Fire science

fire science at virginia western

Virginia Western offers two programs of study in Fire Science:

• Career Studies Certificate Firefighting and Prevention
• Associate of Science in Social Sciences with Fire Science Specialization

Faculty: Virginia Western’s Fire Science faculty are active firefighters with experience in the field and in the classroom.

Curriculum Advisory Board
The faculty and directors of our Fire Science program meet regularly with a curriculum advisory board that consists of local and regional fire chiefs and training officers. These professionals give the college advice and guidance to keep the program current and to ensure that it meets the needs of local emergency service departments.

Partnerships
In addition to working with a local advisory board, the college participated in a statewide initiative to strengthen the education and training of firefighters in the Commonwealth. As part of this initiative, the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) agreed to accept certain ACE accredited Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) certificates for academic credit and VDFP agreed to allow completers of certain VCCS classes to test for VDFP certifications. Virginia Western recognizes this agreement and is pleased to offer firefighters this opportunity.

VDFP certifications that can be used for college credits:
Firefighter I and II = FST 100
Hazardous Materials Operations = FST 111
Instructor I and II =FST 135
Instructor I and FST 136 = FST 135
Fire Inspector = FST 115
Fire Officer I (see advisor)

College credits that can be used for VDFP certifications: (student must pass VDFP exam)
FST 135 = Fire Instructor I
FST 115 = Fire Inspector I
FST 100, 115, and 120 = Fire Officer I

Contact

For more information on Fire Science programs at Virginia Western Community College, contact:

Jenifer Kurtz, Faculty Advisor

540-857-7387 or jkurtz@virginiawestern.edu