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Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician

Interviews

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What to Expect

Fire protection technology students learn to keep people and their property safe from fires. They're people with a desire to help their communities.

"I want to help out the community and this is a way to do so," says Sandra Lowe. She studied at Oklahoma State University.

She's been around a firehouse all her life -- her father is a fire marshal. "I became medically certified at age 14 and I have been hooked on the emergency services field ever since."

Lowe balanced her time between classes, work and fire training. She was also involved in several groups, including the Student Association of Fire Investigators, the Fire Protection Society and the student leadership council at her school.

Jason Clayton took fire engineering at the University of Maryland. He thrived on the uniqueness of his field of study. "The subject matter is unlike anything else as compared to other engineering fields," he says.

A typical day consists of lectures, classes, labs and studying. The classes are small, and students get to know each other well.

A fire technology program includes courses in math, physics and mechanics. Other classes are fluid mechanics, fire dynamics and heat and mass transfer.

While the classes are technical, students also receive hands-on training. "There are so many opportunities out there that this program opens your mind up to. I have met so many interesting people and networked so much," Lowe says.

Depending on the type of classes a student takes, about four or five hours of homework and studying a night is typical.

How to Prepare

Focus on math. This helps with all the physics and math courses in the curriculum.

While in high school, Lowe spent a lot of time in the firehouse with her father, as well as taking emergency services classes such as CPR. Students can also become volunteer firefighters.

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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