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Fire Science

FIRE SERVICE

INSTRUCTOR: CAPTAIN BOBBY ELLIOT

A man in a blue shirt and khaki pants holds a breathing apparatus and air tank.

Captain Elliott has been a firefighter since 1985 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and an Associate of Allied Science degree in Fire Science Technology. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Drill Instructor and is state certified as a Fire Officer III and Fire Instructor III through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. Captain Elliott is an adjunct professor for Central Virginia Community College and Piedmont Virginia Community College, as such, his Firefighting students receive dual-enrollment college credits. When asked why he loves doing what he does, he said, “I like the opportunity to help our citizens in their time of need no matter what the emergency may be and being a part of the firefighter community is like being part of a family that takes care of each other. The highlight of my career has been watching former students become successful in a Fire Service career or as a volunteer firefighter.”

A firefighter in protective gear works on a red fire hydrant outdoors.CATEC’s Fire Science program introduces students to the equipment and procedures necessary to fight live fires, operate in hazardous materials incidents, and conduct search-and-rescue operations. Students react to multi-faceted situations such as accidents, natural disasters, and simulated terrorism as part of an emergency response team. They become familiar with emerging technologies like communications dispatch, geographic information systems mapping, incident reporting, and simulation programs. They also study multimedia inputs, thermal imaging, cameras, and hazardous gas detectors.

Additionally, students gain valuable workplace skills necessary to become successful firefighters, including teamwork, critical thinking, public service, research, report writing, and incident management skills. This course challenges students academically, mentally, and physically. 

Fire Science Video

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CREDIT, CERTIFICATIONS, COURSE INFORMATION, AND PATHWAYS

  • Students receive up to 3 high school elective credits each year for successful completion of the program. Passage of the certification exam will award the student 2 student-verified elective credits, one of which can be substituted for a verified credit in either science or history.

  • Virginia Department of Fire Programs Firefighter I and II

    American Red Cross Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers

    Virginia Workplace Readiness Skills Assessment

    • VDFP Firefighter I

    • VDFP Firefighter II

    • VDFP Hazardous Materials Operations

    • American Red Cross Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers

    • VDFP Agency Overview

    • VDFP Active Gun Shooter for First Responders

    • VDFP Introduction to Technical Rescue

    • Highway Safety During Incidents for First Responders

    • FEM 100 – Introduction to Incident Command

    • FEMA 200 – ICS for Single Response and Initial Action Incidents

    • FEMA 700 – National Incident Management System

    • FEMA 800 – Nation Response Framework an Introduction

    • Weapons of Mass Destruction through Texas A & M

    • Responding to Vehicle fires

    • Bloodbourne Pathogen – Required by Albemarle County to be a Volunteer

    Class: Firefighting I & II

    State Code: 8705, 8706

    Duration: 1 year

    Grade(s): Age 16 or older by start of school

    Credential(s): See above list

    Time(s): AM Only

  • The Fire Science program is dual-enrolled with Central Virginia Community College. Students successfully completing the program may receive 12 college credits for the courses listed below.

    College Course Codes

    College Course Name

    Credit Per Course

    College

    FST 100

    Fire Behavior & Combustion

    3

    CVCC

    FST 115

    Fire Prevention

    3

    CVCC

    FST 235

    Strategy & Tactics

    3

    CVCC

    FST 121

    Principle of Fire & Emergency Services

    		  

  • Germanna Community College

    • Fire Science Technology, A.A.S.

    • Fire Science Technology (Certificate)

    Piedmont Virginia Community College

    • EMS-Advanced

    • EMS-Intermediate

    • EMS-Paramedic (Career Studies Certificate)

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    • Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, B.A.

    • Career Opportunity: Firefighter

    • Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster

    • National Wage Average: $45,970.00

    • Virginia Wage Average: $44,700.00

    • Projected Job Growth in Virginia: 14.1%

       

    • Nationally, 27,000 jobs increase each year for next 10 years

       

     

    • Career Opportunity: Arson Investigator

    • Collects evidence, eyewitness accounts & other information to determine what might have caused the fire; furthermore, who might be responsible.

    • National Wage Average: $53,000

    • Virginia Wage Average: $49,000

    • Projected Job Growth in Virginia: 1%

       

    • Nationally, 168,000 jobs increase each year for next 10 years