Fire Protection Technology

Program Description

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Fire Protection program will be able to:

Possess the industry recognized skills required for entry-level employment as a firefighter, meeting the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for Firefighter 1, including possession of Washington State certification as “Firefighter 1.”
Demonstrate and appropriately use fire service equipment and procedures in conjunction with a variety of emergency response incidents; possess industry recognized apparatus operator competency and Washington Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention skills.
Demonstrate basic fire and life safety inspection procedures and make appropriate recommendations to abate potential hazards.
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, including possession of Washington State certification as “Hazardous Materials First Responder, Operations Level.”
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.
Demonstrate skills and abilities necessary to perform emergency medical services tasks; successful completion of standardized training for emergency medical technician including possession of National Registry certification at the level of Emergency Medical Technician Basic.
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, timeliness, safety, and the human relations skills necessary for work in emergency services.

Entry into the Program

Please apply at Enrollment Services. Enrollment in the program is limited to 36 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. All students must meet with the Fire Protection Technology Department Chair for an orientation prior to registration.

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.

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.

Associate in Applied Science Degree

An 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.

Associate in Applied Science Transfer Degree (AAS-T) in Fire Service Administration (FSA)

This degree provides the academic foundation for advancement in fire service organizations. The degree is well suited for firefighters and line officers who seek to possess a strong academic foundation in their current position and/or promotional advancement opportunity into supervisory or administrative positions.

The FSA degree is intended to prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges/universities with junior standing and with the prerequisites for their emergency service major completed.

An Associate in Applied Science Transfer degree (AAS-T) 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.

Programs

Courses

Fire Protection Technology