Fire Science Certificate of Achievement

This certificate program provides a comprehensive understanding of the skills necessary for successful employment in the Fire Service industry. This program is designed to meet the needs of students interested in seeking entry-level firefighting positions by completing a California State Fire Training Accredited Region Training Fire Academy. Career opportunities include: Seasonal Firefighter, Intern Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter, and Career Firefighter. A certificate is designed to provide career technical skills; it is not equivalent to an associate degree.

The estimation of students completing this certificate is between 6 to 10 annually.  

Completing the Fire Science Certificate Program can lead to a variety of opportunities in firefighting and protection service including but not limited: Seasonal Firefighter, Intern Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter, Career Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician.

Expected Program Student Learning Outcomes are:

Analyze the causes, stages and methods of extinguishment for fires.

Describe fire behavior and urban interface.

Identify how climate change impacts fire seasons.

Identify laws, regulations, codes and standards that influence fire operations and fire organizations.

The program requires 6 core courses equaling 15-22 credits and one elective of 3 units for a total of 18-25 credits to complete the certificate.

additional 3 units of elective taken either S1 or S2 chosen from the following:

ADJ150 - Public Safety Leadership 3 

CED196 - Occupational Work Experience Education 1-8 

COM211 - Intercultural Communication 3 

EMS202 - First Aid, Emergency Care, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 3 

FSC50A - Instructor I: Instructional Methodology 2.5 

FSC50B - Instructor Training IB: Psychomotor Lesson Delivery 2.5 

FSC65 - Incident Command System (ICS) 300-1.5 

FSC68 - Basic Firefighter Academy 9 

FSC70A - Company Officer 2A: Human Resource Management For Company Officers 2.5 

FSC70B - Company Officer 2B: General Administrative Functions 1.5 

FSC70C - Company Officer 2C: Fire Inspection and Investigation 2.5 

FSC70D - Company Officer 2D: All-Risk Command Operations 2.5 

FSC70E - Company Officer 2E: Wildland Incident Operations for Company Officers 2.5 

FSC80 - Low Angle Rope Rescue Operational 0.5 

FSC81 - Surf Rescue Operations 1 

PSY85 - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 1 

PSY208 - The Psychology of Loss and Death 3