Skip to Content


Fire Technology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degrees

A.S. in Fire Prevention

The fire service is one of the most dynamic employers in the country. This CRC program is designed to provide the student with updated skills and knowledge necessary to complete and successfully apply for fire service positions. The curriculum serves as an in-service program as well as a pre-employment program for students seeking employment or advancement in the profession of fire prevention.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
FT 300 Fire Protection Organization 3
FT 301 Fire Prevention Technology 3
FT 302 Fire Protection Equipment and Systems 3
FT 303 Building Construction for Fire Protection 3
FT 304 Fire Behavior and Combustion 3
FT 498 Work Experience in Fire Technology 0.5 -4
A minimum of 9 units from the following: 91
BIT 100 Introduction to the International Building Code (3)
BIT 102 Plan Reading and Non-Structural Plan Review (3)
BIT 104 International Building Code - Fire & Life Safety (3)
BIT 130 Introduction to Inspection of Wood Frame Construction (3)
Total Units: 24.5 - 28

1The student must have 1-4 units of work experience in Fire Prevention to receive a degree.

The Fire Prevention Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local CRC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO #1: Comprehend the qualifications for entry level skills, the discipline and evaluation process, fire service structure, history, and culture for the field of fire prevention.
  • PSLO #2: Identify and comprehend laws, regulations, codes, standards and the regulatory and advisory organizations that influence fire prevention operations.
  • PSLO #3: Analyze and determine the causes of fire, extinguishing agents, stages of fire, fire development, and methods of heat transfer.
  • PSLO #4: Identify and describe the common types of building construction and conditions associated with structural collapse.
  • PSLO #5: Differentiate between fire detection and fire suppression systems.

Career Information

Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Plans Examiner, Building Inspector, Fire Prevention Specialist/Officer, Public Education Specialist/Officer, Manager, Firefighter Some Career Opportunities may require more than two years of college study. Classes beyond the associate degree may be required to fulfill some career opportunities for preparation for transfer to a university program.


A.S. in Fire Technology

The fire service is one of the most dynamic employers in the country. This CRC program is designed to provide the student with updated skills and knowledge necessary to complete and successfully apply for fire service positions. The curriculum serves as an inservice program as well as a pre-employment program for students seeking employment or advancement in the profession of urban fire fighting and fire suppression.


HIGHLIGHTS

*Up-to-date technical information
*Field trips to a variety of fire service locations
*Networking with other fire service members
*Fire Technology work experience internships
(Fire Technology 498 for on-the-job experience)

NOTE TO TRANSFER STUDENTS: If you are interested in transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in this major, it is critical that you meet with a CRC counselor to select and plan the courses for your major. Schools vary widely in terms of the required preparation. The courses that CRC requires for an Associate’s degree in this major may be different from the requirements needed for the Bachelor’s degree.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
FT 300 Fire Protection Organization 3
FT 301 Fire Prevention Technology 3
FT 302 Fire Protection Equipment and Systems 3
FT 303 Building Construction for Fire Protection 3
FT 304 Fire Behavior and Combustion 3
FT 305 Firefighter Safety and Survival 3
FT 320 Hazardous Materials 3
EMT 115 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Didactic Introduction 1.51
EMT 116 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Didactic Conclusion 5
EMT 117 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practicum 1.5
FT 498 Work Experience in Fire Technology (0.5 -4) 0.5 - 42
A minimum of 9 units from the following: 9
FT 110 Fire Apparatus (3)
FT 130 Fire Company Organization and Management (3)
FT 170 Fire Investigation (3)
FT 180 Rescue Practices (3)
FT 190 Fire Tactics and Strategy (3)
FT 210 Firefighter 1 Academy (State Fire Marshal Accredited Academy) and Fire Internship (11)
and FT 211 Firefighter 2 (State Accredited Academy & Internship Preparation) (3)
Total Units: 38.5 - 42

1A current California EMT certificate or Paramedic license will be accepted as satisfactory completion of the EMT course requirement.

2The student must have 1-4 units of work experience in Firefighting or Emergency Medical Services to receive a degree.

The Fire Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local CRC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO #1: Comprehend the qualifications for entry level skills, the discipline and evaluation process, fire service structure, history, and culture for the field of fire technology.
  • Analyze, appraise, and evaluate fire incidents and components of emergency management and firefighter safety.
  • PSLO #2: Comprehend laws, regulations, codes, standards and the regulatory and advisory organizations that influence fire department operations.
  • PSLO #3: Analyze and determine the causes of fire, extinguishing agents, stages of fire, fire development, and methods of heat transfer.
  • Synthesize and determine the appropriate use and flow requirement of hydraulic fire apparatus.
  • Describe the appropriate uses and maintenance for apparatus and equipment used in the fire service.
  • PSLO #4: Evaluate the common types of building construction and conditions associated with structural collapse and firefighter safety.
  • Evaluate fire detection and fire suppression systems.

Career Information

Firefighter; Inspector; Investigator; Supervisor; Manager Some career options may require more than two years of college study. Classes beyond the associate degree may be required to fulfill some career options or for preparation for transfer to a university program.

Certificates

Firefighter Suppression Specialist Certificate

The fire service is one of the most dynamic employers in the country. This CRC program is designed to provide students with updated skills and knowledge necessary to complete and successfully apply for fire service positions. The purpose of the Fire Suppression Specialist Certificate is to recognize, through certification, qualified individuals who are dedicated to curtailing fire loss, both physical and financial, and who have acquired a level of professionalism through applied work experiences and related education opportunities, and through successful completion of a certification examination.

The curriculum serves as an in-service program as well as a pre-employment program for students seeking employment or advancement in the profession of urban fire fighting, fire prevention, and public and private fire suppression.

HIGHLIGHTS

*Up-to-date technical information
*Field trips to a variety of fire service locations
*Networking with other fire service members
*Fire Technology work experience internships
(Fire Technology 498 for on-the-job experience)

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
FT 300 Fire Protection Organization 3
EMT 115 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Didactic Introduction 1.51
EMT 116 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Didactic Conclusion 5
EMT 117 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practicum 1.5
FT 210 Firefighter 1 Academy (State Fire Marshal Accredited Academy) and Fire Internship (11) 14
and FT 211 Firefighter 2 (State Accredited Academy & Internship Preparation) (3)
FT 320 Hazardous Materials 3
A minimum of 16 units from the following: 162
FT 498 Work Experience in Fire Technology (0.5 - 4)
Total Units: 44

1A current California EMT certificate or Paramedic license will be accepted as satisfactory completion of the EMT course requirement.

2Students should take 4 units of Fire Technology Work Experience (FT 498) each semester for 4 semesters, earning a total of 16 units of work experience through FT 498.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO 1: Comprehend the qualifications for entry level skills, the discipline and evaluation process, fire service structure, history, and culture for the field of fire technology.
  • PSLO 2: Analyze, appraise, and evaluate fire incidents and components of emergency management and firefighter safety.
  • Comprehend laws, regulations, codes, standards, and the regulatory and advisory organizations that influence fire department operations.
  • PSLO 3: Develop policies, procedures, and training programs to inform and educate population in fire prevention principles and fire and life safety practices; understand proper design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems and appliances while identifying the components that, alone or in combination, form emergency and standby power systems; analyze the dynamics of heating systems;identify basic components of and the hazards associated with ‘hot work’ and the manufacturing processes necessary for effective fire prevention.
  • PSLO 4: Analyze facility fire hazard management to include capturing knowledge of property fire insurance, building construction and/or field experience; performing fire/property surveys involving detailed analyses; observation, examination, inspection, and gathering of data to describe all aspects of a property/building and business; conducting complex inspection surveys of commercial and residential properties to evaluate physical characteristics of a property and business.
  • PSLO 5: Recognize system approaches to property classes; assessing life safety as it relates to fire protection in special occupancies and understanding fire protection in warehouse and storage operations.
  • Evaluate fire detection and fire suppression systems.
  • PSLO 6: Define organizations for fire and rescue services; perform pre-incident planning for industrial and commercial facilities, interpret operations of fire loss prevention and emergency organizations, understand operations of emergency medical services, describe municipal fire prevention and code enforcement operations; train fire and emergency services; understand the use and function of fire and emergency services protective clothing and protective equipment; and evaluate fire department resources and the placement thereof.

Career Information

Firefighter; Fire Inspector; Investigator; Supervisor; Manager, Plans Examiner; Building Inspector; Fire Prevention Specialist/Officer; Public Education Specialist/ Officer


Wildland Fire Technology Certificate

The fire service is one of the most dynamic employers in the country. This CRC program is designed for students who want to gain certification as a wildland firefighter through the National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG). This course will provide training in hand crew formation, fireline construction, and the use of wildland fire equipment. The end goal is to certify students and assist them in entry into the workforce of wildland firefighting. This course includes arduous physical conditioning including hiking with up to 45 pounds of weight and other strenuous outdoor activities.

The curriculum serves as an in-service program as well as a pre-employment program for students seeking employment or advancement in the profession of wildland fire fighting.

HIGHLIGHTS

*Up-to-date technical information
*Field trips to a variety of wildland settings
*Networking with other fire service members

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
FT 212 Basic Wildland Fire Academy 4
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 61
FIRE 1809 Wildland Fire Chain Saws (S-212) (1)
FIRE 1872 Basic Air Operations (S-270) (0.75)
FIRE 1885 Firing Operations (S-219) (1)
FIRE 1760 Low-Angle Rope Rescue Operational (LARRO) (0.5)
FFS 1541 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290) (1.75)
EMT 109 Emergency Medical Responder (3)
Total Units: 10

1Current EMT or Paramedic Certification may be used in place of EMT 109

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • The ability to carry a 45 pound pack three miles within a 45 minute time period.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO 1: Compare environmental factors of fuels, weather, and topography that affect the start and spread of wildland fires
  • PSLO 2: Describe the importance of crew cohesiveness
  • PSLO 3: Describe how to operate safely and effectively in a wildland urban interface incident using situational awareness, performing structure triage and citing appropriate structure protection actions
  • PSLO 4: Demonstrate how to properly wear protective clothing
  • PSLO 5: Describe the importance of physical fitness as a wildland firefighter

Career Information

Wildland Firefighter, Wildland Fuels Manager, Wildland Fire Ecologist, Fire and Aviation Manager, Fire Prevention Specialist/Officer, Fire Behavior Specialist