The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Fire and Emergency Services Technology (FEST) prepares students for employment in the fire service and other emergency services organizations.
Students will also receive preparation to continue study in the fields of paramedicine, nursing, physician assistant or other allied health professions. This program provides entry-level knowledge and skills for students planning a career in emergency services. It also can provide career advancement and professional development for those already employed in the emergency services field.
Licensure and/or Certification
- Students that complete EMT A130 and meet FEST and State of Alaska requirements are eligible to test for the State of Alaska and National certification for EMT I.
- Students that complete EMT A230 and meet FEST and State of Alaska requirements are eligible to test for the State of Alaska EMT II certification.
- Students that complete EMT A231 and meet FEST and State of Alaska requirements are eligible to test for the State of Alaska EMT III certification.
- Students that complete EMT A235 and meet FEST and State of Alaska requirements are eligible to test for National Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and apply for State of Alaska AEMT certification.
- Students that complete FIRE A131, FIRE A133, FIRE A135 and FIRE A137 and meet FEST and State of Alaska requirements are eligible to test for Firefighter I certification.
- Students that complete FIRE A123 and meet FEST and State of Alaska requirements are eligible to test for Fire Investigator certification.
Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.
Admission Requirements
Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.
Special Considerations
Practicum placement may require background checks, proof of immunizations, liability release forms, proof of health insurance, and other requirements as dictated by individual sites.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- For the Quantitative Skills requirement MATH A105 or higher is recommended.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C in all FIRE and EMT courses:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
Natural Science General Education Requirement with lab | 4 | |
Social Science General Education Requirement | 3 | |
EMT A130 | Emergency Medical Technician I | 8 |
FIRE A101 | Principles of Emergency Services | 3 |
FIRE A105 | Fire Prevention | 3 |
FIRE A121 | Fire Behavior and Combustion | 3 |
FIRE A206 | Building Construction Issues Related to Fire Protection | 3 |
FIRE A214 | Fire Protection Systems | 3 |
FIRE A221 | Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival | 3 |
FIRE A295 | Fire and Emergency Services Practicum 1 | 3 |
Electives | ||
Complete 12 credits of electives. These electives can be from the FEST program listed below (FIRE and EMT) or advisor-approved electives: 2 | 12 | |
Emergency Medical Technician II | ||
Emergency Medical Technician III | ||
Strategy and Tactics of Fire Suppression | ||
Principles of Fire and Emergency Service Administration | ||
Rescue Practices | ||
Fire Investigation I | ||
Firefighter I, Series I | ||
Firefighter I, Series II | ||
Firefighter I, Series III | ||
Firefighter I, Series IV | ||
Wildland Fire Control I | ||
Occupational Safety and Health for Emergency Services | ||
Selected Topics in Fire and Emergency Services | ||
Principles of Emergency Management | ||
Legal Aspects of Emergency Services | ||
Fire Department Organizational Theory and Behavior | ||
Total | 48 |
- 1
Placement in FIRE A295 requires department approval and will require various forms of documentation, which may include background checks, proof of immunizations, release forms, proof of insurance and others as dictated by individual sites.
- 2
Advisor-approved electives will have a fire/emergency services relevance or will be preparatory classes for other healthcare-related fields of study (e.g. paramedic, nursing, physician assistant, etc.).
A minimum of 60 credits is required for the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Fire and Emergency Services Technology will be able to:
- Discuss the history, support organizations, resources, incident management, training and emergency operations and relate how each plays a role within emergency services.
- Define and use basic terms and concepts associated with the chemistry and dynamics of fire.
- Relate how fire prevention and fire inspections are connected.
- Demonstrate the importance of public education in relation to fire prevention.
- Identify the equipment and systems used in control and extinguishment of fire.
- Identify the types of building construction and their uniqueness under fire conditions and how these components are related to firefighter and life safety.
- Relate how the basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives foster the need for cultural and behavioral change throughout the emergency services.