Fire Protection Technology A.A.S.

Career Opportunities  |  Transfer Opportunities  | Degree Requirements | For More Information
Apply for Admission  | General Education Requirements | Articulation Agreements

The Program (HEGIS Code 5507)

Public Safety is a major concern in our society, and Jefferson Community College recognizes the need to support our community in an area that directly impacts Public Safety - Fire Protection Technology.

JCC understands that professional and volunteer firefighters, as well as people employed in emergency management services, have a critical need to stay informed and expand their skills and knowledge in the area of Fire Protection Technology. It is also understood that the recruitment, training, and retention of employees in emergency management services is critical to the community. The purpose of this A.A.S. Program is to provide area firefighters and related service personnel with specialized training. This program is also open to individuals interested in firefighting as a career path.

This Associate in Applied Science Degree offers a balance of liberal arts and science courses, comprising work distributed in the humanities, the natural sciences and mathematics, and the social sciences, as well as a concentration in Fire Protection Technology and related coursework. Specialized courses include Fire Investigation, Building Materials and Inspection, Fire Fighting Tactics and Strategies, and Counter Terrorism. Graduates of this program should be able to provide emergency fire service, emergency medical service, emergency rescue service, emergency hazardous material service, and non-emergency services (such as code enforcement and equipment status records); maintain facilities; and participate in public relations activities (such as presentations, parades, and tours).

This curriculum follows International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) certification standards and is nationally accredited by the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) program.

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Fire Protection Technology program with  an A.A.S. degree will be able to achieve the following outcomes:

• Prepare written material in a fire service setting;
• Read, understand and interpret written information;
• Apply written information in the form of incident reports, policies,  procedures, directives, etc., to situations that are similar to experiences faced in the fire protection system;
• Communicate effectively; and
• Understand the organized structure of fire protection agencies.

Assessment of competence in these areas will be measured through the use of examination questions and/or practical exercises.

Career Opportunities

Safeguarding individuals and property from fires offers rewarding career opportunities to people with many and varied skills. Firefighters use their requisite skills to respond to emergencies in a variety of locations:

• Residential
• Business/industry/farms
• Transportation/vehicles
• Medical facilities
• Forests

They prevent fires by making fire inspections and enforcing laws and codes enacted at all levels of government. Firefighters also provide fire prevention education for adults and children, investigate fires, control arson, and train others in fire fighting procedures and fire prevention measures. In the fire insurance business, they may assess rates, write policies, and remove hazards.

Transfer Opportunities

As a graduate of Jefferson, you will have many transfer opportunities to consider and will be able to choose from a wide variety of colleges and universities to pursue your baccalaureate degree. Jefferson has partnered with some selected academic institutions to develop agreements that assist students with selecting courses in their academic program that will transfer effectively to specific baccalaureate programs. Currently a formal agreement exists with SUNY Canton, Emergency Management B.T. program. 

For More Information

Cynthia Shelmidine, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
cshelmidine@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2441

Charles Ruggiero, Public Safety Education Coordinator
cruggiero@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2452

Application and Admissions Information
Office of Admissions
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2277 or Toll Free 1-888-435-6522