Fire Science
Earn an Associate Degree in Fire Science
Expand your knowledge of fire prevention with a fire science associate degree from Aims Community College. This degree program includes the full Fire Academy training plus another 27 hours of instruction in the science of fire and fire prevention. In addition to teaching professional skills, these classes analyze what makes the techniques taught in Fire Academy effective. Become a greater asset to a fire department and your community by earning your fire science associate degree.
Areas of study include:
- All of the skills from the Aims Fire Academy, including CPAT training
- EMT training
- Fire behavior
- Structure of buildings and fires
- Community fire prevention
“The Fire Science degree really is meant for two groups of people: Those who want to get their foot in the door in a new position, and those who are also preparing to promote.”
--Ted Poszywak, Faculty, Fire Science
Turn Your Interest in Fire Management and Prevention into a Career
Ted Poszywak describes how the fire science associate degree program goes beyond the basics of firefighting by examining the causes and behaviors of fires in action.
Gain Hands-On Fire Science Experience
Learn by doing. Fire science courses at Aims focus on both laboratory experimentation and real-world application so you graduate with hours of hands-on experience. The value of a fire science degree is twofold: you gain skills that make you a better candidate for entry-level firefighting and you gain higher-level skills for managing and preventing fires. Learn the science of fire and the soft skills that will help you perform under pressure.
The fire science degree teaches you to:
- Anticipate fire behavior
- Analyze conditions and determine the safest course of action
- Hone quick thinking and effective response
- Make fire service a more valuable community resource
Fire Science Classes for High School Students at Aims
If you're a high school student interested in a career in fire science or emergency medicine, Aims offers more than one way to learn more and gain hands-on experience or earn college credit while still in high school.
Fire Science Concurrent Enrollment for High School Students
Concurrent enrollment is a way for high school students to get an early start on their college education. High school seniors can earn both college and high school credit while attending Aims fire science classes taught at the college level. If you're a high school senior, as your school counselor if your school participates in this program, or email the fire science department for more information.
Spend an exciting summer learning from active firefighters and EMTs about rewarding careers in public safety! Climb aerial ladders, and rappel from our training tower and become CPR certified.
The Xplore Academy is an opportunity for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. The cost is $100, and financial assistance is available to those in need.
In the Aims Xplore Academy, learn about:
- How to be a firefighter
- Team building
- Nutrition & physical fitness
- Using personal protective equipment (PPE) / bunker gear
- Ladder operations
- Fire hose handling
- Live fire behavior
- Search and rescue
- Earn a CPR Certificate upon successful completion
Registration for the summer 2023 Fire/EMS Xplore program will open on March 1, 2023. Contact the department at fire.science@aims.edu for questions
- Basic Firefighter Certificate
- Fire Academy
- Firefighter II Certificate
- Driver-Operator Certificate
- Vehicle Extrication Certificate
- Fire Officer I Certificate
Careers in Fire Science
The Aims fire science associate degree includes the courses taught in Fire Academy that qualify you to work as a firefighter. This program then adds to those skills by studying the science of fire prevention and safety. Build the skills to work as a firefighter and gain a deeper understanding of fire that qualifies you for management and planning positions. This education makes you a great candidate for hiring in initial firefighter positions and improves your qualifications for promotion. It also allows you to explore other career pathways in fire service.
Fire science career paths include:
- Public education
- Fire inspector
- Fire investigator
- Fire behavior and combustion expert/analyst/technician
- Special operations / Technical rescue fields
Fire Science Faculty and Staff
Aims Fire Science instructors have decades of professional experience in Fire and Emergency Medical Services and are dedicated to helping you prepare for a career as a firefighter through immersive hands-on training. Adjunct faculty are active-duty firefighters who will closely monitor your development. You’ll have the chance to learn from guest subject matter experts and small class sizes offer ample opportunity for individual instruction.
Do you have questions?
Degree at a Glance
Degree Type
Associate of Applied ScienceLocation
Credits
67Tuition*
*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates