Academics Program Finder Protective Services Fire Science

Fire Science

Program Type: Face-to-Face, Fully Online
Program Level: Degrees, Certificates, Online
Department: Protective Services
Institute: Public Service
College: SAC
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What is the program?

San Antonio College's (SAC) Fire Science program is designed to prepare the individual for a career in fire service and provide the opportunity for professional firefighters to achieve an Associates of Applied Science (AAS) Degree for career advancement.

The program offers two Associate of Applied Science A.A.S. degree tracts, as well as a Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), approved basic structural firefighter academy.

  • Fire Science/Fire Fighting with an Emphasis in Homeland Security, A.A.S. ♦︎
    • The Fire Science / Fire Fighting with an Emphasis in Homeland Security program reflects the assessed needs of the community for careers in the fire service and the need for trained professionals in disaster preparedness.
    • Certified firefighters can receive college credit for TFFP, IFSAC, or ProBoard Fire Inspector certification
    • 100% online
  • Fire Service Leadership, A.A.S. ♦︎ 
    • The Fire Service Leadership Program reflects the assessed needs of the community for careers in the fire service and in fire service management.
    • Certified firefighters can receive college credit for TFFP, IFSAC, or ProBoard Fire Inspector, Fire Officer I & II, Fire Instructor I & II. Incident Safety Officer, and Haz-Mat Incident commander certifications.
    • 100% online
  • Firefighter / Basic, Level I Certificate
    • The SAC Regional Fire Academy (RFA) is part of the TCFP firefighter certification process. Prior to being appointed to fire suppression duties, personnel must complete a Commission-approved basic structure fire suppression program and successfully complete a Commission-recognized emergency medical course.
    • Required to get your Texas firefighter certification
    • For more information click HERE

♦ This symbol indicates the offering is also available fully online.

 What's special about the program?

  • Instructors in this program are seasoned veterans in the fire service with many years of cumulative teaching and operational experience.
  • Both A.A.S. Degrees are Modeled on the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) national curriculum in Fire Science.
  • Tuition Exemption for Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Science courses
    • This program provides an exemption from tuition and laboratory fees to eligible persons employed as firefighters by a political subdivision of this state or who are active members of an eligible organized volunteer fire department in this state. Texas Education Code,  § 54.353

                  Visit College for All Texans for more information.

What will I learn?

The Fire Service Leadership A.A.S. and Fire Science / Fire Fighting with an emphasis on Homeland Security A.A.S. offer professional firefighters a broader education through advanced technical and general education courses. Both degrees are designed to provide students with foundational skills in firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting tactics/strategies, and disaster preparedness.

What can I do with this course of study?

You can increase career opportunities in your field by possessing an AAS degree in Fire Sciences.  Courses at San Antonio College can be used to apply for higher levels of firefighter certification through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP). In addition, some departments offer incentive pay for earning a degree or raising your firefighter certification level.

Top positions in fire departments and the emergency services industry are generally reserved for those who can keep up with technological advances and other developments in the field.

Students who earn their Associate of Applied Science in Fire Service Leadership and Fire Science / Fire Fighting with an emphasis on Homeland Security A.A.S. can look for work as firefighters, fire inspectors, fire investigators, first-line supervisors, and managers of firefighting, among other positions. These degrees also prepares students who are looking to continue their education with the foundation to earn bachelor's and master's degrees.

Courses Offered by Semester

Fall Semester

FIRT 1301 Fundamentals of Fire Protection

FIRT 1307 Fire Prevention Codes and Inspections

FIRT 1333 Fire Chemistry I

FIRT 1342 Fire Officer I

FIRT 2305 Fire Instructor I

FIRT 2309 Firefighter Strategies & Tactics I

Spring Semester

FIRT 1319 Firefighter Health & Safety

FIRT 1329 Building Codes & Construction

FIRT 1338 Fire Protection Systems

FIRT 1353 Legal Aspects

FIRT 1443 Fire Officer II

FIRT 2307 Fire Instructor II

FIRT 2319 Fire Chemistry II

FIRT 2331 Firefighter Strategies & Tactics II

Summer Semester

FIRT 1315 Hazardous Materials I

FIRT 2111 Incident Safety Officer (Summer I)

FIRT 2112 Hazardous Materials Incident Command (Summer II)

Faculty

Program's Instructors

Eric Cadena, Adjunct Faculty

Manuel Casarez, Adjunct Faculty

Martin D. Davila, Faculty

Daniel Reese, Adjunct Faculty

Let's Get Started

SAC enrollment process allows steps to be completed remotely by students.  Please follow the 1,2,3,4 Steps.

STEP 1: Registration

A. Welcome Center

The center provides assistance with the following:

  • Apply Texas application for admission
    • Completion of the SAC enrollment steps and    AlamoEnroll modules
  • Submission of official transcripts, Bacterial Meningitis, and other important documents
  • New Student Orientation Sign-Up
    • New student orientation is mandatory for all student entering SAC for the first time.
  • Enrollment Coach assistance

Contact:

B. Financial Aid Office

The Financial Aid Office offers assistance in applying, processing, and maintaining financial aid.

Contact:

 C. Assessment Center

The Assessment and Testing Center  provides assistance with

  • Test Administration of the TSI Exam for college placement
  • Evaluate student's TSI status

Contact:

STEP 2: Enrollment

A. Advising

Certified Advisors provide a variety of advising services including, but not limited to answering the following questions:

  • What degree do I follow?
  • What classes do I take?
  • Do I get credit for my certifications and training?
    • Advance Standing
  • How close am I to graduating?
  • When do I apply for graduation?
  • I have enrollment holds, what do I do?
  • How do I declare my major?

Contact:

 C. Ready to Enroll

STEP 3 Tuition Exemption

TUITION EXEMPTIONS INSTRUCTIONS

Submission of Tuition Exemptions

Term Tuition Exemption First Day to Submit Tuition Exemption Last Day to Submit
Spring 2023

November 10, 2022 (Tentative)

January 5, 2023 returning from Winter Break

December 8th, 2022 before Winter Break

January 6, 2023
Summer 2023 March 23, 2023 (Tentative) May 4, 2023
Fall 2023 April 6, 2023 (Tentative) August 16, 2023

 

FULL TIME FIREFIGHTERS

  1. Employment verification letter signed by the Chief on departmental letterhead
    1. NOT older than two weeks
  2. Tuition Exemption Form completed and signed
    1. Tuition Exemption Form Click Here
    2. Only fill-out highlighted areas
  3. Attach a color copy of ...
    1. Driver's License
    2. TCFP FIDO Account Number
  4. Proof of Enrollment
    1. Class Schedule
    2. Degree plan with the enrolled courses highlighted.
  5. Submit all documentation as one file (preferably a PDF document) to sac-protsvcs@alamo.edu

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

  1. Employment verification letter signed by the Chief on department letterhead not older than two weeks
    1. At least one year as an active member of an organized volunteer fire department participating in the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System
  2. Tuition Exemption Form completed and signed
    1. Tuition Exemption Form Click Here
    2. Only fill-out highlighted areas
  3. Attach a Color copy of ...
    1. Driver's License
    2. TCFP FIDO Account Number
  4. Proof of Enrollment
    1. Class Schedule
    2. Degree plan with the enrolled courses highlighted.
  5. Submit all documentation as one file (preferably PDF document) to sac-protsvcs@alamo.edu

NOTE: Tuition Exemption Forms must be completed every semester. All tuition exemptions will be processed and forwarded to Business Office on Thursdays.

LINK RESOURCES:

Government Code:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.54.htm#54.353
Administrative Code:
http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=19&pt=
1&ch=21&sch=Z&rl=Y
SFFMA Website:
https://www.sffma.org/
TCFP Website:
http://www.tcfp.texas.gov/
NFPA Website:
http://www.nfpa.org/

STEP 4: Payment

A. Business Office - Pay My Tuition

Provides a financial system of charges, refunds, and payments.

  • Are installment plans available?
  • How much do I owe? or I need a refund.
  • How do I Pay?
    • Send money orders and certified checks to
      • 1819 N. MAIN AVE., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78212, ATTN: BUSINESS OFFICE
    • Online Payment Click Here

Contact:

(210) 486-0201

dst-VBO2@alamo.edu

Operational Announcements

Alamo Colleges Academic/Registration Calendars

 

Contact Us

      
  Location: E-mail: Office Phone:
Protective Services      
Main Office Oppenheimer Center Room 227 sac-protsvcs@alamo.edu 210-486-1692
       
Martin D. Davila      
Chairperson Oppenheimer Center Room 225B sac-protsvcs@alamo.edu 210-486-0082
       
Marcela Castañeda      
Admin. Services Specialist Oppenheimer Center Room 225A sac-protsvcs@alamo.edu 210-486-1692

 

Questions?
Assistance is available through the call center (210-212-5266), the LiveChat in the bottom right corner, and the zoom room available at https://alamo.zoom.us/j/96204747346.

Last Updated: 5/19/2021