Online Fire Science Degrees
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The fire science career field encompasses the jobs of fire fighters, inspectors, and investigators. These professionals respond to fire calls and other emergencies, ensure that buildings meet the current fire codes, and investigate fires to determine their cause. While many of these positions can be entered with a high school diploma, those with an associate's or bachelor's degree in fire science will have the best job opportunities. Although many new fire fighting positions will be created in the 2008-2018 period, applicants are predicted to face tough competition for these sought-after public service jobs.
Fire science professionals are people who you hope you'll never need—but you're sure glad they're there if you do. These workers are knowledgeable about fire combustion and how fires spread, so that they can most effectively extinguish fires before they put people in danger. They are also trained in emergency medical techniques, so that they can help those injured in fires or at other accident scenes. Fire science inspectors evaluate new buildings plans to make sure they are fire safe, and investigators come onto the scene after a fire is over, to determine the cause in order to prevent future fires.
Fire science associate's and bachelor's degrees can be good preparation for these careers. These degrees cover the theory behind the ways that fires spread, as well as the practical physical and mechanical skills fire workers need in order to extinguish them. These degrees will help applicants snag one of the many newly created fire science positions that will be on the job market in the coming years. On average, fire fighters earn $31,000-58,000 a year.
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Career Specializations
- Fire Fighters: Fire fighters respond to public calls for help and work to extinguish fires. They are also trained emergency medical technicians, and can aid in 911 accident and injury calls.
- Fire Inspectors: These professionals are versed in the local and state fire codes, and inspect buildings to ensure that they meet these standards. They also approve building plans for new construction projects.
- Fire Investigators: Fire investigators use their knowledge of fire science and combustion to determine how a fire was started. They must also be familiar with detective techniques, in order to interview witnesses or investigate possible criminal behavior.
- Forest Fire Inspectors: State and national parks are the realm of these specialists. They may be in charge of orchestrating controlled burns, to prevent disastrous wild fires, or patrolling and observing forests for signs of fire.
Degree Levels Available for Fire Science
- Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
- Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
- Master's Degree: 2 years to complete
Education & Certification Requirements
The majority of fire fighters, investigators, and inspectors learn their trade on the job. With a high school diploma, they may be hired by fire departments if they meet the requisite physical and academic standards. Fire departments train these new recruits in fire fighting techniques and in the skills to become emergency medical technicians (EMTs). These new recruits are then added to the fire fighting team on a probationary basis, or they may begin a several year long apprenticeship program. Once this probation or apprenticeship is over, they are prepared to become staff-level fire fighters.
However, while on-the-job training is common, more and more recruits are entering fire academies with associate's degrees and even bachelor's degrees in fire science. These degrees are offered by community colleges, vocational schools, and traditional universities. In these programs, students learn the science behind fires, how combustion works, and how fire behaves. They also take practical strategy courses, like fire hydraulics, fire tactics, and fire protection systems. Hands-on class work is obviously a very important component of these degrees, as fire fighters must be physically able to handle heavy equipment and to work under extreme circumstances. The master's degree in fire science is commonly a leadership program, designed for skilled fire workers who would like to advance in their profession. These degrees discuss advanced fire fighting and prevention techniques, as well as managerial skills.
Fire fighters are required to be certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs); EMTs know emergency medical procedures, CPR, and first aid. Besides the training offered by individual fire departments or precincts, fire fighters can also participate in advanced training offered by the U.S. National Fire Academy. This academy offers fire officer certification training to individuals who have at least an associate's degree.
Salary Information
The salary for fire fighters and other fire workers depends on their regional location, and their professional experience. Those just entering the fire fighting field, either with a high school diploma, associate's, or bachelor's degree, can expect offers from $31,000-44,000 a year. The middle 50% of fire fighters earn $31,000-58,000 a year. The Federal government has the highest wages, followed by local and state governments. The average wage for fire inspectors and investigators is $53,000 a year; forest fire inspectors earn about $31,000. (BLS)
Fire fighters who gain professional experience and demonstrate their fire fighting expertise can advance to manager and supervisor positions, such as engineer, lieutenant, and captain. The middle half of fire fighting managers and supervisors earn $54,000-86,000 a year. (BLS)
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that fire fighter positions will grow 19% by 2018, which is much faster than the national average rate of job growth. A trend towards urban living has increased the need for fire fighters, since fires in closely situated communities affect more people. Many volunteer fire fighting positions will be changed to paid positions in the coming years.
However, despite this increase in fire fighting positions, applicants are still predicted to face tough job competition. This is because these jobs may be entered with only a high school diploma, and they give individuals the chance to perform a necessary public service. Fire fighters also earn a pension after they have completed 25 years of work. Applicants with the best job prospects will be those who are physically fit, familiar with the fire fighting written examination, and who have a college degree in fire science. (BLS)
Positions for fire inspectors and investigators are predicted to grow more slowly in the coming years. Job opportunities will be best for those with fire fighting experience or a fire science degree. (BLS)
Related Careers
Police and other law enforcement agents are also responsible for safegaurding the public. Like fire fighters, they respond to emergency calls and help those who are in danger. Unlike fire fighters, police are in charge of following up on the crime or accident, and resolving any criminal cases.
