Have you thought of becoming a firefighter? What about a job in arson investigation, hazardous materials or safety inspection? Are you already in a public service profession where specialty skills could advance your career? Fire Protection Technology could be the start of a rewarding new career for you — or give you valuable advancement potential if you’re already working in public service.
Fire Protection Technology at a Glance
8 months-1 year to complete1
$1,782 tuition2
- El Centro3
2 years to complete1
$5,940 tuition2
- El Centro3
What Can I Study?
I Want to Go to Work
-
Workforce Certificates
- CEU Basic Fire Fighter Certificate $4,420 1 year
- CEU Fire Fighting Certificate $3,666 8 months
-
Credit Certificates
- Basic Firefighter Certificate $3,168 1 year
- Fire Arson/Investigation Certificate $1,782 8 months
- Fire Science Certificate $1,782 8 months
Can I Get a Job?
Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.
- These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
- Higher level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
- Workforce (CE) Certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
- Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others, offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work towards an Associate Degree.
- Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.
If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for advice.
Pathway Specialist
- 972-669-6400
- PathwaySpecialist@DallasCollege.edu
What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?
Having the training to effectively fight or investigate fires or protect people from other hazards offers many rewards. Check out a few of the incredible career opportunities you’ll be ready for. Your future starts here!
Fire Inspectors and Investigators
$45/hr
Median Salary
31
Job Openings
+11%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Monitoring
- Persuasion
- Instructing
Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
$56/hr
Median Salary
53
Job Openings
+15%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Systems Evaluation
- Systems Analysis
- Operations Analysis
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
$36/hr
Median Salary
4
Job Openings
+18%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Monitoring
- Instructing
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Time Management
Supervisors of Firefighting Workers
$46/hr
Median Salary
210
Job Openings
+10%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Reading Comprehension
- Coordination
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Service Orientation
- Judgment and Decision Making
All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast4.
“The skills that I learned in the classroom, I use in the workplace all of the time. I’m the only female on my shift and one of only three female firefighter/paramedics in McKinney, but as long as I can pull my own weight, I’m fine.” Read Maggie Brosowske, EMT-P, FF's story.
Our Fire Protection Technology program is a licensed fire academy through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Its program aligns with the model developed by the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy to create a standard fire science curriculum for institutions across the country. Courses are also coordinated with area high schools for students who want to pursue careers in emergency and fire management services.
Find Out More About Fire Protection Technology
Sign up to receive additional information about Fire Protection Technology or call 972-669-6400.
School of Law and Public Service
Dallas College
- 972-669-6400
- Text College to 214-978-6457
- StudentHelp@DallasCollege.edu
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1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
2Cost is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.
3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.
4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
HB1508 Notice
This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible.
For more information, please visit dallascollege.edu/hb1508.