FIRE SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN COLORADO
Colorado is filled with vast mountains and extreme weather conditions. As a result, firefighters are constantly undergoing challenges for fire safety. The state has seven accredited colleges, from which 311 fire science students graduate every year. Firefighter-graduates from Colorado work to fight fires, inspect buildings for safety, or investigate fire causes. Approximately 4,530 firefighters, 150 fire inspectors and investigators, and 3,270 emergency medical technicians work in Colorado.
Fire science professionals in Colorado are paid more than the United States average in general. However, annual salaries depend on location, experience, and education. Here’s a quick glance at Colorado firefighter earnings on the entry, medium, and advanced levels.
Colorado Fire Service Careers | 10th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
Firefighters | $27,740 | $51,020 | $74,440 |
Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $49,100 | $67,900 | $82,020 |
Fire Science Supervisors | $28,100 | $49,360 | $73,490 |
FIRE SCIENCE EDUCATION IN COLORADO
Colorado is home to seven accredited colleges that offer fire science degree programs. Six of these are community colleges that offer 2-year associate degrees and certificates in the field. The schools in Colorado focus on providing students with a solid foundation in and introduction to fire science studies.
Fire science students in Colorado can expect to learn the core essentials about fire chemistry, fire behavior, investigation, administration, fire safety training, and emergency medical skills, to name a few. After earning an associate degree, one can enter the workforce as an entry-level firefighter, to gain necessary hands-on skills and experience needed as a professional firefighter. Alternatively, he or she can enroll in a four-year university to gain specialized knowledge in a particular field of firefighting and be eligible for promotions to higher-level positions.
FIRE SCIENCE COLLEGES IN COLORADO
Colorado offers fire science programs at the certificate, associate, and bachelor’s level.
LEARN FIRE SCIENCE ONLINE!
Online education is a perfect way for working professionals to further their knowledge or brush up on current skills during non-working hours. This is especially the case for fire science studies in Colorado!
Colorado fire science students have the option of enrolling in online courses, enabling them the flexibility and convenience of taking a class online with a group of their peers. Students are expected to communicate with their professors via email, chat client, or Skype when needed, and to participate in online classroom discussions via an online portal. To turn in assignments, students generally email their professors at a designated time, or submit via online portal. Every college and class have their own systems set up, so it’s important for students to familiarize themselves with the classroom syllabus before beginning any course.
While most learning will take place online, it is important to keep in mind that students may be required to meet on-site to complete in-person projects or tasks to finish a course. These projects are designed to give students a taste of the “hands-on” work they may be required to be familiar with on a particular job.