Recently, I have enrolled in a community college that offers both Fire Science and Paramedic degrees at night. It works perfect with my current work schedule until I complete both degrees and make a career change back into Fire/EMS full time. Although I am stoked to do this, I just found out that the F.S. program does not include the IFSAC FF1 certification. I have long debated whether I wanted to go just into EMS first and later add Firefighting if that's where I fel I needed to be. The nice thing about the Fire Science program is that I can establish myself with the instructors that teach in the Paramedic program before I apply because it is a very close nit program. However, I do wonder if it's a waste of time and money to sit through the FS degree if I will just end up being sent to an academy once hired by a FD, if that is where I want to go.

Previously I understood that most departments will accept a FS degree in lieu of academy time but I also heard that it even if you went through an academy in a FS degree, you would still be sent to an acadmey the department wants you to attend. I wouldn't be able to attend an accredited FF 1 program until I was hired or there is an online program that later sends you to a 2 week intensive hands on course that is offered by a Texas college. My heart will always be in EMS but I won't shy away from an opportunity to run into a burning building. What do you guys think?