Associate Degree in Fire Academy Preparation

The Associate in Science in Fire Academy Preparationcurriculum provides fire service personnel—and all students—an opportunity to complete the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) prescribed course requirements for those interested in obtaining an Associate of Science degree in Fire Academy Preparation. This curriculum linkage represents a milestone in fire and emergency services education. It provides for a seamless articulation of coursework between institutions and between associate and bachelor's programs. Upon completion of the associate degree students have the opportunity to transfer to neighboring colleges and universities to complete a bachelor's degree through course articulation agreements or apply to a fire academy. Ultimately, the program of study provides students an opportunity to enhance and apply intellectual skills toward greater professional performance while fostering advancement opportunities in leadership positions.

41

This degree program is designed to prepare future firefighters for the academic requirements of a fire academy and includes neither the physical fitness nor emergency medical technician requirements of most fire academies. Though this degree does not guarantee admission into a fire academy the program is designed to (1) meet the course requirements specified by local fire academies, significantly (2) enhance the student's ability to compete for academy positions, and (3) increase the student's probability of success while in the fire academy. 

The current curriculum lacks student-focused value for fire academy preparation, any articulation, and multiple preparation options. For example, the five-year success and retention averages for FIRE 110 (Introduction for Fire Technology) are both lower than the college’s averages (Tableau, 2022). The curriculum must be realigned to meet CSU fire academy preparation requirements using both the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education’s (FESHE’s) six model core course outlines and C-ID Fire Technology CORs. This degree/certificate aligns all coursework toward meeting the C-ID / FESHE model goals while simultaneously reducing units from 41 to 18. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
FIRE 001	Principles of Emergency Services	3	S1
FIRE 030	Building Construction for Fire Protection	3	S1
FIRE 040	Fire Behavior and Combustion	3	S1
FIRE 010	Fire Prevention	3	S2
FIRE 020	Fire Protection Systems	3	S2
FIRE 050	Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety & Survival	3	S2

Fire Technology Program in the Business Division

Fire Technology Program at Rio Hondo, Moreno Valley, and Mt. SAC

126