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The Fire Service Preparation certificate program provides an opportunity for students to obtain basic instruction in firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical care. The program meets the minimum entry-level requirements for most fire departments around the country. This certificate consists mostly of technical coursework and three credits of general education, providing for a focus of technical hands-on training to enable the student to become familiar with the entry-level aspects of the fire service.
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Northland Community & Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
1. Minnesota Department of Human Services Licensing Division Background study must be completed upon program entry and annually thereafter. Evidence of approval to provide healthcare must be on file prior to entering FIRE courses.
2. Students must have an "eligible" status through the State Motor Vehicle Records Check system.
3. Current American Heart Association Health Care Provider level CPR certification is required by the end of the first week of the EMTB1100 course.
4. All required courses for the program must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
5. Immunization and health screening data must be submitted on the college Health Screening Form prior to enrollment in FIRE courses.
6. All students must have structural firefighting personal protective equipment, which consists of a helmet, protective hood, coat, pants, gloves, and boots.
Students achieving assessment scores below the established minimums must register and successfully complete (with a grade of "C" or better) the required developmental courses in order to meet graduation requirements.
The program minimum scores for the Accuplacer Assessment test are as follows:
Reading Comprehension: 46
Arithmetic: 50
Required Courses |
||
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EMTB 1100 | Emergency Med Tech Basic | 4 credits |
| FIRE 1100 | Intro to Fire Service | 1 credits |
| FIRE 1102 | Firefighter Fitness | 2 credits |
| FIRE 1110 | Firefighter Basic | 6 credits |
| FIRE 1130 | Rescue Theory & Practices | 1 credits |
| FIRE 1150 | HazMat Operational | 2 credits |
| TOTAL CREDITS: | 16 credits | |
1. Student will perform professional firefighting skills as outlined in the National Fire Protection Association standards.
2. Student will Execute Emergency Medical Technician-Basic skills as identified by Department of Transportation.
3. Student will demonstrate effective, professional internal and external (written and oral) communication skills required of the firefighting industry.
4. Student will operate and maintain fire apparatus and fire equipment properly as outlined in the National Fire Protection Association standards.
5. Student will demonstrate professional characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes as expected in the firefighting field.
Counselors are available in the Career Center to assist with career advising, job search resources, employer connections, occupational descriptions, employment outlook, earnings, education/training requirements and sources.
Nationwide demand exists for students wanting to become professional fire fighters. Typically job titles will be as a starting fire fighter with a municipal fire department, but in some cases industry or other governmental institutions will hire graduates with these capabilities.
The employment outlook for firefighters in the state of Minnesota from 2009 to 2019 is 14.8%, an above average growth percentage.
