Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted): Fire Prevention Officer

Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Certificate in a timely manner. Your path may look different depending on your circumstances?for example, if you attend part-time, choose to take Intersession or Summer courses, or have earned prior credit (Credit for Prior Learning, Dual Enrollment, Transfer Credit). You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.

The Fire Prevention Officer Certificate is designed to prepare students as Fire Inspectors and as staff assistants to Fire Protection Engineers; to enable fire department personnel to upgrade skills in the area of prevention; and to give architects, engineers and persons from other disciplines an opportunity to expand their knowledge of building, life safety, and fire protection. This certificate program meets the partial requirements of the California State Board of Fire Services Certified Fire Inspector I and college or university preparation.

Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills, basic math skills, public relations skills and ethical decision making skills required for the occupation of Fire Inspector.

Analyze, evaluate, and develop mitigation plans for emergency and hazardous conditions that are inherent to Fire Prevention.

Perform skills that meet National Fire Protection Association Standard 1031 for Fire Inspector, California State Fire Marshal Standards for Fire Inspector and International Code Council- Fire Inspector

Program Map

GE General Education Course
M Major Course
E Elective Course
SI Summer/Intersession Course *
* Course is appropriate for Summer and Intersession, which are accelerated terms.

Getting Started

Comprehensive Education Plan: You are required to meet with a counselor for a comprehensive educational plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor in your first semester.

First Semester

6 units
FTC 101
Fire Protection Organization
This course provides an overview to fire protection and emergency services; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; culture and history of emergency services; fire loss analysis; organization and function of 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; life safety initiatives.
    FTC 102
    Fire Behavior and Combustion
    This course explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and are controlled.

      Second Semester

      9 units
      FTC 104
      Fire Prevention
      This course provides fundamental knowledge relating to the field of fire prevention. Topics include: history and philosophy of fire prevention; community risk reduction; organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau; use and application of codes and standards; plan review; fire inspections; fire and life safety education; and fire investigation.
      • Prerequisite: FTC 101
      • Prerequisite: FTC 102
      FTC 105
      Building Construction for Fire Protection
      This course provides the components of building construction related to firefighter and life safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at emergencies.
      • Prerequisite: FTC 101
      • Prerequisite: FTC 102
      FTC 106
      Fire Protection Systems
      This course provides information relating to the features of design and operation of fire alarm systems, water-based fire suppression systems, special hazard fire suppression systems, water supply for fire protection, and portable fire extinguishers.
      • Prerequisite: FTC 101
      • Prerequisite: FTC 102

      Third Semester

      4 units
      FOT 130A
      Fire Inspector 1A: Duties and Administration
      This course provides students with a basic knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of a Fire Inspector I, including legal responsibilities and authority, codes and standards, the inspection process, confidentiality and privacy requirements, and ethical conduct, and administrative tasks including preparing inspection reports, recognizing the need for a permit or plan review, investigating common complaints, and participating in legal proceedings. CFSTES Certificate of Completion. Materials fee required.
      • Prerequisite: FTC 104
      • Prerequisite: FTC 105
      • Prerequisite: FTC 106
      • Recommended Preparation: or equivalent as determined by the Dean of academy instruction. To be successful in this course, students should be able to understand and use professional terminology; Identify laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations as they relate to fire prevention; Understand code enforcement as it impacts life and property loss; Define laws, rules, regulations, and codes and identify those relevant to fire prevention; Define the functions of a fire prevention bureau; Describe the history and philosophy of fire prevention; Describe inspection practices and procedure; Understand theoretical concepts of how fire impacts major types of building construction; Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, buildings codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy, and tactics; Differentiate between fire resistance, flame spread, and describe the testing procedures used to establish ratings for each; Classify occupancy designations of the building code; Analyze the hazards associated with the various types of building construction; Identify and describe various types and uses of fire protection system; Explain the benefits of fire protection systems in various types of structures; Describe residential and commercial sprinkler legislation.
      FOT 130B
      Fire Inspector 1B: Introduction to Fire and Life Safety
      This course will provide fire prevention professionals with the base level of knowledge necessary to inspect fire protection systems and special hazards.
      • Prerequisite: FOT 130A
      FOT 130C
      Fire Inspector 1C: Field Inspection
      This course provides students with a basic knowledge of field inspection roles and responsibilities of a Fire Inspector I including basic plan review, emergency access for an existing system, hazardous materials, and the operational readiness of fixed fire suppression systems, existing fire detection and alarm systems, and portable fire extinguishers. Designed for the entry level fire inspector. Meets partial requirements for CFSTES Fire Inspector Certification. Materials fee required. Not offered every semester.
      • Prerequisite: FOT 130B - FOT Fire Inspector 1B
      FOT 130D
      Fire Inspector 1D: Field Inspector
      This course provides students with a basic knowledge of a Fire Inspector’s field inspection roles and responsibilities specific to California including tents, canopies, and temporary membrane structures; fireworks and explosives; and wildland urban interface environments. Students receive a Certificate of Completion from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Not offered every semester. Materials fee required.
      • Prerequisite: FTC 105
      • Prerequisite: FTC 104
      • Prerequisite: FTC 106
      • Prerequisite:

      Fourth Semester

      5.5 units
      FOT 136
      Fire Inspector 2A: Fire Prevention Administration
      This course provides students with a basic knowledge of the administrative requirements related to the roles and responsibilities of a Fire Inspector II including processing permit and plan review applications, enforcing permit regulations, investigating complex complaints, recommending modifications to codes and standards, recommending policies and procedures for inspection services, generating written appeals correspondence, initiating legal action, evaluating inspection reports, and proposing technical reference material acquisition. Additional material fee required for Ca State Fire Training certificate of completion. May not be offered every semester.
      • Prerequisite: FOT 130D
      FOT 137
      Fire Inspector 2B: Fire and Life Safety Requirements
      This course provides students with a basic knowledge of fire and life safety requirements related to the roles and responsibilities of a Fire Inspector II including occupancy classification, egress elements, emergency plans and procedures, occupant loads, building construction and fire growth potential. Materials fee required for State Fire Training (CFSTES) Certificate of Completion. Not offered every semester.
      • Corequisite (Concurrent): FOT 136
      FOT 138
      Fire Inspector 2C: Inspecting Fire & Life Safety Systems and Equip.
      This course provides students with a basic knowledge of inspection requirements related to the roles and responsibilities of a Fire Inspector II including inspection of life safety systems and building services equipment, fire protection systems, and emergency access criteria. Materials fees required for State Fire Training (CFSTES) Certificate of Completion. Not offered every semester.
      • Prerequisite: FOT 136
      FOT 139
      Fire Inspector 2D: Hazardous Materials, Operations, and Processes
      This course provides students with a basic knowledge of hazardous materials, operations, and processes related to the roles and responsibilities of a Fire Inspector II including hazardous conditions, flammable and combustible liquids and gases, and hazardous materials. Materials fee required for State Fire Training (CFSTES) Certificate of Completion. Not offered every semester.
      • Prerequisite: FOT 138