Fire Science
Beyond any other profession, firefighting exemplifies responsibility and courage. The desire to work in this profession is fueled by a value of life and an instinct to protect it. The Fire Science offerings at CBC are designed to assist students just beginning their journey or propelling those already employed as fire fighters. The CBC Fire Science program will assist you in developing new skills and strengthening those that already exist. An education at CBC better prepares students to protect their community while giving them an edge in a well-respected, well-compensated career field.
CBC offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Fire Science. Students enrolled in the Fire Science program will complete general education courses in industrial, social, political and economic concepts relating to the field of fire science. In addition, students will be exposed to courses in fire administration, tactics, inspection, investigation, hazardous materials and more. Firefighters possessing such a comprehensive background will increase their chances of career advancement and will be better prepared to protect the community. The updated degree requirements also provide flexibility to students preparing for multiple career options, including Paramedic.
CBC Fire Science program provides a pathway to higher education with transferability to several other universities offering BS degrees in fields such as fire service administration, EMS administration or in conjunction with the Paramedic program, a BS in Paramedicine.
To earn an Associate in Applied Science degree, candidates must accumulate the required credit hours in the Fire Science program. Classes are held in the evenings on a two-year rotation. There is not a separate application process to be accepted into the fire science program.
Degrees and Certificates
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Fire Science Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree 24-25
Courses
FS 100: Introduction to Fire Service [RE]
Credits 1This course is designed to give students a broad understanding of the fire service in the United States. The course focuses on history, organization, and the primary components that make up the various forms of fire protection services in America today. This course is required for those students having no previous exposure to the fire service such as Tri-Tech Fire Science courses or IFSAC FF I certification.
FS 111: Fire Administration [RE]
Credits 3Management in the fire service explores the skills and techniques used by competent management in business, government, and voluntary organizations, with particular emphasis on their application to the fire service.
Prerequisite
Completion of FS 100, FS 121, FS 131, FS 141, FS 151, FS 211, FS 231, FS 241, and FS 251, all with a 1.0 or better.
FS 121: Fire Tactics [RE]
Credits 3Discussion of basic firefighting tactics of company response, including size-up rescue, exposure, ventilation and fire problems, and tactics used.
FS 131: Introduction to Fire Inspections [RE]
Credits 3A course designed to give the new inspector or firefighter a basic concept of inspections that deal with fire hazards, authority to inspect, and how to conduct a pre-fire plan.
FS 141: Chemistry of Hazardous Materials [RE]
Credits 3This course is a survey of hazardous materials, their physical properties, chemical properties, and how they relate to emergency first responders who are called to manage events related to the release of hazardous materials. This course is intended for individuals who are majoring in Fire Science or who are enrolled in the Washington State Firefighter Apprenticeship program.
FS 151: Hazardous Materials for First Responders [RE]
Credits 3This course is a survey of hazardous materials, their physical properties, chemical properties, and how they relate to emergency first responders who are called to manage events related to the release of hazardous materials. This course in intended for individuals who are majoring in Fire Science or who are enrolled in the Washington State Firefighter Apprenticeship program.
FS 193: Fire Science Independent Studies [RE]
Credits 4A class used to explore new coursework or for a specific topic of special interest.
FS 211: Building Construction [RE]
Credits 3This course is designed to give the firefighter an understanding of the basics of building construction as it pertains to the fire service. This class is designed to prepare the student for assessing construction types and weaknesses for structural firefighting.
FS 222: Fire Tactics II [RE]
Credits 3This course includes planning, implementing, and evaluating basic and advanced fire tactics at the command officer level.
Prerequisite
Completion of FS 121 with a 0.7 or higher.
FS 231: Fire Protection Equipment [RE]
Credits 3This course is designed to give students a clear understanding of the principles and limitations of fire suppression and detection systems, and their role in fire department emergency operations.
FS 241: Fire Investigation [RE]
Credits 3This course includes methods of determining the area of fire origin, fire causes, fire spread, and the aspects of fire behavior; recognizing accidental and incendiary fires and securing and preserving evidence. Witness interrogation methods, arson laws, court procedures, and review of case histories are discussed.
FS 251: Fire Service Hydraulics [RE]
Credits 3This course is designed to give the firefighter an understanding of municipal water systems, principles of fluids, water in motion, formulas for calculating water flow and pressure, fire flow requirements, and basic fire stream calculations. This course prepares students, in part, for fire apparatus pump operations.
FS 293: Fire Science Independent Studies [RE]
Credits 1 10A class used to explore new coursework or for a specific topic of special interest.