Fire Technology (Certificate N0486)

Technology and Health Division
Public Safety Programs Department
The Fire Science Certificate has been developed to offer pre-employment education for the undergraduate who desires to enter the field of fire science. It also provides the employed firefighters an opportunity for professional education. Students intending to pursue a bachelor’s degree (transfer program) should consult with a counselor or advisor to discuss transferability of courses.

Required Courses

Accreditation

The Fire Technology program is a Regionally Accredited Training Program (ARTP). The Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) has a responsibility for accreditation of ARTP's throughout the State of California. An ARTP shall provide the following delivery components:

1. California Fire Service Training and Education System (CFSTES)
2. California Fire Service Training and Education Program (FSTEP)
3. Fire Incident Command Certification System (CICCS)
4. California Community College Chancellor's Office Standard Fire Technology Degree Core Program

Contact:
Office of the State Fire Marshall
715 P. Street Sacramento, CA 95814 
and/or              
PO Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244-2460                                     
(916) 902-9738 or (916) 445-8200
www.osfm.fire.ca.gov 

Applicant Tiers and Application Submission

I. Application Submission
Basic Fire Academy applications are accepted in person only. Applications are available online at www.mtsac.edu/firetech

Applications are accepted for Spring and Fall Cohorts during their respective application periods listed below. All applicants will be placed into one of the following tiers based on their qualifications:

II. Applicant Tiers
Tier 1 Fully Eligible -  (You have completed all required prerequisite courses and submitted all required documentation and are fully eligible to enter the fire academy pending successful completion of the entrance exam.)

• Returning Fire Academy students or applicants who have successfully passed the Mt. SAC Fire Academy Entrance Exam during the most recent testing period.
• Successfully completed FIRE 1–5 and FIRE 13 with a grade of “C” or better.
• Successfully completed an EMT course with either a “P” (for “pass”) or a grade of “C” or better.
• Successfully completed KINF 51 or 52 with a grade of “C” or better or a “P” (for “pass”).
• Submitted all required documentation by the specified deadline.
• Spring Semester Cohort: Applications must be received no later than the end of the third full week of September preceding the spring semester.
• Fall Semester Cohort: Applications must be received no later than the end of the second full week of March preceding the fall semester.
   

Tier 2 Conditionally Eligible - (You have submitted all required documentation and are currently completing one or more prerequisite courses, which must be successfully completed by the end of the current semester to remain eligible to enter the fire academy pending successful completion of the entrance exam.)

• Currently enrolled in one or more prerequisite courses.
• Submitted all required documentation by the specified deadline.

Tier 2 applicants cannot be moved to Tier 1 status.

• Any prerequisite courses in progress must be completed within the current semester with a grade of “C” or better.
• If an applicant declines or does not respond to the entry exam invitation by the date specified on the email notification, they will be removed from the application process.
   

Tier 3 Conditionally Eligible - (You have not yet completed all required prerequisite courses but remain eligible provided all prerequisites are successfully completed by the end of the next Winter or Summer intersession to enter the fire academy pending successful completion of the entrance exam.)

• Plan to complete prerequisite courses during the upcoming Summer or Winter session and are unable to provide supporting documentation at the time of application.
• Submitted all required documentation by the specified deadline.
• Tier 3 applicants cannot be moved to Tier 1 or Tier 2 status.

III. Entrance Exam Invitation

• Only the first 60 applicants are guaranteed an invitation to the Entrance Exam. Additional candidates may be invited at the Program Director’s discretion.
• After the application period closes, if fewer than 60 applicants have been accepted from Tier 1, then additional applicants from Tier 2 may be invited.

IV. Selection After Entrance Exam

• If more than 60 qualified applicants remain after the Entrance Exam, academy placement will be determined based on the applicant’s registration date and time.
• In the event of a tie (same registration date and time), the tiebreaker will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the submission date and time of the completed application (all prerequisites and required documentation met).
• All applications will be date- and time-stamped at the time of submission.

Important Notice to Applicants
Applicants will automatically be placed in Tier 3 if any required documentation is missing or incomplete at the time of submission.

Program Learning Outcomes

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

• Define fire department organization, culture, and methods of communication of entry level fire department personnel.
• Analyze and assess firefighter hazards, and demonstrate safe practices by using minimum standard safety procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of fire prevention efforts and a resulting reduction of life and property loss.
• Demonstrate knowledge of strategy and tactics required for the proper selection and safe use of firefighting methods, techniques, tools, and equipment.
• Identify fire chemistry and behavior for the purpose of predicting fire dynamics and flame spread characteristics.
• Identify components of built-in and portable fire protections systems and alarm and notification devises.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the 5 basic types of construction. Identify the components and hazards related to each type.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Leadership and Management concepts as they relate to emergency and non-emergency situations.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.