Fire Technology- COA

Students successfully completing the following course work will be eligible for the Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement. To obtain the Certificate in Fire Technology, students must complete the following requirements: FIRE 1001 - Fire Protection Organization (3), FIRE1002 - Fire Prevention Technology (3), FIRE 1003 - Fire Protection Equipment & Systems (3),FIRE 1004 - Building Construction for Fire Protection (3), FIRE 1005 - Fire Behavior and Combustion (3), FIRE 1006 - Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival (3). Students must receive a 70% for all coursework.

Based on current enrollment trends in existing fire courses, strong advisory feedback, and statewide recruitment patterns, the college projects approximately 15 completers per year for the Fire Technology COA. T

The primary goal of the Certificate of Achievement in Fire Technology is to prepare students for entry-level employment in the fire service and related public safety fields by providing foundational technical knowledge aligned with industry expectations and statewide training pathways. As an occupational program, its objectives are designed to build essential skills required for successful advancement into fire academies, Firefighter I/II training, and other fire service careers.

Program objectives include preparing students to:

• Develop a foundational understanding of fire behavior by analyzing the physical conditions that influence states of matter, heat transfer, and combustion.

• Demonstrate knowledge of fire protection systems, including detection, suppression, sprinkler ordinances, and the history of related legislation.

• Identify the educational requirements, responsibilities, and information resources associated with a broad range of fire service occupations, supporting informed career entry and progression.

• Explain the role of safety, risk management, and near-miss/injury investigation in emergency response, including how standardized policies can reduce harm to responders and the public.

• Identify and describe the major types of building construction and their implications for fire behavior, structural performance, and firefighter safety.

• Describe the national fire problem, including primary causes of fires, associated damages, and trends in public and firefighter fatalities, emphasizing prevention and community risk reduction.

These objectives ensure that students gain the technical reasoning, occupational awareness, and safety-centered competencies necessary for successful transition into advanced fire training and employment. The program supports local and statewide workforce needs by strengthening the pipeline of qualified candidates entering fire academies and fire service agencies.

The Fire Technology Certificate of Completion is designed to recognize students for completion of the six (6) Fire Technology Core Classes. The Fire Technology Certificate of Completion will assist students with entry-level employment and advancement opportunities in the fire service and related emergency response fields. The certification provides students with foundational knowledge of fire protection systems, fire prevention, building construction, fire behavior, safety, survival, and emphasizing professional standards. This structure shows workforce alignment (entry-level firefighter, fire prevention officer, fire inspector roles) while also covering academic transfer preparation for students moving into Fire Technology or Fire Administration professional degree programs.

This program strengthens the Fire Technology discipline by offering a clear credential that validates student achievement, enhances employability, and supports pathways into associate degrees, California State Fire Training certifications, and eventual transfer into four-year Fire Technology or Fire Administration programs. The Fire Technology Completion Certificate contributes to the College of the Siskiyous’ strategic goals of student success, workforce alignment, and community partnership while supporting the broader objectives of California higher education to provide both workforce training and academic transfer opportunities.

The knowledge and skills gained through this certificate align with the lower-division requirements for transfer into California State University(CSU) Fire Technology, Fire Administration, and Emergency Services programs. Students who complete the certificate will be better prepared for advanced coursework in: Fire Service Management and Leadership, Emergency Planning and Disaster Response, Public Safety Administration, and Community Risk Reduction. The Fire Technology Completion Certificate not only prepares students for immediate entry into fire service careers, but also supports those pursuing long-term educational and professional advancement through transfer to CSU or other four-year institutions.