The Fire Protection Technology programs offers career training and education in Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression. Both degree programs include training and education for those entering the career field and for those already employed. The Fire Prevention-Community Risk Reduction Program offers two certificates. Basic Fire Prevention Risk Reduction Certificate will prepare students with an entry level skill set and certifications to meet minimum qualifications to enter the industry, the Intermediate Prevention Risk Reduction Certificate is designed to provide ongoing training and education for those who may already be an entry level employee or to provide training and certifications that may exceed or provide preference to students entering the job market. The associate degree in Fire Prevention is achieved by completing both the Basic and Intermediate Prevention Certificate coursework and 12 additional credit hours of general education coursework. Chemeketa has a well-equipped fire station and training center on the Salem Campus and at the Emergency Services Regional Training Center in nearby Brooks, Oregon. Coursework is accredited by the Oregon Board on Public Safety Standards and Training and by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. Classes in this program will be delivered in a variety of formats including in person, remote and online (hybrid). Some course work and skills labs are required to be face to face, but the goal is to make any classroom course work available in remote or online (hybrid) format to make the program flexible to promote attendance by “non-tradition” students who cannot come to campus to class 3-5 days per week. Additionally, students who are currently working in the industry may earn college credit for prior learning such as local training and work experience, individualized instructional contracts, transfer credits from local schools, and independent study courses online or by correspondence. Program staff will review and approve any credit for prior learning or certifications.

Program Outcomes

Students completing this degree should be able to satisfy the following outcomes:

1. Exhibit safety practices under general supervision to prevent the occurrence and severity of hostile fires, to mitigate the effect of fire on people, and to assist in the determination of the cause of such fires.
2. Demonstrate effective verbal and written communications skills to meet the needs of internal and external customers, resolve conflicts, and explain fire prevention concepts in a manner that places a high priority on customer satisfaction.
3. Exhibit the ability to collaborate with a diversity of colleagues in order to accomplish goals of the organization.
4. Demonstrate the ability to conduct risk reduction inspections through employing hazard identification, interpreting and applying codes and standards, and applying hazard abatement process.
5. Demonstrate the ability to conduct, coordinate, and complete basic fire cause and origin investigation and participate, under supervision, in the investigation of complex fire situations.

You may earn an associate of applied science degree by successfully completing the required 95 credit hours with a grade of “C” or better in all courses.