Fire Science (AAS)

Overview

The Fire Science Program is designed to provide entry level and advanced education for those students seeking a career in fire and emergency services, as well as current practitioners seeking career advancement. Students completing the Fire Science Program will earn an Associate Degree. The program is delivered through an on-line modality, offering maximum flexibility and access, and explores topics such as, building construction, incident mitigation practices, fire behavior, fire prevention, incident command and control, and firefighter health and safety. The program provides additional areas of study such as written communications, sociology, and organizational behavior to ensure students are prepared for success in the contemporary fire and emergency services.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

  • Describe basic principles of fire protection and emergency services, including public fire protection, fire department resources, fire department structure, career opportunities, codes and standards, and professional development.
  • Analyze the principles of fire behavior and combustion, including the elements of combustion, basic chemistry and measurements, and fuel type characteristics.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of building construction types and the associated impact by incidents of unwanted fire; including fire growth, fire spread, and the influence on structural stability and collapse.
  • Identify the principles of fire prevention and community risk reduction, including the influence of codes and standards, fire protection engineering technology, and enforcement methodologies.
  • Describe the legal aspects of fire and emergency services, including the legal system, types of laws, contracts, civil rights, employee safety, and employment relationships.
  • Comprehend the principles of occupational safety, survival, and health in fire and emergency services, including a culture of safety, risk management, wellness standards, and elements if incident safety.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of firefighting tactics and strategy, including incident command and control, incident Management systems, firefighter safety, company operations in various occupancies, and post-incident analysis.
  • Describe the principles of fire and emergency services leadership and management, including fire officer responsibilities, personnel management, physical resource management, fiscal management, employee relations, employee training, and employee safety.

The Fire Science Program is recognized by the United States Fire Administration (USAF) as a Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education Program (FESHE). All FESHE approved courses provide students with an opportunity to earn a Certificate of Course Completion from the USFA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

For additional information regarding the Fire Science Program, please contact:

  • Dr. Carl DeCarlo, Ed.D, EFO, MPA, NRP, Director
  • Fire Science Programs
  • cdecarlo@egcc.edu

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