Fire Science Program
The mission of the SMCC’s Fire Science (FS) program is to help students develop the state of the art skills and knowledge for professional fire protection and become career-ready. Success requires a team effort. Fire Science faculty and staff strive to meet the needs of all students, and students are expected to meet their academic and citizenship obligations.
The Fire Science program is designed to provide both in-service and early-service students with sound technical and academic experiences, enabling them to assume positions of responsibility as members of fire and EMS departments or as technical employees of industrial firms and insurance companies. The program provides training in detecting and eliminating fire hazards and causes through periodic inspections, remedial recommendations, and systematic follow ups.
Practical technical instruction is designed to meet fire and life safety needs; responsibilities and obligation of fire protection in engineering, building design, plant protection; fire investigation; and all other fields where a hazard may be involved.
The ultimate goal is to assist the student to develop the appropriate skills and knowledge for professional fire protection. Fire Science courses are available at off campus locations around the region. In addition to the associate in applied science degree, a one-year certificate option is available.
Graduates of the program have been employed as suppression firefighters, industrial fire protection specialists, safety technicians, fire insurance inspectors, forest fire fighters, inspection bureau representatives, state fire inspectors and municipal fire department employees, many of whom have earned their degree while employed in their area of specialty.
Associate degree graduates can transfer a full two years of credits toward a baccalaureate degree in Applied Technical Education or Applied Technical Leadership at the University of Southern Maine. They may also transfer two years of credits toward a baccalaureate degree in Business Administration at Husson College or two years of credits toward a baccalaureate degree in Public Administration at University of Maine at Augusta.
Fire Science associate degree graduates have also had success in transferring most credits toward baccalaureate degree programs in the Fire Science field.
Public Safety Student Live-in Program
16 area fire departments, in cooperation with the SMCC Fire Science Program, are pleased to offer this exciting option to all SMCC full time college students. Students accepted into the “live in” program live in area fire-EMS stations (rent free) in exchange for being “on call” during specific hours. They have additional responsibilities and must provide their own meals. Live-in students are complete fire+ EMS basic training and are paid for their emergency responses. The Live-In Program requires a high level of motivation and responsibility. See "Public Safety Student Live-in Program" for additional info and application materials or contact Steve Willis, Student Live-in Coordinator: swillis@smccme.edu .
Fire Science Learning Outcomes
Successful completion of an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Fire Science from Southern Maine Community College will prepare students to:
1) Analyze and apply proactive fire prevention and control methods for safe and cost effective fire protection.
2) Analyze and apply reactive fire and emergency scene operations for safe and cost effective fire protection.
3) Examine and appraise principles of supervision and management necessary for effective leadership and administration in the fire/rescue service.
"We believe that every person is a “work in progress”. Clear expectations, hard work and caring support will help ensure success. Fire Science personnel take human rights, accountability and high expectations very seriously. We will ensure an environment that values dignity, diversity, leadership and excellence in every aspect. We work closely with area fire and EMS departments and fire protection agencies to ensure that our faculty and curriculum is current, that opportunities for occupational training, experience and growth are integrated with academics, and that we are preparing our students for employment and fire protection leadership success, ever mindful of the trust that the public invests in us. We invite you to join us in this quest!"
- Steve Willis, Fire Science Department Chair.