Firefighting is one of the most rewarding and noble professions in the world. Not only do you get to save people’s lives, but you also become responsible for maintaining order in emergencies. A firefighter has to be a valiant risk-taker, critical thinker, and quick decision-maker. Our Firefighting program is a cooperative program through the South Carolina Fire Academy, the SC Department of Education, the fire departments of Berea, Duncan Chapel, and Travelers Rest. Students must be 16 years old to begin this course, and they must be able to pass a medical exam. This is an interactive class in which students will be immersed in the flashing lights, loud noises, extreme temperatures (hot and cold), and physical activities required to become a firefighter. Students must be able to dress in full firefighting gear while being timed and perform skills in ladder safety, live burns, vehicle extrication, and much more. Successful course completion is worth 6-8 credit hours toward a Fire Science Associate’s Degree.
Firefighting is part of the South Carolina Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security Career Cluster. Students enrolled in this program earn two high school credits each semester and can earn a combined total of eight credits upon completing the two-year program. Credits earned will count as electives needed for the SC high school graduation requirements. One of the credits earned may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement for SC high school graduation.
If you are interested in meeting Mr. Crain and taking a tour of our Firefighting lab, we invite you to request a program tour. After-school program tours are available to prospective students and their parents in December, January, and February. We would welcome a chance to give you a tour of our programs.
This course provides the student with the fundamentals of firefighting. It is designed to combine with Firefighter II to allow the student to test for and earn Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications through International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). The course covers fire ground skills, including fire behavior, fire extinguishers, personal protective equipment, SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus), ladders, fire hoses, fire streams, search and rescue, and interior fire attack.
This course reinforces the introductory skills and increases the intensity of training in fire and fire behavior fundamentals. Students will participate in emergency scenarios and train under the watch of firefighters from local fire departments. Vehicle extraction and high ladder skills will be learned during this semester.
This course allows the student to test for and earn Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications as recognized by IFSAC and the state of South Carolina. The course covers building construction, ropes and knots, forcible entry, ventilation, water supply, salvage, overhaul, communications, fire prevention, public fire education, and community risk reduction.
This course serves as the capstone for the Firefighting program. Students are expected to be able to apply each of the skills learned over the last three semesters across a variety of scenarios and situations. Students who excel in their program may participate in work-based learning. The WBL experience combines classroom-based education with on-the-job training experiences to help students prepare for and explore career objectives. A work-based experience must be planned and supervised by the school and employers to contribute to a student’s education and employability. Students must have access to reliable transportation.
As a military firefighter, you’ll have the vital task of protecting people’s lives and property from fire, much like your civilian counterparts. You’ll control and prevent fires, not only in Army structures but also aboard aircraft and ships. You’ll supervise and conduct firefighting, rescue, salvage, and fire protection operations and perform emergency response duties during hazardous materials incidents.
Salary- $56,324 per year on average, or $27.23 per hour
Although Firefighters are primarily known for their work in extinguishing fires, they also offer protection and rescue to citizens during many other types of emergencies. They respond to various emergency calls, including fires, medical emergencies, traffic accidents, hazardous material spills, and natural disasters. Firefighters must also have in-depth knowledge of first aid and CPR methods, skills often used in the field.
Salary- $56,792 per year on average, or $27.30 per hour
A fire chief serves as the director of the fire department to prevent or minimize injury, loss of life, and property damage. They are responsible for monitoring and directing the activities of the fire department. This responsibility involves ensuring adequate training for all firefighters, monitoring firefighting equipment, and implementing all firefighting policies and procedures according to federal and local laws.
Salary - $69,961 per year on average, or $33.64 per hour
Each skill and trade requires a specific skill set to master the content and job tasks. Below are a few critical skills and requirements needed to succeed in the program and throughout a career in this field.
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NOTE: Credits earned will count as electives needed for the SC high school graduation requirements. One of the credits earned may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement for SC high school graduation. Most 4-year colleges will NOT accept career center courses as a substitute for the foreign language college admissions requirement.