Questions About Fire Science

[The Probie]

I'm thinking about moving towards a degree in fire science and I was wondering if someone could tell me what kind of classes are involved, what you can do with a degree in it, and where are some places to get it. Thanks in advance.

[Saint of Quench]

Since you seem to be in P.G. County, the University of Maryland, University College has a fire science program. The regular college has a fire protection engineering program. The fire science program is more geared towards firefighting professionals, in my opinion, because it allows them to function more as arson investigators, fire marshals, and trainers at the local and state levels mostly. Fire protection engineering, in my opinion, is for those individuals who want to make a career out of working for consulting firms designing fire protection systems, being a code official, doing research and development of new fire protection equipment, or being a national or federal fire investigator (i.e. ATF, FBI, DOHS, etc.). Most any local college (community college) may offer some form of fire science. College Park, the Coast Guard Academy, and WPI are the big three for fire protection engineering in this country.

[ekuff130]

Depending on what area you are looking in, you my want to take a look at Eastern Kentucky University www.fireandsafety.eku.edu

[FirstDue]

Montgomery Comm. College also has a decent Fire science program. I know a couple guys going through it right now. I have a degree in Fire protection engineering but have taken fire science classes in the past. In short summary, fire science is fire service based. (ie. creating, improving, managing a fire department, fundementals of fire and fire protection, arson, building construction for the fire service, and even firefighting skills). The most scientific it gets is the basic fundementals of fire behavior and basics in construction and its effects under fire conditions.
If you work towards your degree in fire protection engineering, you can, essentially, do what ever you want in the fire protection or fire service. From firefighter, to arson investigator with the govt, to working with NASA, and the list goes on.
If you want more info, check out www.enfp.umd.edu
Hope I helped out.

[Fightin' 47]

I have been accepted to UMD College Park this fall to study Fire Protection Engineering. I am very interested in becoming an investigator/FID. Is there anyone out there who has experience in this field who can let me know approximately how much the salary is and what kind of things go on. Are you on call 24/7, or are there shifts, etc. Thanks.

[FirstDue]

Fightin' 47.
Congrats on being accepted. Fire protection engineering degree will get you to anywhere you want to be and let you do anything you want. (for the most part). The FPE program is very difficult and is known as one of the most difficult engineering programs around (Frosh year has a approx. 70% drop out rate). If you only want to become an investigator, I would recommend a fire science program and a degree in criminal justice. The FPE degree is great but you may still have to go through law enforcement classes/training and arson classes. The FPE program does not deal with arson investigation.
From what I have seen, investigators start around the 30's and 40's range. A typical FP engineer in the research or design/consulting field will start in the 50-60 range.
Hope this helps.
If you need more info just ask.

[Saint of Quench]

Just want to second the congratulations. I'm a graduate of the program and can say that it is a very worthwhile profession. What you will get from this program is a very intense and in depth study of fire and its interaction in everyday life. The courses will focus on a lot of mathematics and science. There is a burn lab during one semester and also some new computer fire modeling which I find very cool. The reason for the high drop out rate is that many fire fighters see this as a more advanced form of fire science and not as what the name implies. This is a true engineering discipline with all credentials to back it up. It is the only ABET accredited undergraduate program in the United States and its alumni are some of the finest people I have known to date.

I wish you the best of success. If you have some personal questions PM me and I can tell you where I am and what I have seen.

[femalefirechick]

Shepherd College community and technical center also has fire science as a two year program. A.S. degree. I was enrolled for a time there, and its courses are similar to those offered through U of M. Some course examples: Fireground Strategies and Tactics, Hazmat, Arson, Fire I and II of course, an internship, core classes, Flammable materials, Life safety code,...for more classes, go to http://www.shepherd.edu/ctcweb/ or contact R. Allen Dulaney,Advisor, at rdulaney@shepherd.edu


Tuition is pretty decent, facilities are night classes, teachers and intructors are all excellent. Esp. Advisor Dulaney, he works with whatever your scheduling needs are.

[Snowman]

I finished a BS through UMUC's Degree at a Distance program in a little less than 4 years. They only allow you to transfer 60 credits from a community college. I was lucky to get 15 additional transfer credits from MFRI and NFA. It's worthwhile, but consider doing a degree in something else first and then getting a second degree in Fire Science. The way hiring practices are going, it's better to have something else to fall back on just in case it takes a while to get hired.

[stirnitupp]

Snowman,

I'm starting the University of Maryland University College Fire Science classes in the fall...Would have loved to go Fire Protection Engineering, and if I had college to do over again I would, but with shift work and such and a family, it isn't going to happen. So if you have any tidbits for me that would much appreciated...thanks! I already have 90 credits or so (quite a mish mash) from MD, and have taken MFRI classes.

[298lieut]

I am currently enrolled in the Fire Science program. Taking two classes a semester. Currently have completed all of the required Fire Science courses. All of the instructors/professors have been very understanding of work schedules, accompanied by family issues and what not. Definately would recommend the program. I am 20 or so credits from graduating, need mostly electives to finish, along with a Math course.

Feel free to email me for any information.

munsie2@adelphia.net

298lieut

[TRUDAROOF]

Ive been thinking about the Fire Science program at UMUC. I checked out their website and the cirriculum with the distance learning via the internet. I see that some of you have completed or are enrolled in the program doing the distance learning. What are your thoughts about it? Im still not completely sold on the Internet classes. It sounds great but I would like to hear what others have to say before jumping in. Any info is welcome and appreciated. Thanks!!

[FirstDue]

Internet courses sound great, but in reality, you spend more time and more work than if you went to the classes. I dont know about the fire science classes, but a buddy of mine is taking fire science somewhere else and is bitching and moaning on the amount of work within the allotted time. He said its harder than if he was in class.

[TRUDAROOF]

Yeah I would imagine that there is more work involved. Time is not necessarily a factor for me if I am allowed to set my own hours and work around me schedule. The problem with me lies in not being able to attend a classroom cirriculum. I havent found a class yet that would work with my schedule but that to be expected nor do I expect them to change things on the count of me. I have managed to complete one B.A. but that was in the younger days and I thought a B.S in FS would better my chances of relocation. Thanks for your help!!

[298lieut]

Anyone that tried to contact me via email about my post form 5-17 will have to try again, my email was hacked and I was unable to recieve mail since the 17th.

Thanks

[Snowman]

I finished in December of 2001. My secondary area of specialization was Technology Management. In that discipline there used to be quite a number of 6 credit classes. That helped accelerate finishing my degree by at least 3 years. The thing with those classes was, none of them went into great depth on the subject. Instead, they covered a w-i-d-e variety of related topics; instead of 2-3 books, there were usually 4-6. Other than that, the formats were the same, 2-3, 10-20 page papers and a final. The Fire Personnel Management was very good. Steve Edwards of MFRI was the instructor then. I got all of my papers backs from him in less than 5 days. Most of the others took 2-4 weeks to return them. Hope that helps.

[PipeMan]

Im transfering this fall to UMUc in the fire science program. Seems like a good program to be enrolled in. I have 40 credits im transfering down, so it shouldnt be too bad. The classes i had at Harrisburg Area Comm. College, mostly consisted of fire risk, fire service management, community risk management, educational methodology(which earns you your instructor 1) and your usual fire based classes. The instructors were great, especially since they were actual chiefs and investigators who taught, and they would use their past experiences and tie it into the subject. I look forward to the umuc program and moving into the pgfd.

[FIREEMSDUDE]

I'm thinking about moving towards a degree in fire science and I was wondering if someone could tell me what kind of classes are involved, what you can do with a degree in it, and where are some places to get it. Thanks in advance.


Hello from Pittsburgh, Pa

There is a good friend of mine taking this course. This degree can get you jobs in the fire service.Check into your local community college for this course. It consists of programs such as:

English Comp. 1
Algebra
Principles of Emergency Services
Fire Code Inforcement
Fire Company Officer
Fire Apparatus and Equipment
State and Local government
Intro to Chemistry
Fire Investigation 1
Building Construction

This is just at the top of my head, But I can look up the rest for you, just PM me for the rest.

[Maskman147]

Hello from Pittsburgh, Pa

There is a good friend of mine taking this course. This degree can get you jobs in the fire service.Check into your local community college for this course. It consists of programs such as:

English Comp. 1
Algebra
Principles of Emergency Services
Fire Code Inforcement
Fire Company Officer
Fire Apparatus and Equipment
State and Local government
Intro to Chemistry
Fire Investigation 1
Building Construction

This is just at the top of my head, But I can look up the rest for you, just PM me for the rest.


Im in the pittsburgh area too. Think im going to CCAC my first 2 years but no one will answer me if the credits will transfere any ideas? The UMUC rep told me take them and then send them down then they will tell me if the transfere. i dont want to was 2 years for nothing. Im looking into UM do u know if i can transfere those credits to UMUC for those internet courses?

John Walter FF/EMT