Spokane Community College

Aside from simply fighting fires, firefighters respond to many other types of emergency calls, including motor vehicle accidents, technical rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and medical emergencies. Firefighters also teach fire and injury prevention classes, visit schools, and lead fire station tours for the public.

Graduates from the Fire Science program may obtain jobs in municipal, suburban, and rural fire departments, as well as private and airport authority fire departments. Once hired by a fire department, firefighters often develop and branch into other areas and specialties, such as training, paramedicine, public education, and fire investigation.

Working as a volunteer firefighter before, during, and after the Fire Science program is an excellent way to build skills and knowledge and develop contacts in the industry, and we encourage our students to pursue volunteer opportunities. 

Firefighters work as a team, and typically develop strong camaraderie and a sense of family. This often happens in the Fire Science program as well as in the fire service in general.