Eastern Shore Community College
Fire Science Technology
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Purpose
The fire science degree is designed to prepare individuals for entry or advancement in the fire service or a related field by providing them with knowledge of the fire protection profession and giving them the general education necessary to function and advance in one of these professions. The Fire Science program is perfect for firefighters on shift work, or other students interested in pursuing advancement in technical or administrative careers in the fire service and related fields, who enjoy the flexibility studying online offers. Although the curriculum is focused on assisting students who are currently firefighters with their career development goals, students from a variety of backgrounds may benefit from completing the program and may pursue careers in the public sector fire services or for private sector careers in safety, loss prevention engineering, and risk management.
ProgramRequirements and Special Conditions
Program Curriculum
1st Semester / Credits / Standard Course OptionsENG 111 College Composition I / 3
FST 100 Principles of Emergency Services / 3
FST 110 Fire Behavior and Combustion / 3
MTH 151 Mathematics for Liberal Arts / 3
PED 116 Life Fitness and Wellness / 1
SDV 101 Orientation to Fire Science / 1
Social Science Elective / 3
Total Credits / 17
2nd Semester / Credits / Standard Course Options
ENG 115 Technical Writing / 3 / ENG 112
FST 112 Hazardous Materials chemistry / 3
FST 115 Fire Prevention / 3
FST 121 Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival / 3
ITE 115Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts / 3
Social Science Elective / 3
Total Credits / 18
3rd Semester / Credits / Standard Course Options
CST/FST Elective / 3
FST 210 Legal Aspects of Fire Service / 3
FST 240 Fire Administration / 3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective / 3
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab / 4
Total Credits / 16
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Eastern Shore Community College
4th Semester / Credits / Standard Course OptionsFST 205 Fire Protection Hydraulics & Water Supply / 3
FST 215 Fire Protection Systems / 3
FST 220 Building Construction for Fire Protection / 3
FST 235 Firefighting Strategy and Tactics / 3
FST 245 Fire and Risk Analysis / 3
PED/RPK Elective / 1
Total Credits / 16
Total Credits for Program / 67
Course Descriptions
ENG 111 - College Composition I (3 credits)
Introduces students to critical thinking and the fundamentals of academic writing. Through the writing process, students refine topics: develop and support ideas; investigate, evaluate, and incorporate appropriate resources; edit for effective style and usage; and determine appropriate approaches for a variety of contexts, audiences, and purposes. Writing activities will include exposition and argumentation with at least one researched essay. Lecture 3 hours per week.
ENG 115 - Technical Writing (3 credits)
Develops ability in technical writing through extensive practice in composing technical reports and other documents.Guides students in achieving voice, tone, style, and content in formatting, editing, and graphics.Introduces students to technical discourse through selected reading.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 100 - Principles of Emergency Services (3 credits)
Provides an overview to fire protection; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; philosophy and history of fire protection/service; fire loss analysis; organization and function to public and private fire protection services; fire departments as part of local government; laws and regulations affecting the fire service; fire service nomenclature; specific fire protection functions; basic fire chemistry and physics; introduction to fire protection systems; introduction to fire strategy and tactics.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 110 - Fire Behavior and Combustion(3 credits)
Explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and how they are controlled. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 112 - Hazardous Materials Chemistry(3 credits)
Provides basic fire chemistry relating to the categories of hazardous materials including problems of recognition, reactivity, and health encountered by firefighters. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 115 - Fire Prevention(3 credits)
Provides fundamental information regarding the history and philosophy of fire prevention, organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau, use of fire codes, identification and correction of fire hazards, and the relationships of fire prevention with built-in fire protection systems, fire investigation, and fire and life-safety education. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 121 - Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival(3 credits)
Introduces basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives, focusing on the need for cultural and behavior change throughout the emergency services. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 205 - Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply(3 credits)
Provides a foundation of theoretical knowledge in order to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection and to apply hydraulic principles to analyze and to solve water supply problems. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 210 - Legal Aspects of Fire Service(3 credits)
Introduces the Federal, State, and local laws that regulate emergency services, national standards influencing emergency services,, standard of care, tort, liability, and a review of relevant court cases. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 215 - Fire Protection Systems(3 credits)
Provides information relating to the features of design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems, heat and smoke control systems, special protection and sprinkler systems, water supply for fire protection and portable fire extinguishers. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 220 - Building Construction for Fire Protection(3 credits)
Provides the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety. Focuses on firefighter safety. Covers the elements of construction and design of structures and how they are key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at emergencies. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 235 - Strategy and Tactics(3 credits)
Provides an in-depth analysis of the principles of fire control through utilization of personnel, equipment, and extinguishing agents on the fire ground. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 240 - Fire Administration(3 credits)
Introduces the student to the organization and management of a fire department and the relationship of government agencies to the first service.Emphasis on fir service leadership from the perspective of the company officer. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 245 - Fire and Risk Analysis(3 credits)
Presents a study of current urban fire problems with emphasis on solutions based upon current available technology.Includes master planning, as well as methods of identifying, analyzing and measuring accompanying risk and loss possibilities. Prerequisite: FST 240. Lecture 3 hours per week.
ITE 115 - Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts (3 credits)
Covers computer concepts and internet skills, and uses a software suite which includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to demonstrate skills. Recommended prerequisite keyboarding skills. Lecture 3-4 hours per week.
MTH 151 - Mathematics for the Liberal Arts I (3 credits)
Presents topics in sets, logic, numeration systems, geometric systems, and elementary computer concepts. Lecture 3 hours per week.
PED 116 - Lifetime Fitness and Wellness (1 credit)
Provides a study of fitness and wellness and their relationship to a healthy lifestyle. Defines fitness and wellness, evaluates the student's level of fitness and wellness, and motivates the student to incorporate physical fitness and wellness into daily living. A personal fitness/wellness plan is required for the 2-credit course. Lecture 0-1 hours. Laboratory 2-4 hours. Total 2-4 hours per week.
SDV 101 - Orientation To (Specify the Discipline) (1 credit)
Introduces students to the skills which are necessary to achieve their academic goals, to services offered at the college and to the discipline in which they are enrolled. Covers topics such as services at the college including the learning resources center; counseling, and advising; listening, test taking, and study skills; and topical areas which are applicable to their particular discipline. Lecture 1-3 hours per week.
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