UC Fire Science First in Nation to Launch EMS Leadership Courses

This fall, the UC College of Engineering Applied Science's Fire Science Program becomes the first in the nation to launch the National Fire Academy’s model courses in EMS Administration.

With UC’s nationally known medical, nursing, technology and research capabilities, the fire science program is well positioned to provide a solid EMS Management track within its current bachelor of science degree in fire science, which is offered online.

The new EMS Management track is offered in the bachelor’s degree program and includes 13 classes within the track, six of which are core courses. Respected faculty and mentors include emergency-medical-service directors and coordinators, paramedics and firefighters, fire chiefs and district chiefs. Courses in the new track available for fall 2013 are:

• EMS Risk Management & Safety
• EMS Management
• Legal, Political, & Regulatory Environment of EMS
• EMS Quality & Performance Management
• EMS Community Risk Reduction
• Foundations of EMS & Community Paramedicine
• Leadership in Fire & EMS
• EMS Communications and IT
• EMS Public Information & Community Relations
• EMS Education
• Analytical Approaches to EMS
• EMS Finance
• Emergency Medical Services Management

The UC CEAS Fire Science Technology Program is known for outfitting students—both those just starting out and veterans in the fire service—with a diverse skillset to enhance the following:

• Promotional opportunities
  
• Lateral transfer potential
  
• Post-career opportunities with new careers in the fields of fire insurance, arson investigation, fire protection engineering or industrial safety
  
• EMS professional opportunities to profit from unique courses taught by UC medical, nursing and fire-management professionals

Offered in conjunction with the NFA’s Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE)  Program, the degree appeals to many fire science professionals looking to advance their careers as it adds a high degree of flexibility and convenience by allowing them to schedule academic and professional development around duty assignments.

The NFA works to enhance the ability of fire and emergency services and allied professionals to deal more effectively with fire and related emergencies. The Academy's delivery systems are diverse. Courses are delivered by the member colleges and universities in cooperation with State and local fire training organizations.

FESHE is an NFA network of colleges and universities that offer fire and EMS related degrees.  UC has participated in FESHE Fire Administration course program for more than 20 years and is well positioned to expand its degree to encompass an EMS Management track.

Lawrence Bennett, Fire Science Program chair, explains, “Each course in our degree program has two instructors whose combined expertise and time management—since our faculty are active fire and emergency professionals who teach around duty assignments—provide students with an unparalleled learning experience.

"These instructing duos not only benefit our students but also our communities. For example, we have William Jetter, Assistant Chief of Glendale Fire Department co-teaching ‘EMS Communications and IT’ with Jayson Dunn, Director of Hamilton County Communications and their partnership has already spurred beneficial collaborations outside the classroom.  We are continually learning and improving our courses and our practices.”

Ed Kaplan, who has directed FESHE for many years, points out, “UC’s Open Learning Fire Science Program has been affiliated with the U. S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy since 1979, starting with its independent study fire administration and fire prevention bachelor’s programs. I began working with UC in 1986 and have always marveled at the quality of its faculty, innovation in distance education and rollout of cutting edge degree programs to meet the evolving challenges confronted by the fire and emergency services. The EMS community sorely needs more bachelor’s programs in EMS Administration so that its future leaders can be prepared for its own unique challenges in how medical care is delivered in the U.S.”

Kaplan is Section Chief of Education, Training and Partnerships at the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Academy. He had previously stated, “Higher education in fire and emergency services is essential as it produces degree candidates and graduates who lead our nation’s fire departments in advancement and effectively progress the profession to better serve their community.”

UC’s Fire Science Program is delivering on this promise for professionals within both the fire and EMS practices of today’s fire service.

Select for more information about the new EMS Management track and the Fire Science Program.

Select for more information about NFA and FESHE.