Fire Technology

Prepare For Fire Service Opportunities Through Our Fire Technology Courses

Career Opportunities

Fire fighting offers many career opportunities for graduates including positions in municipal fire departments, county departments, fire protection districts, and more than 250 California state fire protection agencies. There are also employment opportunities in forestry agencies, correctional institutions, military bases, and numerous federal agencies.

Specialists are also in demand by industry and by such agencies as the Insurance Service Office, Underwriters Laboratory, National Fire Protection Association, and the insurance industry.

The Program

The Fire Technology program at Merced College is designed to increase the professional knowledge and skills of people presently employed in the fire protection fields as well as prepare others interested in careers related to fire-fighting or safety in private industry, insurance agencies and government.

Merced College offers the in-service firefighter a chance to improve professionally and to prepared for promotions to positions of higher responsibility and pay.

The student, by completing 30 units of study in this area, including the five core courses, will earn a Certificate of Completion. Or the student can earn an A.A. Degree by completing a combination of the approved Fire Technology curriculum and Merced College graduation requirements.

Today's firefighter must be knowledgeable of the burning characteristics of building materials and the effect of building design, from sprawling shopping centers to high-rise buildings.

Advancing technology, the widespread use of petroleum products and the introduction of new hazardous chemicals and incidents of terrorism have added to the complexity of the firefighter's job.

A firefighter must be competent in the use of hydraulics, resuscitation and related emergency equipment to aid the injured. Firefighters must also have the knowledge to administer medical aid and cope with spectators.

• Fire Technology Major & Course Descriptions
  

For Additional Inforamation

For more information regarding the Fire Technology Program or registration, call (209) 384-6120 or visit the Guidance Division in the Administration Building and talk with the counselor for this program.