WHY UM-HELENA?

 

With a focus on career placement and hands-on learning, UM-Helena's Fire & Rescue program is a superior choice.  Working in cooperation with The University of Montana – Missoula College of Technology (UM-Missoula COT) and the Missoula Rural Fire Department, UM-Helena also provides the Fire & Rescue program to students living in Missoula.  UM-Helena and UM-Missoula COT have interchangeable general education courses so students have the option to complete these program requirements in the classroom on the UM-Missoula COT campus rather than on-line from UM-Helena.  With all the options and collaborative programs offered to UM-Helena students, there is an opportunity that will work for everyone.

 

“I worked for a couple of rural volunteer fire departments and that got me interested in this program. It’s a well-rounded education. You get all of your basics and a lot of hands-on, practical experience from instructors who know how to work as fire fighters.”

Will Schenk, Harlowton

 

“I like the program because instructors provide individual attention and are there to answer questions and work at the pace of the student.  They move at the pace we need to give us the information we need.”

- Curt Kindt, Probationary Fire Fighter, Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department, 2004 Graduate

 

 

WHAT CAN I LEARN?

 

Fire & Rescue courses provide students training in fire behavior, extinguishing agents, apparatus, tactics, rescue, and safety. Students experience live fire situations in training mock-ups and are trained to enter careers in community-based fired departments, aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF), and industrial or wildland suppression agencies.

 

Students in this program will graduate with a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Protective Services – Fire & Rescue.  Our program provides applied entry-level career training for fire fighters and enhances on-going training for current protective services professionals in Montana and the Western states.

 

WHERE CAN THIS TAKE ME?

 

The Fire & Rescue AAS degree is the first step toward a career in fire fighting and protective services. This program will give you the skills and knowledge necessary to compete successfully in the comprehensive testing used by North American career fire departments. Your AAS degree could lead to further academic study at four-year institutions, or give you the background to perform well in promotional examinations and specialized training while on the job. While entrance into the field of firefighting is competitive, a combination of education and experience can eventually provide graduates with a fulfilling and stable career for life.

 

HOW CAN I EARN MY DEGREE?

 

 

Students in Fire & Rescue will take a variety of courses, including:

 

• Intro to Fire Service

• Fire Fighter Safety

• EMT-Basic*

• Incident Command

• Personal Physical Fitness

• Wildland Fire Fighting

• Fire Apparatus Operation

• Fire Fighting Tactics & Strategies

• Hazardous Materials

• Electronic Communications

• Emergency Equipment Maintenance

• Instructional Methodologies

• Fire Inspection

• Rescue

• Building Construction

• Fire Protection Systems

• Fire Investigations

• Human Relationships in Emergency Situations

• ARFF Basic Training

• Wildland Fire Apparatus

• Fire Streams

• Live Fire Fighting

* Students taking the EMT-Basic course are required to have their own blood pressure cuff & stethoscope.

 

Official acceptance into the Fire & Rescue program is contingent upon successfully completing two physical requirements. The first is passing a physical exam performed by the student’s family physician or medical practitioner. A physical agility test is the second physical requirement. Students must successfully complete the following physical agility test within a one-hour timeframe.  The physical agility test is administered at the College’s Orientation sessions.  The test includes:

            Running one (1) mile in ten minutes or less

            Completing fifty (50) sit-ups in two minutes or less

            Completing twenty-five (25) push-ups in less than two minutes

            Lifting and dragging a 175-pound mannequin fifty (50) feet

            Climbing a twenty-four (24) foot ladder while attached to a safety line

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dave Kneebone
Donaldson Campus
406.444.6864
kneeboned@umh.umt.edu