Program Description
The Fire Protection Technology program offers degrees and certificates in a number of fields associated with the technology of fire protection, rescue, and public safety. The program provides theory and training necessary for successful performance in a variety of settings and positions. Emphasis is placed on modern methods of fire prevention, fire suppression, fire service management, open water lifeguarding, and public safety.
It is highly recommended for Entry Level Firefighter students to concentrate on starting with the EMT certification courses and Fire Technology Courses (FIPT 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 120). Students must be a Registered EMT to attend the Fire Academy. (Completed the National Registry EMT Course).
Miramar Fire Academy (On Campus Fire Academy)
The Miramar College Fire Academy consists of twelve courses taken together in a cohort model. Below is the list of courses that meet the requirements for the State Fire Academy and Cal Fire Basic Academy. These courses are "bundled" together in a full-time option (Fall or Spring Semester) and a part-time option Fall and Spring Semesters. Interested students will apply to the Fire Academy. The Fall Full-time and Part-time Applications are available each November. The Application for the Spring Full-time Application is available the month of November. When student demand is greater that (40) applicants, a lottery system is used to determine enrollment. Interested students may click here to complete the Fire Academy Student Interest form to stay informed on the academy process.
| FIPT # |
Course Description |
Units |
| 150A |
Introduction to Fire Suppression Manipulative Tasks (Beginning) - 80 Hours |
1.5 |
| 150B |
Introduction to Fire Suppression Manipulative Tasks (Intermediate) - 80 Hours |
1.5 |
| 150C |
Introduction to Fire Suppression Manipulative Tasks (Advanced) - 80 Hours |
1.5 |
| 150T |
Truck Company Operations (old 150D) - 80 Hours |
1.5 |
| 150W |
Wildland Fire Control (old 110A) - 56 Hours |
2.0 |
| 323B |
Hazardous Materials/WMD Operations - 24 hours |
0.5 |
| 322B |
Confined Space Awareness - 8 hours |
0.2 |
| 322C |
Firefighter Survival - 24 hours |
0.5 |
| 394L |
CAL FIRE Bridge Course (Special Topics) - 24 hours |
0.5 |
| 324A |
I-200 Basic Incident Command System (ICS) - 16 Hours |
0.5 |
| 392S |
Frontline Responder - 1A Behavior Heath & Cancer (NEW) - 8 Hours |
0.2 |
| 381G |
Skills Review & Certification Exam (Fire Control III) - 80 Hours |
1.5 |
| Italicized courses are required to earn the CAL FIRE BASIC Certification |
Students who complete the required Fire Academy Training are eligible to participate in the FIPT 381G Skills Review and Certification exam to meet Firefighter I Exam requirements for State Fire Training. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the SFT Firefighter I Exam are eligible for the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seal.
San Diego City Basic Firefighter I Academy
The San Diego City Fire Department trains firefighter recruits in a 16-week, Fire Academy. Contact San Diego Fire-Rescue for information for the Fire Academy and Open Enrollee (OE) Opportunities.
Regional Firefighter I Academy at Heartland
The Regional Firefighter I Fire Academy at Heartland Training (El Cajon) trains pre-employment students in a 14-week, 10.5 unit California State Fire Marshal (CSFM), Accredited Fire Academy that is operated in conjunction with Miramar College. The Regional Fire Academy is offered January - May annually and taught on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible to attend:
- Possess a valid San Diego County EMT 1A and CPR card at the time of application; (EMGM 105A).
- Complete California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) Hazmat First Responder Operations (FRO) with Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD); (IFSAC once approved; FITP 323B).
- Complete Confined Space Awareness (FIPT 322B).
Students must complete FIPT 381G Firefighter I Academy Skills Review and Certification at the conclusion of the Regional Firefighter I Academy. See www.heartlandfiretraining.org for most up to date information for the Regional Fire Academy.
San Diego County Fire Authority
In order to be eligible for entry level employment, students must complete FIPT 101, 110A, 150A, 310A, 322B, and 323B in addition to EMGM 105A. These courses cover mandatory training requirements to be eligible for employment for most fire departments. The courses also prepare the student to enter a fire academy, depending upon the employer. Successful completion of these courses is required to apply to Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire and is highly suggested for entry level students. A full time student may complete all of these in as little as one semester.
CAL FIRE Firefighter Basic Certification
In order to be eligible for the CAL FIRE Basic Firefighter Certification, students must complete FIPT 110A, 150A, 150B, 322B, 322C, 323B and 394L. (These courses are included in the Fire Academy cohort) In addition, interested students must past the CAL FIRE BASIC Firefighter Written Exam and Ladder Exam included in 150B and 394L. Successful completion of these courses is required to apply to Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire and is highly suggested for entry level students. A full time student may complete all of these in as little as one semester.
Additional information may be obtained from the program’s website: http://www.miramarfiretechnology.com
Program Emphasis
Program options in the Fire Protection Technology department include Certificates of Achievement and Associate Degrees in Fire Protection, Fire Prevention, Company Officer and Open Water Lifeguard Professional. The students are required to complete 33.5 units of fire protection technology courses for the Associate Degree. . It is highly recommended that pre-employment students concentrate on the Entry Level Firefighter courses.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Fire Protection Technology program will be able to:
- Identify minimum qualifications and entry level skills for firefighter hiring. The student will be able to describe the following elements: application process; written exam process; physical agility exam, oral interview, chief’s interview; background investigation; and fire fighter probationary process. Students will identify fire service history, culture and diversity.
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze, appraise and evaluate fire and emergency incidents and identify components of emergency management and fire fighter safety including: Size-up, report on conditions, Incident Command System; RECEO; 10 Standard Firefighting Orders; 18 Situations that Shout “Watch Out “; and common factors associated with injuries and line of duty deaths.
- Identify and comprehend laws, regulations, codes and standards that influence fire department operations, and identify regulatory and advisory organizations that create and mandate them, especially in the areas of fire prevention, building codes and ordinances, and firefighter health and safety.
- Analyze the causes of fire, determine extinguishing agents and methods, differentiate the stages of the fire and fire development, and compare methods of heat transfer.
- Calculate flow requirements for fire apparatus, diagram a pump and plumbing schematic for fire apparatus, and apply mathematic formulae to hydraulics problems.
- Identify and describe the apparatus used in the fire service, and the equipment and maintenance of fire apparatus and equipment.
- Identify and describe common types of building construction and conditions associated with structural collapse and firefighter safety. Differentiate between fire detection and fire suppression systems. Student will design and diagram a wet and dry fire protection system, and identify alarm system components and their operations.
