Fire Protection Technology
Fire Protection Technology
Due to safety concerns, as well as minimum requirement by regulatory agencies, potential students should be aware applicable courses may require participants to demonstrate physically demanding skills, along with both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. The Department may impose physical qualifications for participation when a physical ability is validly deemed essential. If you have any concerns as to your ability to safely participate in these courses, please contact the Dean of Public Safety at 619-388-7860.
The Fire Protection Technology program offers degrees and certificates in a number of fields associated with the technology of fire protection, rescue, and public safety. The program provides theory and training necessary for successful performance in a variety of settings and positions. Emphasis is placed on modern methods of fire prevention, fire suppression, fire service management, open water lifeguarding, and public safety.
It is highly recommended for Entry Level Firefighter students to concentrate on starting with the EMT certification courses and FIPT 101. After successfully completing the EMT course, students are eligible to attend the fire academy. Students who complete the required Fire Academy Training are eligible to participate in the FIPT 381G Skills Review and Certification exam to meet Firefighter I Exam requirements for State Fire Training. Students who successfully complete the requirements for the SFT Firefighter I Exam are eligible for the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seal.
Miramar Fire Academy
The Miramar Fire Technology program offers an option for students to earn their State Fire Training Firefighter I Certification required for entry-level employment by attending a “cohort” of courses on campus. Students interested in attending the On Campus Fire Academy option should visit the Fire Technology Program website (https://sdmiramar.edu/programs/fire-protection-technology) to review the application process and requirements to attend. The cohort of courses will be offered in sequence on a part-time over the course of two semesters (evenings and Saturdays) and full-time basis over one semester. The courses include: FIPT 150W, 150A, 150B, 150C, 150T, 322C, 323B, 324A, 381G, and 322D. The FIPT 381G Skills Review and Certification course includes the State Fire Training Written and Skills Exam for Structure, Wildland and Hazardous Materials meeting the IFSAC and ProBoard Accreditation. Live Fire Control 3B Certification is provided as an accreditation requirement for Firefighter I Certification. The Certification of Completion and course hours are identical to the traditional Regional Accredited Fire Academy.
There are three prerequisites that must be completed prior to the start of the Fire Academy:
- Completion of EMT course
- FIPT 101, Fire Protection Organization
- FIPT 100D, Fire Department Testing Procedures or current CPAT card within one year of start of academy.
San Diego County Fire Authority
In order to be eligible for entry level employment, students must complete FIPT 101, 150W, 150A, 322B, and 323B in addition to EMGM 105A. These courses cover mandatory training requirements to be eligible for employment for most fire departments. The courses also prepare the student to enter a fire academy, depending upon the employer. Successful completion of these courses is required to apply to San Diego County Fire and is highly suggested for entry level students. A full time student may complete all of these in as little as one semester.
Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC)
The Miramar Fire Technology program is a recognized Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) location. Students interested in the CPAT exam may register at www.fctconline.org. Miramar hosts eight CPAT exams and the Firefighter Career Expo annually. Candidates may join the statewide firefighter eligibility list from the aforementioned website.
CAL FIRE BASIC Firefighter Certification
In order to be eligible for the CAL FIRE Basic Firefighter Certification, students must complete FIPT 150W, 150A, 150B, 322B, 322C, 323B, and 324A. In addition, interested students must past the CAL FIRE BASIC Firefighter Written Exam and Ladder Exam.
The courses also prepare the student to enter a fire academy, depending upon the employer. Successful completion of these courses is required to apply to San Diego County Fire and is highly suggested for entry level students. A full time student may complete all of these in as little as one semester.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Fire Protection Technology program will be able to:
- Identify minimum qualifications and entry level skills for firefighter hiring. The student will be able to describe the following elements: application process; written exam process; physical agility exam, oral interview, chief’s interview; background investigation; and fire fighter probationary process. Students will identify fire service history, culture and diversity.
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze, appraise and evaluate fire and emergency incidents and identify components of emergency management and fire fighter safety including: Size-up, report on conditions, Incident Command System; RECEO; 10 Standard Firefighting Orders; 18 Situations that Shout “Watch Out “; and common factors associated with injuries and line of duty deaths.
- Identify and comprehend laws, regulations, codes and standards that influence fire department operations, and identify regulatory and advisory organizations that create and mandate them, especially in the areas of fire prevention, building codes and ordinances, and firefighter health and safety.
- Analyze the causes of fire, determine extinguishing agents and methods, differentiate the stages of the fire and fire development, and compare methods of heat transfer.
- Calculate flow requirements for fire apparatus, diagram a pump and plumbing schematic for fire apparatus, and apply mathematic formulae to hydraulics problems.
- Identify and describe the apparatus used in the fire service, and the equipment and maintenance of fire apparatus and equipment.
- Identify and describe common types of building construction and conditions associated with structural collapse and firefighter safety. Differentiate between fire detection and fire suppression systems. Student will design and diagram a wet and dry fire protection system, and identify alarm system components and their operations.
This program’s Academic & Career Pathways:
Read more about Public Safety
Careers in this field
Some of the many career opportunities in the field of firefighting/lifeguarding include:
- Firefighter
- Fire Insurance Inspector
- Fire Investigator
- Fire Protection Engineer
- Fire Protection Systems Installer
- Emergency Medical Services Provider
- Hazardous Materials Technician
- Lifeguard
Please see the following link for Costs Associated with the Fire Academy:
Darren Hall
Associate Professor
Darren has been activity in the fire service field for over thirty years and recently retired from the City of Coronado Fire Department as a Fire Captain. Like most eager firefighter candidates, Darren spent countless hours in various fire service agencies and educational institutions gaining the proper blend of experience, training, education, and community involvement required for the contemporary firefighter candidate. His experiences evolved from participating in a Fire Explorer program, working as a Reserve Firefighter, Seasonal Firefighter and Firefighter Cadet, before being selected as a firefighter for the City of Coronado.
Darren earned a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University, an Associate's degree in Fire Science (Miramar College) and a Associate's Degree in Public Administration from Southwestern College. Darren is also a Master Instructor with the CA State Fire Marshal's Office. He has taught entry-level firefighter candidates through ROP (Regional Occupation Program) and Southwestern College and also is the Fire Technology Program Director at San Diego Miramar College. Captain Hall was recognized as the California State Fire Training Officer of the Year Award in 2011 through California State Firefighter's Association (CSFA).
Darren earned a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University, an Associate's degree in Fire Science (Miramar College) and a Associate's Degree in Public Administration from Southwestern College. Darren is also a Master Instructor with the CA State Fire Marshal's Office. He has taught entry-level firefighter candidates through ROP (Regional Occupation Program) and Southwestern College and also is the Fire Technology Program Director at San Diego Miramar College. Captain Hall was recognized as the California State Fire Training Officer of the Year Award in 2011 through California State Firefighter's Association (CSFA).
Mon - Fri:
9:30am - 5:00pm
Email Darren Hall at dmhall@sdccd.edu to schedule a Zoom Meeting
Meet Online
R1-108F
