Fire College/Career Links
Have you ever thought of a career in the field of fire science, public safety, emergency management, engineering, or the military?
Do you want to learn more than your local fire academy can offer you?
Do you want to gain more knowledge, experience and be a cut above the rest?
If you are thinking about becoming a professional firefighter or you want to enter a related field, you will need a college education at some point in your career if you want to move up in the ranks. Most fully professional departments are requiring college degrees for advancement to officer positions. Also, larger companies that seek people in these areas require a minimum of an Associates Degree and/or military experience.
The military is an excellent place to get your start whether you are straight out of high school or you have been in the workforce for a couple of years. The military includes the Coast Guard, National Guard, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines. It is an excellent place to gain job experience and to receive money for college through the Montgomery GI Bill. Basically, the Montgomery GI Bill gives each member that enters a branch of the armed forces, money to use for education after they leave their respective branch of service. The amount that you receive is based on the amount of time you spend in the service. Also, some military training qualifies as college credit and college classes are offered while you are enlisted. If your situation will not allow you to go full-time, try going part-time in the military or this is better known as the Reserves. Each branch of the military has Reserves that are stationed close to your home and you only have to spend one weekend a month on duty. You can gain extra income and money for college. Willow Grove Naval Air Station is the closest location for the U. S. Navy that has airport firefighting equipment and a Navy Reserve Unit. Also, the last time that I checked, the Army Reserves has a Wildland Firefighting detachment in Norristown. Check it out in the links below.
In the private or business sector, military service and/or a college degree in fire science, public safety, or fire protection engineering can land you a job in an industrial fire brigade; in sprinkler system design, installation, and service; in the insurance industry, law enforcement, environmental health and safety; in the pharmaceutical, petroleum, and gas industries, and many many more. Top Fortune 500 companies like Merck, DuPont, Lucent, Sunoco, and Glaxo Smith-Kline maintain their own fire companies on site. These fire companies include all of the necessary apparatus, equipment, and even ambulances to provide on-the-spot service in the event of an emergency. There are probably more opportunities out there than you ever thought.
Military Career Links
Go to the Air Force's Enlisted Careers Page and search for Fire Protection Apprentice under the "Operations" category
Go to U. S. Army's Jobs Page and search under Protective Services for emergency management specialists and firefighters positions. Also check under health care for medical specialist positions.
U. S. Navy Emergency, Fire, & Rescue Jobs
Traditional Colleges
Bachelor's Degree in Emergency Administration and Management at Arkansas Technical University
Bachelors and Masters programs in Fire Service Management at Arizona State University East. An on-line program is being considered.
Associate's Degree in Fire Science at Bucks County Community College Newtown, PA
Associate's Degree in Fire Science & Administration at the Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA
Associate's Degree in Fire Science at the Community College of Philadelphia, PA.
Associate's Degree in Fire Protection Engineering at Delaware Tech Bear, DE.
Associates or Bachelors Degree in Emergency Medical Services at Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
Associates degree in Fire Science at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA
B.A. Degree in Fire Science & Public Safety Administration at Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA.
B.A. Degree in Fire and Emergency Services from City University's John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY.
Associate's Degree in Fire Science at the Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell, PA.
Associates of Applied Sciences degree in Emergency Services Technology at Northampton Community College
B.S. Degree in Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland College Park, MD.
Master's Degree in Fire and Emergency Management at Oklahoma State University.
Master's Degree in Public Safety or Environmental Heath Environmental Protection at St. Joseph's University Philadelphia
On-line Colleges
That's right, earn your degree at home in your spare time
B.S. Degree in Occupational Health and Safety/Fire Science at Columbia Southern University
Associates Degree in Fire Science at Keiser College
B.S. Degree and also Masters in Fire & Emergency Services at the University of Florida
B.S. Degree in Fire Science at the University of Maryland-University College
B.S. in Fire Safety and Protection at West Texas A&M