Our program offers a wide range of opportunities to include entry level training to leadership development. Classes are offered at flexible times in a variety of formats to include online, blended, and traditional at local fire departments as well as at L&C’s Bethalto Training Center campus.
Students can prepare for promotional exams, enhance their ability to qualify for a full-time position, further advance career opportunities within their current department, expand knowledge in specialized areas, attain advanced certifications from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and become a better firefighter.
An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Fire Science degree is designed for entry-level firefighters eager to begin their careers or intermediate firefighters looking to refine their skills. This degree has an established transfer pathway to a four-year degree program.
An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Fire Service Leadership is designed for experienced firefighters looking to advance their career or take on increased leadership roles within their fire department. There are also nine specialty certificates that have been approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) for state certification.
Regardless of the path, L&C is committed to providing high quality, real world, and practical experience to our students utilizing our state-of-the-art mobile fire unit, “The Jake”. Our diverse group of instructors provides a variety of experience from full-time, paid on-call, and volunteer departments and positions ranging from Firefighter to Fire Chief.
Fire Science Academy
L&C has teamed up with local school districts to offer incoming seniors the chance to start their journey toward becoming a volunteer, paid on-call, or full-time firefighter. Students will participate in a mix of classroom lessons, online learning, and hands-on exercises covering the basics of firefighting, rescue operations, first response, and handling hazardous materials.
This program is physically demanding and helps students build leadership and communication skills through real-life scenario exercises, preparing them for volunteer or job opportunities with local fire departments.
Cadets will complete the full Basic Operations Firefighter curriculum, which includes cognitive and psychomotor training components. As they progress, students will participate in increasingly complex drills that simulate real emergency situations.
Accepted students are encouraged to join a local fire department as a volunteer or explorer. Those who complete the program will receive the listed Certificates of Completion, 15.5 college credits, and be qualified for roles such as volunteer firefighter, emergency medical responder, or probationary firefighter.
Fire Academy Prerequisites: You must be 16+ years old and a High school senior
The Fire Science program at Lewis and Clark Community College has earned recognition as a Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) college from the National Fire Academy (NFA), a subset of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Offerings
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Fire Science
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Fire Service Leadership
- Certificate of Proficiency (CP) | Fire Science
- Certificate of Proficiency (CP) | Fire Service Leadership
- Certificate of Completion (CC) | Firefighter - Basic
- Certificate of Completion (CC) | Firefighter - Advanced
- Certificate of Completion (CC) | Hazardous Materials Operations
- Certificate of Completion (CC) | Fire Apparatus Operator
- Certificate of Completion (CC) | Fire Instructor I
- Certificate of Completion (CC) | Fire Instructor II
- Certificate of Completion (CC) | Company Fire Officer
- Certificate of Completion (CC) | Advanced Fire Officer
- Certificate of Completion (CC) | Incident Safety Officer
* All Certificates of Completion are Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) approved
See the catalog for the course and degree information
*This is only meant as a guide. Please see an advisor when planning your courses.
Licensure Information
Lewis and Clark Community College's Fire Science program meets the state education requirements to apply for the Office of the State Fire Marshal certification exam in the state of Illinois. Students considering certification in other states, U.S. Territories, or the District of Columbia should contact the appropriate certifying agency in the area where they plan to be certified prior to enrollment at Lewis and Clark Community College to ensure the coursework meets those requirements. Professional Licensure compliance and agencies for each state/territory
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L&C Catalog |