Company Officer Certification

Summary

The Fire Protection Technology program offers degrees and certificates in a number of fields associated with the technology of fire protection, rescue, and public safety. The program provides theory and training necessary for successful performance in a variety of settings and positions. Emphasis is placed on modern methods of fire prevention, fire suppression, fire service management, open water lifeguarding, and public safety.

It is highly recommended for Entry Level Firefighter students to concentrate on starting with the EMT certification courses, FIPT 101 and FIPT 100. After successfully completing the EMT course, students are eligible to attend the fire academy. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the SFT Firefighter I Academy are eligible for the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seal.

Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Company Officer Certification Program will be able to:

1. Identify and comprehend laws, regulations, codes and standards that influence fire department operations, and identify regulatory and advisory organizations that create and mandate them, especially in the areas of fire prevention, building codes and ordinances, and firefighter health and safety.
2. Demonstrate the ability to analyze, appraise and evaluate fire and emergency incidents and identify components of emergency management and fire fighter safety including: Size-up, report on conditions, Incident Command System; RECEO; 10 Standard Firefighting Orders; 18 Situations that Shout “Watch Out “; and common factors associated with injuries and line of duty deaths.
3. Identify and describe common types of building construction and conditions associated with structural collapse and firefighter safety. Differentiate between fire detection and fire suppression systems. Student will design and diagram a wet and dry fire protection system and identify alarm system components and their operations.
4. Identify and describe the apparatus used in the fire service, and the equipment and maintenance of fire apparatus and equipment.
5. Analyze the causes of fire, determine extinguishing agents and methods, differentiate the stages of the fire and fire development, and compare methods of heat transfer.
6. Identify minimum qualifications and entry level skills for firefighter hiring. The student will be able to describe the following elements: application process; written exam process; physical agility exam, oral interview, chief’s interview; background investigation; and fire fighter probationary process. Students will identify fire service history, culture and diversity.
7. Calculate flow requirements for fire apparatus, diagram a pump and plumbing schematic for fire apparatus, and apply mathematic formulae to hydraulics problems.

Admission Criteria

The Miramar Fire Technology program offers an option for students to earn their State Fire Training Firefighter I Certification required for entry-level employment by attending a “cohort” of courses on campus. Students interested in attending the On Campus Fire Academy option should visit the Fire Technology Program website to review the application process and requirements to attend. The cohort of courses will be offered in sequence during the Fall and Spring Semesters. The courses include: FIPT 150W, 150A, 150B, 150C, 150T, 322A, 322C, 322F, 323B, 324A, 381G, and 322D. The FIPT 381G Skills Review and Certification course includes the State Fire Training Written and Skills Exam for Structure, Wildland and Hazardous Materials meeting the IFSAC and ProBoard Accreditation. Live Fire Control 3B Certification is provided as an accreditation requirement for Firefighter I Certification. The Certification of Completion and course hours are identical to the traditional Regional Accredited Fire Academy. There are three prerequisites that must be completed prior to the start of the Fire Academy: 1. Completion of EMT course 2. FIPT 101, Fire Protection Organization 3. FACD 100D, Fire Department Testing Procedures.

CAL FIRE Hiring Requirements

The Miramar Fire Academy is partnered with CAL FIRE San Diego and meets all requirements for all eligible entry level employment. Students interested in working for CAL FIRE are encouraged to complete the Firefighter 1 Academy to be considered for employment. The courses also prepare the student to enter a fire academy, depending upon the employer.

Safety and Minimum Requirements

Due to safety concerns, as well as minimum requirement by regulatory agencies, potential students should be aware applicable courses may require participants to demonstrate physically demanding skills, along with both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. The Department may impose physical qualifications for participation when a physical ability is validly deemed essential. If you have any concerns as to your ability to safely participate in these courses, please contact the Fire Academy Director at 619-388-7737.

Requirements