Joliet Junior College Academic Programs
Fire Science
Technology
The Fire Science Technology program at JJC is designed to
teach students fire protection fundamentals and prepare them for entry
level positions in the fire service industry. With the increasing complexity
of technology in the industry, it is necessary for fire protection personnel
to acquire specialized knowledge and problem-solving skills to meet
modern-day challenges. Our program can also benefit current fire
professionals who need to update their skills and industry knowledge.
All fire science instructors are currently full-time or retired firefighters
with vast experience from every level of the profession.
Associate in
Applied Science (AAS)
Fire Science Technology
Classes are scheduled to meet the needs of college students and
firefighters working various shift assignments. During each semester,
classes are offered during the day, afternoons, evenings and weekends.
Online and blended courses are available each semester. Fast track
classes to certify existing firefighters are also scheduled periodically at
area fire departments. Certificate evaluation for credit is also available;
contact the program adviser for details.
Fast Fact
JJC’s unique fire science internship gives students
hands-on experience working in daily operations
in a typical fire station. It also gives them a big
advantage when applying for a job after graduation.
Fire Science Technology
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
General Education Requirements
ENG 101
SPCH 101
MTH 127
PSCY 101
IAI Humanities
IAI Science
Rhetoric
Principles of Speech
Mathematics (or higher)
General Psychology
PHIL 103
(Must be lab science: GEOG 111 recommended)
Major Core Requirements
FSCI
FSCI
FSCI
FSCI
FSCI
FSCI
Employment
Opportunities
Fires and other emergencies
take thousands of lives and
destroy billions of dollars
worth of property every year.
Firefighters are key to the
protection of the American
public and are in great demand
nationally. Opportunities for
employment are available in
fire departments, public safety
departments and ambulance
companies for firefighters,
engineers, drivers/operators,
EMTs, arson investigators,
insurance investigators, fire
prevention inspectors, public
education officers, fire marshals
and fire officers. Private industry
positions are available as
safety officers, fire prevention
inspectors and emergency
medical personnel.
101
102
103
105
112
236
Principles of Emergency Services
Fire Prevention
Building Construction for Fire Protection
Fire Protection Systems
Fire Behavior and Combustion
Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival
Major Core Electives
19.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
4.0 or 5.0
18.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
27.0
Select 27 credit hours from the following courses:
(Note: Four credit hours must be from EMS Electives (EMS 101, 201, 209). NO more that four
EMS credit hours may be used as Fire Science electives. EMS 204 and 205 are Fire Science
electives and do not count as EMS electives.)
FSCI 104
FSCI 106
FSCI 107
FSCI 108
FSCI 110
FSCI 111
FSCI 113
FSCI 203
FSCI 204
FSCI 206
FSCI 208
FSCI 210
FSCI 211
FSCI 212
FSCI 213
FSCI 221
FSCI 223
FSCI 224
FSCI 230
FSCI 231
FSCI 232
FSCI 235
EMS 101
EMS 201
EMS 209
EMS 204
EMS 205
Firefighting Tactics and Strategy I
Fire Apparatus and Equipment
Fire Law
Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations
Fire Instructor I*
Vehicle Machinery Operations*
Occupation Health and Safety for the Fire Service
Fire Hydraulics
Firefighting Tactics and Strategies II*
Fire Investigation
Fire Management I
Fire Instructor II*
Hazardous Materials Technician*
Fire Management II*
Building Construction for Fire Protection II
Fire Investigation II
Fire Management III*
Fire Management IV*
Fire Fighter Basic Internship I
Fire Fighter Basic Internship II
Fire Fighter Basic Internship III
Fire Apparatus Engineer*
First Responder
EMT-Basic
EMT-Basic
Introduction to Emergency Management
Intro to Terrorism
Total Required Hours
*Must be a current fire department member to take this course.
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
3.0
3.0
64.0
Fire Science Technology AAS Suggested
Course Sequence
The following is an example of courses a student may take each semester to complete the
AAS degree in Fire Science Technology. NOTE: Four credit hours must be from EMS Electives
(EMS 101, 201, 209). NO more that four EMS credit hours may be used as Fire Science
electives. EMS 204 and 205 are Fire Science electives and do not count as EMS electives.
First Semester
ENG 101
SPCH 101
MTH 127
FSCI 101
FSCI 102
Rhetoric
Principles of Speech
Mathematics (or higher)
Principles of Emergency Services
Fire Prevention
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
15.0
Second Semester
Career Requirements
Skills needed for a career in
firefighting include courage,
physical strength, problemsolving skills under pressure,
good communication skills and
the ability to get along well with
others. Firefighters must undergo
stringent physical and mental
testing to compete for jobs in
local departments.
Upon completion of JJC’s Fire
Science Technology program,
students will be prepared for this
testing. In addition, our classes are
approved by the Illinois Office of
State Fire Science Marshal for state
certification. In recent publications,
the annual salary for a career
firefighter with an associate degree
is listed as $49,887, and the
average income for a firefighter in
Illinois is listed as $60,000.
FSCI 103
FSCI 105
FSCI 106
EMS 101
PSCY 101
Building Construction for the Fire Service
Fire Protection Systems
Fire Apparatus and Equipment
First Responder
General Psychology
3.0
3.0
3.0
4.0
3.0
16.0
Third Semester
FSCI 112
FSCI
FSCI
FSCI
PHIL 103
GEOG 111
Fire Behavior and Combustion
(Elective)
(Elective)
(Elective)
Introduction to Ethics
Physical Geography
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
4.0
19.0
Fourth Semester
FSCI 236
FSCI
FSCI
FSCI
FSCI
Fire Fighter Life Safety
(Elective)
(Elective)
(Elective)
(Elective)
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
15.0
Joliet Junior College Academic Programs
About JJC
Joliet Junior College, the nation’s
first public community college,
is the college of choice for lifechanging learning opportunities.
For more than 100 years, JJC has
been an institution of affordable,
accessible and quality education,
enriching lives through high
quality programs and services.
JJC is a place to grow as a
person, to share in a community
of learning, and to be inspired
by new ideas. With an average
class size of 17, JJC students
experience a stimulating learning
environment where they are
taught by the best. JJC has the
second most full-time instructors
for community colleges in Illinois,
and more than 80 percent of
professors have a master’s
degree or higher.
Admissions Office
Main Campus, J-1005
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, Illinois 60431
Phone: (815) 280-2493
Fax: (815) 280-6740
E-mail: admission@jjc.edu
www.jjc.edu
Fire Science
Technology Program
Duane Stonich
Program Coordinator/Adviser
Phone: (815) 280-2412
Fax: (815) 280-2767
E-mail: dstonich@jjc.edu
Fire Science internship program
The Joliet Junior College Fire Science internship program offers select
students the opportunity to become a rostered member of an area
fire department. The internship gives students hands-on experience
with firefighting skills and allows them to experience the typical daily
operations of a working fire station.
Being a rostered firefighter is a big advantage to students in that it will
allow the student to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to qualify
for the Illinois State Basic Operations Firefighter Exam and recieve
certification upon passing the exam. Becoming a certified firefighter will
offer students a great advantage when applying for a job after graduation.
Qualifications for acceptance include:
• GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Approval of the fire science coordinator
• Successful completion of JJC Fire Science and EMT Basic
courses (EMS 201 and 209)
• Current Illinois EMT basic licensure
• An Illinois state criminal background check free of
misdemeanors or felonies
• Successful completion of a physical exam
• Demonstrated professionalism and ability to work in a team
Students can apply in April and November for the internship. Contact the
fire science program coordinator for more information about the internship.
For the most up-to-date information about the Fire Science Program at JJC,
visit www.jjc.edu/info/fire-science.
Information subject to change.
1112-SM