Fire Protection Technology

Due to safety concerns, as well as minimum requirement by regulatory agencies, potential students should be aware applicable courses may require participants to demonstrate physically demanding skills, along with both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. The Department may impose physical qualifications for participation when a physical ability is validly deemed essential. If you have any concerns as to your ability to safely participate in these courses, please contact the Dean of Public Safety at 619-388-7860.

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, FIPT 101 and FIPT 100D. After successfully completing the EMT course, FIPT 101 and FIPT 100D, students are eligible to attend the fire academy. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the SFT Firefighter I Exam are eligible for the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seal.

Miramar Fire Academy

The Miramar Fire Technology program offers an option for students to earn their State Fire Training Firefighter I Certification required for entry-level employment by attending a “cohort” of courses on campus. Students interested in attending the On Campus Fire Academy option should visit the Fire Technology Program website (https://sdmiramar.edu/programs/fire-protection-technology) to review the application process and requirements to attend. The courses include: FIPT 150A, 150B, 150C, 150T, 150W, 322C, 322D, 323B, 324A, 381G. The FIPT 381G Skills Review and Certification course includes the State Fire Training Written and Skills Exam for FF1A Structure, FF1B Hazardous Materials and FF1C Hazardous Materials. Fire Control 3 (Live Fire) Certification is provided as an accreditation requirement for Firefighter I Certification.

There are three prerequisites that must be completed prior to the start of the Fire Academy:

Completion of EMT course
FIPT 101, Fire Protection Organization
FIPT 100D, Fire Department Testing Procedures or current CPAT card within one year of start of academy.

San Diego County Fire Protection District - Volunteer Reserve Firefighter Program

In order to be eligible for entry level employment, students must complete FIPT 101, 150W, 150A, 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 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. For more information please visit the San Diego County Fire Protection District Webpage.

Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC)

The Miramar Fire Technology program is a close partner with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center. FCTC recently opened their newest facility for San Diego in Carlsbad which includes the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) location. For more information including the CPAT, Written Exams and how to join the statewide firefighter eligibility list please visit the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center website.

FCTC Location 6144 Innovation Way Carlsbad, CA 92009 MAP

CAL FIRE BASIC Firefighter Certification

CAL FIRE has retired the traditional CAL FIRE Basic Academy Certification and has updated the entry level seasonal hiring requirements. The CAL FIRE Application period is typically in November and hiring usually occurs between March and June, depending upon the year's fire and weather conditions. See the Careers in CAL FIRE Website for the most up-to-date information and make sure to register for their mailing list. The Accredited Regional Training Firefighter 1 Academy at Miramar is partnered with CAL FIRE San Diego and satisfies the requirements to be considered for the category 1 on their eligibility list.

Program 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.

This program’s Academic & Career Pathways:

Careers in this field

Some of the many career opportunities in the field of firefighting/lifeguarding include:

Firefighter
Fire Insurance Inspector
Fire Investigator
Fire Protection Engineer
Fire Protection Systems Installer
Emergency Medical Services Provider
Hazardous Materials Technician
Lifeguard

Please see the following link for Costs Associated with the Fire Academy:

Fire Academy Cost Sheet

Darren Hall

Associate Professor

Darren has been activity in the fire service field for over thirty years and recently retired from the City of Coronado Fire Department as a Fire Captain. Like most eager firefighter candidates, Darren spent countless hours in various fire service agencies and educational institutions gaining the proper blend of experience, training, education, and community involvement required for the contemporary firefighter candidate. His experiences evolved from participating in a Fire Explorer program, working as a Reserve Firefighter, Seasonal Firefighter and Firefighter Cadet, before being selected as a firefighter for the City of Coronado.

Darren earned a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University, an Associate's degree in Fire Science (Miramar College) and a Associate's Degree in Public Administration from Southwestern College. Darren is also a Master Instructor with the CA State Fire Marshal's Office. He has taught entry-level firefighter candidates through ROP (Regional Occupation Program) and Southwestern College and also is the Fire Technology Program Director at San Diego Miramar College. Captain Hall was recognized as the California State Fire Training Officer of the Year Award in 2011 through California State Firefighter's Association (CSFA).