Program Statement
The mission of the Fire Science program is to provide safe, progressive, and standards-based firefighting education and training to future and current fire and emergency services personnel.
The Fire Science program values diversity, including diversity of thought, understanding that populations are best served when fire and emergency services organizations reflect the diversity of the community.
The Fire Science program is concerned with developing leadership and followership skill and ability, providing students with principles to lead positive change in fire and emergency services.
Nationally, fire and emergency service organizations are facing unprecedented challenges. As such, Fire Science students will be encouraged to think critically and creatively about solving problems. Students will be challenged to think from divergent and contrarian perspectives.
Healthy fire and emergency services personnel are essential to community safety. A strong emphasis on firefighter resilience and community resilience are benchmarks of the Fire Science program.
Ultimately, students in the Fire Science program will gain a broad educational background in fire and emergency services, preparing them for several points of entry in the fire and emergency services fields. Current fire and emergency services personnel will enhance their knowledge, skill, and ability and will be prepared for promotional opportunities and leading crews safely.
Student Expectations
- Honest with themselves, their team, and the public
- Compassionate and kind in caring for those they serve
- Mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy and balanced
- Strong team players who enjoying working as members of a crew
- Hands-on doers who are comfortable and happy being outdoors
- Stress tolerant and able to work in dangerous and changing situations
- Willing to risk their lives, in a highly calculated manner, to save “savable” lives
See our website at www.msubillings.edu/citycollege/programs/ProgFireScience.htm
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Describe and perform select firefighter skills safely in compliance with current National Fire Protection Association 1001 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications.
- Comprehend and demonstrate a variety of leadership and incident command skills.
- Compile a firefighter safety and resiliency portfolio of mental and physical skills to handle firefighter stress and risk.
- Describe and perform select apparatus operator skills safely in compliance with current NFPA 1002 Standard for Fire Apparatus Pumper/Operator Professional Qualifications
- Identify aspects of fire prevention and fire protection, what legal roles they play in the fire service, and how public and firefighter education is achieved
Required Courses
It is highly recommended that all students take Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training before graduation.
