Major: Fire Protection and Safety Technology
USDA/Ken Hammond
Fires, accidents, and hazardous materials can all threaten lives and property. However, new technologies, standards, and procedures designed to prevent fire and other dangerous situations have made a difference.
If you choose this major, you’ll study the causes of fires and other accidents and learn the latest ways to protect homes and businesses, saving lives and money.
Students of fire protection and safety technology learn fire prevention and control methods. They also learn ways to prevent accidents and exposure to hazardous materials.
“Opportunities for women and minorities are at an all-time high, and graduates are enjoying record placement rates of nearly 100 percent.”
Thomas J. Woodford,Associate Professor and
Department Head, Fire Protection and
Safety Technology, Oklahoma State University
Are You Ready To...?
- Learn how to predict and prevent threats to safety in the home and workplace
- Take courses in math and science including calculus, chemistry, and physics
- Learn from fire professional and engineers with fire protection backgrounds
- Intern with a private company or government agency
It Helps to Be...
Interested in science and in helping others. You’ll also need to pay close attention to detail when learning about the many risk factors for fire and other threats.
College Checklist
- Is the program approved by an organization such as the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology?
- Are professors currently practicing in the field?
- Are labs plentiful and equipped with the latest?
- Will the program help you find an internship?
Did You Know?
- Recent emphasis on homeland security is predicted to create substantial growth in the fire protection field.
Course Spotlight
In a course on fire protection technology, you’ll learn the history of fire protection and the lingo of the profession. You’ll also learn about safety-related laws. And of course you’ll learn about the equipment and procedures used to prevent and extinguish fires. You may take field trips to state-of-the-art factories, hospitals, and offices where the latest fire protection and safety standards are in use.
