Fire Science
Degree and Program
The following programs are offered in Fire Sciences.
Associate
Degree in Fire Science
Students who get enrolled in fire science, get prepared
to combat fires in addition they also learn to protect
themselves and other people.. They are also taught managing
and organizing a fire department organization. Most degree
programs concentrate on training to fight fires in houses
and other places. Some programs also include the basic
certification of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). All
fire departments accept a basic EMT certification and
require their firefighters to be certified. So students in
fire science associate programs are required to pass EMT
program otherwise they will be treated as volunteers.
Education
Requirement for Fire Science Associate Degree Program
The main requirement for Fire Science Associate Degree
Program is usually a high school diploma, a GED or other
equivalent.
Program
Coursework
The general course outlines for Fire Science education
include variety of subjects with a compulsion of completing
duration of 18-40 credit hours of coursework. These courses
might include:
• Administering a
fire department
• Basics of fire prevention
• Basics of fire protections
• Combustion and how fires behave
• Discovering the origin and cause of a fire
• Firefighting equipment and systems
• Pre-hospital emergency care
• Responding to hazardous materials fires
• Safety for firefighters
• Strategies and tactics of firefighting
Employment
Outlook
According to a report released by the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, the influx in firefighting department was
forecasted to get enhanced by 17% from 2008-2018. The actual
firefighting jobs were expected to grow by 19% and jobs for
first-line managers and supervisors were forecasted to rise
by eight percent. However, only about 30% of all
firefighters possess paid jobs; the rest work voluntarily.
The median salary paid to firefighters was around $23 per
hour.
Further
Educational Prospects
Each state holds its own firefighter association or
training centre by which further education is imparted and
available. States demand certification of firefighters for
the compulsory courses and training. In some cases, a local
fire department holds training workshops and seminars.
Few Training
courses are also offered by the U.S. Fire Administration.
These courses are conducted as conventional method of
training as well as online too .Some colleges also offered
training in Fire fighting program. There are some optional
courses which include national, and international
certification .These may be acquired via state associations
and other programs that have been authorized by the ProBoard
Fire Service Professional Qualifications System.
Fire science has gained new prominence in recent years, thanks to a spate of wildfires throughout the western and central U.S. With fire prevention policies undergoing new scrutiny at the highest levels of federal government, now is an exciting time to pursue career training in fire science. Firefighting jobs are expected to grow faster than average through 2016, reports the Department of Labor. However, keen competition for jobs makes formal career training a good idea.
Career Training in Fire Science
Aspiring firefighters can take advantage of associate or bachelor's degrees in fire science or fire engineering. These programs cover firefighting techniques, prevention, and hazardous materials control. In addition, firefighters receive instruction in local building codes, emergency medical procedures, and CPR. College degrees are required for higher-level jobs, as well as some specialized positions such as fire inspector, fire investigator, and fire prevention specialist.