Fire Science

[mikie333]

i am interested in the Fire Fighting/EMS carreers...i am wondering, what exactly is a Fire Science degree? what does it consist of, also, what kind of 'chemistry' is involved, anyinformation would be greatly appreciated!!!

thanks!

[Golzy12]

Where I go to school for fire science (Hennepin tech in MN) there really isn't to much science involved in the fire science degree. Basic science is incorperated into every thing a firefighter does of course, but in the degree I can only remember 5 or 6 day devoted strictly to science, a chemistry day in haz mat Ops a chemistry day in haz mat tech a fire science day in FF1, theres a couple day of anatomy phisiology and pathology in EMT-Basic, and then some random science classes in between.

Here is a copy of our Fire Science Program...

http://www.hennepintech.edu/career/ShowAward.asp?AwardNum=725.010 5
Program Title:
Fire Protection
Award Type: Associate in Applied Science Degree
Award Name, Number and Location: Fire Science Technology (EP)
Award Description: The A.A.S. degree in Fire Science Technology prepares students to perform the duties of a line officer. As students progress, they will also complete the requirements for two certificates; Fire Suppression Technician and Company Officer. Students typically complete the Fire Suppression Technician certificate first which qualifies them for a lead firefighter position with most fire departments. As students gain experience and continue their education they will earn a Company Officer certificate. The course work also prepares students to take promotional exams. Student must be at least 18 years of age and complete a physical exam including a spirometry test (lung capacity).
Career Opportunities: Fire Science graduates may perform a variety of jobs in the fire protection family. Titles may include Firefighter, Driver Operator, Inspector or Fire Investigator. Higher level positions, requiring experience and exams, are Fire Marshal, Lieutenant, Captain, District Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief and Chief of Department.
Technical Studies Required:
48 Credits

FRPT1100 Fire Fighter I 5
FRPT1105 Fire Fighter II 2
FRPT1130 Fire Inspector Basic 2
FRPT1136 Introduction to Fire Protection 2
FRPT1140 Fire Department Administration Basic 2
FRPT1150 Incident Management 2
FRPT1155 Fire Sprinkler Design and Application 2
FRPT1161 Building Construction for the Fire Service 3
FRPT1165 Apparatus Operator 3
FRPT1175 Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational 3
FRPT1180 Hazardous Materials Technician 3
FRPT2135 Fire Department Administration Advanced 3
FRPT2140 Managing Fire Department Personnel 3
EMGT1100 Orientation to Emergency Management 3
Choose 10 credits from the following:
FRPT1110 Fire Instructor Basic 2
FRPT1115 Company Functions 2
FRPT1120 Line Officer Basic 2
FRPT1125 Fire Investigation Basic 2
FRPT2105 Fire Instructor Advanced 2
FRPT2110 Fire Ground Control 2
FRPT2115 Line Officer Advanced 2
FRPT2120 Fire Investigation Advanced 2
FRPT2125 Fire Inspector Advanced 2

General Education Required:
18 Credits

COMM2130 Public Speaking 3
COMM2050 Interpersonal Communication 3
or
COMM2060 Small Group Communication 3
CPLT1100 Introduction to Personal Computers 3
or
CPLT1200 Introduction to Macintosh 3
ENGL2121 Writing and Research 4
or
ENGL2125 Technical Writing 3
PHIL2100 Critical Thinking 3
or
PHIL2200 Ethics 3
SSCI2100 Introduction to Sociology 3
or
SSCI2300 General Psychology 3

General Education Electives:
0 Credits


Technical Studies Electives:
6 Credits

EMSV1100 Emergency Medical Technician - Basic 6
FRPT2200 Hazardous Materials Specialty Safety Officer 1
FRPT2205 Hazardous Materials Specialty Hazard Sector Officer 1
FRPT2210 Specialized Monitoring 1
FRPT2215 Hazardous Materials Specialty Containers 1
FRPT2220 Hazardous Materials Specialty Flammables - Solids, Liquids, Gases 1
FRPT2225 Hazardous Materials Specialty Corrosive and Toxic 1
FRPT2230 Hazardous Materials Specialty Poisons, Radioactives and Explosives 1
FRPT2235 Specialty Mitigation I 1
FRPT2240 Specialty Mitigation II 1


Total Associate in Applied Science DegreeCredits 72

[Salman1]

Most fire science degree program's consist of a two year commitment for an Associates degree in Fire Science. The curriculum still utilizes general studies courses such as math, english, biology, chemisty etc. This is usually just a collegiate course that goes beyond those courses you get in high school. The A.S. degree in Fire Science is often available through various community colleges and more recently at 4 year colleges and universities. I started my program with Fire Technology at a community college and eventually tranferred many of my courses into my recently completed degree program for Fire Administration where I received a Bachelor's of Science. The fire science curriculum covers more of the technical aspects of the fire service with respect to hazardous materials ie. chemisty, biology to some extent if an EMT curriculum is available, and a few others. Many of my two year courses were administrative courses such as fire service law, sprinkler & fire detection systems etc., fire investigation etc. Those were incorporated into my four year program because I did not complete my associates. I transfered a few of them for that. Once you get into a four year program, depending on the program itself ie. administration, investigation, engineering, you can choose your core courses that are upper level to concentrate on a particular discipline of your choice. You will still have to take some upper and lower level general studies courses to fulfill the requirement's in those disciplines like statistics or psychology, sociology, etc. It all depends on the college/university and the program you choose Associates of Bachelor's program. Good Luck and continue with your education...

[DianeC]

http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=64183&highlight=UNH
http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=70140&highlight=UNH
http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=66405&highlight=UNH
http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=64577&highlight=UNH
http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=56922&highlight=UNH
http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=49433&highlight=UNH
http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=48635&highlight=UNH

At UNH back in the late 90's, I took Chemistry, Chemistry of Haz-Mats, Transporation of Haz-Mats, a course on radiation, a couple of courses on arson, etc., so yes, there is science in fire. It also depends on what concentration you want to pursue (fire investigation, fire technology, fire protection engineering, etc.) In lieu of bio, we could take a 6 credit EMT class.

BS in Fire Science as it stands now (www.newhaven.edu):

FS 102 Principles of Fire Science Technology
FS 201 Essentials of Fire Chemistry and Physics with Laboratory
FS 203 Fire and Casualty Insurance
FS 207 Fundamentals of Fire Prevention
FS 301 Building Construction Codes and Standards
FS 302 Chemistry of Hazardous Materials
FS 303 Process and Transportation Hazards
FS 304 Fire Detection and Control
FS 305 Fire Detection and Control Laboratory
FS 311 Fire Protection Fluids and Systems
FS 312 Fire Protection Fluids and Systems Laboratory
FS 325 Fire/Life Safety Codes
FS 404 Special Hazards Control
FS 497 Research Project
FS 501 Internship
CH 105 Introduction to General and Organic Chemistry with Laboratory
CS 107 Introduction to Data Processing
Plus electives chosen with the advisor

[Salman1]

mikie333,

You can also opt to do the distance learning program (fire service) that many colleges/universities are now offering. These were pioneered by, I believe, John Jay College in NYC in the 70's. Many firefighters in NYC started this way, when it was difficult to start courses or attend courses with families, second job's etc. Anyway, I completed my BS in Business, Management and Economics with a concentration in Fire Administration. I previously attended Kutztown State Univ. in PA, Seton Hall University in NJ and a community college in between in Bethlehem Pa. I was able to customize my program through State University of New York Empire State College Center For Distance Learning. I worked with an advisor and utilized my previous learning within the new program I was taking. They accepted many of my previous fire science and general studies courses. I had to complete 6 core courses for my concentration and the other's were electives (some fire related) in general studies in upper/lower levels. I chose not to attend UNH because of cost and the inability to attend 2 classes per week with a full time career in the fire service and a family. UNH has a great program, nonetheless. Either way, do some research and see what works for you. My program and it's fire courses were through the National Fire Academy and each course was 4 credit hours vs. 3 and each course cost about 600 with the cost of books. The online learning, to me, is even harder because of life's various committments etc.. It worked for me solely because of this and at 39 I finally completed my BS.