|
Firefighter Specialist
Certificate
Curriculum code
1268
Course
Requirements
Public
Service Web Site
 Moraine
Valley Community College's Firefighter Specialist Program offers you the
opportunity to develop professional skills and individual technological
expertise in fire fighting. This certificate, which requires fewer credit hours
than an associate's degree, is intended to lead to employment. If you are
considering transferring to a four-year college or university to obtain a
bachelor's degree using the courses from this program, make an appointment with
an academic advisor to review your options.
Nature of Work—Graduates
perform general duty fire-fighting work in extinguishing, preventing and
investigating fires; are familiar with hazardous materials; maintain
fire-fighting apparatus, equipment, fire department quarters; and perform
related work as required. Individuals must be at least 18 and be able to pass
medical, written, oral exams and physical agility tests as required by local
fire departments.
Related Job Titles—Probationary
firefighter, firefighter, industrial firefighter, military firefighter, public
safetypersonnel
Employment Outlook—Employment
of firefighters is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations
through 2014. Most job growth will occur as volunteer fire-fighting positions
are converted to paid positions in growing suburban areas. In addition to job
growth, openings are expected to result from the need to replace firefighters
who retire, stop working for other reasons or transfer to other occupations.
Median hourly earnings
of firefighters were $18.43 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between
$13.65 and $24.14. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.71, and the highest
10 percent earned more than $29.21. Median hourly earnings were $18.78 in local
government, $17.34 in the federal government, and $14.94 in state government.
Resource: Bureau of Labor Statistics. For job and internship listings and job
search assistance, contact the Job Placement Center in the Center for
Contemporary Technology, T904, (708) 974-5737,
www.morainevalley.edu/jpc. | 
