July 16, 2008

This fall, Chandler-Gilbert Community College will debut its new Fire Science program with the goal of helping to meet the growing need for highly trained public safety employees in the Valley.

Chandler Fire Department Captain and Chandler native, Val Gale, will head CGCC’s Fire Science program, which will offer an Associate in Applied Science degree in Fire Science Technology as well as a Certificate of Completion in Fire Science Technology.

“The program is designed to do two things - develop firefighter candidates as they prepare for their career, and offer continuing education for professional firefighters as they progress in their careers,” Gale said.

Located at CGCC’s Williams Campus in Mesa, the Fire Science program also offers an EMT component, which prepares students for entry-level positions with ambulance companies.

“Many people like to take EMT classes to ‘get their feet wet’ and decide if they want to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine,” Gale said. “All of the things students will be learning and doing are part of a national curriculum for Emergency Medical Technicians. We cover the curriculum in an eight credit course which prepares and qualifies students to take the National and State EMT-B certification examination.”

With medical calls currently making up 80 percent of fire department responses, Gale said that along with basic firefighter responsibilities, the program will focus on training students in Emergency Medical Services. Quick and thorough medical and trauma patient assessments, basic treatments, and basic life support drug interventions are among the areas that will be covered.

William Crawford, interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at CGCC, said the college added the Fire Science program in response to requests from East Valley fire departments.

“For the past two years CGCC has partnered with our community fire departments to provide courses in fire science for their employees. Beginning this fall, any individual interested in entering the fire science field will be able to take these classes,” Crawford said.

Students can now register online for fall classes by accessing my.maricopa.edu or calling (480) 732-7320.

CGCC offers classes at three locations – the college’s Pecos campus in Chandler; the Williams campus in Mesa; and the Sun Lakes Center in Sun Lakes.