Program Overview
Graduates of Rock Valley College’s Fire Science program are prepared to enter a career in the fire service or expand their current fire service professional options. Students will gain knowledge in a wide variety of subjects including, Fire Suppression, Building Construction, Rescue Practices, Hazardous Materials, Fire Prevention & Protection, Emergency Medical Services, and Fire Service Leadership. The Fire Science Program at RVC offers two learning opportunities for students:
- Apprenticeship Sequence: Aimed at college students with no previous firefighting experience. This option prepares students for an entry level position on a fire department; instruction includes classroom lecture, practical firefighting training, and an internship with an area fire department.
- Non-Apprenticeship Sequence: Intended for firefighters who wish to expand their knowledge base and enhance current skills for personal growth and/or advancement while earning a degree.
Work and Employment
Graduates have secured positions in; firefighting, fire protection and prevention, fire service instruction, dispatch/communications, fire equipment and manufacturing sales, emergency medical services, and volunteer fire protection. With additional training, graduates may enter into a variety of fire service specialty fields such as fire inspection and fire investigation.
More about the Program
Illinois currently allows for educational preference points for those applicants who possess an A.A.S. degree in Fire Science. While most fire departments follow standard hiring practices, each fire department may have specific requirements and/or practices. Interested students should consult with the Fire Science Program Coordinator or an Academic Advisor.
Transfer Opportunities
Graduates of this program may transfer to Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) to pursue the Bachelor of Science B.S. in Public Safety Management. Students are advised to contact SIUC’s program representative at: siufire@siu.edu.
Requirements
Apprenticeship Sequence
Intended for traditional college students
Semester I - FALL
| FRE-101 | Introduction to Fire Protection | 3 |
| FRE-104 | Fire Behavior and Combustion | 3 |
| FRE-223 | Emergency Medical Technician/Basic | 9 |
Semester II - SPRING
| FRE-106 | Rescue Practices | 3 |
| FRE-118 | Building Construction for Fire Protection | 3 |
| FRE-208 | Fire Prevention Principles | 3 |
Semester III - FALL
| FRE-103 | Hazardous Materials Operations | 3 |
| FRE-180 | Essentials of Firefighting I | 3 |
| FRE-181 | Essentials of Firefighting II | 3 |
| FRE-182 | Essentials of Firefighting III | 3 |
| FRE-209 | Fire Protection Systems | 3 |
Semester IV - SPRING
| FRE-102 | Fire Apparatus Engineer | 3 |
| FRE-205 | Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety & Survival | 3 |
| FRE-240 | Fire Protection Internship | 1-6 |
Non-Apprenticeship Sequence
Intended for fire service personnel
Escrow credit will be given for Basic Operations Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician certification.
| Basic Operations Firefighter | 9 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | 9 |
Semester I - FALL
| FRE-101 | Introduction to Fire Protection | 3 |
| FRE-104 | Fire Behavior and Combustion | 3 |
Semester II - SPRING
| FRE-106 | Rescue Practices | 3 |
| FRE-118 | Building Construction for Fire Protection | 3 |
| FRE-205 | Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety & Survival | 3 |
| FRE-208 | Fire Prevention Principles | 3 |
Semester III - FALL
Nine (9) credit hours will be taken from the following list of courses:
General Education
Required General Education Courses:
MTH 100: Or greater.
Select one course with a lab from the Life Sciences or Physical Sciences area.
Note: CHM 105 is strongly recommended.