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Fire Science Technology

Fire investigators walk by a brush fire

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Certificate of Completion

(575) 527-7746

Information based on the 2009-10 DACC Catalog

NOTE: This program does not emphasize firefighter operations. Instead, it focuses on theory, investigation, prevention, and management. Students wishing to enter the fire service may benefit from the general background provided and may receive Firefighter I certification through the New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy in Socorro, N.M.

Every year, fire and other emergencies take thousands of lives and destroy property worth billions of dollars. Firefighters help protect the public against these dangers. They are frequently the first emergency personnel at the scene of a traffic accident or medical emergency and may be called upon to put out a fire, treat injuries, or perform other vital functions.

Firefighters work in a wide variety of settings, including urban and suburban areas, airports, chemical plants and other industrial sites, and such rural areas as wildlands and forests. When wildland fires break out, crews of firefighters are brought in to suppress the fires with heavy equipment and hand tools. In addition, smoke jumpers parachute into inaccessible areas. Others who have been trained for the control, prevention, and cleanup of hazardous materials incidents work in hazardous materials units.

Between alarms, firefighters clean and maintain equipment, conduct practice drills and fire inspections, and participate in physical fitness activities. They also prepare written reports on fire incidents and review fire science literature to keep abreast of technological developments and changing administrative practices and policies.

Most fire departments have a fire prevention division, usually headed by a fire marshal and staffed by fire inspectors. Workers in this division conduct inspections of structures to prevent fire and ensure fire code compliance. These firefighters also work with developers and planners to check and approve plans for new buildings. Fire prevention personnel often speak on these subjects in schools and before public assemblies and civic organizations.

Employment of firefighters is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012, as fire departments continue to compete with other public safety providers for funding. According to the United States Fire Administration, nearly 70 percent of fire companies are staffed by volunteer firefighters. Most job growth will occur as volunteer fire-fighting positions are converted to paid positions. In addition to job growth, openings are expected to result from the need to replace firefighters who retire, stop working for other reasons, or transfer to other occupations.

Doña Ana Community College provides training for firefighting personnel through its Fire Science Technology program, which is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. This program provides classroom instruction leading to an associate of applied science degree in fire science technology or a certificate of completion in firefighting. It is suited to those who are new to the field, as well as seasoned firefighters:

  • Career and volunteer firefighters and NMSU student firefighters will improve their job performance and prepare for higher level positions in the fire protection fields.
  • Students who wish to enter the field of fire protection will benefit from the basic foundations provided in the technical courses as well as general education courses.

NOTE: An articulation agreement exists with the New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy that makes it possible to receive college credit for experience. All courses in this program may be applied toward a Bachelor of Applied Studies or Bachelor of Individualized Studies degree at NMSU.

Students must receive a C or better in each course in order for it to apply toward graduation.

Required Skills and Abilities

This program requires that the student be able to—

  • lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance)
  • carry out emergency and non-emergency patient care, including, light extrication (i.e., be able to assume a variety of
    postural positions and be capable of physical maneuvers ranging from crawling, kneeling, squatting, twisting, turning, and bending, to climbing stairs and ladders)
  • withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture.

Associate Degree (67 credits)


Core Requirements      26 Credits
  CHEM 110GCHEM 110G: Principles and Applications of Chemistry - 4 cr. (3+3P)
A survey of the properties and uses of the elements and their compounds. In addition to classical chemistry, attention is paid to the materials from which consumer products are made, to the production of energy, and to environmental considerations. Prerequisite: 3 years of high school math or CCDM 114N. – Principles and Applications of Chemistry		 4

OR		 COMM 253GCOMM 253G: Public Speaking - 3 cr.
Principles of effective public speaking, with emphasis on preparing and delivering well-organized, logical, and persuasive arguments adapted to different audiences. – Public Speaking
COMM 265GCOMM 265G: Principles of Human Communication - 3 cr.
Study and practice of interpersonal, small group, and presentational skills essential to effective social, business, and professional interaction. – Principles of Human Communication		 3
  ENGL 111GENGL 111G: Rhetoric and Composition - 4 cr.
Skills and methods used in writing university-level essays. Prerequisite: ACT standard score in English of 16 or higher during regular semester (20 or above during summer) or successful completion of a developmental writing course or the equivalent. – Rhetoric and Composition		 4

OR		 ENGL 203GENGL 203G: Business and Professional Communication - 3 cr.
Effective writing for courses and careers in business, law, government, and other professions. Strategies for researching and writing correspondence and reports, with an emphasis on understanding and responding to a variety of communication tasks with a strong purpose, clear organization, and vigorous professional style. – Business and Professional Communication
ENGL 218GENGL 218G: Technical and Scientific Communication - 3 cr.
Effective writing for courses and careers in sciences, engineering, and agriculture. Strategies for understanding and presenting technical information for various purposes to various audiences. – Technical and Scientific Communication		 3
OR GOVT 100GGOVT 100G: American National Government - 3 cr.
U.S. constitutional system; legislative, executive and judicial processes; popular and group influence. – American National Government
GOVT 110GGOVT 110G: Introduction to Political Science - 3 cr.
This class covers fundamental concepts such as justice, sovereignty and power; political theories and ideologies; and government systems that range from democratic to authoritarian. – Introduction to Political Science		 3
  MATH 210GMATH 210G: Mathematics Appreciation - 3 cr.
Mathematics and its role in the development and maintenance of civilization. Prerequisites: High school algebra, and an adequate score on the Mathematics Placement Examination. – Mathematics Appreciation		 3

OR
OR		 PSY 201GPSY 201G: Introduction to Psychology - 3 cr. (3+3P)
Methods and principles of behavior. Topics include human evolution and development, biopsychology, perception, learning, thinking, motivation, social interaction, and the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior. – Introduction to Psychology
SOC 101GSOC 101G: Introductory Sociology - 3 cr.
Introduction to social theory, research, methods of analysis, contemporary issues in historical and cross-cultural contexts. Covers groups, deviance, inequality, family, gender, social change, and collective behavior. – Introductory Sociology
SOC 201GSOC 201G: Contemporary Social Problems - 3 cr.
Introduction to the fundamentals of social analysis through the analysis of contemporary American social problems. Emphasis on methods of analysis and cross-national comparisons showing that the social problems studied are common to all societies. Covers racism, violence, poverty, crime, health care, and substance abuse. – Contemporary Social Problems		 3

Technical Requirements      41 Credits
  OEFS 112OEFS 112: Principles of Emergency Services - 3 cr.
Provides an overview to fire protection; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; philosophy and history of fire protection/services; meets or exceeds NFPA standards. Community Colleges only. – Principles of Emergency Services		 3

OEFS 114OEFS 114: Fire Behavior and Combustion - 3 cr.
Explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread and are controlled. Meets or exceeds NFPA standards. Community Colleges Only. – Fire Behavior and Combustion		 3
  OEFS 115OEFS 115: Hazardous Materials Responder - 4 cr.
Training for personnel expected to respond to and handle defensively, emergencies involving hazardous materials in order to protect people, property and the environment from as much exposure as possible. Preparation for Awareness Level I and Operations Level II. Meets or exceeds NFPA 471, 472, 473, OSHA 1910.120 part Q, HMER plan. – Hazardous Materials Responder		 4
  OEFS 120OEFS 120: Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply - 3 cr.
Provides a foundation of theoretical knowledge in order to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection and to apply hydraulic principles to analyze and to solve water supply problems. Meets or exceeds NFPA standards. Prerequisite: CCDM 114 or higher. – Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply		 3
  OEFS 126OEFS 126: Fire Prevention - 3 cr.
Provides fundamental information regarding the history and philosophy of fire prevention; organization and operation of fire prevention bureau; use of fire codes, identifications and correction of fire hazards; and the relationships of fire prevention with built-in fire protection systems, fire investigations, and fire and life safety education. Meets or exceeds NFPA 1031. – Fire Prevention		 3
  OEFS 130OEFS 130: Firefighter Safety - 3 cr.
Develops a working knowledge of fire scene safety and the responsibilities as a firefighter, as required by NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, and adopted by the authority having jurisdiction. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Restricted to majors. – Firefighter Safety		 3
  OEFS 203OEFS 203: Fire Administration - 3 cr.
Introduction to the organization and management of a fire department and the relationship of government agencies to the fire service. Emphasis on the fire service leadership from the perspective of the company officer. Meets or exceeds NFPA 1021, 1521, 1710. – Fire Administration		 3
  OEFS 210OEFS 210: Building Construction for Fire Protection - 3 cr.
Studies the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety with a focus on fire fighter 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. Meets or exceeds NFPA standards. – Building Construction for Fire Protection		 3
  OEFS 216OEFS 216: Chemistry of Hazardous Materials - 3 cr.
Educates the student on genetic make-up of chemicals to assist with the confrontation of unplanned hazardous materials releases, and how to eliminate and avert catastrophes. Meets or exceeds NFPA standards. – Chemistry of Hazardous Materials		 3
  OEFS 223OEFS 223: Fire Investigations - 3 cr.
Provides the student with theory on the principles of cause and origin determination, preservation of evidence, interview techniques, with special emphasis on the firefighter's role at the fire scene. Meets or exceeds NFPA 921, NFPA 1033 standards. Community Colleges Only. – Fire Investigations		 3
  OEFS 224OEFS 224: Firefighting Tactics and Strategy - 3 cr.
Efficient and effective utilization of manpower, equipment, and apparatus. Preplanning, ground organization problem solving, ground decision and attack tactics, and strategy as related to structural firefighting. Meets or exceeds NFPA 1710. Community Colleges Only. – Firefighting Tactics and Strategy 		3
  OEFS 225OEFS 225: Fire Protection Systems - 3 cr.
Features design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems, including heat and smoke control systems, special protection and sprinkler systems, water supply for fire protection, specialized extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers. Meets or exceeds NFPA standards. Community Colleges Only. – Fire Protection Systems		 3
 

OEFS-related electives chosen from the following list:

4


Certificate�Firefighter I (24 credits)


Core Requirements      24 Credits
  OEEM 120OEEM 120: Emergency Medical Technician Basic - 6 cr.
Covers EMT-Basic skills instruction to include care of soft tissue and muscular/ skeletal injuries, circulatory, nervous, general medical and respiratory systems emergencies. Corequisites: OEEM 101, OEEM 120L, and OEEM 121, or consent of instructor. Requires a C or better to pass. – Emergency Medical Technician Basic		 6
  OEEM 120 LOEEM 120 L: Emergency Medical Technician Basic Lab - 2 cr. (6P)
EMT-Basic skills development with emphasis on assessment, skills competency and team-work in patient care in the prehospital setting. Corequisites: OEEM 101 or OEEM 120, and OEEM 121, or consent of instructor. Requires a C or better to pass. – Emergency Medical Technician Basic Lab		 2
  OEEM 121OEEM 121: Emergency Medical Technician Basic Field/Clinical - 1 cr. (3P)
Covers the patient care experience provided through assigned shifts in the hospital and/or ambulance setting. Corequisites: OEEM 101, OEEM 120, and OEEM 120L, or consent of instructor. Requires a C or better to pass. – Emergency Medical Technician Basic Field/Clinical		 1
  OEFS 101OEFS 101: Basic Firefighter - 8 cr. (6+6P)
Basic concepts and methodologies of fire suppression. Meets or exceeds NFPA standards. Community Colleges Only. – Basic Firefighter		 8
  OEFS 115OEFS 115: Hazardous Materials Responder - 4 cr.
Training for personnel expected to respond to and handle defensively, emergencies involving hazardous materials in order to protect people, property and the environment from as much exposure as possible. Preparation for Awareness Level I and Operations Level II. Meets or exceeds NFPA 471, 472, 473, OSHA 1910.120 part Q, HMER plan. – Hazardous Materials Responder		 4
  OEFS 202OEFS 202: Wildland Fire Control - 1-3 cr.
Focuses on factors affecting wildland fire control and prevention, fire behavior, control techniques, command structure and other operations including Standards for Survival I-100, S-130 and S-190 Meets or exceeds NWCG Training Curriculum and NFPA 1051 standards. Community Colleges Only. – Wildland Fire Control		 3