Fire Science Program

Join the Fire Science Family!

Watch our Information Video: Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services!

https://youtu.be/HQosaVbPQRU?si=MNT-ItoNqme1VYPd

What is Fire Science?

Fire Science is the name of our program within the Public Safety department and can apply to a broad spectrum of career opportunities. The term “Fire Science” is used to describe careers that involve interaction with the science of fire suppression in urban, rural, and wilderness areas.

Career pathways - including how to become a firefighter

• Structural firefighting: The career most commonly sought after by our students, structural firefighting refers to the act of preventing and extinguishing unwanted fires in urban and rural areas. These careers can be full-time or part-time and come with different levels of pay and benefits depending on which path is taken. To work in structural firefighting required professional certifications in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and firefighter academy training.
  • full time, career positions (municipal urban areas): salaried, benefits, retirement usually after 20 years or age 53 in Washington State (Start at between $35,000–$80,000 per year). The Fire Science AAS-T degree offers candidates for these positions more competitiveness, promotional opportunities, and often higher salaries.
  • part-time, paid volunteer, per diem, reserve: paid by shift, limited or no benefits, no retirement; entry level positions to reach full-time positions above ($15–$21 per hour in Snohomish County) - many of our students gain experience through these positions before securing full-time positions. 
• Wildland/wilderness: Through the Department of Natural Resources, a student can apply to become a firefighter focused in wild growth areas in the state. Special certification is required for this seasonal work - see FIRE 249 Wildland Firefighting. (Many structural firefighters also work in wildland.)
• Fire Investigator: A fire investigator is responsible for determining where a structural fire originated from and determining cause. This career may be pursued in the public fire service, other civil service, or private insurance.
• Emergency Medical Technician: Most EMTs work for private ambulance companies or in the public fire service, and require specific professional certification training in order to work in this entry-level position of emergency medical services - see our EMS webpage.
• Military Firefighting: These careers are good for developing experience but do not provide the certification needed to work in the public fire service.

How to Can I Get Started?

Fire Science degree students may begin taking classes at the college in any quarter, by following these steps (please note that there are additional applications for the EMS 151 EMT and FIRE 100 Firefighter Academy professional certification courses specifically):

• Attend an Information Session (this is optional - details above) to learn more about Criminal Justice careers and the available programs at EvCC
• Complete Steps to Enroll at Everett Community College, beginning with Admissions: Admissions is no cost or obligation and only takes a few minutes online. Once you have your Student ID#, you may complete Online Orientation, Establish Placement, and Entry Advising, in order to find the courses and program that's right for you!
• Which classes should I start with? Entry Advising can get you set up with classes for your first 1–2 quarters, so there is no need to make an additional appointment with a program advisor. Please consult our Fire Science AAS-T program map to find the most common courses for a student in our degree program to begin with.
• Register for Classes: After completing the steps above, register for a class or join a wait list by seeing what is available in the online Class Schedule, and registering using your ctcLink student account.

FAQ 

What's the difference between the Fire Science AAS-T degree and the Firefighter Academy?
The Fire Science AAS-T is a 2-year degree composed of many courses. FIRE 100 Firefighter Academy is a single elective course within that degree, which carries professional firefighting certificates as part of the curriculum.

Can I take the professional certification courses EMS 151 EMT and FIRE 100 Firefighter Academy at the same time?
No. The schedules conflict but it's also humanly impossible—that would be the equivalent to 3 x full college course loads.

So what order should I take them in?
There's no better or correct order. Please email the Fire Science department with questions.

Do I have to do the degree? I just want to start working.
No, but it's a good idea to at least get started, particularly younger students not far out of high school. Employers will seldomly consider them for employment without some experience. While some students complete the degree prior to working, many still prioritize it since progress is usually much slower once they begin working, and it's required for promotional opportunities and higher pay at many fire departments.

I didn't know I could take a firefighter academy at a college. Why can't I just get hired and have them train me?
While there is the potential for you to be hired and trained by a full-time fire department with no prior experience, this is rare and those positions are fiercely competitive. A more likely bet is to begin your Fire Science coursework and certifications on your own and approach this from several directions, including:

• Get your Firefighter Academy and EMT certifications
• Get EMT certified and work for private ambulance
• Get Wildland Firefighting certified
• Complete coursework toward the Fire Science AAS-T degree
• Apply to fire departments directly, including both full-time and part-time position

Academic Credit for Prior Learning

The Fire Science department recognizes students often enter the program with job experience that may be worth credit. To help students get a jump start on their credit, Everett Community College offers credit for the following credentials:

Certificate Equivalencies

To earn credit for Fire Science-related certificates, log in to Credit Predictor Pro. More information about credit for industry certifications and Credit Predictor Pro can be found on the EvCC ACPL website. Contact the ACPL Program Specialist at ACPL@everettcc.edu with any questions.

Support Services for EvCC Students

EvCC is dedicated to our students' success!
New to EvCC? First time in college or it's been awhile? Prepare yourself by connecting with our many support services!

• Food Pantry student food bank
• Financial Aid
• Veteran Resource Center
• Workforce Funding options for low-income students and worker retraining
• TRiO empowering first generation, low-income, and differently-abled students
• Center for Disability Services including for learning differently abled students
• Counseling & Student Success to help navigate the college environment and other life challenges while enrolled
• Tutoring Center
• Writing Center 
• BRIDGES Transition Center for reaching college-level courses taught in English
• Diversity & Equity Center
• Student Clubs including ethnic, gender, LGBTQIA
• Outreach and High School Programs