation
Brief Description
The Fire Investigation certificate is for members of the Fire Service who have completed an AA degree in Fire Science, and is especially helpful for individuals working in the field of fire investigation or seeking to transfer into fire investigation. All courses follow NFPA 921 and 1033 guidelines.
Learning Outcomes
Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Apply effective communication skills in emergency and non-emergency situations
- Understand fire science core curriculum as outlined in Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education
- Utilize general education knowledge at Firefighter One level
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this certificate [PDF]
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| FS 130 | Investigative Interview Techniques | 3 |
| FS 150 | Intermediate Fire Scene Investigation | 3 |
| FS 240 | Crime Scene & Physical Evidence | 4 |
| FS 260 | Arson for Profit | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
Certificate of Completion Fire Prevention Specialist
Brief Description
The Fire Prevention Specialist certificate is for p who have completed an AA degree in Fire Science and are employed in the fire service, and/or are employed in the private sector within the discipline of fire prevention.
Learning Outcomes
Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Apply effective communication skills in emergency and non-emer- gency situations
- Understand fire science core curriculum as outlined in Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education
- Utilize general education knowledge at Firefighter One level
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this certificate [PDF]
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| FS 200 | Plan Review for Fire Prevention | 4 |
| FS 291 | Hazardous Materials Inspection | 3 |
| Total | 7 |
Professional or technical program offerings and course requirements listed in this website may be altered by the college to reflect the needs of industry, student interests and availability of resources.
