Basic Structural Firefighter (CERT1)

• Lone Star College’s Fire Academy trains recruits for fire departments throughout Montgomery and surrounding counties. Fire fighters work as part of a coordinated team to alleviate human suffering through prevention and intervention to the harmful forces of fire, natural disaster, and other traumatic events. Firefighting is a career offering significant purpose, belonging, variety, self-mastery, a comfortable wage, and benefits. It appeals to those who relish a combination of problem solving and athletic challenge as part of a high performing unit returning chaos to calm.
• Program Highlights
• Recruits have access to cutting edge equipment and experienced faculty. The program prepares students for service in urban, rural, and suburban settings. In addition to firefighting skills, the program works with students to develop professional skills.
• Credentials and Careers
• The Basic Structural Firefighter certificate is for students wanting to pursue entry level opportunities as fire fighters.
• The AAS is designed to enhance firefighters’ knowledge base and help students obtain advancement opportunities in the fire service field. Degree completion helps graduates obtain advancement in the fire service field, in addition to providing opportunities for job advancement for currently employed fire fighters.
• Transferability
• The Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology is transferable into related bachelor's degrees.
• General education courses (Core) are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
• Technical coursework may be transferrable to other institutions.
• Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.

• Certificate Prerequisites
• Hold a high school diploma or a GED.
• Apply for and achieve admission to Lone Star College.
• Be cleared by your doctor Physical Examination Form . Must be turned in to the director before the 1st day of class and cannot be older than 90 days from the start of the academy.
• Submit background check before acceptance into the academy and cannot be older than 90 days from the start of the class.
• Registration only on first come, first served basis with department approval.
• AAS Prerequisites
• Hold a high school diploma or a GED.
• Apply for and achieve admission to Lone Star College.
• Attain college-level readiness in reading and writing skills. Talk to an advisor for assistance.
• Attain college-level readiness in math skills. Talk to an advisor for assistance.
• Registration only on first come, first served basis with department approval.

• This award requires 30 credit hours in total.
• Lone Star College reports 768 contact hours for this award.

• Demonstrate and describe various fire fighter subject matter.
• Knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Knowledge of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
• Knowledge of the life safety code.
• Describe various health and safety issues concerning fire fighters and the firefighting occupation.
• Management and instructional techniques on various firefighting subject matter.
• Demonstrate and implement fire fighter safety and educational programs.
• Describe ways to mitigate an emergency and non-emergency scene.
• Recognize various types of construction as it relates to the fire service.

• Tuition shown is the in-district rate of $111.00 per credit hour for 30 credit hours.
• Out-of-district Texas residents pay $249.00 per credit hour ($7,470.00); international and out-of-state students pay $313.00 per credit hour ($9,390.00).
• Lab fees vary by course and liability insurance, uniforms and supplies vary by program, so Lone Star College publishes no all-in total for this award. Tuition above excludes them.
• Financial aid and payment plans are available to most students.
• Application fee: none. Lone Star College applications are free.

• Upon completion of the requirements for the Basic Structural Firefighter, Level 1 Certificate, the graduate is eligible to take the TCFP state exam for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Fire Certificate, including Fire Fighter I,
• Fire Fighter II,
• Hazardous Materials Awareness, and
• Hazardous Materials Operations.
• Upon completion of the requirements for the Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology, the graduate is eligible to take an exam administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians to be certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a Basic Emergency Medical Technician.
• Additional testing opportunities for certifications recognized by the TCFP are available by completion of additional FIRT courses.

• Students must obtain a background check prior to entrance into the fire academy for all locations, at the student's expense.
• A separate background check must be completed per Texas Commission on Fire Protection rule to obtain certification.
• Complete a fingerprint based background check via IdentoGo. FAST Pass Form.

The Fire Science Technology Program is certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection .

The Student Success Course Requirement is satisfied through successful completion of FIRS 1401 - Firefighter Certification I.