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1. Will the FIRE program prepare you for a fire-fighting career?
Yes, the FIRE program will teach you the academic skills necessary for entry into the fire service field, i. e., fire fighter recruit, insurance adjuster, fire investigator. To qualify for fire fighter recruit positions in government agencies, you are not required to complete the program, however, you will learn about the four basic areas of fire safety, which are Prevention and Inspection, Fire Control, Rescue & Emergency Medical and Management & Administration.
2009-2010 and later years will have the same requirements. Check this FAQ site for changes.
- Have completed or be in process of completing (prior to the beginning of Recruit School) 47 credits or more toward the 63 credits of the FIRE associate degree.
- Pursuing the FIRE associate degree and have not completed all of the degree requirements.
- Enrolled in six credits (half-time) at any University of Hawaii (UH) institution.
- Currently have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at HCC [Federal Fire has agreed that for the next recruitment only which will probably be in the Spring 2010 semester, they will also consider students with a 2.5 GPA or above].
- Registered with selective service system if male.
- 36 years of age or younger when hire.
Working in a FIRE related job:
If you are already employed, you may be eligible to receive credit through the Cooperative Education Program for a Fire-related work experience. Some of the eligible jobs include:
- firefighter (State, Federal or C&C)
- fire inspector
- lifeguard
- fire sprinkler installation & service worker
- hazmat technician
Go to the Cooperative Education web site on the HON web site. Go to honolulu.hawaii.edu, then to Site Index then to C then to Cooperative Education.
Interested in getting FIRE related experience:
If you would like to apply for a Cooperative Education Program position with a Federal Agency there are some basic ways to go about it. The first is Wildland firefighter through the US Forest Service, Alaska Fire Service or the Bureau of Land Management. These jobs are in the summer on the mainland or the Big Island. To prepare for these wildland federal positions, it is recommended that you take Wildland fire courses like:
- FIRE 151 Introduction to Wildland Fire Control
- FIRE 152 Wildland Fire Control Field Methods
- FIRE 154 Wildland Urban Interface Operations.
FIRE students at HON are notified through the FIRE student e-mail announcement when the Fire chiefs schedule their recruitments on campus in the Spring semester. If you are an HON FIRE student, sign up at the E-mail Announcements link on the FIRE web site.
The second method is through the Navy Federal Fire Service Cooperative Education Program or the Federal Fire Department Student Career Experience Program (FFD SCEP). To qualify following the 2008 - 09 or later requirements, you need to:
- Have completed or be in the process of completing 47 credits or more toward the 63 credits of the FIRE associate degree.
- Pursuing the FIRE associate degree and have not completed all of the degree requirements.
- Enrolled in six credits (half-time) at any University of Hawaii (UH) institution.
- Currently have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at HCC [Federal Fire has agreed that for the next recruitment only which will probably be in the Spring 2010 semester, they will also consider students with a 2.5 GPA or above]
- Registered with selective service system if male.
- 36 years of age or younger when hired.
For certain federal positions like the firefighter; mandatory retirement age is 57 years old.
Applications are accepted once the Navy Fire Service notifies that they are recruiting to Ken Johnson in the Cooperative Education Office. Ken will then notify FIRE students through the FIRE distribution list that eligible FIRE students need to first verify eligibility with Marilynn Ito-Won, counselor. She will then notify both student and Ken of eligibility. Student will then be given applications to complete and submit by deadline. Ken submits completed applications to the Navy Fire Service. For more information, contact Ken Johnson, johnsonk@hcc.hawaii.edu, Cooperative Education Coordinator.
You can also apply for fire fighting positions on your own at the federal job web site or http://www.opm.gov.
4. Where can you look for fire fighting employment opportunities in Hawaii?
You can apply for positions when there is open recruitment. During non recruitment periods, applications are not accepted.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)- Oahu
Honolulu City and County
www.co.honolulu.hi.us/hr/eps.htm
County of Hawaii (Big Island) - Civil Service
www.hawaii-county.com (Go to Employment Opportunities)
Department Head: Michael Ben, Director
County of Kauai - Fire Administration
www.kauai-hawaii.com (Go to Kauai government)
Announcements also made in Maui News newspaper
County of Maui
www.co.maui.hi.us/ (Go to Employment)
Federal Fire Department (FFD) Military bases in the State of Hawaii
www.fedworld.gov/jobs/jobsearch.html
www.opm.gov
www.loihi.state.hi.us
Army Wildland Fire Program covers Schofield, Makua, Kahuku, Dillingham, East Range on Oahu.
www.cpol.army.mil
Summer wildland fire fighting (typically in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington) applications available around November to February. Wildland chiefs usually hold recruitment presentation in the Spring Semester at Honolulu Community College. You will be notified through the E-mail Announcements that you need to sign up for.
USDA Forest Service Temporary Fire (On Mainland)
www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs
Bureau of Land Management e-mail: kathy_cullings@ak.blm.gov
Alaska Fire Service
Honolulu Community College does not currently offer any prep classes for the fire recruit test.
6. Is there anything unique about the FIRE courses?
- Classes are generally 16 weeks long.
- In addition to traditional class lectures and discussion, some classes are offered via Distance Education (DE) and require motivated and conscientious students.
- In general, some of the FIRE courses are offered every other semester.
7. When are the FIRE classes offered?
Classes are offered year round in the fall and spring semesters through the main campus. Additionally, the Off-Campus Program Accelerated offers 10-week FIRE classes at a higher tuition. For details, go to HONs website Γ click on the Site Index, and look under O for Off Campus Program. Classes can be viewed at HON's web site at honolulu.hawaii.edu then go to Class Availability.
- FIRE 100 Introduction to Fire Protection (3 credits)
- FIRE 102 Fundamentals of Fire Prevention (3 credits)
- FIRE 103 Medical Emergency First Responder (3 credits)
- ICS 100 Computing Literacy & Applications (3 credits)
- MATH 50 Technical Math (3 credits)
- PHYS 51 Technical Physics (4 credits)
- FIRE elective The FIRE gradcheck posted on the FIRE website lists FIRE electives. Some FIRE electives have not been offered for a while.
FIRE 100, FIRE 102, or FIRE 103 may be offered in the Fall or Spring semester. Students can begin taking courses in either semester.
If you are a firefighter or completed college level FIRE courses, contact Marilynn at marilynn@hcc.hawaii.edu.
You need to meet the program prerequisites before enrolling in a FIRE class. Check the catalog or Schedule of Classes on the HON web site at honolulu.hawaii.edu for specific course prerequisites.
CHEM 105 is offered Fall semester only with one section on Monday and Wednesday and another section on Tuesday and Thursday. One section is in the evening and the other in the day.
PHYS 51 has not been offered in the evening - PHYS 151 and 151L with a "C" or higher grade may be approved for substitution for PHYS 51. PHYS 151 hasn't been offered via DE however you may find an evening offering at another college. You may be able to take and substitute for PHYS 51. Contact Marilynn at Marilynn@hcc.hawaii.edu for details on course substitutions.
Best to contact Stacy Rogers at stacy@hcc.hawaii.edu and Scotty Rhode at rrhode@hawaii.edu to request evening or Saturday offerings.
Best to contact Stacy Rogers at stacy@hcc.hawaii.edu and Scotty Rhode at rrhode@hawaii.edu to ask about options for DE students for FIRE 103 and 207.
CHEM 105 - you may request approval to substitute CHEM 151 and 151L for CHEM 105 provided you earn a "C" or higher grade. CHEM 151 has been offered via DE. Please check the prerequisite for CHEM 151 as the math requirement is higher than for CHEM 105. You would have to sign up for a lab which may be available in classroom format at colleges on the neighbor island.
MATH 50 - MATH 135 or higher with a "C" or higher grade may be approved for substitution for MATH 50. MATH 50 had been offered at Leeward Community College as a DE course for Automotive students. Unfortunately, haven't seen it offered recently.
PHYS 51 - PHYS 151 and 151L with a "C" or higher grade may be approved for substitution for PHYS 51. PHYS 151 hasn't been offered via distance education (DE).
For neighbor island students, PHSY 50 (3 credits) may be used as a course substitute for PHSY 51 provided the one missing credit is made up with a general education course.
Contact Marilynn Ito-Won at marilynn@hcc.hawaii.edu for details on course substitutions.
No, you do not have to commit to following the new FIRE 2008-09 program, however, you will notice that the courses you need for either the new or old degree are different. Suggest that you fill in courses on the gradchecks you've completed for both the old and new program. If you do not have a copy of the current gradcheck, go to the FIRE web site and print. To check your completed courses, go to STAR transcript in MyUH Portal.
13. Could FIRE 101 be used for FIRE 100 for the new program?
No, both FIRE 100 and 101 are very different courses. To see course descriptions and student learning outcomes, go to the FIRE web site then to course descriptions.
14. Could Fire 203 be used for FIRE 207 for the new program?
No, both FIRE 203 and 207 are very different courses. To see course descriptions and student learning outcomes, go to the FIRE web site then to the course descriptions.
Yes, college courses, certain AP scores and certain CLEP scores are applicable toward the FIRE degree and can be accepted in transfer however grade, grade points and grade point averages cannot be transferred.
Courses completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution grades are generally accepted in transfer with a "D" or higher grade. See catalog for details.
AP and CLEP scores may be accepted in transfer.
You can find out whether your college course will be accepted in transfer by going to the UH System Transfer Course Database. Go to the HONs web site at honolulu.hawaii.edu, then UH System Transfer Course Database. Go to the List and follow directions.
To have a transcript evaluated, do the following:
- Request that the institution that you attended send an official transcript and course descriptions (if from a non-Hawaii institution) to HON Records Office. If the institution is part of the UH system, an official transcript does not need to be sent as HON can view your record at other UH system institutions.
- Complete the Request for Transcript Evaluation form available at HON 's web site at honolulu.hawaii.edu then Student Records. Submit completed form to HON Records Office.
HON Records Office
874 Dillingham Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
(808) 845-9120
16. Will you be able to use fire fighter experience or training for the FIRE degree?
Fire Recruit Training:
Once you have completed 6 credits of FIRE courses, you may receive up to 6 credits of FIRE 999 which are FIRE electives. You need to:
- Complete the Certification of Recruit Training for Fire Personnel form which you can get from the Records Office.
- Have your training division commanding officer sign the form.
- Attach the certificate of recruit training.
- Submit to the Records Office.
Once evaluated, you will receive a Transfer Credit Evaluation granting you 6 credits of FIRE 999.
First Responder Training & Current Certification
If you have completed the first responder initial training (about 40+ hours) and are currently certified, you can get 3 credits of FIRE 103 Medical Emergency First Responder. This would count as FIRE elective credits.
- Submit certificates of initial training and current certification to the Records Office. Ask them to copy the certificates.
- Complete the Request for Transcript Evaluation form and submit to Records office.
- Once evaluated, you will receive a Transfer Credit Evaluation granting you FIRE 103 credits.
National Fire Academy (NFA) Training
You may get credits for noncredit training completed. You can request an official transcript of the noncredit training completed from:
National Emergency Training Center (NETC)
Office of Admissions, Bldg O-007
16825 South Seton Ave.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727-8998
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/nfa/nfa-abt3.shtm
Request the official transcript be sent directly to:
HON Records Office
874 Dillingham Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 845-9120
Certificates of Non-Credit Training or Experience That Are Fire-Related
Make a copy of all documentation including certificates, outlines or syllabus of noncredit courses. Contact Marilynn Ito-Won (marilynn@hcc.hawaii.edu) to arrange to meet to find out if you can receive college credit for fire-related training.
You can also check at the UH System Transfer Course Database. Go to HONs website at honolulu.hawaii.edu then UH System Transfer Course Database. Go to the list and follow directions.
Yes, you can be granted credits provided:
- You earned college credit for the EMT-B courses from a regionally accredited college or university OR
- You have a current EMT-B certificate issued by the National Registry of EMT. Your certificate cannot be expired.
Credit will be granted for FIRE 119B Emergency Medical Technician Part A and FIRE 119C Emergency Medical Technician Part B for a total of 7 credits. These credits count as FIRE elective credits. Once evaluated, you will receive a Transfer Credit Evaluation granting you the FIRE 119B & 119C credits.
EMT certificates issued by states or institutions other than the National Registry of EMT are not accepted for credits because of the varying standards.
Paramedic or Mobile Intensive Care Technician experience or training maybe accepted toward the FIRE degree as a course waiver/substitution for FIRE 119B and 119C.
Contact Marilynn Ito-Won (marilynn@hcc.hawaii.edu) for more information.
18. What general education substitutions are typically accepted?
The following substitutions may be accepted:
CHEM 105 you may request approval to substitute CHEM 151 and 151L for CHEM 105 provided you earn a C or higher grade. CHEM 151 has been offered via distance education (DE). Please check the prerequisite for CHEM 151, as the math requirement is higher than for CHEM 105. You would have to sign up for a lab, which may be available at colleges on the neighbor island.
MATH 50 MATH 135 or higher with a C or higher grade may be approved for substitution for MATH 50. MATH 50 had been offered at Leeward Community College as a DE course for Automotive students. Unfortunately, havent seen it offered recently.
PHYS 51 PHYS 151 and 151L with a C or higher grade may be approved for substitution for PHYS 51. PHYS 151 hasnt been offered via DE; however, if you are a neighbor island student, you may be eligible to take a substitute for PHYS 51.
For neighbor island students, PHYS 50 (3 credits) may be used as a course substitute for PHYS 51 provided the one missing credit is made up with a general education course.
Contact Marilynn at Marilynn@hcc.hawaii.edu for details on course substitutions.
You can apply for positions when there is open recruitment. During non-recruitment periods, applications are not accepted.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)- Oahu
Honolulu City and County
www.co.honolulu.hi.us/hr/eps.htm
County of Hawaii (Big Island) - Civil Service
www.hawaii-county.com (Go to Employment Opportunities)
Department Head: Michael Ben, Director
County of Kauai - Fire Administration
www.kauai-hawaii.com (Go to Kauai government)
Announcements also made in Maui News newspaper
County of Maui
www.co.maui.hi.us/ (Go to Employment)
Federal Fire Department (FFD) Military bases in the State of Hawaii
www.fedworld.gov/jobs/jobsearch.html
www.opm.gov
www.loihi.state.hi.us
Summer wildland fire fighting applications available around November to February.
USDA Forest Service Temporary Fire (On Mainland)
www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs
Bureau of Land Management e-mail: kathy_cullings@ak.blm.gov
Alaska Fire Service
19. Will you be notified of changes to the FIRE program?
Yes, as a FIRE student, sign up for E-mail announcements at the FIRE web site.
20. What is the status of the 2010 FFD SCEP Recruitment, December 10, 2009?
The Federal Fire Department has notified me that they want to hire a new Recruit Class in March. Therefore, if you are interested, please follow the 5 Step instructions below. These guidelines are subject to change.
- Check yourself to see if you qualify for FFD SCEP [completed required # of credits, minimum 2.5 gpa, registered for minimum of 6 credits for Spring 2010, if male registered for the Selective Service System].
- If you are following the old program (Fall 2007 or earlier), you must have completed or be in progress through the Off Campus Program (Winter Term) with a minimum of 50 applicable credits toward the associate degree.
- If you are following the new program (Fall 2008 or later), you must have completed or be in progress through the Off Campus Program (Winter Term) with a minimum of 47 applicable credits toward the associate degree.
- The Off Campus Program offers FIRE classes in their Winter Term from Jan through Mar so you would have completed the courses prior to recruit school if selected.
- E-mail Marilynn Ito-Won to verify that you are eligible. Provide her with your myUH username, what year you are following, cell number.
- Marilynn will e-mail you and me to confirm eligibility. I will send you the required forms via email once your eligibility has been verified.
- As an eligible applicant, complete the required forms [Federal Application Form 171, OPM 306, Coop Ed Student Information Sheet] by word processor and not by hand writing, sign them, make a copy of each and give them to the Cooperative Education Coordinator in an envelope addressed to Ken Johnson. You can drop them off through the mail slot in the Coop Ed office door (Bldg 5 Rm 103B) or put them in my mailbox in the Administration Building. Once you have delivered the application materials, send me an email to confirm.
- The Deadline to submit your application is January 24, 2010.
21. What concerns do students have about the FFD SCEP Guidelines?
Marilynn and I met with Dean Ralph Kam on December 17, 2009 to address the concerns of FIRE Students who had questions about the FFD SCEP Recruitment.
To clarify any misconceptions, the FFD SCEP guidelines change every year depending on timing of the Recruit school and employer requests. For example, last year FFD requested that the minimum GPA be raised to 3.0. However, to accommodate students in the "Old" program they agreed to allow applicants with a 2.5 GPA to apply this year only. The guidelines used in 2004 are no longer in effect. Current guidelines were sent out to those students on the Fire Student Listserv on December 10 and are stated above.
Furthermore, in order to apply, students must have completed the minimum number of credits, or be in progress towards completion of the minimum number of credits (provided they can complete course(s) prior to the beginning of the FFD SCEP Recruit School in March).
Since FFD has stated that the Recruit School will start in March, students must meet eligibility requirements by the application deadline. Only students who have already completed all required courses or who will meet eligibility requirements by completing courses through the 10 week Off-Campus Program Winter Accelerated Term (which ends in March) will be able to apply.
If the course(s) you need are not currently available through the Off-Campus program, you can petition for the course to be offered. However, since it takes 10 students to run a course, you will need to provide a list of students who also want to take the class. Resident tuition is $249/credit for the Off-Campus Program.
If you have questions, please contact Ken Johnson or Marilynn Ito-Won.