Fire Protection

Associate of Applied Science Degree.

About the program:

The online program provides a curriculum that, when completed, will award graduates with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Protection. The degree program is a total of 60 semester credit hours which includes the Basic Fire Academy training. Students who have completed the Kilgore College Basic Fire Academy (or any TCFP-recognized academy) will receive 23 institutional credithours credit toward their degree and take the remaining 37 hours online. Firefighters who complete the program will have better promotional opportunities and will be more marketable in the field. If you successfully complete the Kilgore College Basic Fire Academy, you can then work toward your AAS in Fire Protection. Because state law requires that at least one-fourth of any degree’s coursework be completed at the degree-awarding institution, students must complete at least 15 semester credit hours of academic courses in the Fire Protection degree before Kilgore College can award credit toward the degree for the Fire Academy.

Interested in the program? Come see us!

KC encourages anybody who is interested in the program to come see us and apply for financial aid if they need it through our Financial Aid Office on campus (financial aid is available for all courses within the degree except for Firefighter I-XII). Students who have never taken courses at KC will need to apply to KC first and choose FIRT/Fire Protection as your intended major. Returning students who have been out more than a semester will need to fill out a Student Update Form from the Registrar's Office.

How will the degree help me?

An online Associate's Degree in Fire Protection Technology will prepare students for a variety of positions in the fire protection technology sector. Students, upon graduation, can gain employment in the municipal and industrial fire protection field, as well as the support and marketing of fire suppression and detection systems. Graduates may also be able to find employment in safety departments that specialize in fire prevention and suppression. An online associate degree in Fire Protection Technology will allow students to specialize in a certain area of fire protection and also prepare them for advancement to a bachelor's degree.

How to become a TCFP state-certified firefighter:

In order to become a Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) state-certified firefighter, an individual must successfully complete the basic fire academy and either the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course or an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course. Kilgore College offers both the EMR and the EMT option for students who wish to complete the TCFP firefighter-certification requirements through our program. Course numbers are listed below.

Option One:

  • Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
  • Course No.: EMSP-1005

Option Two:

  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • Course Nos.: EMSP-1001 & EMSP-1060 (Clinicals)

Upon completion of the TCFP basic fire suppression course and either of the emergency medical certification courses, students will be eligible for state certification per Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 13, Chapter 423.

Program Information:

Course Information:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do firemen do?

Every year, fires and other emergencies take thousands of lives and destroy property worth billions of dollars. Fire fighters help protect the public against these dangers by responding to fires and a variety of other emergencies. Although they put out fires, fire fighters more frequently respond to other emergencies. They are often the first emergency personnel at the scene of a traffic accident or medical emergency and may be called upon to treat injuries or perform other vital functions.

What is the job outlook?

Although employment is expected to grow faster than the average for all jobs, candidates for these positions are expected to face keen competition because these positions are highly attractive and sought after. Employment change. Employment of fire fighters is expected to grow by 19 percent over the 2008–18 decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

What kind of salary can I expect?

In 2014, the average hourly wages of firefighters were $21.92. Firefighting supervisors and managers earned an average wage of $34.94 an hour, while fire inspectors and investigators earned an average wage of $26.66 an hour. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

How long does it take to complete the program?

Students completing the two-year, 60-hour curriculum will receive an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Fire Protection. Students who have completed a certified, commissioned academy can receive 23 hours credit towards their degree and take the remaining 37 hours online. Student must complete 15 academic hours at or through Kilgore College prior to be eligible to submit documentation for the 23 credit hours. There is a posting fee for the transfer of credit.

What do graduates of the program do?

Graduates could work at local fire stations, airports, factories, forests, rural and metropolitan areas. Special fire fighters, called smoke jumpers, fight forest fires by parachuting from airplanes to remote areas.

For information about Fire Protection:

Michael Ferguson
Department Chair, Associate Professor
Public Services Department
Phone:
(903) 983-8670
Office:
Porter Business Admin. Bldg., (PORTR) 109
mferguson@kilgore.edu
D'Wayne Shaw
Dean
Public Services and Industrial Technologies
Phone:
(903) 983-8130
Office:
Whitten Applied Tech. Center (WHITN), 114
dshaw@kilgore.edu
Mary Martin
Professional Support Assistant
Public Services & Industrial Technologies
Phone:
(903) 983-8131
Office:
Whitten Applied Tech. Center (WHITN), 114
mmartin@kilgore.edu
Julie Webb
Dual Credit Coordinator
Fire Academy
Phone:
(903) 988-3762
Office:
Technical Vocational Bldg. (TECVO), 113-C
jwebb@kilgore.edu
Johnny Zackary
Director
KC Fire Academy
Phone:
(903) 988-3752
Office:
Technical Vocational Bldg. (TECVO), 113 SUITE B
jzackary@kilgore.edu

Public Services & Industrial Technologies