Program Description
Are you ready to meet the challenges of a career in community emergency services? Hennepin Tech offers the training students need to prepare them with technical knowledge and hands-on experience to enter a career in public safety.
The curriculum at Hennepin Tech now follows the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education Initiative (FESHE) model. This model standardizes higher education programs for fire and emergency services. Students at the school receive training to learn technical skills. They also gain practical experience for a job in public safety. Students at the school receive training to learn technical skills and gain practical experience for a job in public safety.
Hennepin Tech offers training for students to learn technical skills and gain hands-on experience for a career in public safety. When you walk into our learning labs at Hennepin Tech it is like walking into a fire station. Our program prepares students with cutting edge equipment, including:
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- four pumper trucks with pumping capacity of over 1200 gallons of water per minute
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- two car fire props
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- one propane live fire simulator
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- one class A live fire building
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- numerous ventilation and fire simulators
Hennepin Tech’s Fire Protection program provides educational opportunities ranging from technical certificates to a bachelor’s degree pathway, as well as specialized employer-based training to develop the skills needed to succeed in Fire Rescue and Fire Science, Emergency Management, Firefighting, Fire Investigation, Dispatching, and more.
Workforce services for eligible adults are available through this program authorized by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Wages/Outlook/Advancement
Wage and Job Outlook information for this program are available at Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED). Fire Science graduates may perform a variety of jobs in the fire protection family. Titles may include:
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- Firefighter
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- Driver Operator
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- Inspector or Fire Investigator
Higher level positions, requiring experience and exams, are:
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- Fire Marshal
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- Lieutenant
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- Captain
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- District Chief
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- Deputy Chief
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- Assistant Chief
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- Chief of Department
Tools/Other Expenses
Fire program students wear the following uniform: t-shirt, blue uniform pants, black uniform belt, and black uniform shoes or boots. If students are not affiliated with a local fire department, there is a rental fee of $100 for structural firefighting gear.
U.S. Fire Administration
The Fire Science AAS degree program is recognized through the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative, a network of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy.
USDE Professional Licensure Disclosure
Successful completion of the Fire Protection program at Hennepin Technical College will meet the requirements for certification by the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board (MFSCB), which is accredited by IFSAC (International Fire Service Accreditation Congress). With appropriate IFSAC certification applicant can apply for licensure according to MN statute 299N. Certification by IFSAC is required by Minnesota as well as by most states to acquire a state license to practice the profession of firefighting or for employment as a certified/licensed firefighter. Hennepin Technical College highly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board in the state or locality in which you wish to practice or be employed. If you have further questions about licensure for Fire Protection please feel free to reach out to Cara Garrett and we will be happy to help you.
State Board Licensing Contacts
For information on state board licensing contacts, please download the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, Certificate Assembly Member Entities and Representatives, February 2024 pdf.
Last reviewed 02/23/2026