Associate in Applied Science Degree

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The Fire Protection Technology program is an Associate in Applied Science degree, and is a collaborative effort between MVCC and the Utica Fire Academy. The program is for individuals that are working in, or preparing to work in, the areas of fire prevention and protection. The program provides the education and training necessary to function in the delivery of emergency fire service, and fire protection and safety. The student is required to take 38 credit hours of course work at MVCC and successfully complete a rigorous 500 plus hours of training at the Utica Fire Academy. Students must meet the criteria established by the Utica Fire Academy prior to being accepted into this program. Students also will be responsible for passing national and state credentialing exams. The two-year degree program is appropriate for advancement opportunities in the field of municipal and industrial fire protection.

The Academy is located at 1320 Bleecker Street, once an active firehouse in Utica, offering comprehensive training of New York State career fire department recruits. The recruits live and train at this Academy for approximately 15 weeks.

Goal 1 To prepare students to communicate effectively and clearly.

  • Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively and clearly.
  • Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively and clearly within emergency services.

Goal 2 To prepare students to assess, synthesize, and evaluate information.

  • Students will be able to assess building construction, identify potential structure failure and evaluate code practices.

Goal 3 To provide fire protection professionals with an opportunity to enhance their job skills.

  • Students will demonstrate an ability to utilize technology effectively in their area of study.

Goal 4 To prepare students to interact with a diverse population.

  • Students will work together as part of a team.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of diverse points of view.

Goal 5 To provide students with a core foundation of knowledge in the liberal arts.

  • Students will demonstrate an ability to employ quantitative methods to solve problems.

Goal 6 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy.

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

Total Credit Hours: 63

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This course introduces the field of healthcare for people interested in the field. Topics include an introduction to the healthcare delivery system, a brief historical overview of U.S. healthcare, healthcare settings and programs, members of the healthcare delivery team, roles of healthcare professionals, legal and professional ethics, healthcare organizations and agencies, medical record content, risk management, continuous quality improvement, epidemiology (morbidity and mortality), and interpersonal communication skills.

This course covers the organization, operation, and issues of state, county, and city government. Emphasis is placed on comparative politics in the 50 states and the current problems of federalism. Local governmental units and issues are considered in the study of developments on that level.

This course introduces the discipline of political science through the study of American government. Topics include the concept of the political system, democracy in theory and practice, the historical background and content of the Constitution, Federalism, and the role of the Supreme Court in civil rights. It stresses these aspects of the American political system: public opinion, voting behavior, the electoral system, political parties, and modern campaigning techniques.

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.

This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.

Second Semester

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

Take any General Education Natural Science Course

This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication.

This course explores the changes that take place in human development from conception to death. Cognitive, emotional, social, and physical developments are covered at each chronological stage. Emphasis is placed on biological and environmental influences across the life-span. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology. Students who have successfully completed PY202 Childhood and Adolescence and/or PY205 Adulthood and Aging may not take PY207 Life-Span Developmental Psychology.

Consult with your academic advisor

This course is a survey of mathematics for students in those programs that do not require a mathematics sequence. It provides an appreciation of mathematical ideas in historical and modern settings. Topics include problem solving, logic, geometry, statistics, and consumer mathematics. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

Third Semester

This course provides initial entry level training for firefighting personnel. It covers instruction and skill activity in these areas: fire department organization, firefighter safety, fire behavior, personal protective equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus, fire extinguishers, ropes and knots, building searches, forcible entry, ground ladders, ventilation, hose practices, fire streams, loss control, tactics, vehicle supression, water supply, fire cause determination, fire department communications, fire suppression systems, and fire prevention practices.

This course completes the initial training for the entry level firefighter. It covers instruction and skill activity in these areas: incident command implementation, building materials, building collapse, special rescue, hydrant flow, hydrant operability, hose tools, foam operations, flammable liquid and gas emergencies, alarm and detection systems, pre-fire planning, and strategy and tactics.

This course provides training in the organization, terminology, and common responsibilities for personnel operating in the Incident Command System. It describes the principal features that constitute the Incident Command System (ICS). It also provides information for personnel who will operate at an emergency incident in a functional capacity.

This course prepares emergency responders to respond effectively and safely to stabilize a hazardous materials incident from both a defensive and offensive position. It includes information on recognizing and identifying potential hazardous materials and the classification of such material. It also includes material and skill sessions in these areas: chemistry and toxicology of materials, dangerous properties of materials, detection equipment, protective equipment, confinement and mitigation concepts, and decontamination procedures.

This course provides a basic education and awareness of technical rope rescue operations, specifically low-angle rescue. Material includes instruction and skill sessions in ropes and knots, technical rescue management, understanding the risks associated, establishing rescue systems, and helicopter landing areas.

This course provides training in FAST operations. The material covered involves the following knowledge and skills: proper equipment and make-up of a FAST company. Rescue planning for a missing, lost or trapped firefighter, and removal techniques for rescuing trapped firefighters.

This course enables firefighters to recognize the type of events on the fire ground that contribute to firefighter disorientation and entrapment. The material covers the following knowledge and skills: techniques to stay oriented during the interior operations, and skills that will enable the firefighter to perform self-rescue should they become disoriented.

This course provides instruction and skill sessions in the safe technique of auto extrication. Material includes instruction and skills in these areas: scene safety, vehicle stabilization, rescue theory, rescue life cycle, and automotive design and technology.

Fourth Semester

This course provides instruction on using ladder company equipment. Material includes knowledge and skills in these areas: duties and responsibility of a ladder company, operating and maintaining tools and equipment, ventilation skills, forcible entry skills, search and rescue skills, and placement and operation of ground ladders.

This course provides vehicle operators with the understanding of the seriousness of vehicle operations. It also provides the necessary knowledge of the operation of aerial devices used in the fire service and in the operation of fire department pump apparatus. It includes information on the potential for tragedy, understanding of the responsibilities of emergency response vehicles, and skills in the operation and handling of emergency vehicles, as well as information and skills in classification and typing of aerial devices, plus their proper placement, setup, and stabilization. It also includes knowledge and skills concerning the responsibilities of pump operators, hydraulics and friction loss, pump controls and accessories, fire streams, pump operation from draft, and pump operation from fire hydrant.

This course provides training for code enforcement officials and the practices necessary to carry out the jobs for local government. It also provides knowledge of basic principles of buildings that will endure the effect of fire and enable occupants to safely escape. Materials covered include issuing permits, inspection practices, record keeping, enforcement actions, and legal recourses as well as minimum construction standards, fire resistant construction techniques, notification and suppression systems, and proper planning.

Historical aspect is covered to help show how codes are developed.

This course introduces the principles of fire safety and emergency service organizational leadership and safety emergency procedures. It also focuses on cultural changes with regard to fire and emergency services.

This course prepares the fire recruit for passing the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). Recruits are required to attend physical training daily for one and a half hours. Training consists of muscular strength training, muscular endurance training, aerobic capacity training, and functional training specific to firefighting.

This course exercises the culmination of knowledge gained during the entire training program. Students are given a firefighting assignment, and expected to accomplish it safely and effectively. This training is conducted at the department’s live burn training tower in a safe environment following all guidelines set Fourth in NFPA 1403 and all applicable NYS standards.

Note:

Students must contact the program director prior to applying for this program.  MVCC has an agreement with the Utica Fire Academy and  can not guarantee admissions into the Academy.  To complete the degree requirements a student must successfully complete course work at the Utica Fire Academy.

(a) PS203 State & Local Government OR PS101 American National Government

(b) PY207 Life-Span Development Psychology OR GE Social Science Elective

(c) MA108 Concepts in Mathematics OR MA110 Elementary Statistics