Fire Sciences

A career in saving lives—as a firefighter or emergency services worker— is one of the most important and meaningful you can have today. They are also uniquely challenging and require a variety of special skills and knowledge for those who want to make a difference in these roles.

Oakton's Fire Science Technology program has been developed to prepare you for a career in firefighting or a related occupation. If you are already working in this field, our curriculum can help you increase your skills and find new opportunities.

We offer an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in fire science technology if you are interested in pursuing an education in this area while also taking on a number of key general education courses. If you just want to focus on your fire science courses, we also offer certificates. Check out our course catalog to find out more about the classes we offer.

If you are already working in fire services, our curriculum offers courses—approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal—that can lead to Fire Officer I and II certification. You'll also have the opportunity in this program to increase your knowledge in specialty areas of fire science through Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) courses. An intergovernmental agency located in Glenview, NIPSTA provides education and training for fire departments and other first responders.

At Oakton, we also offer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic courses. 

Degrees and Certificates

We offer an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in fire science technology if you are interested in pursuing an education in this area while also taking on a number of key general education courses.

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This certificate program is designed to prepare your for entry into the fire service. This program will give you a good look at what the fire service is all about and an in-depth understanding of basic fire fighting fundamentals and principles.

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This program provides students seeking a career in the fire service with a high level of understanding of the technical aspects of firefighting and fire service management. The program will also prepare fire personnel to become future fire officers by increasing their understanding of fire science technology.

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This certificate program is designed for the student who wishes to gain employment in the Emergency Medical System. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take either the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) exam or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. This certificate can be completed in one semester.

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This certificate program is designed for students who wishes to gain employment in the emergency medical system. Successful completion allows the student to obtain licensure by the Illinois Department of Public Health as an EMT-P.

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What You Need to Know

There are six requirements for participation in the clinical component of the EMT program:

1. Hepatitis B Titer. Vaccinations are not acceptable. You must have a blood test. You may:

  • Obtain a referral from Health Services to have the titers done at Presence Holy Family Medical Center. (Cost for titer is covered by your lab fee); or contact your own physician. If you have insurance, it may cover the test; or

  • Submit your titer results if you have had the test in the past, especially if you have worked in a healthcare setting or taken classes in the healthcare field. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommends that you be immunized against this serious viral infection if your titer results indicate that you are not immune (negative). You may:

  • Contact your own physician or pharmacy for hepatitis B vaccines (series of three) if you have insurance. Bring titer results with you.

  • Receive the hepatitis B vaccines at a reduced cost at the monthly Hepatitis B Clinic at Oakton’s Health Services, Des Plaines. An appointment is needed. Must bring titer results.

  • Sign the Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination Form and Release if you are declining the vaccines.

    2. Blood Work (Titers). You must have proof of immunity to four communicable childhood diseases: rubella, rubeola, varicella, and mumps. Vaccination records are not acceptable. You must have a blood test. You may:

  • Obtain a referral from Health Services to have the titers done at Presence Holy Family Medical Center. (cost for titer is covered by your lab fee); or submit a copy of blood titer results. You may have had the test in the past, especially if you already work in a healthcare setting. If so, bring a copy to Health Services; or contact your physician to have the tests. If you have insurance, the titers may be covered; call your health insurance prior to going. If your titer results indicate no immunity (negative), you will need vaccines (not included in fees.) Please talk to Health Services to determine which vaccines are needed based on your titer results.

  • Note: It is strongly recommended that you submit a copy of your vaccine record. If your titers indicate no immunity (negative) to a disease, it may save you one or two vaccines.

3. Tuberculosis (TB) Skin Test. Results of this test must be dated within the past 12 months.

  • The TB test is offered by appointment in Health Services on the Skokie campus, 847.635.1419 and the Des Plaines campus, 847.635.1885. (Cost for the TB test is covered by your lab fee. There is no charge if it is performed at Oakton Health Services), or

  • The test can also be performed by your physician or employer. Submit a copy to Health Services.

  • The TB test is also offered by appointment at the Skokie Health Department. Call 847.933.8252 for days and times. Cost is $10. If your skin test is already positive, contact Health Services.

4. Physical Examination. Must be completed within the last year on a Health Services Physical Exam form.

  • Have your physician do the exam, using the Physical Exam Report form from Health Services.

  • If you do not have a physician:

    Limited low-cost physical exams are available at Health Services, Des Plaines. Students must have TB test and titers done prior to making an appointment.

    Heartland Health Center (8320 Skokie Blvd., Skokie) offers low-cost school physicals for Oakton students. Call 847.410.6501.

5. Confidential Medical History Form. Complete, sign, and return to Health Services.

6. Flu Vaccine (except summer session). You must submit proof of a current seasonal flu vaccination.

  • Note: Students will not be able to attend the clinical portion of the program without receiving a medical clearance from Health Services. Clinical sites reserve the right to change health requirements at any time based on current medical practices.

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (ALGH)

For more information, contact:

  • Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (ALGH) EMS System Office 847.723.5430 or jennifer.kus@aah.org
  • Oakton's Division of Business and Career Technologies 847.635.1910
  • Michael Doocy, program coordinator, 847.376.7887 or mdoocy@oakton.edu.

What’s Next?

We are glad you are considering attending Oakton College. No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help you with your next steps. Whether you're ready to apply now, need information on paying for college or have questions and want to contact someone, we're here to help.

Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.

99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.

To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.

We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.

Learn more about your options for paying for your education

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As your community college, we serve students from various backgrounds. We aim to make the application process as easy and as clear as possible for everyone.

We can help you get started on a degree or certificate. Applying to Oakton is fast and easy.

Your first step before you begin your studies is filling out an admission application and completing your enrollment process.

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Meet Your Faculty and Experts

Spencer Kimura, Chair
Chair, Fire Science Technologies
M.S. National Louis University
Executive Fire Officer
Chief Fire Officer
Chief Training Officer
MIFireE
skimura@oakton.edu
847.635.1827
Office: P253, Skokie

Aref Abdellatif
EMT Coordinator
aabdellatif@oakton.edu
847.376.7890
Office: B206, Skokie

Mike Doocy
Paramedic Coordinator
mdoocy@oakton.edu
847.376.7887
Office: B206, Skokie

Meet our part time faculty:

Ali Abdollahzadeh
Lecturer
aabdolla@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Peter Chiodo
Lecturer
pchiodo@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

John Roche
Lecturer
jroche@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Drew Smith
Lecturer
dsmith@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Michael Spain
Lecturer
mspain@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

EMS Advisory Committee One

IDPH EMS Region IX
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital EMS
System Advisory Committee (ALGH)

Peggy Drag, RN, BSN, Paramedic
Paramedic Program Director
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

David Hassard, MD
EMS Medical Director
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Robyn Mazzolini, RN, BSN, TNS
EMS System Coordinator
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Amanda Phelps, RN, MSN, TNS
Manager EMS, Trauma & Emergency Preparedness
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital | Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge

 


EMS Advisory Committee Two

IDPH EMS Region X
Amita Health Saint Francis Hospital EMS 
System Advisory Committee

Sara Van Dusseldorp, NRP, LI, NCEE
Manager of Emergency Services
Amita Hospital


Jeremy Lott, DO
EMS Medical Director
St Francis Hospital

Ex-Officio Members:

Marc J. Battista, MA Applied Linguistics
Associate Vice President of Workforce Education
Dean of Business & Career Technologies
Oakton College

Spencer Kimura, MS, EFO, CFO, CTO, MIFireE
Fire Science Program Chair, Professor
Oakton College


Fire Advisory Committee

Dan Anderson
Fire Chief
Des Plaines Fire Department

Andy Carlson
Fire Chief
Northbrook Fire Department

Tony DeRose
Fire Chief
Glenview Fire Department

Ralph Ensign
Fire Chief
Morton Grove Fire Department

Martin C. Feld
Fire Chief
Niles Fire Department

Mike Hansen
Fire Chief
Lincolnwood Fire Department

Jeffrey Hoeflich
Fire Chief
Skokie Fire Department

Brian Lambel
Fire Chief
WIlmette Fire Department

Robert McKay
Fire Chief
North Maine Fire Department

Mike Nystrand
Fire Chief
Northfield Fire Department

Paul Polep
Fire Chief
Evanston Fire Department

Jill Ramaker, MScTRM
Executive Director
Northeastern IL Public Safety Academy

John Ripka
Fire Chief
Winnetka Fire Department

Jeffrey Sorensen
Fire Chief
Park Ridge Fire Department

Ex-Officio Members:

Marc J. Battista, MA Applied Linguistics
Associate Vice President of Workforce Education
Dean of Business & Career Technologies
Oakton College

Spencer Kimura, MS, EFO, CFO, CTO, MIFireE
Fire Science Program Chair, Professor
Oakton College

Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclosure Requirements for Academic Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification

Licensure Requirements: Each state and territory has different licensure and certification requirements. Oakton has researched and/or contacted state licensing authorities to confirm that the program meets the educational requirements leading to professional licensure. Other licensure requirements may include professional certification exams, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting, etc.

Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. As of June 1, 2023, we have determined that individuals that successfully complete Oakton’s Emergency Medical Technician Basic and Paramedic Program curriculum:

Meets the education requirements leading to licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin

Does NOT meet the education requirements For licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington

We have not made a determination if the program curriculum meets the requirements for licensure/certification in these states and US Territories: American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming

If you intend to practice in any state other than Illinois, you should contact the appropriate licensing agency to independently verify whether Oakton’s program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in a particular state before beginning Oakton’s program. Be aware that state licensure requirements may change from time-to-time and that states may have conditions for licensure in addition to educational requirements.