Fire Science & Emergency Management
Massive fire at Indian Hill residence (2014). In 2019, UC Fire Science graduate Stephen Oughterson [not at this fire scene] was appointed Fire Chief of the Madeira & Indian Hill Joint Fire District.
NOTE: The Fire Science program, starting Fall 2025, is moving to UC's College of Cooperative Education & Professional Studies - Fire Administration Track, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies. Contact Academic Advisor Amy Scuglik.
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology, or an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Service Technology, by taking our online courses. Most courses are "accelerated" 7-week online courses. The department also offers a few 14-week online courses and three new Hybrid courses (2-day residencies, with online components).
Students may receive advanced standing for Paramedic, Fire Inspector and other state certifications, and from National Fire Academy and other courses.
The Open Learning Fire Service Program adds a high degree of flexibility and convenience to your professional development while maintaining the level of quality and effectiveness consistent with a traditional approach.
The Open Learning Fire Service Program courses include courses from the National Fire Academy 's FESHE Program (Fire & Emergency Services Higher Education). UC is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges & Secondary Schools.
Questions? Contact us at UCFireScience@uc.edu
EMS LAW - new course / free online textbook: FST 1093 (Spring 2)
Expanded online elective course : FST3055 -UAVs & Emerging Technologies (Fall 2). Interested ? View the UAS / Emerging Technologies and AI course overview video.
Advanced Standing
The following certifications can fulfill Fire Science technical electives (3 credit hours at the Associate level and 15 or more at the Bachelor Level, maximum total 18):
| Certification | Cr. Hrs. |
| FF II | 3 |
| Paramedic | 9 |
| EMT | 3 |
| State Fire Instructor | 3 |
| Fire Officer I, II, III, IV | 3 each ** |
| Fire Marshall | 3 |
| Certification | Cr. Hrs. | Course Substitution |
| BLUE CARD | 3 | FST4077 Contemporary Issues |
| HAZMAT Tech | 3 | FST2049 Hazardous Materials |
| Fire Inspector | 3 | FST3082 Fire Prevention Org & Mgmt. |
| BERT Technician | 3 | FST2079 FF Safety & Risk Mgmt. |
| NFA residency courses | 3 | Equivalent UC Fire Science Courses |
Ohio Fire Executive (OFE) graduate, or National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) graduate without Bachelor degree:
- 12 Technical Elective credits (3 at the Associate level)
- 3 credits for FST4082, Applications of Fire Research (for use at Bachelor level)
Schedule of Courses
Fire Science courses typically meet for half semesters (7-week courses). Below are the dates of the upcoming semesters:
Updated UC Fire Science- Schedule of Courses
Sum 1 (5/8/2023 - 6/22/2021) Sum 2 (6/21/2023 – 8/5/2023)
Fall 1 (8/21/2023 - 10/7/2023) Fall 2 (10/10/2023 - 12/2/2023)
Spring 1 (1/8/2024 - 2/25/2024) Spring 2 (2/26/2024 - 4/1/2024)
Online Courses
Fire Science Courses
Fire Science courses are typically taught twice a year. Below are a list of offered courses, the instructor(s), and what semester it is offered.
| Course Title | Instructor | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|
| FST 2009 - Fire Tactics (14-week course) | Tom Lakamp | Spr / Fall |
| FST 2079 - FF Safety, Risk Mgt, & Mental Health | Brian Carlson | Spr 2 / Fall 2 |
| FST 3019 - Building Construction in Fire Science | Brian Carlson | Spr 1 / Fall 1/ Sum 1 |
| FST 3021 - Terrorism for Emergency Responders (14- week course) | Steve Kelly / Rob Warfel | Spr 2/ Fall 2 |
| FST3071 - Data Analysis & Statistics for Fire & EMS (QR BoK) | Eric Reiners | Spr 2/ Fall 2 |
| FST 3080 - Fire & Emergency Services Administration | Randy Hanifen | Sum 1 / Fall 1 |
| FST 3085 - Political & Legal Foundations | Larry Bennett | Spr 1 / Fall 1/ Sum 1 |
| FST 3089 - EMS Political, Legal & Management | Mark Johnston / Todd Owens | Fall / Spr (6 credits) |
| FST 3092 - Budget, Finance, & Efficient Communication | Demond Simmons | Spr 1 / Fall 1 |
| FST 4081 - Personnel Management | Chris Eisele | Spr 2 / Fall 2 |
| FST 4099 - First Year: Intro Effective Fire Service Research | Chris Eisele | Spr 1 / Fall 1 |
| FST5044- Capstone: Leadership & Ethics | Todd Owens/ Jonathan Westendorf | Spr/ Fall (6 credits) |
Non- Core Courses
Fire Science non-core classes are typically taught once a year. These classes are used to fulfill the elective requirements.
| Course Title | Instructor | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|
| FST 3081 - Analytical Approaches Fire & EMS | Demond Simmons | Fall 2 / Spr 2 |
| FST 4080- Disaster Planning & Control | Randy Hanifen | Fall 2 |
| FST 4083 - Fire Related Human Behavior | Nathan Bromen | Fall 1 |
| FST 4084 - Fire Investigation & Analysis | Nathan Bromen | Spr 2 |
| FST 4086 - Managerial Issues Hazardous Materials | BJ Jetter | Spr 1 |
| Course Title | Instructor | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|
| FST 2069 - Fire Determination Strategies | Nathan Bromen | Fall 1 |
| FST 3082 - Fire Prevention Organization & Mgt | BJ Jetter | Fall 1 |
| FST 3083 - Fire Protection Structure & Systems | BJ Jetter | Fall 2 |
| FST 3084 - Community Risk Reduction | Demond Simmons | Fall 2 |
| FST 3087 - Fire Dynamics | Jonathan Westendorf | Fall 2 |
| FST 3088 - Fire Scene Reconstruction | Nathan Bromen | Spr 2 |
| FST 4077 - Contemporary Issues in the Fire Service | Randy Hanifen | Sum 1 |
| FST 4082 - Applications of Fire Research (14- week course) | Nathan Bromen | Spr (Full semester) |
| Course Title | Instructor | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|
| FST 3043 / 6043 - Community Paramedicine | Will Mueller | Fall 2 / Spr 2 |
| FST 4050 - Emerg. Med Response to Hazardous Materials & Cbrne | BJ Jetter | Sum 2 |
| Course Title | Instructor | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|
| FST 2049 - Hazardous Materials | Mike Gabennesch | Fall 2 |
| FST 4072 - Occupational Safety Engineering & Techn | Mike Gabennesch | Spr 2 |
| FST 4073 - Intro to Industrial Hygiene | Mike Gabennesch | Spr 2 |
| FST 4076 - Principles of Ergonomics | Mike Gabennesch | Fall 2 |
| Course Title | Instructor | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|
| FST 3047 - Intro Emerg. Mgt. & Public Info | Jonathan Westendorf | Spr 2 |
| FST 3052 - Evolution of Emergency Mgt | Brian Carlson | Fall 1 |
| FST 3055 - UAV's & Other High Tech. for Emer. Responders | Bryan Kowalczyk / Kirk McKinzie | Spr 2 |
| FST 4071 - Safety in Emer. Mgt. Disaster Response | Brian Carlson | Sum 2 |
| Course Title | Instructor | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|
| FST 1077 - Problem Solving for Emer. Resp. | Eric Reiners | Fall 1 |
| Course Title | Instructor | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|
| FST 4088 - Fire Science Portfolio (1 to 3 credits) | Randy Hanifen | As Needed |
Contact
Lawrence T Bennett
Professor - Emeritus, CEAS - Aerospace Eng & Eng Mechanics