The field of firefighting has become quite complicated in the last 30 years. With the new products, and the political atmosphere it has also brought about additional areas of responsibility and required knowledge and training. Since 9-11-2001 our world has changed and with it new problems for the fire service. The firefighter's profession is now very much a part of our homeland security. With the added strain on departments to play catch-up on training, and for officers to do more and know more education is becoming more and more in demand. An associate's degree or higher also helps firefighters with promotions and advanced TCFP certifications; but education also provides the department, the city with a better educated more knowledgeable and professional firefighter. This makes the firefighter

The Fire Protection Technology department is prepared to offer the education needed for advancement, and a knowledge base to utilize in today's fast, complicated environment. Upon successful completion of their course of studies; they will receive an Associate's of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Fire Science Administrator. Midland College also offers advanced placement certificates in Inspector Texas Commission on Fire Protection Standards Manual for Fire Protection Personnel, or Investigator Texas Commission on Fire Protection Standards Manual for Fire Protection Personnel are available to those desiring to advance themselves into the career of fire prevention. These certificates follow all required topics and courses as required by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) the governing and certifying agency. Those requiring financial aid should contact the Fire Protection Technology director on valuable information for aid that applies to firefighters that are on full-time paid status. In taking these courses the student will learn how to motivate themselves, learn critical thinking, have up to date information to work with and apply. Majority of the courses either satisfy state requirements for a particular certification and or useful in promotions.

To help acquiring this knowledge all fire administrator courses are on-line computer driven classes. We also participate in the Virtual College of Texas for those living else where in or out of the state to take classes not offered locally or at all.

Want to become a firefighter? Midland College also offers a second degree (A.A.S.) and training to become a basic firefighter. These seven courses, will give the student 27 hours of college credit to be applied towards a degree in Fire Science. At a successful completion of the basic firefighter training the applicant may sit the TCFP certification performance and written test to become certified. To fully complete this process the candidate must also obtain a certification of at least a Basic EMT (please see the EMS website for more information on this). This course of instruction will take two full four month semesters. Cover 40 separate topics and approximately 600 hours of training. The successful graduate will also receive certificates in Hazardous Materials Awareness Level, and Hazardous Materials Operations Level, and a course of completion certificate of the entire course.

 Class times are:

          Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from
         6 PM to 10 PM.

          Every Saturday classes are conducted from 8 AM
         to 5 PM.
 

By taking this course the married student and others with personal obligations may attend a class designed for them to receive training and certification without creating a financial problem to change occupations. Since the student attending will be taking 12 hours in the fall, and 15 hours in the spring they most definitely qualify for financial aid. All classes are approved by the TCFP and follow their course curriculum the latest edition of the National Fire Protection Association 1001: Standard on Firefighter Professional Qualifications.  Texas Commission on Fire Protection Certification Curriculum Manual.