Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Fire Protection
Colleges award this field under 7 named programs, from Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician to Fire Protection, Other.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 7 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician
- Focusing on the application of fire science and technology to problems of reducing fire risk, limiting loss, supervising substance removal, conducting safety inspections and investigations, and advising on matters of safety procedures and fire prevention policy. Covers fire behavior, fire simulation, structural risk assessment, materials analysis, detection and suppression systems, smoke management, supply and evacuation, public education, legal aspects of fire prevention, and related research and communications methods.
- Fire Services Administration
- Focusing on the principles, theory, and practices associated with the management of fire operations, firefighting services, and community fire issues. Covers fire protection history and theory, incident command leadership, administration of public fire organizations, labor relations, emergency medical services management, fire emergency response strategies and mitigation, legal and regulatory responsibilities, budgeting, public relations, and organizational leadership.
- Fire Science/Fire-fighting
- Focusing on the theory and practice of fires and fire-fighting. Covers fire chemistry and physics, combustible materials, computer science, building construction, fire codes and related laws, fire hydraulics, fire command, fire prevention/inspection, fire protection systems, fire suppression systems, fire/arson investigation, occupational safety, equipment operation, emergency medicine and communications.
- Fire Systems Technology
- Focusing on the principles and practice of firefighting systems, building construction and related resources as applied to fire prevention, control, and mitigation. Covers fire hydraulics and dynamics, fire protection structures and systems design, fire behavior and combustion, fire protection hydraulics and water supply, fire protection equipment and systems, building construction for fire protection, and fire apparatus.
- Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention
- Focusing on the theory and principles of fire combustion and behavior applied to the analysis of fires and their causes. Covers fire behavior and combustion, fire dynamics, hazardous materials chemistry, incendiary fire analysis, fire-related human behavior, forensic procedures, investigative techniques, case management and case preparation.
- Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation
- Focusing on the application of fire science, firefighting and investigation to the prevention, control and mitigation of wildland fires and the analysis of causes. Covers fire science and behavior, wildland environments, meteorology, wildland fire hydraulics and dynamics, water and chemical supply systems, wildland firefighting operations, airborne firefighting, firebreak engineering, communications systems, wildland arson, forensic procedures, wildland fire prevention, investigation techniques, case management and preparation.
- Fire Protection, Other
- Fire protection not listed above.
Also called Fire Prevention Education, Fire Risk Prevention and Inspection
Also called Fire Administration, Executive Fire Officer, Fire Service and Management Information Systems
Also called Firefighter Training
Also called Arson Prevention and Investigation, Fire Investigation, Fire Analysis
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Firefighters
- Median pay
- $59,280
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.7%
- Job openings a year
- 26,800
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing with the economyManagers, All Other
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.9%
- Job openings a year
- 100,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyFirst-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
- Median pay
- $93,530
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.7%
- Job openings a year
- 6,600
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career ShrinkingCareer/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $63,820
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.3%
- Job openings a year
- 8,000
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyFire Inspectors and Investigators
- Median pay
- $75,920
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.2%
- Job openings a year
- 1,600
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing fastForest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Median pay
- $56,870
- Hiring change through 2035
- 13.1%
- Job openings a year
- 400
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $43,142 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
This field leads to a mix of in-person and computer-based work. About 29 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.