Fire Protection Technology
- Richard Bennett, M.P.A., M.S.
- Associate Professor and Lead Faculty
Page Contents
About the Program
| Fire protection concepts change as technology becomes more and more sophisticated. Therefore, the fire protection specialist must be skilled in the latest techniques in fire control, prevention, and property protection. Newly developed combustible and hazardous materials combined with more stringent building construction and fire safety codes require highly trained and knowledgeable personnel. |
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The fire protection technology curriculum is designed to familiarize you with such things as the history and philosophies of fire fighting, building construction and design concepts, fire prevention practices, specialized hazards, detection and protection of systems, fire investigation methods, and the effective training and utilization of human resources.
You will also study the proper methods for storage, transportation and handling of hazardous materials, supervisory responsibilities and functions of public service agencies, and the legal rights, duties, liabilities, and responsibilities of fire protection organizations within the scope of state and national codes and standards.
Our graduate placement rate is 85% to 90% over the past five years.
(top) Career Opportunities
Graduates of the fire protection program have a wide selection of career opportunities. Your education will assist you in becoming an expert in many areas including fire protection, recognition and correction of fire hazards, design and application of fire extinguishing equipment, and utilization of fire codes and standards. The program is designed to prepare you for a career in fire protection in municipal, industrial, state, federal, and private fire protection agencies. It also provides instruction for service fire fighters wishing to prepare for career advancement.
(top) Student Activities
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Classroom education is enhanced through student activities. As a fire protection major, you may be interested in participating in the Fire Protection Society which sponsors fun events such as the Fire Hall Chile booth during Mayfest. Serious career advancement training opportunities include special weekend training sessions with the State of Illinois Fire Training Center. Students also belong to the University of Akron Fire/Rescue Explorers Post. |
Participation in the student organizations allow opportunities to network and socialize with current and past members of the program as well as with professionals in the field of fire protection and life safety.
(top) Where Learning is Doing
| As a fire protection student, you may participate in a 15-week internship. The internship consists of a full-time assignment in a fire protection agency. The Internship program provides valuable fire related experience with regional fire organizations such as fire departments, private fire investigation organizations, hazardous material compliance organizations and others. |
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Also, our Fire Protection Technology majors are encouraged to participate in special projects such as fire training, educational tours and fire related research projects. It will provide you with first-hand experience, help you learn what a career in that area of fire protection is all about, and aid you in making important career decisions.
(top) Where Our Grads are Placed - A Sample of the Graduates of Fire Protection Technology
| Student |
Position |
Company |
| Dave Fulmer |
Instructor |
The University of Illinois Fire Service Institute |
| Michael Popora |
Director of Safety |
Alltel Telephone Company |
| Dr. Paul Martin |
Fire Chief |
Hudson, Ohio F.D. |
| Bruce Kerns |
Fire Investigator |
SEA Investigations, Tampa, FL |
| Allen Woo |
Fire Chief |
Napoleon, Ohio F.D. |
| Jim Ansley |
Apparatus Sales |
Pierce Fire Equipment |
| Sandra Gills Houston |
Fire Education Specialist |
Stow Fire Department |
| Cindy Edgell |
Fire fighter/paramedic |
Canton Fire Department |
| James Talbert |
Deputy Fire Chief |
Akron Fire Department |
| Bob Rasnick |
Fire Chief |
Suffield Township Fire Department |
| Steve Groves |
Operations Director |
Summit County Hazardous Materials Response Team |
| Charles Buck Adams |
Director |
Emergency Management Agency, Medina County |
| Matt Moore |
Assistant Director of Safety |
Matrix Essentials International, Solon, OH |
| Robert Longbottom |
Director of Fire Protection |
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company |
| Mark Morehead |
Fire Chief |
Loral Defense Systems, Akron, Ohio |
We offer the following options to our students: 1 Associate Degrees
- Fire Protection Technology
- (65 credits)
Minor Degrees 2
- Fire Protection Minor
- (19 credits)
Certificates
- Fire Protection Technology Certificate
- (24 credits)
Notes
1. This list is current as of September 10, 2007. Contact Academic Advising Services for any updates.
2. Minor degrees will only be awarded at the time a student receives a baccalaureate degree and only if the over-all GPA for the minor courses is at least a 2.0.
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