Hazardous Materials Specialist
Associate of Science Fire Science Technology · Palo Verde College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Credits: 60.0 - 64.0
The program prepares individuals to perform the duties of fire fighters. This includes instruction in fire-fighting equipment operation and maintenance, principles of fire science and combustible substances, methods of controlling different types of fires, hazardous material handling and control, fire rescue procedures, public relations and applicable laws and regulations.
Program Outcomes
- Acquired fundamental grounding in communications, science, mathematics, humanities, the social sciences and self-development in preparation for an occupation, and possible transfer to a four-year institution.
- Demonstrated knowledge of fire-fighting equipment, operation and maintenance, principles of fire science and combustible substances, methods of controlling different types of fires hazardous materials handling, fire rescue procedures, public relations and applicable laws and regulations.
Program Requirements
Required Core Courses - Total 13.5 - 14 Credits
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| FST 150 | Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational Level | 0.75-1 |
| FST 152 | Haz Mat Technician 1A: Basic Chemistry | 2 |
| FST 153 | Haz Mat Technician 1B: Applied Chemistry | 1.75 |
| FST 154 | Haz Mat Technician 1C: Incident Considerations | 1.75 |
| FST 157 | Haz Mat Specialist 1F: Specialized Mitigation Techniques | 1.75 |
| FST 155 | Haz Mat Technician 1D: Tactical Field Operations | 1.75 |
| FST 158 | Haz Mat Specialist 1G: Tactical Field Operations | 1.75 |
| FST 162 | I-300: Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS) | 1-1.25 |
| FST 183 | Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction | 1 |
Unrestricted Electives - Total 12 Credits
12 additional units in any of the FST 100 level or above
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| FST 100 | American Red Cross | 2.5 |
| FST 102 | Introduction to Fire Science | 3 |
| FST 106 | Auto Extrication | 0.5 |
| FST 107 | Driver/Operator: Aerial/Truck Operations | 1.25 |
| FST 111 | River and Flood Rescue Technician | 1 |
| FST 112 | Personal Water Craft Rescue | 0.5 |
| FST 113 | Rescue Boat Operations | 0.75 |
| FST 115 | Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A: Emergency Vehicle Operations | 1.5 |
| FST 116 | Fire Apparatus Driver/ Operator 1B Pump Operations | 1.5 |
| FST 119 | Fire Control 6 Wildland Firefighting Essentials | 0.75 |
| FST 120 | Firefighter Survival | 0.5 |
| FST 123 | Fire Control 3B: Structural Firefighting in Live-Fire Simulators | 0.25 |
| FST 124 | Fire Control 3A: Structural Firefighting in Acquired Structures | 0.25 |
| FST 125 | Surface Rescue Boat Technician | 0.25-0.75 |
| FST 126 | River and Flood Motorized Rescue Boat Technician | 0.5 |
| FST 148 | S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior | 0.25 |
| FST 151 | Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness Level | 0.25 |
| FST 156 | Trench Rescue Technician | 0.5 |
| FST 159 | I-200 Basic Incident Command System (ICS) | 0.5-0.75 |
| FST 161 | Hazmat Incident Command System | 1 |
| FST 162 | I-300: Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS) | 1-1.25 |
| FST 163 | I-400: Advanced Incident Command System (ICS) | 0.75 |
| FST 165 | Confined Space Rescue Technician | 1 |
| FST 166 | Confined Space Rescue Awareness | 0.25 |
| FST 173 | Rescue Systems 1: Basic Rescue Skills | 2 |
| FST 174 | Rescue Systems 2: Advanced Rescue Skills | 2 |
| FST 175 | Low Angle Rope Rescue Operational | 0.5 |
| FST 219 | Rescue Systems 3: Structural Collapse Technician | 0.5 |
| FST 222 | Hazardous Materials Technician for Industry | 2 |
| FST 223 | Hazardous Materials Incident Commander | 0.75 |
| FST 224 | Instructor 1: Instructional Methodology | 2 |
| FST 226 | Instructor II: Instructional Development | 2 |
| FST 229 | CERT - Community Emergency Response Team | 0.5-1 |
| FST 240 | Fire Prevention 1: Fire and Life Safety Inspections For Company Officer | 1.5 |
| FST 241 | Fire Investigation 1A: Fire Origin and Cause Determination | 2 |
| FST 242 | Fire Investigation 1B: Techniques of Fire Investigation | 2 |
| FST 243 | Fire Investigation 2A: Criminal and Legal Procedures | 2 |
| FST 245 | Company Officer 2A: Human Resource Management | 2 |
| FST 246 | Company Officer 2B: General Administrative Functions | 1 |
| FST 247 | Company Officer 2C: Fire Inspections and Investigations | 2 |
| FST 248 | Company Officer 2D: All- Risk Command Operations | 2 |
| FST 249 | Company Officer 2E: Wildland Incident Operations | 2 |
| FST 251 | Hazardous Material Technician Specialist Refresher II | 1 |
| FST 252 | Chief Fire Officer 3A: Human Resource Management | 1.25 |
| FST 253 | Chief Officer 3B: Budget and Fiscal Responsibilities | 1 |
| FST 254 | Chief Fire Officer 3C: General Administration Functions | 1.25 |
| FST 256 | Chief Fire Officer 3D: Emergency Service Delivery Responsibilities | 1.25 |
| FST 257 | Fire Inspector 1A: Duties and Administration | 1.25 |
| FST 259 | Fire Inspector 1C: Field Inspection | 1.25 |
| FST 258 | Fire Inspector 1B: Fire and Life Safety | 1.25 |
| FST 261 | Fire Inspector 2A: Fire Prevention Administration | 0.75 |
| FST 263 | Fire Inspector 2C:Inspect New & Exist Fire & Life Safety Sys & Equip | 0.75 |
| FST 266 | Haz Mat Emergency Response: First Responder Operations-Decontamination | 0.25 |
| FST 268 | HazMat/Weapons of Mass Destruction: Assist Safety Officer | 0.75 |
| FST 269 | Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Technician- Private Industry | 1 |
| FST 272 | S-290: Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior | 1.75 |
| FST 273 | Fire Instructor III: Instructional Program Management | 2 |
| FST 274 | Fire Control 5A; Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Initial Training | 1.75 |
| FST 276 | Open Water Rescuer-Basic | 0.5 |
| FST 275 | Fire Control 5B; Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Live Fire Drill | 0.25 |
| FST 277 | Rope Rescue Technician/ High Angle Rescue | 1 |
| FST 250 | HAZ MAT-Technician/ Specialist Refresher I | 0.25-0.75 |
| FST 260 | Fire Inspector 1D: Field Inspection-California Specific | 0.75 |
| FST 262 | Fire Inspector 2B: Fire and Life Safety Requirements | 1.25 |
| FST 263 - Fire Inspector 2C:Inspect New & Exist Fire & Life Safety Sys & Equip Credits: 0.75 | ||
| FST 290 | Selected Studies in Fire Science Technology | 0.25-6 |
| FST 110 | River and Flood Water Rescue Operations | 0.5 |
| FST 221 | S404 Safety Officer | 1.5 |
CalGETC
- In addition to the Core Courses required for the A.S. Degree Hazardous Materials Specialist, students will also be required to meet the Associate Degree Requirements and the General Education Requirements. Credits: 34 - 38