Start Your Path to Becoming an EMT or Firefighter
Create your success story at Compton College. Whether you’re training to respond as an EMT or working toward a career in the fire service, you’ll gain hands-on skills, real-world experience, and a clear path to a fulfilling career.- Make a real impact every day by helping poeple in critical situations
- Step into a high-demand field with strong and stable career opportunities
- Get the hands-on training you need to become an EMT, firefighter, or advance in the field
Want to Learn More or Speak with a Counselor?
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Courses
Emergency Medical Technician (FTEC 144 - 6.5 units)
In this course, students will study through lecture, role-play, simulations, field
work, and hands-on practical training, the basic skills necessary for the assessment,
rescue, immediate treatment, and transport of the urgently ill or injured person.
Course content emphasizes emergency scene size-up, situational awareness, identifying
and correcting life-threatening conditions, utilizing appropriate rescue techniques,
and developing a systematic approach for providing pre-hospital care and safe transportation.
Conditions of Enrollment: Prerequisite: Possession of a current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
(HCP) certification or BLS for Prehospital Providers (PHP) certification. Must be
issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross and not expired less
than six months from the start date of class.
Note A: Proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) certification will be checked the first day of class
for admission. Students successfully completing this course with an average grade
of B or above will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical
Technicians (NREMT) written exam within two years.
Note B: Students pay fees for this course for a background check. Proof of immunizations is
required to complete hospital and ambulance field work and include MMR, Tdap, Varicella,
and Hepatitis B. Must provide TB results (two PPD skin tests 1-3 weeks apart).
Fire Technology Courses
Fire Protection Organization (FTEC 101 - 3 units)
Classes are available during the Spring 2nd 8-week session which starts April 18.
This course provides an introduction to fire protection. Emphasis is placed on career
opportunities in fire protection and related fields, and the philosophy and history
of fire protection. Additional topics include fire loss analysis; organization and
function of public and private fire protection services; fire departments as part
of local government; laws and regulations affecting the fire service; fire service;
specific fire protection functions; basic fire chemistry and physics; introduction
to fire protection systems; and introduction to fire strategy and tactics.
Fire Behavior and Combustion (FTEC 105 – 3 units)
Classes are available during the Spring 2nd 8-week session which starts April 18.
This course examines the theory and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread,
and are controlled, as well as an in-depth study of fire chemistry and physics, fire
characteristics of materials, extinguishing agents, and fire control techniques.
Conditions of Enrollment: Recommended Preparation: FTEC 101
Fire Academy (FTEC 115 – 15 units)
This course is designed for the student who wishes to prepare for entry-level positions
as a firefighter and work toward becoming certified as a Fire Fighter 1, as specified
by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office. Students participate in a 495-hour
course of instruction emphasizing basic firefighting skills, such as methods of extinguishing
fires, principles of ventilation, techniques of physical rescue, building construction,
fire apparatus, fire equipment maintenance, and the knowledge of fire behavior.
Conditions of Enrollment: Prerequisites: FTEC 101 and FTEC 105 with a minimum grade of C. Students must also
possess a valid CA driver’s license and have completed one of the following:
- A National Registry Card or possession of a valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license as required by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office;
- A Fire Fighter Physical Agility Test (FPAT) or Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT) within the last 6 months as required by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office;
- Pass a physical examination according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard #1582; OR
Pass the Compton College Fire Physical Qualification Test
Note: Students must apply through the Health & Public Services Division Office – AHB 110.
Contact Information
Gerson Valle
Dean of Student Learning
310-900-1600 ext. 2727, AHB 111
gvalle@compton.edu
