Harper College's Fire Science Technology program is recognized as one of the top fire
service-oriented programs in Illinois. Led by Palatine and Chicago suburbs-area firefighters,
our program is designed to meet today’s industry standards. The program focuses on
the foundational firefighter curriculum set by the Fire and Emergency Services Higher
Education (FESHE) as well as operational firefighter skills using both classroom and
hands-on teaching methods.
This program prepares students for a career in the fire service industry and guides
them through the fire department application process. Graduates of our program will
be prepared for positions in fire prevention, insurance investigation, fire investigation,
hazardous materials spills, and public education.
Current fire service professionals may use Harper credentials for career advancement
to the rank of lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, or deputy chief. We also offer
Firefighter Professional Development Courses approved by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, which count toward our Fire Science and Technology degree program requirements.
The curriculum is suitable for experienced firefighters as well as individuals wishing
to explore the fire service as a new career.
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Earn a Career-Ready Degree
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree is designed to prepare you for immediate entry into this career field. Coursework
in the AAS may also prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or university.
To learn more, visit our Transfer Information page or see your advisor.
Learn more about a career in fire science on our Program Highlights page.
Continue your studies
After completing the A.A.S. degree in Fire Science, you can continue your studies
and earn a bachelor's degree in Public Safety Management from SIU -- right on Harper's
campus. Learn more at the University Center.
Explore Fire Science Technology Careers
Learn more about career outcomes for Harper's Fire Science Technology degree programs.
Each career profile offers a complete picture of the local job market, including salaries,
open positions, top local employers, and more. To learn more, visit our Fire Science Technology Careers page.
Firefighters
Firefighters
* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Firefighters career profile for most current data.
$85,506 Median Salary
-0.1% Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)
35 Job Postings
Description:
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property,
or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical
service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
Core tasks:
Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions,
using two-way radios.
Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction
design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws,
or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.
Core tasks:
Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists
and arson suspects.
Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags,
crates, or boxes, to protect them.
Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
Quick facts:
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and
fire prevention and control.
Core tasks:
Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons
and maximize application of extinguishing agents.
Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue
functions at emergencies.
Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings,
and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.
Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers,
using two-way radios.
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire
prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
Core tasks:
Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and
fire hazard conditions.
Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by
radio or telephone.
Conduct wildland firefighting training.
Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
For more information about starting your career at Harper, please contact Admissions
Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.
