Faculty: LeeDon Martin, chair (335-6676)

Dave Parker, Fire Academy Coordinator (335-6840).
 

The Fire Technology program at Odessa College offers students the opportunity to be trained for careers in the fire service field. Our program is designed to meet the needs of students desiring to become entry-level certified firefighters through our Certificate of Technology program and also those who are currently certified desiring to pursue an Associate’s of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Fire Administration.

Our Certificate of Technology program is an innovative on-line Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) certified Basic Firefighter Academy. Our Academy offers on-site and on-line firefighter training which combines traditional and contemporary methodologies and is designed to allow the student to be gainfully employed while receiving 24 college credit hours upon completion. While taking the 16 week course of study Monday through Friday on-line, the student will be required to attend 16 Saturdays of on-site skill practice lasting from 8 am to 5 pm. The on-line interactive study will provide the student with the basic EMS and fire knowledge needed to take and pass the TCFP written state test for certification. The Saturday skill will be used to develop skill proficiency, enabling the student to pass the TCFP state skill test and give the student opportunity to develop additional practical skills needed in the career of firefighting.

It is preferred that all students enrolled in the Certificate of Technology program receive an EMT-Basic certification from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) in the semester immediately before or immediately following the Basic Firefighter Academy. This will allow the student to earn an additional 6 college credit hours and enhance employment opportunities with fire departments throughout the State of Texas. The 24 college credit hours obtained from the successful completion of the Basic Firefighter Academy and EMT-Basic can then be applied toward an AAS in Fire Administration if the student desires to further their education.

Our goal is to provide a well-rounded educational experience and give the student the necessary training to become certified through the TCFP and TDSHS and obtain a career in the profession of firefighting.

Our Certificate of Technology Basic High School Fire Academy is a certified Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Academy. Our academy offers on-site firefighter training that begins in the start of the student’s junior year of high school and is completed in the fall semester of their senior year. The training will provide the student the basic knowledge to pass the TCFP state test. In the spring semester of their senior year they will attend EMT-Basic. The training will provide the student the basic knowledge to pass the EMT-Basic certification through the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) upon graduation from high school. The student is able to attend the academy during school hours with some Saturdays in their second year. The student can earn dual credit while enrolled in the academy and graduate the academy with 30 college credit hours and 4 high school credits upon completion. When the student completes their training at the end of their senior year, they will be state certified in both Basic Firefighter and EMT-Basic upon successfully passing both certification tests.

Our goal is to provide the youth of our community the opportunity to pursue a career in the fire service and to be certified through the TCFP and TDSHS and be employable immediately following graduation from high school.

Our AAS in Fire Administration Degree offers students the opportunity to apply credits received in their Certificate of Technology program to the Associate’s of Applied Science Degree in Fire Administration. This allows the student opportunity to further their education and advance into supervisory and upper management positions in the profession. Our AAS degree offers both on-site and on-line education opportunities.

Our goal is to provide the student the necessary education to transfer to a university and become a leader in the fire service field.

Note: Enrollment in FIRS courses and EMSP 1160 requires student liability insurance payable in college course fees and personal health and accident insurance.

All students must have consent from the department chair to register for any fire academy class prior to registering.