FIRE SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN IOWA

Ready to begin your firefighting career in Iowa? There are approximately 1,800 fire professionals working to keep residents, property, and land safe from blazes. Additionally, Iowa is home to around 2,320 EMTs and paramedics that are dedicated to saving lives and providing first response service in emergency situations.

Just like any other career, the wages of firefighters vary depending on location, expertise, experience, and education. If you’re wondering how much firefighters earn on average, we’ve crafted a chart to show examples of annual salaries for firefighters and fire service supervisors in Iowa:

FIRE SCIENCE EDUCATION IN IOWA

If you’re looking to pursue a fire-related career specifically in the medical emergency field, you’ve come to the right place! Iowa has a plethora of colleges and universities that offer education for first responders. Students can also earn associate degrees in fire science through many accredited community colleges in the state. The schools in Iowa offer both on-site and virtual learning options for students of all backgrounds and living situations.

Generally, associate degrees can be completed in two years of full-time study. Topics students will become exposed to in this program include the fundamentals of fire science, including fire chemistry, hazardous materials handling, and tactics to safe and efficient firefighting. Prospective first responders will take classes in fire investigation, building construction, and fire strategies, to name a few.

IOWA: FIRE SCIENCE COLLEGES

There are plenty of certificate and degree programs available for prospective firefighters and EMTs in Iowa. Browse through the list of schools below to find your perfect match.

WEB-BASED LEARNING: FIRE SCIENCE & FIRST RESPONDERS

Web-based learning is a viable option for aspiring firefighters or first responders looking for a flexible means of taking and participating in classes toward a degree. With this said, Iowa colleges offer online and hybrid programs to suit every busy student’s schedule.

Hybrid programs are great because they allow students to learn a majority of the material at virtually anywhere with a reliable Internet connection, and are only required to meet up occasionally at a local classroom setting to complete projects in-person. These tasks are designed to give students insight on the hands-on aspect of firefighting and fire safety.

The community colleges in Iowa also offer online classes in subjects such as occupational safety, legal issues, principles of emergency services, and fire investigation, to name a few.

Aspiring firefighters who choose the online learning path must have the ability to work well independently, exemplary time management skills, and a drive to succeed in order to stay on top of the material. While distance learning may seem more “relaxed,” it can be easy to get off track without proper discipline.