Fire Technology

Fire protection is a highly specialized professional field requiring extensive knowledge and use of scientific principles. Successful application of the fundamental principles of fire protection, including suppression and extinguishment of fires, rescue, emergency medical services, prevention techniques and practices, preplanning for fire protection, and disaster control, requires technical knowledge and the ability to work within an organized system at the fire ground or other emergency scene. These actions require trained, professional people to accomplish the goals and objectives of today’s public and/or private organizations in meeting their commitment to the public and employees they serve. Fire Technology provides the student the opportunity to prepare for a rewarding career in the public fire service or in private industry.

The Fire Technology program provides vocational and technical in-service training for interested students. Each student who completes a program of courses that meets the specified requirements is entitled to a certificate of completion in that field. Certificates are awarded as evidence that well defined levels of proficiency have been attained and they are recognized as such by employers.

In order to be awarded the certificate, the student must have completed the prescribed program with at least a 2.0 grade point average in the prescribed course work. The number of courses prescribed for each certificate varies according to the area of training.

For the most current information about VVC’s Fire Technology programs, application deadlines, costs, and other requirements, please visit the Fire Technology Department website.

Career Opportunities

Apparatus Operator, Disaster Preparedness, Fire Administrative Analyst, Fire Chief, Fire Division Chief, Fire Fighter I, Fire Officer I, Fire Prevention Specialist, Fire Protection Engineer, Industrial Fire Safety Specialist

Faculty

Transfer

Not usually a transfer major. Some Fire Technology courses do transfer as electives or fulfill subject credit requirements. California State University, Los Angeles offers a Fire Protection Administration and Technology, BS degree which requires a minimum of 18 major units to be completed in Fire Technology at a community college. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Humboldt State University offer bachelor's degrees in Forestry with concentrations in Fire Management. Visit assist.org for community college courses which will transfer as requirements toward these bachelor’s degrees. Students planning to pursue this bachelor’s degree should also complete the CSU General Education-Breadth Requirements before transfer, if possible.

Programs of Study

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program. 

Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to analyze, appraise and evaluate fire and emergency incidents and identify components of emergency management and fire fighter safety including: Size-up, report on condition, Incident Command System; RECEO; 10 Standard Firefighting Orders; and 18 Situations that “Shout Watch Out”.
2. Analyze the causes of fire, determine extinguishing agents and methods, differentiate the stages of the fire and fire development, and compare methods of heat transfer.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and skills required to respond appropriately to fire and environmental emergency situations at the private, city, state and federal levels with emphasis in one or more of the following areas: wildland fire fighting; hazardous materials response; structural fire suppression, prevention, and investigation, disaster response, first responder; emergency medical technician; or leadership responsibilities.
4. Identify and comprehend laws, regulations, codes and standards that influence fire department operations, and identify regulatory and advisory organizations that create and mandate them, especially in the areas of fire prevention, building codes and ordinances, and firefighter health and safety.
5. Identify minimum qualifications and entry level skills for fire fighter hiring. The student will be able to describe the following elements: application process; written exam process; physical agility exam, oral interview, chief’s interview; background investigation; and fire fighter probationary process.
6.  Identify and describe common types of building construction and conditions associated with structural collapse and firefighter safety.
7. Apply knowledge and skills required to respond appropriately to fire and environmental emergency situations at the private, city, state and federal levels with emphasis in one or more of the following areas: wildland fire fighting; hazardous materials response; structural fire suppression, prevention, and investigation, disaster response, first responder; emergency medical services; or leadership responsibilities.
8. Describe the educational requirements, minimum qualifications, entry-level skills and ongoing certification requirements for firefighting positions, as well as the hiring process: application process; written exam process; physical agility exam, oral interview, chief’s interview; background investigation; and firefighter probationary process.
9. Identify laws, regulations, codes and standards that influence fire department operations, as well as regulatory and advisory organizations that create and mandate them, especially in the areas of fire prevention, building codes and ordinances, and firefighter health and safety.
10. Apply industry fire and emergency safety protocols including: Size-up, report on condition, Incident Command System; 10 Standard Firefighting Orders; and 18 Situations that "Shout Watch Out."
11. Identify and apply principles of fire science and use of equipment for designated situations including: Wildland Fire Fighting; hazardous materials response; structural fire suppression, prevention, and investigation, disaster response, first responder; emergency medical technician; or leadership responsibilities.

Fire Technology Courses