Program Goals:
This program prepares students for a career as a firefighter or to advance in the Firefighting profession. Graduates are prepared to transfer to a four-year program.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate and use basic interpersonal, group and public communication skills;
- Formulate accurate and clearly written letters, memos, technical reports and business communications;
- Illustrate and relate the basics of mathematical models to fire and life safety;
- Summarize and restate basic theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread and are controlled;
- Evaluate the components of building construction related to fire and life safety; including inspections, pre-incident planning and emergency operations;
- Compare and contrast and performing basic responsibilities of company officers including supervision, delegation, problem solving, decision-making, communications and leadership;
- Evaluate the laws, rules, regulations, and codes and those relevant to fire prevention of the authority having jurisdiction;
- Distinguish the benefits of fire protection systems in various types of structures.
Admissions Process:
Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions [at] qcc [dot] mass [dot] edu .Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at the following link: http://www.qcc.edu/pages/Enrollment_Steps.html
CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:
A Criminal Offenders Record Information (CORI) and Sexual Offenders Record Information (SORI) are not required. Finger printing and drug testing are not required.
Additional Cost:
A Criminal Offenders Record Information (CORI) and Sexual Offenders Record Information (SORI) are not required. Finger printing and drug testing are not required. EMT 101 course prepares you for the Massachusetts State Certification exam and the cost of the state exam is the student’s responsibility.
Technical Performance Standards:
See page 17 in the catalog or the Technical Performance Standards page.
Credit for Prior Learning:
Students enrolled in this program may be able to earn academic credit for prior learning. Additionally credit may be earned for courses taken at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy or at Worcester Fire Academy or for EMT 101 for students with current EMT Basic, EMT I or EMT Paramedic certification. Please contact the office of Career Placement Services at careerservices [at] qcc [dot] mass [dot] edu, 508.854.4439, Room 272 A.
Career Outlook:
Please consult The Massachusetts Career Information System at http://masscis.intocareers.com/ or The Occupational Outlook Handbook at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 43.0202.
Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:
Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at the following link: http://www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer/ArticPathways.html. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at: http://www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer.
Additional Program Information:
This Program is designed to align with the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Model for Associate degree Programs in Fire Science.
Quinsigamond Community College is recognized as a FESHE College by the National Fire Academy - FEMA.
Curriculum:
| Course Title | Course # | Offered | Plan to Take | Grade | Credits | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||||||
| English Composition & Literature I | ENG 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Math Elective* | MAT --- | 3 | MAT 099 | |||
| Principles of Emergency Services | FSC 101 | F | 3 | ENG 096 or approp place score | ||
| Basic Emergency Medical Technology** | EMT 101 | F/S/SU | 6-7 | |||
| Semester 2 | ||||||
| English Composition & Literature II | ENG 102 | F/S/SU | 3 | ENG 101 | ||
| Introduction to Microcomputer Applications or | CIS 111 | F/S/SU | 3 | |||
| Advanced Microcomputer Applications | CIS 112 | F/S/SU | 3 | |||
| Fire Behavior and Combustion | FSC 104 | F/S | 3 | FSC 101, ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Building Construction for Fire Protection | FSC 121 | F/S | 3 | FSC 101, ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Speech Communication Skills | SPH 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | Pre/Coreq – ENG 101 | ||
| Semester 3 | ||||||
| Lab Science Elective*** | 4 | |||||
| Introduction to Psychology | PSY 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | Coreq-ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival | FSC 201 | F/S/SU | 3 | FSC 104, FSC 121 | ||
| Fire Prevention | FSC 203 | F/S/SU | 3 | FSC 104, FSC 121, ENG 101 | ||
| Fire Science Elective | 3 | |||||
| Semester 4 | ||||||
| Lab Science Elective*** | 4 | |||||
| Introductory Sociology (Principles) or | SOC 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | Coreq-ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Social Problems & Social Change | SOC 111 | F/S/SU | 3 | Coreq-ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Fire Systems Protection | FSC 223 | F/S/SU | 3 | FSC 203 | ||
| Introduction to Fire and Emergency Services Administration | FSC 263 | F/S | 3 | FSC 203, SPH 101 | ||
| Fire Science Elective | 3 | |||||
| Total credits required: | 62-63 | |||||
Program Notes:
* MAT 100, MAT 121, MAT 122, or higher. MAT 122 recommended
** Credit for EMT 101 – Basic EMT may be earned through credentialing for students with current EMT Basic, EMT I or EMT Paramedic certification or take two Fire Science electives.
*** Recommend taking BIO 101 and BIO 111 as lab science electives if you are considering becoming a paramedic. See Paramedic Technology Program for Admission requirements and program details.