Does Area of Study Matter?

[RMammelli]

I know in some career fields, the "degree" needed in order to get promoted was simply that- a degree. It didn't make any difference if it was in aeronautical engineering or underwater basket weaving.

Is this the case with FD's, or is it a department by department thing?

Reason I ask is I am not yet a firefighter; just an aspiring one. In January I'll be taking my EMT-B course and will be taking a full time class load along with it. My initial judgement was to by all means go for the Associates of Fire Science. But now, it seems that if the focus of the degree didn't matter and it was merely a "check in the box" degree, it would make more sense to get a degree in something other than firefighting in case I am forced to accept something else.

Any thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated

[fire49]

Depends on what you want to be on life!!!!

If the fire chief Public administration or something in that area diffently 4 year or better with EFO included


Investigation---- criminal justice


Inspections----fire protection engineer



Then there are people that go into a field of study for thier second job say lawyer, electrician, nurse,etc

[RMammelli]

Well my mindset right now is that I would be 100% satisfied and ecstatic to top out at Captain. I'm definitely not one for a desk job/administration type duties and I'm not at all concerned with money as long as I'm able to provide for myself and family with the reasonable commodities. With that new information, would I be better off with a concentration in fire science, or would the difference be slim to none compared to an "off topic" degree?

[fire49]

Would go for business / management degree


And Also attend national fire academy courses for the various command classes

[JT_Fire_2000]

Business administration, management are always safe bets. An associates in fire science will usually be enough to get you hired and maybe promoted once or twice. Beyond that EFO and public administation might look better. Just depends on the city and department.