2025-2026 Catalog SVC
Fire Sciences
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Overview
The Skagit Valley College (SVC) Fire Sciences Department (FIRE) provides training and education for students wishing to begin a career in the fire service, attain a higher level of education, and/or prepare for career advancement.
- The Fire Protection Technology, AAS degree is designed to prepare those students wishing to enter the fire protection career as entry-level firefighters. It is a skills- and certification-based program that prepares a student with the education, certifications, and affiliation valued by fire service leaders.
Learning Outcomes
General Education Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Fire Protection Technology degree program will be able to:
- Understand how hostile fire conditions develop that threaten the public and emergency responders
- Understand how various work environments can effect development of hostile fire conditions
- Efficiently utilize tactical resources and effective methods of deployment in responding to a variety of emergency incidents
- Possess a knowledge and skill set that allows them to be effective in preventing hostile fire emergencies occurring in their community
Program Admissions
Please apply at Enrollment Services . Enrollment in the program is limited to 30 students entering each September. Selection is on a first-come, first served basis from an “interest” list. Students may enter the program only at the beginning of Fall Quarter. Winter and/or Spring quarter entry is based on prior experience and Department Chair permission.
Firefighter courses can be physically demanding. Students must be medically and physically fit to participate. Students will be subject to a background evaluation. Once accepted into the program, the following requirements must be met:
- Complete an Illegal Substance-Drug Screen and Criminal Background check. This is based on emergency medical industry standards and Washington State laws protecting vulnerable populations (RCW 43.43.880 and 43.43.842). This practice is common among colleges and universities in Washington State and is required by clinical agencies where students complete their clinical experiences.
- Complete a Department of Motor Vehicle violation check. This check is used for training and counseling purposes to determine suitability to gain employment in the fire service.
- Complete and pass a physical/medical evaluation by a physician approved by the program, confirming physical ability to perform structural firefighting activities in compliance with WAC 296- 305-0159(7)(b).
- Costs associated with criminal background check, drug screen, motor vehicle violation check and physical/medical evaluations are the responsibility of the student.
Admission to individual classes for those students not in the Fire Protection Technology (FIRE) program is by Department Chair approval only. Prerequisites for all Fire Protection Technology classes must be met before enrolling in that specific FIRE class.
Admission to individual classes for those students not in the Fire Service Administration program is by Department Chair approval only. Prerequisites for all Fire Service Administration classes must be met before enrolling in that specific class.
Specialized Program Information
Work-Based Learning
Students will integrate classroom learning with work-based learning experience in Fire Service Internship (FIRE 199 ) at a supervised work site. Department Chair approval is required. Credits and grades are based on job-hours worked, work performance and completion of the learning objectives specified in the learning contract.
Degree Option
Fire Protection Technology, AAS
The Associate in Applied Science Degree, AAS is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 90 credits of specified technical and related education course work above the 100 level, with both an overall 2.0 grade point average and a 2.0 grade point average in the technical major.
The Fire Protection Technology (FIRE) program is designed to prepare the student for an entry-level career as a firefighter for private, municipal, industrial, state, and federal fire departments. Typical duties of firefighters may include responding to emergencies and performing work to save lives, stabilize emergency situations, reduce loss of property and improve public safety.
Firefighters additionally inspect, examine, and care for emergency apparatus and equipment, and perform routine maintenance to restore apparatus to a response-ready condition.
Fire Protection Technology is a systematic and organized inquiry into the occurrence of fire and its control. It is about gaining a deeper and useful understanding of fire’s development, strategies used by the fire service to prevent its occurrence and lessen its impact, and methods employed to combat it. It is also about understanding a complex vocation that calls upon its members to perform unusually challenging tasks under virtually any condition with little room for error - or better, adapting to the unforgiving culture of a critical public safety industry.
The training of students to become career firefighters is a key component of the Fire Protection Technology program. Subjects included in the program help to improve the firefighter’s use of knowledge, tools and systems to improve their career opportunities and the lives of those who they serve.
Licensure/Certification
The Fire Prevention Technology program aligns with the standards of the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and the U.S. Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) model curriculum. In Washington State, IFSAC testing is coordinated by the Washington State Patrol and its network of partners. Students can earn multiple IFSAC certificate seals during their time in the program. IFSAC certificates have excellent transferability across state and even international lines. However, there may be a small handful of jurisdictions that do not have reciprocity and that will require certification under Pro Board or other standards.
The Basic and Enhanced Emergency Medical Technician Micro-Certificates both conclude with the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician certification practical examination for EMT. Successful completion of this exam-coupled with paid or volunteer affiliation with a licensed county, aid, or ambulance association-allows individuals to become certified as a Washington State EMS Provider, a certification that is generally transferable to all other states so long as it is kept active.
SVC/Pierce College BAS-FSLM Articulation Agreement
If you are currently enrolled in, or have graduated from, Skagit Valley College’s Fire Sciences Degree program, you may qualify to enroll in the BAS in Fire Services Leadership and Management (BAS-FSLM) at Pierce College. Read below to learn more.
On Oct. 16, 2024, Skagit Valley College entered into an articulation agreement with Pierce College. The purpose of this articulation agreement is to foster spirit of collaboration between Pierce College. It facilitates qualified students of SVC’s Fire Science Degree program in their application to, admission to, and completion of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Fire Services Leadership and Management program at Pierce College.
Qualified student applicants must meet minimum requirements of admission to Pierce College and will be evaluated individually by the application committee of the FSLM program.
Minimum Requirements for Applications
- Submitted the BAS-FSLM Application per instructions.
- Submitted Official Transcripts from a regionally accredited college showing completed AA degree. (This includes transcripts from courses taken at Pierce College.)
Note: if some or all transcripts are from other countries, they will need to be evaluated. Evaluations can be conducted by any agency in NACES.
- Submitted a Personal Statement (300-400 words) articulating the applicant’s personal and professional interests in pursuing a BAS-FSLM degree.
- Submitted one (1) letter from a personal, professional or academic reference.
- Submitted a professional resume.
- Submitted a letter from the fire department you are affiliated with proving affiliation.
Need help with completing your application? The SVC Writing Center can help!
Fire Protection Technology Scholarship Opportunity
The Skagit County Joint Fire Agencies with Skagit Valley College are excited to offer scholarships to new qualifying Fire Protection Technology freshman students beginning Fall Quarter, 2025.
ProgramsAssociate Degrees: Workforce
Intended to give students the skills needed to move directly into employment. These degrees also prepare alumni for entry into a BAS program.
Micro-Certificates
Typically two quarters or less, micro-certificates are focused on providing training in a specific skill.
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