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 FIPT 101. Once certified as an EMT, students can choose either the full-time Regional Fire Academy offered at Heartland
(January - May) or the Alternate Firefighter 1 academy courses offered in a flexible format on campus. Students attending the Alternative Academy on Campus should take FIPT 150A and 110A during the first 8 week session, FIPT 150B, 150C, 150D the second 8 week session and the FIPT 322B, 324A, 322C and 323B either during the semester if schedule allows or during Intersession / Summer. FIPT 381G Skills Review and Certification will be offered during January and June annually.
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 Accrediation Congress (IFSAC) Seal.
Fire Academy Alternate Delivery Option (On Campus Fire Academy)
The Miramar Fire Technology program offers an alternate option for students to earn their Firefighter I Certification required for Entry Level Employment without attending the traditional 16 week Fire Academy. While we still recommend the Fire Academy for the quickest and most direct route, this alternative option may be appealing to you.
Students who are seeking the same qualifications can take ALL of the courses listed under the Alternate Fire Academy plan. These 10 course modules, along with the Required Degree courses may be taken at anytime and outside of the order recommended on the list with the exception of FIPT 150A, 150B, 150C, FIPT 150D and FIPT 381G. Students must complete the FIPT 381G Skills Review and Certification Course which will be typically offered January and/or June. The course is two weeks long and requires full attendance.
The FIPT 381G course includes the State Fire Training Written and Skills Exam for Structure, Wildland and Hazardous Materials meeting the IFSAC and ProBoard National Standards. The Certification of Completion and course hours are identical to the traditional Regional Accredited Fire Academy.
San Diego City Basic Firefighter I Academy
The San Diego City Fire Department trains firefighter recruits in a 16-week, 13 unit Fire Academy that is operated in conjunction with Miramar College. In each Fire Academy, usually four to six recruits are selected by a lottery system from a pool of qualified applicants. These “Open Enrollee” students earn no salary while in the Academy. To be eligible for the Open Enrollee lottery, applicants must be on the current San Diego Fire Department eligibility list and have a current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) card.
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, and 323B. In addition, interested students must past the CAL FIRE BASIC Firefighter Written Exam and Ladder Exam. 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.
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.
