Fire Technology Program
Fire Technology is the study of the organization and function of fire prevention and suppression techniques; fire behavior, combustible materials, extinguishing agents, hazardous and toxic material; fire protection techniques and systems; fire command and fire management (supervision).
Career paths chosen by students pursuing undergraduate and/or baccalaureate degrees in fire technology or fire service commonly include firefighter, fire engineer, paramedic, forest service worker, health and safety officer, fire prevention specialist, fire inspector, and hazardous materials specialist.
College of the Desert's fire technology curriculum includes course offerings that provide a general overview of the discipline, as well as specific courses in design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems; fire protection features in building design and construction; wildland fire behavior and fire line techniques; trench rescue, confined space awareness and automobile extraction.
The College offers a Certificate of Achievement in Fire Technology and an Associate of Science degree. The certificate of achievement is designed to provide students with skills necessary for employment or advancement as an entry level firefighter. Students earning the certificate may also choose to continue their study toward an associate or baccalaureate degree in the field.
Past recipients of the COD Certificate of Achievement in Fire Technology have obtained positions as firefighter, firefighter/EMT and paramedic. Students earning an associate's degree in Fire Technology may pursue positions as a firefighter, paramedic or firefighter/EMT or may choose to continue their study in fire technology or fire service toward a bachelor's degree.
CSU LA REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to complete SOC-001, Introductory Sociology, SOC-003, Fundamentals of Statistics, and ENG-002, Argumentative Writing & Critical Thinking through Literature.
