Eastern Shore Community College
Fire Science Technology
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Purpose
The fire science degree is designed to prepare individuals for entry or advancement in the fire service or
a related field by providing them with knowledge of the fire protection profession and giving them the
general education necessary to function and advance in one of these professions. The Fire Science
program is perfect for firefighters on shift work, or other students interested in pursuing advancement
in technical or administrative careers in the fire service and related fields, who enjoy the flexibility
studying online offers. Although the curriculum is focused on assisting students who are currently
firefighters with their career development goals, students from a variety of backgrounds may benefit
from completing the program and may pursue careers in the public sector fire services or for private
sector careers in safety, loss prevention engineering, and risk management.
Program Requirements and Special Conditions
Program Curriculum
1st Semester
Credits
ENG 111 College Composition I
FST 100 Principles of Emergency Services
FST 110 Fire Behavior and Combustion
MTH 151 Mathematics for Liberal Arts
PED 116 Life Fitness and Wellness
SDV 101 Orientation to Fire Science
Social Science Elective
Total Credits
Standard Course Options
3
3
3
3
1
1
3
17
2nd Semester
Credits
ENG 115 Technical Writing
FST 112 Hazardous Materials chemistry
FST 115 Fire Prevention
FST 121 Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and
Survival
ITE 115 Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts
Social Science Elective
Total Credits
3rd Semester
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
16
1
ENG 112
3
3
18
Credits
CST/FST Elective
FST 210 Legal Aspects of Fire Service
FST 240 Fire Administration
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
Physical or Life Science Elective with Lab
Total Credits
Standard Course Options
Standard Course Options
Eastern Shore Community College
4th Semester
Credits
FST 205 Fire Protection Hydraulics & Water Supply
FST 215 Fire Protection Systems
FST 220 Building Construction for Fire Protection
FST 235 Firefighting Strategy and Tactics
FST 245 Fire and Risk Analysis
PED/RPK Elective
Total Credits
Total Credits for Program
Standard Course Options
3
3
3
3
3
1
16
67
Course Descriptions
ENG 111 - College Composition I (3 credits)
Introduces students to critical thinking and the fundamentals of academic writing. Through the writing
process, students refine topics: develop and support ideas; investigate, evaluate, and incorporate
appropriate resources; edit for effective style and usage; and determine appropriate approaches for a
variety of contexts, audiences, and purposes. Writing activities will include exposition and
argumentation with at least one researched essay. Lecture 3 hours per week.
ENG 115 - Technical Writing (3 credits)
Develops ability in technical writing through extensive practice in composing technical reports and other
documents. Guides students in achieving voice, tone, style, and content in formatting, editing, and
graphics. Introduces students to technical discourse through selected reading.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 100 - Principles of Emergency Services (3 credits)
Provides an overview to fire protection; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields;
philosophy and history of fire protection/service; fire loss analysis; organization and function to public
and private fire protection services; fire departments as part of local government; laws and regulations
affecting the fire service; fire service nomenclature; specific fire protection functions; basic fire
chemistry and physics; introduction to fire protection systems; introduction to fire strategy and tactics.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 110 - Fire Behavior and Combustion (3 credits)
Explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and how they are controlled.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 112 - Hazardous Materials Chemistry (3 credits)
Provides basic fire chemistry relating to the categories of hazardous materials including problems of
recognition, reactivity, and health encountered by firefighters. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 115 - Fire Prevention (3 credits)
Provides fundamental information regarding the history and philosophy of fire prevention, organization
and operation of a fire prevention bureau, use of fire codes, identification and correction of fire hazards,
and the relationships of fire prevention with built-in fire protection systems, fire investigation, and fire
and life-safety education. Lecture 3 hours per week.
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Eastern Shore Community College
FST 121 - Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival (3 credits)
Introduces basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives, focusing
on the need for cultural and behavior change throughout the emergency services. Lecture 3 hours per
week.
FST 205 - Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply (3 credits)
Provides a foundation of theoretical knowledge in order to understand the principles of the use of water
in fire protection and to apply hydraulic principles to analyze and to solve water supply problems.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 210 - Legal Aspects of Fire Service (3 credits)
Introduces the Federal, State, and local laws that regulate emergency services, national standards
influencing emergency services,, standard of care, tort, liability, and a review of relevant court cases.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 215 - Fire Protection Systems (3 credits)
Provides information relating to the features of design and operation of fire detection and alarm
systems, heat and smoke control systems, special protection and sprinkler systems, water supply for fire
protection and portable fire extinguishers. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 220 - Building Construction for Fire Protection (3 credits)
Provides the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety. Focuses on
firefighter safety. Covers the elements of construction and design of structures and how they are key
factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at emergencies. Lecture 3
hours per week.
FST 235 - Strategy and Tactics (3 credits)
Provides an in-depth analysis of the principles of fire control through utilization of personnel,
equipment, and extinguishing agents on the fire ground. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 240 - Fire Administration (3 credits)
Introduces the student to the organization and management of a fire department and the relationship
of government agencies to the first service. Emphasis on fir service leadership from the perspective of
the company officer. Lecture 3 hours per week.
FST 245 - Fire and Risk Analysis (3 credits)
Presents a study of current urban fire problems with emphasis on solutions based upon current
available technology. Includes master planning, as well as methods of identifying, analyzing and
measuring accompanying risk and loss possibilities. Prerequisite: FST 240. Lecture 3 hours per week.
ITE 115 - Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts (3 credits)
Covers computer concepts and internet skills, and uses a software suite which includes word processing,
spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to demonstrate skills. Recommended prerequisite
keyboarding skills. Lecture 3-4 hours per week.
MTH 151 - Mathematics for the Liberal Arts I (3 credits)
Presents topics in sets, logic, numeration systems, geometric systems, and elementary computer
concepts. Lecture 3 hours per week.
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Eastern Shore Community College
PED 116 - Lifetime Fitness and Wellness (1 credit)
Provides a study of fitness and wellness and their relationship to a healthy lifestyle. Defines fitness and
wellness, evaluates the student's level of fitness and wellness, and motivates the student to incorporate
physical fitness and wellness into daily living. A personal fitness/wellness plan is required for the 2-credit
course. Lecture 0-1 hours. Laboratory 2-4 hours. Total 2-4 hours per week.
SDV 101 - Orientation To (Specify the Discipline) (1 credit)
Introduces students to the skills which are necessary to achieve their academic goals, to services offered
at the college and to the discipline in which they are enrolled. Covers topics such as services at the
college including the learning resources center; counseling, and advising; listening, test taking, and study
skills; and topical areas which are applicable to their particular discipline. Lecture 1-3 hours per week.
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