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Degrees and Schools
Classes
- Fire administration
- Management of fire incidents
- Principles of fire behavior
- Fire prevention management and organization
- Firefighting safety
- Fire personnel management
- Basic chemistry
- Hazardous materials
Students typically study the following subjects:
Online Classes and Programs
Undergraduate and graduate degrees in fire science administration and fire science are available online. Prospective online students should look for schools which have received accreditation from agencies approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education
Employment Requirements
A promotion to a supervisor position is based on job performance, the results from written examinations, interviews and seniority. In order to screen for the best candidates for promotion, some fire departments use assessment centers, which simulate various job performance tasks.
Many fire departments require applicants for positions higher than battalion chief to have earned a bachelor's degree in fire science, public administration or a related subject. Also, the National Fire Academy requires a master's degree for executive fire officer certification. State chief officer certification also requires a master's degree.
The top employers of fire fighting supervisors are local governments.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The answers to the following questions can help students select the appropriate school:
- Training - Does the program provide plenty of hands-on training?
- School's Reputation - Is the school recognized for its fire science program?
- Class Sizes - Does the school provide small class sizes?
- Curriculum - What type of electives are offered?
- Financial Aid - What types of financial aid are available? Is the school eligible to provide federal financial aid?
- Accreditation - Is the school accredited by an agency which has been approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education?
Fire Fighting Supervisors Job Description
Fire fighting supervisors help protect the public and property from the dangers of fire. They're the leaders of fire, helicopter, hand or engine crews. They provide the details of fires to fire fighters, superiors and interagency dispatch centers. Supervisors assign specific tasks to fire fighters. Some fire fighting supervisors deal with forest environments and other supervisors work in municipalities.
Shown below are some of their responsibilities:
- Evaluate the location, condition and size of fires
- Keep fire suppression equipment in good condition
- Determine staff training and development needs and arrange for appropriate training
- Monitor prescribed burns to ensure they are performed safely and effectively
- Stay current with fire prevention strategies and techniques and fire laws
- Assess the performance of fire fighters/li>
- Provide emergency rescue services
- Determine the best strategies for rescuing people
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