Program Description:

This two-year program open to juniors and seniors, allows students to explore a career in the emergency services field with emphasis on developing fundamental skills in the fire and emergency medical fields. In addition to studying fire science and emergency medicine, cadets are taught skills in team building, decision-making and problem solving. This hands-on course is also physically demanding at times. Cadets participate in training fires and are given instruction in advanced first aid/CPR. Successful completion of the program, with a grade of “B” or better, may result in college credit.

Students in the Fire Science program year one will learn:

• Washington State Occupational First Aid/CPR
• Basic firefighting skills
• Teamwork and cooperation skills
• Apply concepts and mathematical procedures
• Hydraulics
• Application of science and physics to the fire ground
• HazMat awareness
• Physical training

Students in the Fire Science program year two will learn:

• Wildland firefighting skills
• Advanced firefighting skills and application
• HazMat operations
• Ride-along firefighting experience
• Physical training

Program Benefits:

• 3 high school credits
• High school credit equivalency (.5 lab science elective and .5 P.E. at the discretion of the sending school district)
• Preparation for next level of education/training
• Opportunity for scholarships
• First Aid/CPR certification
• Up to 12 college credits may be earned toward a fire science degree at Portland Community College

Industry Certifications Available:

• ICS 100 Introduction to ICS (Incident Command System)
• ICS 200 Basic ICS  for Initial Response
• ICS 300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
• ICS 700 Introduction to the NIMS (National Incident Management System)
• ICS 800 Introduction to NRF (National Response Framework)
• First Aid/CPR
• S130/190 Introduction to Wildfire Behavior
• FF1 (Fire Fighter 1)
• FF2 (Fire Fighter 2)

Prerequisites:

First and Second Year Cadets must have the following in order to be a participant in the Fire Cadet Program:

• Reading proficiency at 10th grade level
• Excellent high school attendance record
• Application (students completing through Cascadia Technical Academy must also complete a Cascadia Tech application)
• Good physical condition (student must pass a sports physical)
• Hepatitis B vaccine series (started or completed) or signed waiver
• Negative TB test – no older than one year prior to the first day of class
• Negative urinalysis drug screen – no older than two months before the first day of class
• Liability release form
• Must provide own transportation to training site
• Must pass 1^st year program with a B grade or better to qualify for 2^nd year; limited space available

Recommendations:

• Algebra 1 or Integrated Math 1, Chemistry, Physics, Health and PE classes

 Note:  Upon acceptance into the program, student and parent/guardian are required to attend the orientation at the off-campus Fire Science classroom site.

Career Opportunities:

• Local and state law enforcement cadets
• Dispatcher
• EMT
• Firefighter
• Forest Fire Fighter
• Forest Fire Fighter Inspector
• Training Officer
• Rescue Worker
• Hazardous Materials Responder
• Emergency Management and Response Coordinator
• Emergency Planning Manager

Credit Equivalencies and College Credit:

Click here to learn more about credit equivalencies.
Click here to learn more about the articulation agreements and college credits available for each program.

Program Supply List / Student Costs:

Please plan ahead. Some programs require that uniforms, supplies, and other program specific related items be purchased or completed prior to the first day of school. To access the list for this program’s uniform, supply and other program related costs please click here.

Note: It is recommended that all students attending Cascadia Technical Academy have medical insurance. Family medical insurance or student accident insurance is required for students participating in internships or clinicals.  Student accident insurance is available through the sending high school.

If you have concerns regarding these expenses, please contact Melissa Downing. There are funds available for qualifying students. Ms. Downing can be reached at 360-604-1062 or at Melissa.Downing@evergreenps.org. Ms. Downing is available during the school year when school is in session.