This degree is designed to prepare students for the American fire service, either as a volunteer or career fire fighter. The basics of fire science, equipment, organization, fire service occupational safety and health, investigations, codes and fire detection will be covered. The two-year degree program provides comprehensive technical training and general education course work necessary for employment and job advancement.
Students completing this program can continue with Colorado Mountain College to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in Leadership & Management. Colorado Mountain College and Colorado Mesa University (CMU) have also signed an agreement that allows students to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Administration/Public Safety. CMU will accept a maximum of 60 credits from the completed AAS Fire Science Technology degree. Additionally, CMU will allow students to take the next 30 credits of designated lower division general education courses from CMC to be applied to the BAS. CMU requires that students complete the last 30 credits with them. CMU offers a number of upper division courses via distance education. Please consult with your advisor.
Students must demonstrate college-level proficiency levels in composition, reading, and mathematics as prerequisites for courses within this degree. Skills in these areas may affect the sequence in which students can enroll and may also extend the time required to complete this program. For more details, please see the Academic Placement and Testing section.
Students considering a career in firefighting should consult with the Fire Science Program Coordinator prior to enrolling in classes for the first time. Students enrolling in FST 100 must provide documentation of successful completion of a CPAT test within 12 months prior to the start date of the class. Students who do not provide this documentation will not be enrolled in this class. College credit for the CPAT is based upon the Credit for Life Experiences process . Students must meet with the Fire Science Technology Program Coordinator to initiate this process. All questions regarding the CPAT must be directed to the Program Coordinator. Please contact Chuck House at 970-569-2921 or chouse@coloradomtn.edu.
Graduates of the program will receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science Technology.
Fire Science Technology is offered at Colorado Mountain College in Vail Valley at Edwards. This program is also offered at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville via hybrid courses; some travel to Edwards and/or Dotsero may be required for lab work. Contact those locations for course schedule information. Please see your advisor for a recommended sequence of courses.
CMC also offers certificates in Fire Academy I , Fire Academy II , Fire Department Company Officer , Fire Investigation , Fire Prevention Code Enforcement , and Driver Operator .
Learn more about the Fire Science Technology Program
