This program provides firefighters, fire officers and fire protection professionals with a scientific understanding of tactical fire suppression techniques, fire-service leadership and fire prevention practices. This comprehensive accredited curriculum is designed to improve operational and administrative effectiveness while establishing a path for career advancement. Students in this two-year program will be engaged in a series of online, hybrid and classroom settings delivered by fire service instructors with years of firefighting experience.
Students who have completed previous Florida firefighter, fire officer or fire inspector training may be eligible for up to 33 articulated credits towards graduation. A request for articulation credit form along with all eligible certificates must be submitted for approval to the Fire Science Program Manager. Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits at Seminole State to qualify for this degree.
Upon completion of major courses and Fire Officer I or Fire Inspector I track, students are eligible to test with the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards for Fire Officer I or Fire Inspector I certification.
This A.S. degree is transferable to the University of Central Florida's Bachelor of Applied Science program which is offered at select regional campuses and other state colleges. Students should meet with the program manager for additional information.
Students may complete the following college credit certificate as part of the Fire Science Technology degree:
| Major Courses |
|---|
 FFP1505 | Fire Prevention Practices This course examines the structure and function of fire prevention organizations, conducting inspections, procedures and techniques of fire prevention, recognition and elimination of fire hazards, fire risk analysis as applied to municipal and industrial occupancies, public relations programs, including coordination with other agencies, public education and inspections practices. This course is required for the Florida Fire Officer I and Fire Safety Inspector certifications. | 3 |
| FFP1540 | Private Fire Protection Systems I This course provides a study of fire protection alarm and extinguishing systems including design characteristics, operational theory and functional limitations and capabilities. There will be a comparative analysis of the various systems, including the standards governing systems. This course is required for the Fire Safety Inspector certification. | 3 |
 FFP1612 | Fire Behavior and Combustion This course explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread and how they are controlled. This course is required for the U.S. Fire Administration Higher Education degree. This course must be completed with a grade of 70 percent "C" or higher to receive credit. Lab fee required. | 3 |
| FFP1702 | Principles of Emergency Services This course provides an overview of fire protection, career opportunities in fire protection and related fields, philosophy and history of fire protection/service, fire loss analysis, organization and function of public and private fire protection services, fire departments as part of local government, laws and regulations affecting the fire service, fire service nomenclature, specific fire protection functions, basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems, introduction to fire strategy and tactics. This course must be completed with a grade of 70 percent "C" or higher to receive credit. Lab fee required. | 3 |
| FFP2109 | Occupational Safety and Health for the Fire Service This course introduces the basic concepts of occupational health and safety as they relate to emergency service organizations. Topics include risk evaluation and control procedures for fire stations, training sites, emergency vehicles and emergency situations involving fire, EMS, hazardous materials and technical rescue. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to establish and manage a safety program in an emergency service organization. This course must be completed with a grade of 70 percent "C" or higher to receive credit. Lab fee required. | 3 |
| FFP2120 | Building Construction for the Fire Service This course presents the fundamental concepts of building construction as they relate to how buildings burn. Students will learn how the ravages of fire affect wood, steel, concrete and composite construction. Emphasis is on avoiding human injury in each type of construction. This course is required for the Fire Safety Inspector certification. | 3 |
| Electives | 27 |
|---|
| Choose 27 credits from the following list: |
| FFP1000 | Introduction to Firefighting Students who have completed Firefighter I and II may receive credit for this class (by permission only). | 9 |
| FFP1301 | Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply This course provides a foundation of theoretical knowledge in order to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection and to apply hydraulic principles to analyze and to solve water supply problems. In addition, the curriculum covers pump theory, pump rating and pressure and vacuum gauges. Students will have to successfully complete FFP 1302 Apparatus Operations to be eligible to complete the State Pump Operator certification exam through the Florida State Fire College. This course must be completed with a grade of 70 percent "C" or higher to receive credit. | 3 |
| FFP1302 | Apparatus Operations This course covers the laws, rules and driving techniques for emergency vehicles. There will be a practical portion of the course that includes fire ground evolutions using pre-connected lines, tandem pumping, drafting, relays and master streams. Students must bring gloves and proper attire for water pumping exercises. After successful completion of this course and FFP 1301, the student will be eligible to take the State Pump Operator certification exam through the Florida State Fire College. This course must be completed with a grade of 70 percent "C" to receive credit. Lab fee required. | 3 |
| FFP2541 | Fire Protection Systems II This course provides a study of fire protection alarm and extinguishing systems including design characteristics, operational theory and functional limitations and capabilities. There will be a comparative analysis of the various systems including the standards governing systems. This course is required for the Fire Safety Inspector II certification. This course must be completed with a grade of 70 percent "C" or higher to receive credit. | 3 |
| FFP2610 | Fire Investigation I This course is designed to enhance the fire investigator's ability to detect and determine the origin and cause of a fire. Specific topics include fire behavior review, investigator ethics, building construction, ignition sources, reading fire patterns and scene re-construction. Special topics include electrical fire investigation, woodland fires, vehicle fires, mobile home fires, RV, boat and ship fires. This course is required for the Basic Fire Investigator, Senior Fire Safety Inspector and Fire Officer II certifications. | 3 |
| FFP2706 | Public Information Officer This course prepares the student to serve effectively as an organizational spokesperson according to the current practices in the profession of public relations and includes numerous examples from the fire service. Particular emphasis will focus on case studies in crisis communications and the role of the Public Information Officer in Incident Command. This course is an elective for the Fire Safety Inspector II and Fire Officer II certifications through the Florida State Fire College. This course must be completed with a grade of 70 percent "C" or higher to receive credit. | 3 |
| FFP2741 | Fire Service Course Design This course studies the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of fire service training programs. Emphasis is on course and program design. The focus will be on the development of training objectives, multimedia presentations and evaluation of learning which will be discussed within the program. This course is required for the Florida Fire Officer II certification. | 3 |
| FFP2770 | Legal and Ethical Issues for the Fire Service This course deals with the entire spectrum of issues facing fire service leaders. The course will address labor relations, human rights and diversity, conflict of interest and frameworks for ethical decision-making. This course is required for the Fire Safety Inspector II certification. This course must be completed with a grade of 70 percent "C" or higher to receive credit. | 3 |
| FFP2780 | Fire Department Administration I This course prepares participants for the responsibilities of an officer at the company level. It covers the day-to-day routine of operation of a fire company, matters ranging from station and vehicle maintenance scheduling to moral and grievance procedures. | 3 |
| DSC1002 | Introduction to Terrorism This course is an in-depth historical look at terrorism and its origins, types and history that will provide the student with the knowledge necessary to understand the background of yesterday and the evolution of terrorism today. Religions and nations are covered in the investigation of terrorism, its many different factions and their relationships. Discussions will explore the kinds of efforts being expanded around the world to find ways to deter or discover terrorism and find other ways to deal with it. Students will examine what the future of terrorism might be in the 21st Century. | 3 |
| DSC1004 | Introduction to NRF and NIMS This course introduces the student to the National Response Framework (NRF) and specifies how the resources of the Federal Government will work in concert with state, local, tribal governments and the private sector to respond to incidents of national significance. The NRF is predicated on the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This course will show how NRF and NIMS provide a nationwide template for working together to prevent or respond to threats and incidents regardless of cause, size or complexity. | 3 |
| DSC1033 | Weapons of Mass Destruction This course introduces the student to various types of weapons of mass destruction. The student will be introduced to basic principles of weapons of mass destruction, recognition, identification, decontamination and treatment protocols. The student will understand the importance of personal protective equipment and its proper uses and understand toxicology, physical and chemical properties associated with weapons of mass destruction. | 3 |
| ENC1210 | Technical Writing This course is a study of and practice in various forms of technical writing: complete formal reports, letters of application, resumes, articles or technical essays and oral presentations. Emphasis is on the grasp of scientific and technical ideas and effective verbal presentation of these ideas. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. | 3 |
| CGS1060C | Basic Computer Concepts This course provides an introductory study of computer topics. Students completing this course will have a solid understanding of how to use a personal computer, access information using the Internet, send and receive email, manage computer files and utilize operating system tools. In addition, the student will receive hands-on experience with word processing software. This course utilizes classroom lectures and hands-on computer exercises. No prior experience with computers is assumed. Lab fee required. | 3 |
| CGS2100C | Office Applications This course focuses on the concepts and operation of the main components of word processor, electronic spreadsheet, database management and presentation software programs. Students will gain fundamental knowledge of a major software suite and learn skills that have practical applications in real world situations. Lab fee required. | 3 |
| FFPXXXX | Any FFP prefix course |
| Fire Officer I Certification track : |
|---|
| FFP1740 | Fire Service Course Delivery This course studies the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of fire service training programs. Training objectives, facilities, equipment, multimedia, schedules and record systems are discussed within the program. Emphasis is on the development of adult learning principles, teaching effectiveness and the skills and abilities required of instructors in the fire service. This course is required for the Florida Fire Officer I certification. | 3 |
| FFP1801 | Introduction to Command This course prepares the participant for the responsibilities of an officer at the fire company level. This course will discuss the Incident Command System (ICS) and includes discussion relating to emergency medical services and hazardous materials incidents. The program is designed for developing overall command capabilities in the prospective officer. This course is designed as a combination of I-200 Basic Incident Management System and the I-300 Intermediate Incident Management System courses found at the Florida State Fire College. This course is required for the Florida Fire Officer I certification. | 3 |
| FFP1810 | Fire Service Strategy and Tactics I This course presents the basic concepts of fire attack. It seeks to develop the thinking skills needed by a fire officer in evaluating fire ground situations and planning the necessary steps to insure efficient control of fire under an emergency situation. This course is required for the Florida Fire Officer I certification. | 3 |
| FFP2720 | Company Officer This course prepares the participant for the responsibilities of an officer at the fire company level. This course will assist fire officers in solving the varied problems and situations they will be required to manage effectively in today's fire service. Students will learn about the day-to-day routine of operations of a fire company, management theory, communication, motivation, station and vehicle maintenance, shift staffing and grievance procedures. This course is required for the Florida Fire Officer I certification. | 3 |
| FFP2811 | Fire Service Strategy Tactics II This course covers multiple company operations, logistics, the use of mutual aide forces and conflagration control. The course focuses on information that fire company officers may use when dealing with a variety of fire command practices. Typical tactical situations and scenarios are discussed and practiced. The course will focus on the development of critical thinking skills. This course is required for the Florida Fire Officer I certification. | 3 |
| Fire Inspector I Certification track: |
|---|
| FFP1510 | Fire Protection Code and Standards This course covers a thorough study of codes applicable to fire protection and prevention, their application in various types of building construction and design with emphasis on fire protection features. This course is required for the Fire Safety Inspector certification. | 3 |
| FFP2521 | Construction Documents and Plans Review This course covers the interpretation and application of Fire Protection Code requirements to construction plans, blueprints and the basic surveying mapping techniques of fire protection engineering. This course is required for the Fire Safety Inspector certification. | 3 |
| General Education Courses |
|---|
| ENC1101 | English I This is a course in the process of expository writing. Students will read essays and compose papers that are unified, organized, logically developed and supported, clearly stated and well-focused. Research techniques are introduced and incorporated into at least one composition. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of "C" or higher. | 3 |
| SPC1608 | Introduction to Oral Communication The purpose of this course is to improve the basic skills of speaking and listening. Class exercises emphasize preparing and delivering public speeches, speaking with clarity and variety and listening with literal and critical comprehension. | 3 |
| Humanities General Education course | 3 |
| Mathematics or Science General Education course | 3 |
| Note: If you choose a Science General Education course, due to state law, you must also complete any college preparatory Mathematics course(s), if any were required by your entry-level test scores, before you can be awarded an associate degree. |
| Social Science General Education course | 3 |
| Recommended: |
| ECO1000 | Basic Economics The nature of economics, production, distribution and price determination will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on practical application and policy determination. Current problems will be surveyed. The course is designed for non-business majors. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. | 3 |
| PSY2012 | General Psychology This is an introductory course which surveys the field of psychology and basic principles and concepts utilized to understand human behavior. The major areas of study include development, learning, perception, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal behavior, psychotherapy and testing measurements. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Some sections of PSY2012 have service-learning components. Please refer to class notes in schedule of classes for details. | 3 |
| SYG2000 | Introduction to Sociology This course is an introductory survey of sociology covering its scope, methods and general principles. Topics emphasized include group behavior, race relations, population, social institutions, social change and social stratification. The purpose of the course is to assist the student in acquiring an understanding of society. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 60 |
|---|
| Note: Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees are designed to prepare graduates for immediate entry into their chosen career field. A.S. degree graduates may transfer into certain baccalaureate programs. Students planning to transfer to baccalaureate programs should consult with Student Affairs counselors, advisors or specialists to make sure required courses are taken and entry requirements are met for the college/university program of their choice. |
