Aug 10, 2015

Lives can change in an instant, and the COM Fire Technology Program prepares students to handle emergencies at a moment’s notice. 

The program offers students options for entering or advancing in firefighting field. COM Fire Academy graduates have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the state certifications for several continuous years.

Day Fire Academy

The Day Fire Academy is a traditional classroom-based course and students complete all curriculum and skills during class. However, the curriculum is Web-enhanced, and students are required to complete assignments and chapter tests online.

Beginning Aug. 24, the Day Fire Academy is 16 weeks and meets Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Night Fire Academy

The Night Fire Academy is a two-semester program. These academies are also Web-enhanced, and students study the online curriculum and complete assignments and chapter tests online. Evening classes, beginning Sept. 21, consist of reviewing the online curriculum and preparing for skills training. The class meets Monday and Wednesday 6-10 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Orientation for both day and night academies is Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. Students must apply to the college and complete a separate fire academy application and physical form to be admitted. The Fire Academy application and physical form may be downloaded from the fire academy website at http://www.com.edu/academics/fire-technology/academy. For additional information, contact Danny McLerran at 409-933-8378 or dmclerran@com.edu.

Continuing Education

Continuing education options include Fire Officer IV, which prepares students for Fire Officer IV certification with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. This online course is $200 and begins Sept. 21. 

The GCFFA New Member, SFFMA Firefighter I class provides basic training for new volunteer firefighters. It covers the curriculum and skills required for the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association Firefighter I certification, which includes 136 training hours. Classes meet Monday and Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. and every other Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for 12 weeks.

Upon completion, students will receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to test for SFFMA Firefighter I. For additional information or to enroll, contact GCFFA Training Coordinator Stan Kozlowski at SKozlow404@aol.com.

The course Hazardous Material Technician satisfies curriculum requirements of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection for Fire Officer IV certification. Topics include human resource management, community and government relations, administration, inspection and investigation, emergency service delivery, health and safety, and performance skills. Students must attend labs to complete skills required by the TCFP to be completed in person. Students successfully completing the course are eligible to take the TCFP certification examination for Fire Officer IV provided they satisfy the TCFP testing requirements. The prerequisite is the completion of Fire Instructor Fire Officer III. The $85 TCFP test fee is paid separately. Class meets Oct. 19-30, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $795.

For additional information regarding COM's Fire Technology Program, visit www.com.edu/fire-technology or call 409-933-8378.