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Fire Science & Safety
The Fire Science and Safety program at Houston City College supports the growing national demand for college-educated fire service professionals. The program builds technical skills in fire suppression, fire prevention, fire service management, life safety, and related areas to prepare students for advancement in the modern fire-fighting workforce.
Programs
Fire & Arson Investigation, A.A.S.
The Fire Protection program provides courses leading to an AAS degree in Fire and Arson Investigation Technology. The AAS degree in Fire and Arson Investigation Technology provides advanced training and education in fire and arson investigation techniques and topics. The curriculum includes courses from the Criminal Justice program.
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Larry Spann
Cleto Hernandez
Vedron Bordeaux
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Program Format
-
- In-Person
- Hybrid
- Campus Location
- Total Minimum Credits: 60
-
View the Fire & Arson Investigation, A.A.S. degree plan to see the total credit hours required.
- Cost
-
Enter the semester credit hours into the Tuition & Cost Calculator to estimate tuition.
Firefighter, A.A.S.
Students seeking a career in the Fire Service can receive a certification required to work as a fire fighter in the State of Texas. By completing this AAS degree, students are eligible to take the State exam. The demand for firefighters is increasing, and those with certification and an associate degree have an educational advantage over those with a basic certification. These awards meet the educational need for advanced certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
Students will be able to:
- Name the principles, theory, and practices associated with leading edge fire science and management, including issues associated with tactical fire operations, fire safety, firefighting leadership and management, and community fire issues.
- Recall aspects of fire department organization, operations, tools and equipment, the role of the fire fighter, hazardous materials awareness and the mission of the fire service.
- Use fire ground operations and fire suppression, hazardous materials operations and rescue techniques.
- Complete certifications by successfully passing a written and practical state exam in the specialty discipline by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection based on National Fire Protection Association standards. This reflects professional preparedness.
| Program /Aligned Award |
Agency Standard | HCC Standard | 2021 2022 Pass Rate (#Passed) |
2022 2023 Pass Rate (#Passed) |
2023 2024 Pass Rate (#Passed) |
2023 2024 Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Science & Safety/ Firefighter AAS |
70% | 75% | 74% (28) | 89% (24) | 71% (20) | Meets Standards |
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Larry Spann
Newton Smith
Dwight Allen
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Program Format
-
- In-Person
- Hybrid
- Campus Location
- Total Minimum Credits: 60
-
View the Firefighter, A.A.S. degree plan to see the total credit hours required.
- Cost
-
Enter the semester credit hours into the Tuition & Cost Calculator to estimate tuition.
Basic Firefighter, C1
Students completing the Basic Fire Fighting certificate will meet the requirements for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection minimum standards for working as a fire fighter in the State of Texas. This certificate can be for credit or noncredit. Credit hours will apply to the AAS degree Fire Science/Firefighting.
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Larry Spann
Cleto Hernandez
Vedron Bordeaux
- Duration
- 2 semesters (full time)
- Program Format
-
- In-Person
- Campus Location
- Total Minimum Credits: 26
-
View the Basic Firefighter, C1 degree plan to see the total credit hours required.
- Cost
-
Enter the semester credit hours into the Tuition & Cost Calculator to estimate tuition.
Fire Officer, C1
The Fire Officer I certificate is offered to fire fighters who complete the required courses and who reach the level of competency described by NFPA standard 1021. These six courses allow fire fighters to take the Fire Officer I test from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
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Larry Spann
Cleto Hernandez
Vedron Bordeaux
- Duration
- 2 semesters (full time)
- Program Format
-
- In-Person
- Hybrid
- Campus Location
- Total Minimum Credits: 18
-
View the Fire Officer, C1 degree plan to see the total credit hours required.
- Cost
-
Enter the semester credit hours into the Tuition & Cost Calculator to estimate tuition.
Fire & Arson Investigator, O.S.A.
The Fire and Arson Investigator Occupational Skills Award (OSA) provides students work in a public or private organization to investigate fires and determine the cause and origin. It also provides the certification to give credibility to testimony of cause and origin of fires. Students completing the OSA will be able to list possible motives for fire setters and describe the elements of investigation practices.
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Larry Spann
Cleto Hernandez
Vedron Bordeaux
- Duration
- 1 semester (full time)
- Program Format
-
- In-Person
- Hybrid
- Campus Location
- Total Minimum Credits: 9
-
View the Fire & Arson Investigator, O.S.A. degree plan to see the total credit hours required.
- Cost
-
Enter the semester credit hours into the Tuition & Cost Calculator to estimate tuition.
Fire Inspector, O.S.A.
The Fire Inspector Occupational Skills Award (OSA) provides students with work inspecting buildings and occupancies for fire hazards. It also provides certification for individuals to enforce building and occupancy codes to prevent loss of life and prevent fires. Students completing the OSA should be able to utilize the appropriate codes, list types of construction and occupancy classifications, identify building service equipment, processes and hazards, list different types of fire protection systems, water supply and be able to review blueprints and make corrections that comply with current codes.
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Larry Spann
Cleto Hernandez
Vedron Bordeaux
- Duration
- 1 semester (full time)
- Program Format
-
- In-Person
- Hybrid
- Campus Location
- Total Minimum Credits: 9
-
View the Fire Inspector, O.S.A. degree plan to see the total credit hours required.
- Cost
-
Enter the semester credit hours into the Tuition & Cost Calculator to estimate tuition.
Fire Instructor, O.S.A.
The series of three courses provides training required to apply for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Fire Instructor I, II, and III certifications.These courses also provide a three-course certification step to becoming a Training Program Manager.
The series of three courses provides training required to apply for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Fire Instructor I, II, and III certifications. These courses also provide a three-course certification step to becoming a Training Program Manager. To obtain the TCFP Fire Instructor I, II, and III certification, participants must have a Basic Fire Fighter certification with TCFP and pass the Knowledge and Skills tests for each level of certification. An application fee of $15 per certification must be paid to TCFP when submitting an application to take the final assessment from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
TSI testing required prior to first enrollment for all AAS degrees and Level II certificates.
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Larry Spann
- Duration
- 4 semesters (full time)
- Program Format
-
- In-Person
- Campus Location
- Total Minimum Credits: 10
-
View the Fire Instructor, O.S.A. degree plan to see the total credit hours required.
- Cost
-
Enter the semester credit hours into the Tuition & Cost Calculator to estimate tuition.
Career Outlook
This overview highlights key labor market indicators for University Transfer and Workforce Training careers in this field in the Houston area, including the number of currently employed, the median annual salary for the occupation, and the job growth.
Average Salary
50th percentile (median) salary range in the Houston area.
Currently Employed
9,230 currently employed in the Greater Houston area.
Projected Growth
3.9% projected growth for 2026-2030.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) Policy 5.2
Programs leading to professional licensure SARA has no effect on state professional licensing requirements. Any institution approved to participate in SARA that offers courses or programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification or advertised as leading to licensure must satisfy all federal requirements for disclosures regarding such professional licensure programs. For SARA purposes, these requirements will also apply to non-Title IV institutions and programs.