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Academics & Training / Programs & Degrees / Fields of Interest / Law, Public Safety and Security / Fire Medic

Fire Medic Associate Degree

Medics help to airlift a fire victim

Program Code: 105312

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.

Follow Your Path

All credits from the following technical diploma(s) apply toward this associate degree:

Paramedic, 315311

Some credits from the following technical diploma(s) apply toward this associate degree:

Fire Science, 305318

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Program Costs & Financial Aid

Employment Potential

A graduate of the program will have the potential for employment as a Fire Medic, Fire Fighter, Paramedic, Emergency Room Technician, EKG Monitoring Technician, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Technician, Cardiac Catheter Lab Technician, Fire Apparatus/Equipment Specialist, Industrial Fire Technician, Industrial Safety Technician, Fire Insurance Investigator, Industrial Fire Inspector, or additional careers applicable to healthcare provision and/or fire sciences related occupations.

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    Requirements for Program Entry

    • Currently licensed as an EMT in the state of Wisconsin (requirement for the Paramedic program portion of the degree)
    • Maintain a current AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider certification on a two-year renewal cycle to comply with affiliating agency requirements (requirement for the Paramedic program portion of the degree)
    • High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
    • NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law. For the most current information on the Caregiver Law, visit this website: www.dhfs.state.wi.us
    • To be admitted to this program, learners must achieve a prior cumulative high school or college grade point average of 2.6 or higher OR a satisfactory academic skills assessment score. College grade point average must be based on 15 credits or more. To learn more about starting this program, please contact a counselor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.
    • Aptitudes required for work of this nature are good physical stamina, endurance, and body condition that would not be adversely affected by frequently having to walk, stand, life, carry, and balance at times, in excess of 125 pounds.

    Application Checklist

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    Curriculum
    Curriculum: Students following the study plan below will complete the Fire Medic Associate Degree in the number of semesters shown.
    First Semester
    Semester Total
    18
    Second Semester
    Semester Total
    8
    Third Semester
    Semester Total
    21
    Fourth Semester
    Semester Total
    17
    Total Credits
    64

    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.

    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".

    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.

    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.
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    Start here. Finish at a four-year.

    NWTC transfer programs are offered through collaborative agreements with our four-year college and university partners. See where your associate degree credits will transfer >> EXCLUDEEND

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    Industry Credentials

    Students who successfully complete the Firefighting Principles, Hazardous Materials Operations courses, state practical and state written exams are certified by the State of Wisconsin as a Fire Fighter I. State Certification must be obtained within 2 years of course completion.

    Students who successfully complete the Fire Protection Hydraulics course, state practical and state written exams are certified to the Driver Operator Pumper level with the State of Wisconsin. State Certification must be obtained within 2 years of course completion.

    Students who successfully complete the Fire Fighter II course, state practical and state written exams are certified by the State of Wisconsin as a Fire Fighter II. State Certification must be obtained within 2 years of course completion.

    Students who complete the Emergency Medical Technician - Basic program have the opportunity to be certified by the NREMT to achieve eligibility for EMS licensure by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services EMS Section.

    Students who complete the Paramedic program have the opportunity to be certified by the NREMT to achieve eligibility for Paramedic licensure by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services EMS Section.

    Students who complete the Advanced - Emergency Medical Technician - Basic program have the opportunity to be certified by the NREMT to achieve eligibility for EMS licensure by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services EMS Section.

    Wisconsin Caregiver Law

    NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law (1997 WISCONSIN ACT 27). The completion of a caregiver background check includes the review of criminal records for convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behavior. Students accepted into this program must complete a background check through www.castlebranch.com AND complete a Background Information Disclosure (BID) form disclosing any acts, crimes, or convictions prior to program entry. The information provided in the BID form must be truthful and match any findings on the criminal record check. Information regarding this process is provided to students immediately upon acceptance into the program. Students with a criminal history may be denied access to placement at the discretion of the clinical or practicum site. Consequently, should a student have a history of convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behaviors, NWTC cannot guarantee clinical/practicum placement or guarantee graduation within typical program timing.

    Note

    • These additional courses may enhance your eligibility for employment: 10-503-158, Fire Science Internship 10-531-102, EMT 10-503-191, Principles of Emergency Services 10-503-143, Building Construction 10-503-750, Fire Inspector I - Certified
    • Graduates of the Fire Medic associate degree who complete the following courses with a "C" or higher, meet the program benchmark scores for the Nursing-Associate Degree program, AND successfully complete the General Studies courses for the Nursing-Associate Degree program may apply to that program for advanced standing: 10-543-127, Paramedic to ADN Theory 1, 3 cr. 10-543-128, Paramedic to ADN Theory 2, 3 cr. 10-543-129, Paramedic to ADN Clinical, 2 cr. 10-543-130, Paramedic to ADN Skills, 2 cr. Refer to the program information for Nursing-Associate Degree on this website for benchmark scores and required General Studies courses.
    • The Paramedic and Fire Science technical diplomas ladder to the Fire Medic associate degree program. Graduates of these technical diplomas may qualify for advance standing within the Fire Medic associate degree program in addition to meeting the program benchmark score requirements.
    • Successful program completion prepares and entitles the student to take the state license examination. A graduate is licensed/certified only after successful completion of the Wisconsin state examination and application for a state license.
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    Graduate Employment

    With 100% Employed in Field
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