Program Information
Did you dream of being a firefighter when you were growing up? Many do, but few pursue becoming a true hero. If it is your dream to help save lives, then let San Jacinto College help you get on your way!
The San Jacinto College Firefighter Training Academy:
- Is for aspiring firefighters looking to meet and exceed all state requirements to prepare students for a career as a firefighter; and
- Prepares students to take the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Suppression Exam that certifies students for entry-level firefighter positions statewide.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in firefighting is for academy graduates and current firefighters and provides additional fire-related education and certification opportunities. Students can find more information on the College website for the Fire Protection Technology program.
Career Opportunities
Students who successfully complete the program requirements and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Suppression certification exam will be able to work as firefighters in the state of Texas. Through international accreditation agreements, certified firefighters will also be able to work as firefighters in many other states.
Career opportunities include:
- Fire inspector,
- Fire investigator,
- Hazardous materials emergency response, and
- Emergency management.
Earning Potential
Firefighter: $51,388 per year1
- 1
Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2022
For more information, students may contact 281-476-1834.
Campus
Maritime Campus
Information
The Fire Protection Technology program at San Jacinto College offers two different educational programs for aspiring and current firefighters.
For aspiring firefighters, the College offers the Firefighter Training Academy. The academy meets and exceeds all state requirements for paid/career firefighters. Students seeking an entry-level firefighter position should begin here with further information below regarding the Firefighter Training Academy.
For academy graduates and current firefighters, the College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in firefighting. This program provides additional fire-related education and certification opportunities as well as courses in general education.
Students in the Fire Protection Technology program must be potentially eligible to participate in certification examinations for firefighters upon successful completion of the prescribed course work. An applicant who has been convicted of a felony, implicated in substance abuse, or involved in activities considered inappropriate by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection may be ineligible to participate in the certification examination. Such an applicant should contact the Texas Commission on Fire Protection in Austin, Texas, for guidance in petitioning the Commission for a decision of eligibility. A copy of the Commission’s statement of eligibility should be submitted to San Jacinto College’s Fire Protection Technology Chief Training Officer.
Firefighter Training Academy
The following courses meet and exceed the Texas Commission on Fire Protection’s curriculum requirements for Basic Fire Suppression Certification. Students who are not currently certified as an Emergency Medical Technician--Basic or higher will also need to complete the Emergency Medical Technician--Basic course. Students may contact the Fire Protection Technology program at 281-476-1834 for further information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FIRS 1301 | Firefighter Certification I | 3 |
| FIRS 1407 | Firefighter Certification II | 4 |
| FIRS 1313 | Firefighter Certification III | 3 |
| FIRS 1319 | Firefighter Certification IV | 3 |
| FIRS 1423 | Firefighter Certification V | 4 |
| FIRS 1329 | Firefighter Certification VI | 3 |
| FIRS 1433 | Firefighter Certification VII | 4 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Academy Information
New academy classes begin during summer and fall semesters. Students may contact the Fire Protection Technology office for specific schedules and registration information. The College suggests that students contact the Fire Protection Technology office a term in advance of anticipated enrollment, as classes fill quickly.
Firefighter Training Academy cadets must undergo a medical examination as defined in NFPA 1582, and submit approval documentation to the program’s Chief Training Officer. Students not completing, or failing, the medical examination are not eligible to continue in the academy and will be withdrawn.
Administrative withdrawal from any San Jacinto College course due to disciplinary action shall result in administrative withdrawal from the Firefighter Training Academy.
Certification Information
San Jacinto College Fire Protection courses fulfill the educational requirements for numerous fire service certifications. Students may contact the Fire Protection Technology program on the Maritime campus for specific information.
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Persons who are currently certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection may enter the program with special permission from the Department Chair. Under this provision, Firefighter–Basic Certification is accepted in lieu of completion of the following Fire Protection courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FIRS 1301 | Firefighter Certification I | 3 |
| FIRS 1407 | Firefighter Certification II | 4 |
| FIRS 1313 | Firefighter Certification III | 3 |
| FIRS 1319 | Firefighter Certification IV | 3 |
| FIRS 1423 | Firefighter Certification V | 4 |
| FIRS 1329 | Firefighter Certification VI | 3 |
| FIRS 1433 | Firefighter Certification VII | 4 |
Prospective students must satisfy the general admission requirements of the College and provide satisfactory evidence of Basic Firefighter Certification to the Fire Protection Technology Department Chair and the Registrar.
Plan of Study
3FIRE-PROT
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| FIRS 1301 | Firefighter Certification I | 3 |
| FIRS 1407 | Firefighter Certification II | 4 |
| FIRS 1313 | Firefighter Certification III | 3 |
| FIRS 1423 | Firefighter Certification V | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Term | ||
| FIRS 1319 | Firefighter Certification IV | 3 |
| FIRS 1329 | Firefighter Certification VI | 3 |
| FIRS 1433 | Firefighter Certification VII | 4 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Third Term | ||
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture (Humanities) or Creative Arts (Fine Arts) | 3 | |
| FIRT 1327 | Building Construction for the Fire Service | 3 |
| FIRT 1305 | Public Education Programs | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| ENGL 2311 | Technical and Business Writing | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Business and Professional Speech | ||
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer Year Two Term | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences or Government/Political Science or American History | 3 | |
| FIRT 1319 | Firefighter Health and Safety | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Capstone Experience: Verification of workplace competencies: Eligible for Credential Exams - Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Fire Suppression
Approved Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FIRS 2450 | Hazardous Materials Technician | 4 |
| FIRT 1338 | Fire Protection Systems | 3 |
| FIRT 1342 | Fire Officer I | 3 |
| FIRT 1343 | Fire Officer II | 3 |
| FIRT 1370 | Technical Rope Rescue I | 3 |
| FIRT 1408 | Fire Inspector I | 4 |
| FIRT 1440 | Fire Inspector II | 4 |
| FIRT 1450 | Fire Investigator | 4 |
| FIRT 2305 | Fire Instructor I | 3 |
| FIRT 2309 | Firefighting Strategies and Tactics I | 3 |
| FIRT 2331 | Firefighting Strategies and Tactics II | 3 |
| FIRT 2351 | Company Fire Officer | 3 |
| FIRT 2356 | Fire Officer III | 3 |
| FIRT 2357 | Fire Officer IV | 3 |
| FIRT 2370 | Technical Rope Rescue II | 3 |