SMCCME

The Fire Science Technology program, available at either the South Portland campus or our satellite campus at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, is designed to provide both in-service and pre-service students with sound technical and academic experiences, enabling them to assume positions of responsibility as members of fire departments or as technical employees of industrial firms and insurance companies. The program provides training in detecting and eliminating fire hazards and causes through periodic inspections, remedial recommendations, and systematic follow-ups.

Practical technical instruction is designed to meet fire and life safety needs; responsibilities and obligation of fire protection in engineering, building design, plant protection; fire investigation; and all other fields where a hazard may be involved. The ultimate goal is to assist the student in developing the appropriate skills and knowledge for professional fire protection.

Graduates of the program have been employed as industrial fire protection specialists, safety technicians, fire insurance inspectors, forest fire fighters, inspection bureau representatives, state fire inspectors and municipal fire department employees, many of whom have earned their degree while employed in their area of specialty.  

Graduates of the associate degree can transfer credits toward a baccalaureate degree in Applied Technical Education or Applied Technical Leadership at the University of Southern Maine; in Business Administration at Husson College; and Public Administration at University of Maine at Augusta.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Analyze proactive fire prevention and control methods for safe and cost effective fire protection.
• Analyze reactive fire and emergency scene operations for safe and cost effective fire protection.
• Examine and appraise principles of supervision and management necessary for effective leadership and administration in the fire/rescue service.

Curriculum

Public Safety Live-In Program

The members of SMCC's student public safety live-in program are dedicated to providing the highest degree of risk reduction and emergency services to the towns they serve. Join the team! Apply to become a live-in student while enrolled in Fire Science, Paramedicine, or other programs at Southern Maine Community College. If chosen, you will receive state-of-the-art training and certification, become involved in fire prevention, life safety education and emergency operations. You will also live in a fire station and may receive compensation for responding to emergency calls.

The program is a partnership of excellence among SMCC, Eastern Maine Community College, Maine Fire Training & Education and participating communities. This program will start your development in the public safety disciplines, and prepare you for a variety of careers including fire/rescue, technical rescue team, fire & life safety education, fire prevention, fire investigation, company officer, emergency medical services and other jobs in the public sector and private industry.

Live-in assignments are available in Southern Maine (Greater Portland) and Eastern Maine (Greater Bangor) Communities.

Participating Communities:

The goals of the SMCC’s Public Safety student live-in program:

• Provide practical application of academic principles in fire fighting and EMS in local communities.
• Build leadership and teamwork skills through real-life experiences.
• Provide experiential learning, coaching and development by responding to calls for fire, technical rescue and medical emergencies.
• Develop foundation knowledge, professionalism and technical skills in fire prevention, life safety education, fire suppression, rescue activities and emergency medical services.

Selection

There is a formal application and selection process. An official application, cover letter, professional resume and three letters of recommendation must be submitted to the Live-In Coordinator. The Coordinator will arrange formal interviews for applicants with representatives from the sponsoring communities. Selections are then made by participating communities. Medical examinations are also required to meet regulations for structural firefighting and hazardous materials response. The live-in positions require much more responsibility than an average college student living in a dormitory. If you are ready to accept that responsibility and start your public safety career, apply today!

Training

Accepted live-in-firefighters will begin compliance training during the summer prior to their first semester. The Live-in Fire Academy is an intensive training course focusing on the basic knowledge and skills required by fire departments. Completion of the academy will qualify live-in students to serve as firefighters in their assigned communities. Opportunities may be provided to complete training leading to state and national Firefighter I & II certification, as well as EMT-Basic licensure during the student's live-in service.