Firefighter Technician

Technical Diploma
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Why choose Firefighter Technician?

  • The current demand for qualified full-time firefighters is high.
  • The fire service is an excellent career that provides a satisfying opportunity to serve the public and help people in their time of need.
  • Full-time firefighters typically enjoy a family-sustaining salary and benefits package.
When life, property, and the environment are at risk due to a fire emergency, we rely on skilled firefighters to tackle the threat and mitigate losses.

We are no longer accepting applications for the Firefighter Technician. If you have questions, please contact us at 888.575.6782.

Program Locations

Wisconsin Rapids Campus
500 32nd Street North
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

What You'll Learn

The Firefighter Technician program teaches the entry-level fire behavior and techniques needed to control structural and related fire emergencies as well as life safety practices. Graduates have the option to continue in the Fire Protection Technician associate degree program.

You will gain knowledge and skills in the areas of fire suppression, rescue, truck and pump operation, and performance of fire inspections. You will also be exposed to realistic simulations—inside and outside the classroom—and train on Mid-State’s state-of-the-art burn tower, fire engines, and other high-tech equipment. Developed in partnership with local fire departments, this program ensures you have a competitive edge when starting your career.

Estimated Entire Program Cost

Cost based on the 2023/24 academic year.

  • Tuition & Fees: $4,261.50
  • Books: $556.60
  • Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $708.00
  • Total Estimated Cost: $5,526.10

Financial Aid Eligibility

This program is eligible for full Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending. 

Term: 1
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10503142 Firefighting Principles 4
  10503153 Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations 1
  10503191 Principles of Emergency Services 2
  10503151 Fire Prevention 4
  10531940 EMT Foundations 3
  Term Total   14 Credits
       
Term: 2
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10503112 Advanced Firefighting Practices 3
  10503111 Driver/Operator - Pumper 3
  10503108 Firefighter Health and Fitness 2
  10503192 Principles of Emergency Services Safety and Survival 3
  10531941 EMT Applications 2
  Term Total   13 Credits
       
  Program Total   27 Credits

This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.

Instructors

BRANDON HAGEMAN, AAS, BAS, MS

In addition to a bachelor’s degree in fire and emergency response management from the UW–Oshkosh and a master’s in education for UW–Stout, Brandon also holds a variety of fire and emergency services certifications as well as an e-learning and online teaching graduate certificate. He started his career as a firefighter/EMT after serving four years in the US Navy as an aircraft mechanic. Brandon has served as a paid-on-call firefighter/EMT for the City of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and a career firefighter/EMT with the City of Rochester, Minnesota. To keep current with knowledge, skills, and abilities, he currently serves as a part-time as firefighter/EMT for De Pere Fire Rescue.

"The words of Mark vonAppen capture a core principle of what I seek to instill in my students: “The nature of our business is to respond to chaos. The manner in which we prepare should never be.'”

Careers

  • Firefighter 
  • Firefighter/EMT
  • Fire Inspector

"The Firefighter Technician program is a win-win for both student and employer, allowing candidates to enter the career field earlier and providing the job-specific training needed to relieve shortages encountered by local fire departments so they can continue to serve the community effectively.”

JB MOODY
ASSISTANT CHIEF OF FIRE OPERATIONS
STEVENS POINT FIRE DEPARTMENT

Choose Your Path

Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree.

TransferDual CreditCredit for Prior Learning

Firefighter Technician Program Pathway