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Martin Davila, Chairperson
Main Office:  CAC 136
Office Phone:  210-486-1692
www.alamo.edu/sac/protserv/

The Protective Services - Fire Science Department consists of these programs: Fire Science and Emergency Management. The various degree programs are designed towards the professional licensing of Texas firefighters. Courses are also geared towards the development and professional education of arson investigators, private investigators and emergency response managers.

Credit towards an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science may be awarded upon successful completion of the appropriate certification process as listed below. To be eligible for advanced standing credit, protective services majors must be currently enrolled at San Antonio College, in good academic standing (not on scholastic probation, enforced scholastic probation, etc.).

Fire Science www.alamo.edu/sac/protserv/firescience/

Fire Science

The Fire Science Program reflects the assessed needs of the community for careers in fire service and fire service management. The curricula are designed to prepare students for initial career preparation, career development, and for foundations leading to university transfer credit. The student must pass the English and reading portion of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) or Accuplacer to be eligible for enrollment in the basic firefighter certification courses: FIRS 1301, 1319, 1429, 1407, 1413, 1423, and 1433. (See descriptions below.) Fire science degrees and certificates are part of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) certification process.

Students may receive academic credit for successful completion of TCFP-approved basic firefighter certification courses.

• FIRS 1301 Firefighter Certification I, 3 semester hours.
• FIRS 1319 Firefighter Certification IV, 3 semester hours.
• FIRS 1407 Firefighter Certification II, 4 semester hours.
• FIRS 1413 Firefighter Certification III, 4 semester hours.
• FIRS 1423 Firefighter Certification V, 4 semester hours.
• FIRS 1429 Firefighter Certification VI, 4 semester hours.
• FIRS 1433 Firefighter Certification VII, 4 semester hours.

To receive academic credit for these course, the student must be enrolled in the AAS Degree Program in Fire Science and successfully complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in fire technology courses.

Fire Arson Investigation

The Fire Arson Investigation Program reflects the assessed local, regional, state, and national needs of the community for careers in both the fire service and law enforcement. The curricula are designed to prepare students for initial career preparation, career development, and foundations leading to university transfer credits. Fire arson investigation degrees and certificates are part of the TCFP certification process for those individuals who are also licensed peace officers in the state of Texas.

Emergency Management & Homeland Security  www.alamo.edu/sac/emhs/

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Program reflects the assessed needs of the community for students seeking a career in disaster preparedness. The curriculum incorporates the professional development series of courses that are required by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (DEM). The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) in Emmitsburg, Md., Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also recognize this series of courses.

This program focuses on problem-solving, critical thinking, coordination, and leadership skills that are required to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from a man-made or natural disaster.

Certificate Programs

For those individuals who would like to pursue a certificate in a given specialty in fire science and homeland security, the options are:

• ¹ Basic Firefighter
• Emergency Management/Homeland and Transportation Security Administration

¹ These programs meet the basic standard of the TCFP. Successful certification of the student by the state is the student’s responsibility and is not guaranteed by San Antonio College.

For more information on any of these programs contact the Protective Services Department in room 136 of the Chance Academic Center (CAC).

Programs and Courses - Protective Services

Protective Services (Fire Science, Emergency Management & Homeland Security)

Programs

Associate of Applied Science

• •  Emergency Management Administration and Homeland Security, A.A.S.
• •  Emergency Management Homeland Security & Transportation Security Administration Option, A.A.S.
• •  Fire and Arson Investigation, A.A.S.
• •  Fire Science / Fire Fighting with an Emphasis in Homeland Security, A.A.S.
• •  Fire Science, A.A.S.

Level I Certificate

• •  Emergency Management / Homeland & Transportation Security, Level I Certificate
• •  Firefighter / Basic, Level I Certificate

Courses

• •  EMAP 1400 - Principles of Basic Emergency Management
• •  EMAP 1440 - Disaster Exercise Design and Evaluation
• •  EMAP 2300 - Developing Volunteer Resources and Decision Making
• •  EMAP 2301 - Leadership and Effective Communication
• •  EMAP 2302 - Managing Mass Casualty and Fatality Incidents
• •  FIRS 1103 - Firefighter Agility & Fitness Preparation
• •  FIRS 1301 - Firefighter Certification I
• •  FIRS 1319 - Firefighter Certification IV
• •  FIRS 1407 - Firefighter Certification II
• •  FIRS 1413 - Firefighter Certification III
• •  FIRS 1423 - Firefighter Certification V
• •  FIRS 1429 - Firefighter Certification VI
• •  FIRS 1433 - Firefighter Certification VII
• •  FIRT 1303 - Fire and Arson Investigation I
• •  FIRT 1315 - Hazardous Materials I
• •  FIRT 1327 - Building Construction in the Fire Service
• •  FIRT 1333 - Fire Chemistry I
• •  FIRT 1338 - Fire Protection Systems
• •  FIRT 1345 - Hazardous Materials II
• •  FIRT 1353 - Legal Aspects of Fire Protection
• •  FIRT 2309 - Firefighting Strategies and Tactics I
• •  FIRT 2319 - Fire Chemistry II
• •  FIRT 2331 - Tactics and Strategies II

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