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Fire Science_Icon

Fire Science

A PATH WITH PURPOSE

Merritt Fire Science Illustration

Protect Lives, Serve Your Community, and Build a Rewarding Career

With the right training, you’ll gain the skills, experience, and connections needed to succeed in firefighting, fire prevention, and public safety. Our program prepares you for roles at every level, from firefighter to fire officer to chief, through specialized coursework in fire behavior, safety and survival, inspection, public education, academy prep, and investigation. Ride-along opportunities and certification pathways set you up for success in a career with job stability and room to advance. It all starts here—enroll today and make a difference tomorrow!

“This program created an awesome foundation for me to build on as I continued to pursue a career in the fire service. I was able to obtain valuable hands-on experience with many, if not most, equipment that is used on a daily basis as a firefighter. Merritt's program definitely pointed me in the right direction, and I am proud to say that I am a firefighter with a local Bay Area agency today.” - Ashley M., former student and current firefighter

Recommended Pathway

1) EMT 230 Emergency Medical Responder (2 units)

2) Certificate of Proficiency – EMT 211 Emergency Medical Technician  (6 units)

Prior to enrollment in EMT 211, a student must: 

  •  Be at least 16 years of age AND certified in CPR for Professional Rescuers (Red Cross), OR CPR for Healthcare Providers (Red Cross), OR ProCPR
  • Take a TB skin test before the first day of class (completed within six months of class start, with verification to be provided by the last day to add classes for that term)
  • Have completed the first two Hepatitis B shots before the first day of class

3) Fire Science Core Classes (18 units)

  • FISCI 201 Fire Service Organization (3 units)
  • FISCI 202 Fundamentals of Fire Prevention (3 units)
  • FISCI 203 Building Construction for Fire Protection (3 units)
  • FISCI 204 Fire Behavior and Combustion (3 units)
  • FISCI 205 Fire Protection Equipment and Systems (3 units)
  • FISCI 206 Firefighter Safety and Public Education (3 units)

4) FISCI 211 Firefighter Academy (10 Units)

5) Paramedic Training and Education

Faculty & Staff
Part-Time Faculty  
https://www.merritt.edu/engl/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2023/02/R-e1676102561955.png Damon Covington
Email: dcovington@peralta.edu
https://www.merritt.edu/engl/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2023/02/R-e1676102561955.png David Brue
Email: dbrue@peralta.edu
https://www.merritt.edu/engl/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2023/02/R-e1676102561955.png Eugene Smith
Email: Eugene.dsmith@gmail.com
https://www.merritt.edu/engl/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2023/02/R-e1676102561955.png Felicia Bryant
Email: fbryant@peralta.edu
https://www.merritt.edu/engl/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2023/02/R-e1676102561955.png Gilbert Cody
Email: gcody@peralta.edu
https://www.merritt.edu/engl/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2023/02/R-e1676102561955.png Tracey Chin
Email: tchin@oaklandca.gov

Contact Information 

 
 

Program Director
Gilbert Cody
gcody@peralta.edu

 Chriss-Foster-195x260

Dean of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Dr. Chriss Warren Foster
cfoster@peralta.edu
L123
(510) 436-2609

Counselors

Tanya Ilarde
CE Counseling Office
Building S | Room 438
(510) 434-3938
MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

Marlo Beall
CE Counseling Office
Building S | Room 438
(510) 434-3938
MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

Marisela Carvalho
CE Counseling Office
Building S | Room 438
(510) 434-3938
MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

Merritt-College-Campus-2

Apply Today!

Completing your application takes less than 30 minutes! We’ve created an application guide to help you quickly and easily complete the steps to apply and enroll.