Fire Medic - Associate Degree
Your passion for helping others is matched only by your ability to stay calm in times of crisis. Making a difference is what moves you. You have found your purpose - become a fire medic. As a graduate of this two-year program, you'll be cross-trained in fire protection/suppression and emergency medical services (EMS) at the advanced life support/paramedic level. You'll be prepared for employment in fire-based EMS agencies such as rural and urban fire departments, airport public safety departments, and industrial/fire safety teams. Plus, you'll be trained to respond to out-of-hospital medical/trauma emergencies, fire or HAZMAT emergencies, mass casualty incidents and/or special rescue operations in a community served by a full-time fire department.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $13,190, Books: $1,074, Supplies: $575
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. /admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=105312
Requirements for Program Entry
- Apply at www.nwtc.edu/apply
- Submit the following:
- High school transcript (or GED/HSED transcript) and/or college transcript. If your cumulative GPA is below 2.6, complete or submit a placement evaluation.
- Licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician.
- Valid driver’s license and eligible to drive college vehicles under the college’s insurance carrier.
- Ability to walk, stand, lift, carry and balance at times, in excess of 125 pounds.
- Tip! Our admission advisors will assist you through every step. Have questions? Connect with 冈本视频 Admissions at start@nwtc.edu or 920-498-5444.
Program Outcomes
- Prepare for incident response and EMS/Fire operations.
- Integrate pathophysiology principles and assessment findings for a variety of patient encounters.
- Demonstrate paramedic and fire protection skills associated with established standards and procedures for a variety of emergency based encounters.
- Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and through written documentation with clients, coworkers, other agencies, and supervisors.
- Demonstrate professional behavior.
- Meet Wisconsin state and national competency requirements for paramedic and fire credentialing.
- Demonstrate professional conduct by displaying personal code of ethics, positive work ethics, flexibility, teamwork skills, physical fitness, safe procedures, and sensitivity to diverse cultures and individuals.
- Perform fire prevention activities including preplanning, public education, inspection, and investigation.
- Apply incident management and mitigation skills to emergency incidents.
- Apply critical thinking skills to both emergency and non-emergency situations.
Curriculum
Students following the study plan below will complete the Fire Medic Associate Degree in the number of semesters shown.
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Second Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Summer Before Third Semester
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
- Curriculum Note: Students must earn a “C” or higher in all 10-503-XXX and 10-531-XXX courses. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a “C” in a program course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team.
- The credit for 10-890-101, College 101 is an institutional requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program credit requirements, but must be passed with a "C" or better.
- Successful program completion prepares and entitles the student to take the state certification examination. A graduate is licensed only after successful completion of the certification examination and application for a state certification. State Certification must be obtained within 2 years of course completion.
- Students must earn a "C" or higher in College Technical Math 1A
Course Descriptions
Students gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringPrepares the participant to perform the minimum hazardous material incident operations associated with firefighting functions. Meets operational level competencies referenced in the JPRs in NFPA 1001, 4-1.1. (Corequisites: 10-503-142, Fire Fighting Principles; OR Firefighter I State Certification)
Course Typically Offered: FallLearners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringBasic fire behavior, techniques for control structural, related fire emergencies, life safety practices; covers practical evolutions necessary to control and extinguish fires; satisfies all requirements for Firefighter 1 state certification. (Prerequisite: Acceptance to Fire Science, Fire Medic or Fire Protection Technician program; Corequisite: 10-503-153, Hazardous Material Operations)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course introduces the study of diversity from a local to a global perspective using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that encourages exploration and prepares students to work in a diverse environment. The course introduces basic diversity concepts, examines the impact of bias and power differentials among groups, explores the use of culturally responsive communication strategies, and compares forces that shape diversity in an international context. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringProvides a foundation of knowledge in order to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection. Meets all of the requirements for the Driver Operator-Pumper certification with the State of Wisconsin. (Corequisite: 10-804-113, College Technical Math 1A)
Course Typically Offered: SpringTopics include solving linear equations; graphing; percent; proportions; measurement systems; computational geometry; and right triangle trigonometry. Emphasis will be on the application of skills to technical problems. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arithmetic score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringAll college students, regardless of their college major, need to be able to make reasonable decisions about fiscal, environmental, and health issues that require quantitative reasoning skills. An activity based approach is used to explore numerical relationships, graphs, proportional relationships, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving using linear, exponential and other mathematical models. Students will develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts. This course may be used as the first of a two part sequence that ends with Quantitative Reasoning as the capstone general education math requirement. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arith score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16; OR prep courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringProvides the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety.
Course Typically Offered: SpringComplete all Level 2 firefighter objectives as identified by NFPA consistent with Wisconsin Technical College System Board defined standards that comply with ILHR regulations. (Prerequisite: 10-503-142, Fire Fighting Principles; 10-503-153, Hazardous Material Operations)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory course-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis course addresses the complex depth of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of major human systems while also introducing the paramedic students to the topics of shock, immunology, and bleeding. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in the current semester)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course teaches the paramedic student to integrate scene and patient assessment findings with knowledge of epidemiology and pathophysiology to form a field impression. By utilizing a structured and organized assessment process with knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, life span development, and changes that occur to the human body with time, the students will learn to develop a list of differential diagnoses through clinical reasoning, along with the ability to modify the assessment as necessary to formulate a treatment plan for their patients. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in the current semester)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course teaches the paramedic student to integrate complex knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology into the assessment to develop and implement a treatment plan with the goal of assuring a patient airway, adequate mechanical ventilation, and respiration for patients of all ages. Specific knowledge pertaining to the respiratory system is also provided to ensure the student is prepared to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment plan for a patient with a respiratory complaint. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in the current semester)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course provides the paramedic student with the comprehensive knowledge of pharmacology required to formulate and administer a pharmacological treatment plan intended to mitigate emergencies and improve the overall health of the patient. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in the current semester)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course teaches the paramedic student to integrate assessment findings with principles of anatomy, physiology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with special needs. Gynecological emergencies, along with special considerations in trauma are also included within this course. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in current semester)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course provides the paramedic student with comprehensive knowledge of EMS systems, safety, well-being, legal issues, and ethical issues, with the intended outcome of improving the health of EMS personnel, patients, and the community. The students will obtain fundamental knowledge of public health principles and epidemiology as related to public health emergencies, health promotion, and illness/injury prevention. Introducing students to comprehensive anatomical and medical terminology and abbreviations will foster the development of effective written and oral communications with colleagues and other health care professionals. (Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Paramedic or Fire Medic program; completion of Health Assessment; Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in the current semester)
Course Typically Offered: FallBy teaching Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) methodologies and protocols, this course prepares the paramedic student in the integration of comprehensive knowledge of causes and pathophysiology into the management of shock, respiratory failure, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, and peri-arrest states with an emphasis on early intervention to prevent respiratory and/or cardiac arrest if possible. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in current semester)
Course Typically Offered: J-SessionThis course teaches the paramedic student to integrate assessment findings with principles of cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment plan for a patient with a cardiovascular complaint. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in the current semester)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course provides the student with the opportunity to enhance his or her learning through the practice of paramedicine in field and health care environment experiences with actual patients under the supervision of instructors or approved preceptors. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in formal high-fidelity human patient simulator experiences as a part of this course. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in the current semester)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course provides the paramedic student with the knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities to ensure patient, public, and EMS personnel safety. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in current semester)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course teaches the paramedic student to integrate assessment findings with principles of anatomy, physiology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment plan for a patient with a medical complaint. (Prerequisites: completion of prior semester coursework; Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in current semester)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course teaches the paramedic student to integrate assessment findings with principles of anatomy, physiology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment plan for an acutely injured patient. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in current semester)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course provides students with a final opportunity to incorporate their cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills through labs and scenario-based practice and evaluations prior to taking the National Registry written and practical examinations. Technical skills attainment (TSA) for each student will be compiled and/or documented within this course as required by the DHS-approved paramedic curriculum. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in current semester)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course provides the student with the opportunity to enhance his or her learning through the practice of paramedicine in field and health care environment experiences with actual patients under the supervision of instructors or approved preceptors. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in formal high-fidelity human patient simulator experiences as a part of this course. Successful completion of this course requires the student to meet all clinical and field competency requirements at the paramedic level as defined by WI DHS EMS. (Corequisites: all 10-531-XXX courses in current semester)
Course Typically Offered: Spring