Beyond any other profession, firefighting exemplifies responsibility and courage. The desire to work in this profession is fueled by a value of life and an instinct to protect it. The Fire Science offerings at CBC assist students in beginning or propelling a career in fire service. By building new skills and strengthening those that already exist, an education at CBC better prepares students to protect their community while giving them an edge in the well-respected, well-compensated career fields.
CBC offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Fire Science. Students enrolled in the Fire Science program complete general education courses in industrial, social, political, and economic concepts relating to the field of fire science. In addition, students are exposed to courses in fire administration, tactics, inspection, investigation, hazardous materials, and more. Firefighters possessing such a comprehensive background will increase their chances of career advancement and will be better prepared to protect the community. The updated degree requirements also provide flexibility to students wanting to prepare for multiple career options, including paramedic.
To earn an Associate in Applied Science degree, candidates must accumulate the required credit hours in the Fire Science program. Classes are held in the evenings on a two-year rotation. Students can start the classes at any point in the sequence, provided the course does not specifically have a prerequisite (i.e. Fire Tactics II). Below is the schedule for the upcoming sequence of courses.
| Fall 2012 |
FS 100 |
Introduction to Fire Science |
1 |
| |
FS/FFT 121 |
Fire Tactics I |
3 |
| |
FS/FFT 131 |
Introduction to Fire Inspection |
3 |
| Winter 2013 |
FS 100 |
Introduction to Fire Science |
1 |
| |
FS/FFT 111 |
Fire Administration |
3 |
| |
FS/FFT 222 |
Fire Tactics II |
3 |
| Spring 2013 |
FS 100 |
Introduction to Fire Science |
1 |
| |
FS/FFT 211 |
Building Construction |
3 |
| |
FS/FFT 251 |
Fire Service Hydraulics |
3 |
| Fall 2013 |
FS 100 |
Introduction to Fire Science |
1 |
| |
FS/FFT 231 |
Fire Protection Equipment |
3 |
| |
FS/FFT 241 |
Fire Investigation |
3 |
| Winter 2014 |
FS 100 |
Introduction to Fire Science |
1 |
| |
FS/FFT 141 |
Chemistry of Hazardous Materials |
3 |
| Spring 2014 |
FS 100 |
Introduction to Fire Science |
1 |
Introduction to Fire Science (FS 100) is required to start a Fire Science degree.
Information Sessions
Please take the time to attend one of the Fire Science or Paramedic information sessions. Your questions will be answered by an Advisor/Counselor or a program representative. Anyone interested in a CBC Health Sciences program should attend. These sessions are free and open to the public. Students' friends and family members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of firefighters is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. In general, firefighters are well compensated, receive excellent benefits and pension plans, and because fire protection is an essential service, firefighters are rarely affected by lay-offs.
Firefighters possessing an AAS degree may work in many areas of fire protection, including:
- All Hazards Firefighter
- Fire Investigation
- Industrial Firefighter