A career in saving lives—as a firefighter or emergency services worker— is one of the most important and meaningful you can have today. They are also uniquely challenging and require a variety of special skills and knowledge for those who want to make a difference in these roles.
Oakton's Fire Science Technology program has been developed to prepare you for a career in firefighting or a related occupation. If you are already working in this field, our curriculum can help you increase your skills and find new opportunities.
We offer an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in fire science technology if you are interested in pursuing an education in this area while also taking on a number of key general education courses. If you just want to focus on your fire science courses, we also offer certificates. Check out our course catalog to find out more about the classes we offer.
If you are already working in fire services, our curriculum offers courses—approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal—that can lead to Fire Officer I and II certification. You'll also have the opportunity in this program to increase your knowledge in specialty areas of fire science through Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) courses. An intergovernmental agency located in Glenview, NIPSTA provides education and training for fire departments and other first responders.
At Oakton, we also offer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic courses.
We offer an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree in fire science technology if you are interested in pursuing an education in this area while also taking on a number of key general education courses.
This program provides students seeking a career in the fire service with a high level of understanding of the technical aspects of firefighting and fire service management. The program will also prepare fire personnel to become future fire officers by increasing their understanding of fire science technology.
This certificate program is designed for the student who wishes to gain employment in the Emergency Medical System. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take either the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) exam or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. This certificate can be completed in one semester.
This certificate program is designed for students who wishes to gain employment in the emergency medical system. Successful completion allows the student to obtain licensure by the Illinois Department of Public Health as an EMT-P.
There are six requirements for participation in the clinical component of the EMT program:
1. Confidential Medical History Form (PDF) (79 KB)
2. Health Career Physical Examination Report (PDF) (94 KB)
3. Tuberculosis (TB) Skin Test or Blood Test
4. Documentation of Vaccination or Immunity: MMR & Varicella
5. Hepatitis B Vaccine Status or Signed Declination Form (PDF) (69 KB)
6. Flu Vaccine (except summer session)
Download Medical Requirements for the EMT Program (PDF) (266 KB)
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.
To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.
We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.
Learn more about your options for paying for your education
Spencer Kimura, Chair
Chair, Fire Science Technologies
M.S. National Louis University
Executive Fire Officer
Chief Fire Officer
Chief Training Officer
MIFireE
skimura@oakton.edu
847.635.1827
Office: P253, Skokie
Aref Abdellatif
EMT Coordinator
aabdellatif@oakton.edu
847.376.7890
Office: B206, Skokie
Mike Doocy
Paramedic Coordinator
mdoocy@oakton.edu
847.376.7887
Office: B206, Skokie
Meet our part time faculty:
Peter Chiodo
Lecturer
pchiodo@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Pete Goss
Lecturer
pgoss@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Drew Smith
Lecturer
dsmith@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
EMS Advisory Committee One
IDPH EMS Region IX
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital EMS
EMS System Advisory Committee
Margaret Drag, RN, BSN, Paramedic
Paramedic Program Director
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
David Hassard, MD
EMS Medical Director
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Robyn Mazzolini, RN, BSN, TNS
EMS System Coordinator
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Delilah Mendez, RN, BSN, MPH, TNS
Manager, Trauma Department and Outpatient Clinic
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge
EMS Advisory Committee Two
IDPH EMS Region X
Prime Healthcare Saint Francis Hospital
EMS System Advisory Committee
Sara Van Dusseldorp, NRP, CCP LI, NCEE
Paramedic Program Director
St. Francis Hospital
Jeremy Lott, DO
EMS Medical Director
St Francis Hospital
Ex-Officio Members:
Ruben Howard II, Ph.D.
Dean of Business and Career Technologies Division
Oakton College
Spencer Kimura, MS., EFO., CFO., CTO., MIFireE
Fire Science Program Chair, Professor
Oakton College
Fire Advisory Committee
Matt Matzl, Fire Chief
Des Plaines Fire Department
Paul Polep, Fire Chief
Evanston Fire Department
Tony DeRose, Fire Chief
Glenview Fire Department
Barry Liss, Fire Chief
Lincolnwood Fire Department
Ralph Ensign, Fire Chief
Morton Grove Fire Department
Robert McKay, Fire Chief
North Maine Fire Department
Mike Nystrand, Fire Chief
Northfield Fire Department
Martin C. Feld, Fire Chief
Niles Fire Department
David Schweihs, Fire Chief
Northbrook Fire Department
Jill Ramaker, MScTRM, Executive Director
Northeastern IL Public Safety Academy
Jeffrey Sorensen, Fire Chief
Park Ridge Fire Department
Jeffrey Hoeflich, Fire Chief
Skokie Fire Department
Brian Lambel, Fire Chief
Wilmette Fire Department
John Ripka, Fire Chief
Winnetka Fire Department
Ex-Officio Members:
Ruben Howard II, Ph.D.
Dean of Business & Career Technologies Division
Oakton College
Spencer Kimura, MS., EFO., CFO., CTO., MIFireE
Fire Science Program Chair, Professor
Oakton College
Licensure Requirements:
Each state and U.S. territory has different licensure and certification requirements. Oakton has researched and/or contacted the relevant state licensing authorities to confirm that our program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure. Other licensure requirements may include professional certification exams, background checks, work experience, fingerprinting, and additional criteria.
As of June 1, 2023, we have determined that individuals who successfully complete Oakton’s Emergency Medical Technician Basic and Paramedic Program curriculum:
• Meets the educational requirements leading to licensure/certification in the following states and U.S. territories:
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin
• Does NOT meet the education requirements for licensure/certification in these states and U.S. territories:
Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington
• We have not determined if the program curriculum meets the requirements for licensure/certification in these states and US territories: American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming
If you plan to practice in a state other than Illinois, you should contact the appropriate state licensing agency to verify whether Oakton’s program fulfills the educational requirements for licensure in that state before enrolling. Please note that licensure requirements may change over time and may include additional conditions beyond educational qualifications.
