Fire Science
The fire service is a highly dynamic profession that offers a variety of daily challenges to the professionals who work within it. The primary mission of the RCC Fire Science program is to prepare students for careers as firefighters.
Opportunities for Experience
A unique feature that sets RCC fire training apart is our relationship with Southern Oregon fire departments. Most of our students are actively engaged in a Student Firefighter program with one of the several fire departments RCC serves in Jackson and Josephine counties.
When not attending school, most student firefighters are working as a 3rd or 4th member on a fire engine, alongside career firefighters, an average of ten 24-hour shifts per month. This enables the students to maximize the learning environment by applying the skills learned at RCC with real life preparation on actual fires and other emergencies. From this relationship, RCC graduates are career ready at completion of the program.
RCC runs a joint testing process with partnered fire agencies for the RCC Firefighter 1 Academy & Student Firefighter programs. Select the Firefighter 1 Academy link above and follow the steps to the application. You will have an opportunity to give preference for which of the departments you are interested in. Follow the "links" on the left of the page for more information on these and other local fire departments.
Answers to Your Questions
- Ride-a-longs - Sign up with the various agencies around the valley to do a "Ride-a-long." Ask questions and learn about the Fire Service while determining your interest in Firefighting.
- Do your research about the Fire Service and what it takes to get hired.
- Are you physically ready? Stay in shape both physically and mentally. You will need to successfully complete a physical ability test to be accepted into the RCC Fire Academy. You will also perform physical testing at each agency when testing for a job.
- RCC application - Apply to RCC (it's free)
- How are you paying for school? Check out RCC Financial Aid and the RCC Foundation.
- Complete the placement process.
- Are you interested in becoming a student firefighter? Click on the agency links to learn which Fire agencies have student programs and what they are about.
- Speak to an Advisor about your path and options. We offer an AAS in Fire Science and a Career Pathway Certificate (CPC) among other degrees and certificates that can help you obtain your career goals.
- Fill out the Fire Academy Application.
- Fill out the EMT application. (Opens April 1. EMT Licensure is required to get a job as a firefighter.)
- Find an agency that is hiring and accepting applications, the National Testing Network is a great place to start!
- Every Fire agency has a testing process that determines a list that prospective Firefighters may get hired from. Here is what to expect.
- Every agency will have an application. Does yours meet the minimum requirements?
- You must be 18 years old
- You have completed and obtained your EMT certification
- Completed Fire Essentials 1 (FRP251) and obtained State Certification (talk to an advisor for details)
- Completed and pass the agency Physical Ability Test
- Completed an interview and or mock scenario
Fire Science Links
Click the link to SPEAK TO AN ADVISOR to create your PERSONALIZED PATH
