Fire Technology AS Degree (employment preparation)

Program Overview

The Fire Technology AS Degree program at College of the Desert prepares students for careers in the fire service, providing a comprehensive understanding of fire behavior, suppression techniques, protection systems, and management. The program includes required courses in fire prevention, protection systems, and suppression, as well as elective courses in hazardous materials, fire tactics, and wildland fire technology. Graduates may pursue employment as firefighters, paramedics, or firefighter/EMTs, or continue their education towards a bachelor's degree.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Fire Technology AS Degree (employment preparation) at College of the Desert is designed to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for individuals to work in the fire service. The program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of fire behavior, fire suppression techniques, fire protection systems, and fire management.

Objectives:

• Prepare students for employment as firefighters, paramedics, or firefighter/EMTs.
• Provide a foundation for further study in fire technology or fire service towards a bachelor's degree.

Program Description:

The Fire Technology AS Degree program includes course offerings that provide a general overview of fire service disciplines, as well as specific courses in fire suppression, fire tactics and strategy, fire prevention, design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems, hazardous materials, fire protection building design and construction. Additionally, Fire Service Training & Education Program (FSTEP) and California Fire Service Training & Education System (CFSTES) courses through the California State Fire Marshal's office are offered in this program. College of the Desert is recognized by the California State Fire Marshal as an Accredited Regional Training Program offering a Firefighter 1 Basic Training Academy.

Outline:

Content:

• Fire prevention
• Fire protection systems
• Fire behavior and combustion
• Building construction for fire protection
• Fire suppression techniques
• Fire tactics and strategy
• Hazardous materials
• Fire protection building design and construction

Structure:

• 18 units of required courses
• 22 units of elective courses
• 18 units of COD General Education Pattern

Individual Modules:

Required Courses:

• FIRE 001 Principles of Emergency Services
• FIRE 002 Fire Prevention
• FIRE 003 Fire Protection Systems
• FIRE 004 Building Construction for Fire Protection
• FIRE 005 Fire Behavior & Combustion
• FIRE 007 Principles of Fire & Emergency Services Safety & Survival

Elective Courses:

• FIRE 006 Hazardous Materials/ICS
• FIRE 008 Firefighting Strategies & Tactics
• FIRE 009 Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply
• FIRE 010 Wildland Fire Technology
• FIRE 024 Report Writing for the Fire Service
• FIRE 095A Fire Technology Work Experience
• BFFA 063 Basic Fire Fighter I Academy
• CSFM 070 Confined Space - Awareness
• CSFM 071 Rapid Intervention Crew Operations
• CSFM 075 Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness Level
• CSFM 076 Low Angle Rescue Operational
• CSFM 077A Fire Investigation 1A: Fire Origin & Cause Determination
• CSFM 077B Fire Investigation 1B: Techniques of Fire Investigation
• CSFM 079B I-200: Basic ICS
• CSFM 079C I-300: Intermediate ICS
• CSFM 079D I-400: Advanced ICS
• CSFM 082A Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A: Emergency Vehicle Ops
• CSFM 082B Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1B: Pumping Apparatus Ops
• CSFM 083A Company Officer 2A: Human Resource Management
• CSFM 083B Company Officer 2B: General Administration Functions
• CSFM 083C Company Officer 2C: Fire Inspections and Investigations
• CSFM 083D Company Officer 2D: All Risk Command Operations
• CSFM 083E Company Officer 2E: Wildland Incident Operations
• CSFM 084A Instructor 1: Instructor Methodology
• CSFM 085A Fire Inspector 1A: Duties and Administration
• CSFM 085B Fire Inspector 1B: Fire and Life Safety
• CSFM 085C Fire Inspector 1C: Field Inspection
• CSFM 085D Fire Inspector 1D: Field Inspection- California Specific
• BIT 026 Building II & Fire Codes
• EMR 080 Emergency Medical Responder

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Firefighter
• Paramedic
• Firefighter/EMT
• Fire prevention specialist
• Fire inspector
• Fire investigator
• Fire protection engineer
• Hazardous materials specialist

Opportunities:

• Employment in fire departments
• Paramedic services
• Fire safety consulting
• Fire protection engineering
• Hazmat response

Outcomes:

• Graduates may pursue positions as a firefighter, paramedic, or firefighter/EMT or may choose to continue their study in fire technology or fire service toward a bachelor's degree.