FIRE SCIENCE
Southwestern College Fire Science Program
Fire Academy starts every Fall Semester
Only Prerequisite is FS 10 Professional Skills for Employment in the Fire Service
This course is offered Every Semester (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Course dates: Every Fall Semester
Class meets: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 1:50 pm
Registration is open
Prerequisite is offered every semester (Fall, Spring, Summer - 8 weeks).
Prerequisites & Application Process
Among other things, this class will test your physical ability, and you will have to pass a physical agility test which is SWC's version of the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Here are some videos that you can look at to see what kind of training and conditioning that you need to be doing in order to pass this physical agility test. We've been told by other students that the physical training in FS 10 overly prepared them for CPAT. They say that CPAT was easier. So based on your current physical condition, do you think you could pass CPAT?
Preparation Resources:
The Fire Academy itself is offered every Fall semester, with the next session taking place in Fall 2025.
- After completing FS-10, it’s recommended that you also work on obtaining your Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. Courses such as EMT-101 and EMT-109 will help you achieve this.
- Both EMT 101 and EMT 109 are co-requisites for the Academy. You must complete EMT 101, EMT 109, EMT 113 and EMT 113L prior to completion of the academy.
- Currently, there is no formal application for the Fire Academy. Once you complete the prerequisite courses and attend the mandatory orientation, entry is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- After registering with SWC and receiving your student ID, you'll be able to sign up for the required courses (please refer to the attached documents on how to register with SWC).
- The classes are part of a modular Academy, meaning they follow a specific sequence (see attached documentation for more details).
- Mandatory Orientation for the Fire Academy happens about a month before the Fall semester begins.
Didactic Capabilities
There will be a total of 3 Fire Department Practice Entrance Exams given during the course thus giving the Cadets (students) the opportunity to improve their score to meet the requirement. The Cadet (student) must pass one of the three Entrance Exams to pass the course. In addition, there will be 8 quizzes on various subject matter covered in the course.
Standards of a Paramilitary Environment
The course will test the Cadets (students) ability to adhere to Uniform Standards, Codes of Conduct Standards, Attendance Standards, Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines, and Teamwork.
If you have questions regarding this course. Please contact:
Fire Science Program Director
Lorraine Hutchinson
phutchinson@swccd.edu
Saving Career
Today, fire service personnel are faced with a diverse and complex environment. Fire fighters must possess sufficient knowledge and skills to deal effectively with the fire protection problem, emergency medical care response, and hazardous materials. The study of fire science includes the philosophy, history, chemistry, physics, laws, terminology, technology and detection, and prevention of fires.
Learn More. Earn More.
Provides training in the theory and practice of fire technology, the fire service, and the fire protection field. It is designed to enhance qualifications for entry into the fire service, for preparation for entry-level hiring examinations, and for current firefighters wishing to complete a degree in fire tech.
Study of fire science includes the philosophy, history, chemistry, physics, laws, terminology, technology and detection and prevention of fires.
Career options include county, state and federal fire agencies; private industry; public fire service, fire protection and engineering; fire prevention and inspection.
Degrees/Certificates Available
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