A diverse career that serves your community.
Blaze a career in firefighting.
Firefighting is a challenging career that tests you physically and emotionally. The conditions you face will change from call to call, and you must have excellent training to do your best. Moraine Valley’s Fire Service Operations Program is designed to give students who wish to become firefighters the education and skills required to be qualified for fire department initial eligibility lists.
Request Information
Have questions? Request information and get personalized guidance.
"*" indicates required fields
Save lives with a Career in Firefighting
Students learn about fire service through classroom and hands-on instruction.
Using appropriate methods and equipment, fire science personnel attack and extinguish fires, cope with hazardous materials incidents and are familiar with rescue techniques. They also can administer emergency medical assistance to injured persons, maintain fire-fighting apparatus and equipment, and are knowledgeable of general building construction and related building codes.
Fire science personnel may work in urban and suburban areas, airports, chemical plants, other industrial sites and rural areas like grasslands and forests.
With this degree, individuals can move into positions such as:
- Firefighter
- Public safety personnel
- Industrial firefighter
- Industrial loss prevention personnel
The program culminates with students completing Fire Academy training and performing a capstone internship with a local fire department. Hands-on instruction will cover areas such as the use of hose nozzles, ladders, forcible entry tools, ventilation equipment and supplied air-breathing apparatus. Instruction covers techniques for search-and-rescue and self-survival. You can go on to investigate fires, perform fire inspections, become a hazardous materials specialist, a technical rescue specialist or engage in public education.
The Fire Service Operations A.A.S. degree at Moraine Valley is designed to be completed in about two years.
This program is designed to help students gain the entry-level job skills needed for careers in fire service. Students will cover all topics and hands-on skills required for certification as a Basic Operations Firefighter within the State of Illinois. Students also will complete a mandatory internship, which will allow them to be rostered members of a local fire department.
Part of the Fire Service Operations degree program includes completing the Moraine Valley Fire Academy. It is comprised of eight courses offered multiple times annually. Successful students earn 22 hours of college credit, which are most of the core credits for the Fire Service Operations A.A.S. degree.
Students will learn the mechanics and technical aspects of firefighting through hands-on experience. Live fire training includes setting fire to buildings and conducting training drills with students.
Visit the Fire Academy page for a full list of admission requirements.
Photo Gallery
Discover similar programs
You may also be interested in these programs with similar focus areas and career opportunities.
Program Details
View the catalog to explore program requirements, a suggested course sequence and prerequisite information.
| Program | Type of Credential | Curriculum Code | Department or Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.A.S. | 1331 | Public Service |
Faculty Spotlight
Celebrating the passionate instructors who inspire, support, and engage our students every day inside and outside the classroom.
Dr. Martinez is passionate about helping students develop strong writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills that transfer across disciplines. Her courses emphasize clear expression, collaboration, and real-world communication.
鈥淟isa consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She creates an inclusive classroom environment where learners feel confident participating, improving, and finding their academic voice.鈥�
鈥� Colleague, Communications DepartmentDr. Martinez is passionate about helping students develop strong writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills that transfer across disciplines. Her courses emphasize clear expression, collaboration, and real-world communication.
鈥淟isa consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She creates an inclusive classroom environment where learners feel confident participating, improving, and finding their academic voice.鈥�
鈥� Colleague, Communications DepartmentDr. Martinez is passionate about helping students develop strong writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills that transfer across disciplines. Her courses emphasize clear expression, collaboration, and real-world communication.
鈥淟isa consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She creates an inclusive classroom environment where learners feel confident participating, improving, and finding their academic voice.鈥�
鈥� Colleague, Communications DepartmentDr. Martinez is passionate about helping students develop strong writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills that transfer across disciplines. Her courses emphasize clear expression, collaboration, and real-world communication.
鈥淟isa consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She creates an inclusive classroom environment where learners feel confident participating, improving, and finding their academic voice.鈥�
鈥� Colleague, Communications Department
Get Started