Colleges That Offer Fire Fighting
Firefighting is a highly-skilled profession that requires training, experience, and commitment. Firefighters work in teams to protect people and property from fires and other hazards. They must have excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under extreme conditions for extended periods of time.
Firefighters are required to complete a rigorous training program before being allowed to fight fires on their own. Some states require that all new firefighters complete an internship with a local department before graduating from their fire academy at the state’s regional campus or community college; others allow them to begin working immediately after graduation from an academy. State certification requirements vary by state but generally include passing written exams about fire safety education and practical tests demonstrating basic firefighting skills such as ladder use, hose applications, ventilation techniques, rope rescue procedures, hazardous material identification and containment methods (when appropriate), etc… College credits earned while earning certification may be applied toward an associate degree if desired (see below). Likewise:
1 Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Community College of Allegheny County, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the largest community college in Pennsylvania. It offers a fire science program and has received accreditation from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.
2 Delaware Technical & Community College-Stanton/Wilmington, Newark, Delaware
- Delaware Technical & Community College-Stanton/Wilmington, Newark, Delaware
This community college offers a fire science technician training program that consists of coursework in fire prevention and detection, firefighting tactics and strategy, firefighter safety education, and basic hydraulics. The program requires 64 credit hours to complete and includes both classroom sessions and practical field work.
3 Gateway Community College, New Haven, Connecticut
Gateway Community College
New Haven, Connecticut
Fire Fighter 1: This course is offered in both a hybrid format and online. The class meets twice a week, with online assignments due every Friday. The course covers topics such as the history of firefighting, the role of the firefighter, and how to prevent fires. It also covers technical skills such as how to operate thermal imaging equipment or use an SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus). The course can be taken in either fall or spring semesters or summer sessions.
4 Hinds Community College-Rankin Campus, Pearl, Mississippi
Hinds Community College-Rankin Campus is a two-year public institution located in Pearl, Mississippi. It was founded in 1970 and offers a variety of programs, including fire fighting. The college has an acceptance rate of 99%.
5 Kent State University at Ashtabula, Ashtabula, Ohio
Kent State University at Ashtabula is a public university in Ashtabula, Ohio.
The school offers a two-year associate’s degree in fire science technology and an associate’s degree in fire science technology management.
6 Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas Community College is a two-year, public institution with over 11,000 students enrolled. The fire science program offers students the opportunity to receive an Associate’s degree in Fire Science and Safety Technology.
The program covers topics such as:
- Basic firefighting principles and practices
- Fire behavior and extinguishing agents
- Building construction basics for structural and wildland fires
Students spend their first year taking classes such as Introduction to Emergency Management, Advanced Physical Education & Health, Introduction to Public Safety Communications and Firefighter I & II (certification). They will also complete one field experience during this time period. During the second year of study at NWACC, students take courses such as Advanced Physical Education & Health; Hazardous Materials Response Operations; Introduction to Homeland Security Management Systems; Incident Command System Essentials; Structural Collapse Prevention & Mitigation Techniques; Wildland Fire Behavior & Control Methods; Emergency Medical Technician I Certification (statewide certification)
7 Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, California
Orange Coast College, located in Costa Mesa, California, is a public community college. OC offers firefighting classes for students who wish to pursue a career as a firefighter or emergency medical technician. The college’s main campus is located in Costa Mesa; it also operates campuses in Irvine, San Juan Capistrano and Anaheim Hills.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Orange Coast College had an enrollment of 16,831 undergraduate students during their 2017-2018 academic year; this represents an increase from 15,657 students reported three years earlier by NCES (2014-2015).
8 Pima Community College-Desert Vista Campus, Tucson, Arizona
Pima Community College-Desert Vista Campus, Tucson, Arizona
The main campus is located in Marana and has an enrollment of approximately 9,000 students. The school offers a wide range of associate degrees and certificates. The college is known for its excellent nursing program; it also has an award-winning aviation program that was founded in 1987 by retired military pilots who wanted to give back to the community.
9 San Jacinto College-Central Campus , Pasadena , Texas
San Jacinto College-Central Campus is a public community college located in Pasadena, Texas. The college offers more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs as well as online coursework. San Jacinto College-Central Campus is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
10 Southwestern Community College , Sylva , North Carolina.
The Southwestern Community College fire science program is a two-year associate degree. The college has a fire science academy for high school students and a Fire Science Academy for adults.
To apply: Visit the Southwestern Community College website for application information, contact information and detailed instructions on how to apply.
Here are ten colleges that offer fire fighting courses.
- List of ten colleges that offer fire fighting courses.
- List the colleges in order of preference.
- List the colleges by location (e.g., state/city).
- List the colleges by cost, including tuition, room and board and other fees. The total cost for a year at a particular college should be about $X for one academic year (i.e., two semesters). For example, if you want to go to a college that costs $10k per year and lasts four years with no breaks between semesters or summers off then you’ll need to plan on having about $40k saved up before starting your first class at that school so that you can pay all your bills without taking out any loans or getting into debt! Of course this is just an example but hopefully it helps illustrate how much planning needs doing before choosing where university will take place!
All in all, there are a lot of colleges that offer fire fighting courses. There are also many other places where you can learn about this type of work if you have the desire to do so. The important thing is that when it comes down to it, everyone needs to know what they are doing when there is an emergency so that we can all work together and solve any problems that may arise from time-to-time