Academics Program Finder First Responders Academy Fire Science

Fire Science

Program Type: Face-to-Face, Fully Online
Program Level: Degrees, Certificates, Online
Department: First Responders Academy
Institute: Public Service
College: SAC
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What is the Fire Science program?

San Antonio College's Fire Science program prepares you to advance in your career in fire service. The program builds on SAC’s Fire Academy, which prepares you for a career as an entry-level firefighter, by offering two associate degree options: Fire Service Leadership or Fire Science/Fire Fighting with an Emphasis in Homeland Security.

What will I learn?

SAC Fire Science degree programs offer professional firefighters a broader education through advanced technical and general education courses. Both degrees provide you 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?

With a degree in Fire Sciences and Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) firefighter certification, you can work as a firefighter, fire inspector, fire investigator, first-line supervisor, manager of firefighting and more. Professional firefighters can increase their career opportunities with an associate degree and apply for higher levels of TCFP firefighter certification.

What is special about the program?

Both degrees are available fully online and are modeled on the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) national curriculum in Fire Science. Instructors in this program are seasoned veterans in the fire service with many years of cumulative teaching and operational experience. If you’re currently employed as a firefighter, you may be eligible for an exemption from tuition and laboratory fees.
Degrees and Certificates

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.

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 1443 Fire Officer II

FIRT 2305 Fire Instructor I

FIRT 2307 Fire Instructor II

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 1342 Fire Officer I

FIRT 1443 Fire Officer II

FIRT 2305 Fire Instructor I 

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

FIRT 2112 Hazardous Materials Incident Command

Faculty

Program's Instructors

Eric Cadena, Adjunct Faculty

Manuel Casarez, Adjunct Faculty

Martin D. Davila, Faculty

Daniel Reese, Adjunct Faculty

Tuition Exemption

Submission of Tuition Exemption - Fall 2024 FLEX II Start: Sept. 3, 2024 - Deadline: Oct. 10, 2024
Submission of Tuition Exemption - Spring 2025 Start: November 4, 2024 - Deadline: Jan. 9, 2025
Note: Winter Holiday - Dec. 19 to Jan. 1 College Closed
Submit the following for tuition exemption to sac-firescience@alamo.edu
  1. Employment verification letter signed and on departmental letterhead.
    1. Not older than two weeks.
  2. Tuition Exemption Form completed
    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 PDF file to sac-firescience@alamo.edu
  6. EMAIL Subject line should read: "Tuition Exemption Fall, Spring or Summer with Year" so that we can process immediately.

NOTE: Tuition Exemption Forms must be completed every semester. All tuition exemptions received before or on the deadline date for term will be processed and forwarded to the Business Office.

Operational Announcements

Alamo Colleges Academic/Registration Calendars

Contact Us

First Responders Academy
Main Office
Nursing and Allied Health Complex (NAHC), Rm. 105
(210) 486-1692
sac-firescience@alamo.edu

Frank Poyner
Director
NAHC 105
(210) 486-0086
sac-firescience@alamo.edu