This program is a Selective Program. Application requirements are included in the description below.
Emergency Management Specialist
Occupational Skills Award
This Occupational Skills Award (OSA) prepares students for real-world decision making and develops problem-solving skills that will allow them to elevate any organization during critical incidents. Courses focus on educating students on how to implement and coordinate resources necessary for preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery from disasters and threats city, county and state organizations face every day.
Basic Firefighter
Certificate
This program is designed to prepare students for the firefighting occupation. Students of the Basic Structure Fire Training Program, also known as the Fire Academy, will learn the functions of fire equipment, including the fire apparatus, as well as both the theory and practical application of firefighting technology. The program will prepare students for the Texas Basic Structure Fire Suppression certificate in accordance with the standards from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. After a student has met the state's certification requirements, the student may be hired as a paid firefighter by Texas fire departments; other states may also recognize the certification if the student applies for and meets the qualifications for the optional IFSAC seal.
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for entry into the South Texas College Fire Academy/Firefighter Certificate, all applicants must complete the requirements below which will be evaluated for accuracy, passing scores, and acceptable outcomes:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicants with military background must have an honorable discharge to apply.
- Complete Fire Academy application (published on program webpage).
- Pass Physical Fitness Test administered by Fire Academy. Information about test dates are published on program webpage. (Applicant must have valid identification to participate in test.)
- Submit fingerprints for criminal history check through a state/national database. Applicants convicted of a Class A Misdemeanor, or above, or convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years will not be considered.
- Clearance by medical doctor.
- Must provide the following documents:
- Certified Copy of Court Disposition (for all charges on criminal history)
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien
- Valid Texas Driver’s License
- Official high school transcript (accredited) or proof of GED completion
- Military Discharge Form (DD 214), if applicable.
Fire Science Technology
Associate of Applied Science
The Fire Science Technology Associate Degree program is designed to build on students’ knowledge of the firefighting occupation. The program will prepare students for firefighter certifications beyond the basic fire suppression certification according to the standards from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Students will also be introduced to the organization and management of a fire department and the relationship of government agencies to the fire service. It also provides a sound foundation for continuous higher learning in fire protection, administration, and management.
Program Learning Outcomes
Certificate
1. The student will be able to identify the skills necessary in the firefighting occupation, such as utilizing communication equipment, extinguishers, ladders, SCBAs, and various other firefighting equipment.
2. The student will be able to describe the functions of fire fighting equipment, fire apparatus, and the theory and practical applications of firefighting technology.
3. The student will be able to describe the characteristics of a live fire and other duties set forth by the Texas Commission of Fire Protection for basic fire suppression.
Associate of Applied Science
1. The student will be able to identify the skills necessary in the firefighting occupation, such as utilizing communication equipment, extinguishers, ladders, SCBAs, and various other firefighting equipment.
2. The student will be able to describe the functions of fire fighting equipment, fire apparatus, and the theory and practical applications of firefighting technology.
3. The student will be able to describe the characteristics of a live fire and other duties set forth by the Texas Commission of Fire Protection for basic fire suppression.
4. Identify the concepts of Pre-Incident Planning.
5. Identify concepts related to vehicle extraction.
Advisory Committee Members
Dr. Armando Ocaña, Mayor, City of Mission
Gilbert Sanchez, Fire Chief, Mission Fire Department
Jim Schultz, Fire Chief, McAllen Fire Department
Carlos Arispe, Deputy Chief, Pharr Fire Department
Rogelio Contreras, Fire Chief, Alamo Fire Department
Shawn Snider, Fire Chief, Edinburg Fire Department
Manuel Muniz, Fire Chief, Rio Grande City Fire Department
Occupational Skills Award
Certificate
Associate Degree
Emergency Management Specialist Occupational Skills Award
TSI EXEMPT
Plan of Study Grid
Fall |
EMAP 1400 |
Principles of Basic Emergency Management |
4 |
EMAP 1440 |
Disaster Exercise Design and Evaluation |
4 |
EMAP 2301 |
Leadership and Effective Communication |
3 |
EMAP 2302 |
Managing Mass Casualty and Fatality Incidents |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 |
| Total Credit Hours | 14 |
Basic Firefighter Certificate
TSI EXEMPT
Plan of Study Grid
Fall |
FIRS 1301 |
Firefighter Certification I |
3 |
FIRS 1407 |
Firefighter Certification II |
4 |
FIRS 1313 |
Firefighter Certification III |
3 |
FIRS 1319 |
Firefighter Certification IV |
3 |
FIRS 1423 |
Firefighter Certification V |
4 |
FIRS 1203 |
Firefighter Agility and Fitness Preparation |
2 |
FIRS 1329 |
Firefighter Certification VI |
3 |
FIRS 1433 |
Firefighter Certification VII |
4 |
| Credit Hours | 26 |
| Total Credit Hours | 26 |
Fire Science Technology Associate of Applied Science
TSI LIABLE
Plan of Study Grid
First Year |
Fall |
FIRS 1301 |
Firefighter Certification I |
3 |
FIRS 1407 |
Firefighter Certification II |
4 |
FIRS 1313 |
Firefighter Certification III |
3 |
FIRS 1319 |
Firefighter Certification IV |
3 |
FIRS 1203 |
Firefighter Agility and Fitness Preparation |
2 |
| Credit Hours | 15 |
Spring |
FIRS 1423 |
Firefighter Certification V |
4 |
FIRS 1329 |
Firefighter Certification VI |
3 |
FIRS 1433 |
Firefighter Certification VII |
4 |
1 |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 |
Second Year |
Fall |
ENGL 1301 |
Composition I 1 |
3 |
FIRT 1427 |
Building Construction in the Fire Service |
4 |
FIRT 1353 |
Legal Aspects of Fire Protection |
3 |
FIRT 1309 |
Fire Administration I |
3 |
GOVT 2306 |
Texas Government 1 |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
SPCH 1315 |
Public Speaking 1 |
3 |
FIRT 1333 |
Fire Chemistry I |
3 |
FIRT 1338 |
Fire Protection Systems |
3 |
FIRT 1301 |
Fundamentals of Fire Protection |
3 |
1 |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 |
Escrowed Credit
Upon successful completion of FIRT 1427 Building Construction in the Fire Service and FIRT 1353 Legal Aspects of Fire Protection, students who have successfully completed and maintain Firefighter Certification through a Texas Commission on Fire Protection licensed Fire Academy will be awarded 26 credit hours for the following courses:
Course List
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|
FIRS 1301 | Firefighter Certification I | 3 |
FIRS 1407 | Firefighter Certification II | 4 |
FIRS 1313 | Firefighter Certification III | 3 |
FIRS 1319 | Firefighter Certification IV | 3 |
FIRS 1203 | Firefighter Agility and Fitness Preparation | 2 |
FIRS 1423 | Firefighter Certification V | 4 |
FIRS 1329 | Firefighter Certification VI | 3 |
FIRS 1433 | Firefighter Certification VII | 4 |
Total Credit Hours | 26 |