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Fire Science

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Academic Programs

Fire Science - Associate in Applied Science (039)

(039) Associate in Applied Science

The Fire Science Degree AAS program is designed to prepare the student for knowledge and competencies necessary for leadership or management in the field of firefighting and fire prevention. Employed and volunteer fire protection services will be applicable. Graduates specialize with additional competencies to enter the fields of fire inspection and insurance investigation or pursue certification.

Work and Employment

The type of jobs for which graduates would be trained might be: officers of operations in emergency disaster agencies; fire departments; public safety agencies; industrial fire protection and prevention; commercial fire protection; prevention and distribution; fire and/or arson investigation or inspection; crime scene investigation; and forestry and fire prevention public education.

Special Considerations

SVCC recruits all individuals equally for the programs. The performance based portion of the curriculum will be set up for all individuals equally. Students who cannot meet eligibility requirements involving physical exertion or donning of personal protective equipment may attend lectures and observe potential hazards from a safe distance. Students with disabilities may work with their instructors to identify areas within their field of study that they can be trained to perform or will be counseled regarding employability difficulties. The Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) certification will be applicable after multiple course completions and will be necessary to have on file for practice of the discipline.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Academic Advising, 815/835-6354;
Jeffrey Newbury, Assistant Professor of Fire Science, 815/835-6269.


Major Field Requirements - Sem/Hrs: 44

  • FIR 101 - Basic Firefighter Operations-Module A 4 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 102 - Basic Firefighter Operations-Module B 4 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 103 - Basic Firefighter Operations-Module C 4 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 104 - Advanced Technician Firefighter 5 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 105 - Tactics and Strategies I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 106 - Fire Service Vehicle Operator 1 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 200 - Management I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 201 - Fire Service Instructor I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 202 - Fire Prevention Principles 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 203 - Hazardous Materials I 1 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 204 - Hazardous Materials II 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 205 - Management II 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 206 - Vehicle and Machinery Operations 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 207 - Technical Rescue Awareness 1 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 208 - Building Construction 3 Semester hour(s)

General Education Requirements - Sem/Hrs: 15-16

  • Communications 6 Semester hour(s) (ENG 101 and ENG 111 required)

  • Mathematics 3 Semester hour(s) (MAT 106 or higher)

  • Social Science 3 Semester hour(s) (PSY 103 required)

  • Physical/Life Science 3-4 Semester hour(s) (CHE 102 OR CHE 103 required)



SVCC Degree Requirement - Sem/Hrs: 1


  • FYE 101 - First Year Experience 1 Semester hour(s)

Total Hours Required for A.A.S. Degree: 60-61


Suggested Program



First Semester - Sem/Hrs: 16

  • FIR 101 - Basic Firefighter Operations-Module A 4 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 102 - Basic Firefighter Operations-Module B 4 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 103 - Basic Firefighter Operations-Module C 4 Semester hour(s)
  • ENG 101 - Composition I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FYE 101 - First Year Experience 1 Semester hour(s)

Second Semester - Sem/Hrs: 15


  • FIR 104 - Advanced Technician Firefighter 5 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 105 - Tactics and Strategies I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 106 - Fire Service Vehicle Operator 1 Semester hour(s)
  • MAT 106 - Applied Mathematics 3 Semester hour(s)
  • PSY 103 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Semester hour(s)

Third Semester - Sem/Hrs: 13-14


  • FIR 200 - Management I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 201 - Fire Service Instructor I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 202 - Fire Prevention Principles 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 203 - Hazardous Materials I 1 Semester hour(s)
  • CHE 102 - Introduction to Chemistry 3 Semester hour(s)
  • OR

  • CHE 103 - Introduction to Chemistry 4 Semester hour(s)

Fourth Semester - Sem/Hrs: 16


  • FIR 204 - Hazardous Materials II 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 205 - Management II 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 206 - Vehicle and Machinery Operations 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 207 - Technical Rescue Awareness 1 Semester hour(s)
  • FIR 208 - Building Construction 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ENG 111 - Business and Technical Communication 3 Semester hour(s)
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