Fire Protection Technology

Firefighter putting out a wildfire

Are you a disciplined team player who works well under pressure? Do you enjoy physical training and mechanical work? Firefighting may be a fit for you. MPC offers basic fire academy training as well as advanced coursework for officer and specialist training.

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Mastering the Skills That Matter

With wildfires occurring more frequently in California, fire agencies are growing their ranks. Graduates can also work in emergency management, forensics, and insurance, and pursue further studies for careers in civic and policy planning surrounding fire protection.

17
Weeks of Fire Academy Training
8%
Job Growth - Fire Inspectors
31
Million Acres Protected by CAL FIRE

Character-Building Challenges

"MPC Fire Academy has prepared me to succeed. The challenges I faced throughout the 17-week academy molded my character for the better. The friends, connections, and experiences have made me highly marketable to fire agencies."
Carlos Morales Headshot
Carlos Morales
MPC Alumni

Fire Academy

Learn academic and practical skills to satisfy requirements for California certification as a Firefighter I or II.

Prerequisites

Prior to applying, you must 

  • Obtain a CPR card
  • Complete an EMT course
  • Pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
  • Pass a physical exam, including a spirometry test

MPC's Emergency Medical Services provides emergency medical care and physical training to prepare for fire academy admission. 

MPC’s Introduction to Fire Academy course is recommended, but not required

Interest Form: Fill out the Fire Academy Interest Form to receive the latest information on upcoming academy schedules.

Fire Academy Interest Form

A Rigorous Real-World Setting

Fire Academy training requires both academic and physical skills in addition to extra motivation to endure the intensive schedule. View a brief introductory video about MPC’s Fire Academy.

For the past several years, each graduating class has created a short video to illustrate the hard work and dedication required to complete the program. Here’s the latest.

Industry Connections:

Firefighter Academy courses take place at MPC’s Seaside Public Safety Training Center and are taught by local instructors with real-world experience.

The program is overseen by an advisory committee whose members are instructors  and local fire agency members.

See Current Advisory Board Members

Fire Protection Career Training

Qualify for advancement within a fire agency or prepare for careers as fire inspectors or investigators in MPC’s Fire Protection Technology courses. 

Officer Training:

Learn the skills you need for success as an agency officer, including management of personnel, all-risk command operations for the company officer, and the use of the incident command system.

Fire Protection:

The curriculum includes courses in building construction related to firefighter and life safety, history and philosophy of fire prevention, fire and life safety education, fire investigation, fire suppression systems,  and more.

Degrees & Certificates to Choose From

Prepare for a career in the fire service with a broad range of course and degree options. 
MPC's Fire Academy Students Undergoing Training
Certificate of Achievement

Fire Academy

Firefighter Speaking with Fire Officer
Associate in Science

Company Officer

Three Firefighters in Uniform Undergoing Training
Associate in Science

Fire Protection Technology

Two Firefighters in Uniform Undergoing Training
Certificate of Achievement

Fire Protection Technology

Three Firefighters Posing for Picture in Front of Firetruck
Certificate of Achievement

Company Officer

Firefighter in Uniform Holding Tablet and Standing in Front of Firetruck
Non-Credit Certificate of Completion

Firefighter Trainee - Field Training

Three Firefighters in Protection Gear
Course Catalog

View All Fire Protection Courses

Fire Service Career Information

Firefighters hold more than 300,000 paying career jobs across the U.S. The vast majority – more than 85% — work for local governments. Most of the remainder worked for federal and state governments. A few worked at airports, chemical plants, and other industrial sites. Here are tips and resources for career success.

Physically fit applicants with high test scores and paramedic training have the best job prospects.

Volunteering is another way to gain valuable work experience. There are approximately twice as many volunteer firefighters as there are paid career firefighters.

Volunteer firefighters share the same duties as paid firefighters and account for the majority of firefighters in many areas. 

According to the National Fire Department Registry, about 69 percent of fire departments are staffed entirely by volunteer firefighters.

Firefighters typically work long and varied hours. Most firefighters work 24-hour shifts on duty and are off the following 48 or 72 hours. Some firefighters work 10/14 shifts which means 10 hours working and 14 hours off. 

When not on the scene of an emergency, firefighters work at fire stations, where they sleep, eat, and remain on call. When an alarm sounds, firefighters respond, regardless of the weather or time of day.

When combating forest fires, firefighters may work for extended periods without time off.

Firefighters have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They often encounter dangerous situations, including collapsing floors and walls, traffic accidents, and overexposure to flames and smoke. As a result, workers must wear protective gear to help lower these risks. Often, the protective gear can be very heavy and hot.

Monterey County Fire Departments

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Advisory Board

Community college districts participating in vocational education programs shall appoint a vocational education advisory committee to develop recommendations on the program and to provide liaison between the district and potential employers.

 The committee shall consist of one or more representatives of the general public knowledgeable about the educational needs of disadvantaged populations, students, teachers, business, industry, the college administration, and the field office of the Employment Development Department.

2024-2025 Advisory Board Members

  • David Brown, MPC Public Safety Training Center Director
  • Jill Cavanaugh, MPC Unit Office Manager Public Safety Training Center
  • Judy Cutting, MPC Dean of Instruction - CTE, Academic Affairs
  • Doug Dirkson, Salinas Fire Department
  • Dan Gearhart, Retired, MPC Adjunct Instructor
  • Matthew Goodwin, CalFire, MPC Assistant Instructor
  • Greg Greenlee, Monterey Fire Department, MPC Adjunct Instructor
  • Brad Hinckley, Retired, MPC Adjunct Instructor
  • Tyler Keisling, Monterey Fire Department, MPC Assistant Instructor
  • Harald Kelley, Retired, MPC Adjunct Instructor
  • Jack Lundgren, Marina Fire Department, MPC Adjunct Instructor
  • Mark Mondragon, CalFire
  • Stewart Roth, PG&E, MPC Adjunct Instructor
  • Colin Smith, CalFire
  • Jason Smith, Monterey Fire Department

Advisory Board Chair: Greg Greenlee

Advisory Board Note Taker: Jill Cavanaugh

Advisory Board Dean: John Skellenger