Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted): Public Fire Service Option

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.

Students completing the Public Service Option Certificate are prepared for employment as volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time, or full-time firefighters. Through a combination of professional education and technical training, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to perform essential and advanced fireground tasks. Students learn to use, inspect, and maintain firefighting and rescue equipment; and perform basic rescue operations and fire prevention and investigation tasks. As they advance through the program students are provided with numerous opportunities to earn professional certificates and industry-recognized credentials. 

Students successfully completing the program receive state and national Fire Fighter 1 Certification through the California Office of the State Fire Marshal, IFSAC (International Fire Service Accreditation Congress) and Pro Board accrediting agencies. 

Major Requirements for Certificate

Fire Academy registration requires the approval of the Fire Technology Office. Prior to registering for the Fire Academy (FAC 060A, 060B or 060C), a student must

  1. Open a Student File in the Fire Technology Office after completing FTC 101 and FTC 102 with a grade of C or better.
  2. Meet all of the pre-academy requirements listed including.  Copies of documentation must be submitted to the Fire Technology Office.
    1. CPR/First Aid- current certification
    2. NREMT- current certification
    3. Biddle Physical Ability Test- certificate of completion
    4. NFPA 1582 Medical Clearance - dated within 2 years of academy participation
  3. Complete all Fire Technology coursework listed below with a grade of C or better.

Demonstrate the occupational knowledge and technical skills needed to perform the duties of a Fire Fighter I which is based upon NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications (2019) and California State Fire Training's Fire Fighter 1 (2019).

Demonstrate the occupational knowledge and technical skills required to carry out the duties of a Wildland Firefighter, based upon NFPA 1051: Standard for Wildland Firefighting Personnel Professional Qualifications (2016).

Demonstrate the occupational knowledge and technical skills needed to carry out the duties of Haz Mat/WMD Emergency Responder based upon NFPA 1072: Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications (2017).

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

9.1-9.5 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.
      FTC 103
      Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival
      This course introduces the 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.
        FAC 018B
        Beginning Fire Physical Ability Training
        Students will be introduced to the events of the "Biddle" Fire Fighter Physical Ability Test (Fire Academy 008). This is a supplemental learning assistance course designed to prepare the student for participation and successful completion of FAC 008. Students will perform physical exercise using fire hose, ladders, stairs, TRX, kettlebells and other equipment. Students will learn proper body mechanics; correct lifting techniques and appropriate physical conditioning principles.

          Second Semester

          14 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
          EMT 104
          Emergency Medical Technician
          Basic course for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. Satisfies training requirements for National/State/County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authorities. Prepares students to take the National Registry Certifying Examination for State Certification. Additionally, trains students in the Orange County Emergency Medical Services (OCEMS) optional scope of practice. Course provides depth and breadth of foundational knowledge from the US Department of Transportation's National Scope of Practice Model and the National EMS Education Standards derived for entry-level EMT.
          • Corequisite (Concurrent): EMT 105
          • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Current American Heart Association "BLS Provider" CPR Certification
          EMT 105
          Clinical EMT Skills Laboratory
          Clinical, field experience, and supervised use of skills lab through supplemental learning to assist the student in development of clinical competency and mastery of psychomotor skills as addressed in course EMT 104. Hours verified by instructor.
          • Prerequisite: Prerequsite: Current American Heart Association "BLS Provider" CPR Certification
          • Corequisite (Concurrent): EMT 104

          Third Semester

          12.4 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
          FTC 121
          Physical Fitness for Public Safety Personnel
          This lecture class provides information on exercise physiology and nutrition as it relates to public safety personnel. Topics include the components of a tactical fitness program such as metabolic conditioning, neuromuscular fitness, body composition, and mobility. Other topics include progressive overload, specificity of training, periodization, stress management, injury and disease prevention, and diet and nutrition for health and performance.
          • Corequisite (Concurrent): FTC 121L
          FTC 121L
          Physical Fitness for Public Safety Personnel - Performance and Assessment
          Student will participate in physical fitness and fire-specific activities. Focus is on preparing individual fitness, health, and physical ability for job requirements. Students will be advised of the specific dates and times for the Lab/Physical Ability Practice sessions during first week of the semester at the lab orientation.
          • Corequisite (Concurrent): FTC 121
          FAC 008
          Biddle Physical Ability Test (PAT)
          The Los Angeles County and Orange County Fire Chief's Physical Ability Test is designed to examine the physical ability of the individual when it comes to performing the functions or tasks of a firefighter.

            Fourth Semester

            16.5 units
            FAC 007
            Strength and Conditioning for the Fire Service
            Strength and conditioning course for students preparing for a career in the Fire Service. Emphasis will be placed on metabolic conditioning and strength development to meet the demand of fireground activities, attaining fireground movement competency and to obtain a passing score on the Physical Ability Test (PAT).
            • Corequisite (Concurrent): FAC 050
            • Corequisite (Concurrent): FAC 060A
            FAC 060A
            Firefighter Academy
            This course provides the first level of professional training needed to obtain California Fire Fighter 1 (2024) certification along with training and testing for Firefighter 2A. Students will learn the skills and knowledge needed for the entry-level fire fighter to perform structural suppression activities. Key learning concepts include: fire fighter safety; communications; cleaning, maintaining, and utilizing equipment and tools; building construction and fire behavior; water supply; ladder operations; forcing entry into a structure; conducting search and rescue operations; attacking an interior structure fire; horizontal and vertical ventilation; property conservation; fire scene overhaul; fire fighter survival; and fire suppression with Class A materials, vehicles, and ground cover. Students are required to complete all applicable certification exams. All Fire Fighter 1 (2024)cognitive exam modules will be delivered through the State Fire Training User Portal. State Fire Training will issue IFSAC and Pro Board accredited certifications to all eligible applicants for California Fire Fighter 1 (2024) certification. Material fees required. Students must rent prescribed and approved personal protective equipment from a designated vendor. Fire Technology Department approval is required for enrollment.
            • Prerequisite: FTC 101
            • Prerequisite: FTC 102
            • Prerequisite: FTC 103
            • Prerequisite: FTC 104
            • Prerequisite: FTC 105
            • Prerequisite: FTC 106
            • Prerequisite:
            • Prerequisite: FTC 121
            • Prerequisite:
            • Prerequisite:
            • Corequisite (Concurrent): FAC 007
            • Prerequisite: FAC 008 - A Passing Biddle PAT Exam score within one year of course start date.
            FAC 060B
            Firefighter 1B - Hazardous Materials / WMD
            This course provides the awareness skills and knowledge needed for the entry-level firefighter to recognize and identify hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction (WMD), isolate hazards and deny entry, and initiate required notification. At the operations level, this course provides the skills and knowledge needed to identify incident scope; select, use, and inspect PPE; perform emergency decontamination; perform assigned tasks at a hazardous materials/WMD incident including product control techniques; and evaluate and report incident progress (2019). A California Firefighter 1 certification contains three levels of Professional Qualifications set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). FF 1B includes the second level of professional qualifications: NFPA 1072: Hazardous Material Awareness and Operations. Material fees required.
              FAC 060C
              Firefighter 1C - Wildland Firefighter 1
              This course provides the skills and knowledge needed for the entry-level firefighter to recognize hazards and unsafe situations; don, doff, and maintain wild and personal protective equipment; deploy a fire shelter; maintain suppression hand tools and equipment; assemble and prepare for response; construct and secure a fire line; reduce the threat of fire exposure to improved properties; and mop up and patrol a fire area when working with wild land fires. Firefighter 1C, Wildland Course Plan (2019) A California Firefighter 1 certification contains three levels of Professional Qualifications set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). FF1C includes the third level of professional qualifications: NFPA 1051: Wildland Firefighter 1. Material fees required. Students must rent approved turn-outs and other personal protective equipment from designated vendor. Departmental approval required for enrollment.
              • Corequisite (Concurrent): FAC 060A