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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on May 7, 2013 at 3:22pm

These post are very ambiguous and difficult to answer from an internet perspective. We don't even know what courses you are taking, what school this is affiliated with and so forth to be able to even give an educated guess. Check with the school offering this program to see what it REALLY entails before signing up. Find out if the credits transfer and where they would be accepted. Is this even an accredited school, are the certs IFSAC?

 

As for certifications, check with the state, find out if they would accept such schooling. Considering there is an element of hands on training involved for firefighter certifications, I would be leary of an online program getting you state certified. Is there a hands on element built into this program? My educated guess on this limited information is the program is a diploma type of school and may not necessarily provide you with the actual certifications necessary to do the job.

 

Why are you looking into an online program, is there no schools nearby to obtain certifications?

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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on May 8, 2013 at 9:38pm

I'm just guessing - using what little information you've provided - that you will not be a certified firefighter after completing a fire science tech course. For a firefighter certification you would need to attend a fire academy and do both classroom and hands-on skills testing - lots of both.

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Permalink Reply by Tyler Louis Atkinson on May 10, 2013 at 2:08pm

FST2: Fire Science Technology Diploma
The Fire Science diploma program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare fire service personnel at
all levels to become better officers and leaders. The program provides learning opportunities which
introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required
for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to
retrain and upgrade present knowledge and skills.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment as firefighters, leaders, and officers in the fire service industry.
Credit Required for Graduation: Minimum of 45 credit hours
Curriculum
Program Course Credits
Basic Skills Courses
______ EMPL 1000 Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development 2
-or-
______ PSYC 1010 Basic Psychology (3)
______ ENGL 1010 Fundamentals of English I 3
______ MATH 1012 Foundations of Mathematics 3
Occupational Courses
______ COMP 1000 Introduction to Computers 3
______ FRSC 1100 Introduction to the Fire Science Service 3
______ FRSC 1110 Fire Administration – Supervision and Leadership 3
______ FRSC 1121 Firefighting Strategy and Tactics 3
______ FRSC 1132 Fire Service Instructor 4
______ FRSC 1141 Hazardous Materials Operations 4
______ FRSC 1151 Fire Prevention and Inspection 4
______ FRSC 1161 Fire Service Safety and Loss Control 3
______ FRSC 2100 Fire Administration Management 3
______ FRSC 2110 Fire Service Hydraulics 3
______ FRSC 2120 Fire Protection Systems 3
______ FRSC 2130 Fire Service Building Construction 3
______ FRSC 2141 Incident Command 4
______ FRSC 2170 Fire and Arson Investigation 4

This is really all i could find. Sorry about the lack of information. I just figured someone who has recently taken the course in Georgia would have had explained it better than this brochure.

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Permalink Reply by Tyler Louis Atkinson on May 10, 2013 at 2:12pm

The reason im doing this course online is because the technical school that even does this program is about an hour where i live. I would love to to this hands on but im limited with resources.

 

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on May 11, 2013 at 1:18am

This looks like a degree program course and doesn't appear that it incorporates any certifications to be a firefighter. This appears to be the process for an Associates Degree, which can help to get hired as a FF, or enhance opportunity for promotion for those already hired, but doesn't look like it does anything to actually CERTIFY you to be a FF for your state, or any state for that matter. This can enhance you chances to get hired for a dept that asks for the bare minimum requirements like 18, HS diploma, and driver's license.

 

To get certified, you may have to actually contact the closest tech school or find where classes may be offered. Schools do tend to offer certification classes at a distance learning with area departments. Such certification classes tend to be a night or two a week or could be offered for a summer program etc. I can understand resources being tight and all, but it doesn't look like your online program will certify you to be a FF.

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