Emergency Services Degree and Certification

ECC graduates of the fighter fighter program.

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Overview

Working in emergency services is the epitome of a rewarding career. When you think of “emergency services professionals,” you probably think of first responders on the front lines and behind the scenes. Your training can lead to a career:

  • Answering 911 calls and calming a panicked individual while waiting for first responders to arrive;
  • Braving flames to save lives as a firefighter;
  • Providing medical care at the scene and during transport to the hospital as an EMT and paramedic;
  • Investigating and determining the cause of explosions, arson and fires as a fire investigator;
  • Detecting fire hazards and leading investigations ensures that federal, state, and buildings meet local fire codes to prevent fires from occurring in the first place.

No matter your role, all emergency services professionals are indispensable heroes.

Conveniently located halfway between Chicago and Rockford, Elgin is the perfect place to start training for your career in Emergency Services. Our degrees and certifications provide you with the fundamentals of several disciplines. 

Elgin’s Emergency Services training programs are also of enormous value if you already work in emergency services—like firefighters and EMTs—and seek to update your skills and continue your education. All training in the emergency services program complies with local, state, and national certifying agencies, leading graduates toward job-ready certifications.

Planning to Transfer? Learn more about earning a Bachelor’s degree, earning summer credits for transfer, or dual admissions with a university by visiting University Transfer & Partnerships.

Prepare for Immediate Employment

The future employment outlook for emergency services is generally positive. Growth is driven by an increase in the number of emergency calls, as well as an emphasis on fire prevention and public education. Additionally, population growth and an increasing number of natural disasters are also likely to boost demand for emergency services personnel. Refer to Career Coach to learn more about Emergency services certificates.

Median Pay Rates

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

Review the ECC catalog for details about the emergency services plan of study and course descriptions.

Associate of Applied Science

Basic Certificates

Vocational Certificates

Emergency Services Certificates

In addition to the Associate of Applied Science, the Emergency Services Training department offers several basic and vocational certificates. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities you need to be successful in your chosen field by working closely with instructors who are current emergency services practitioners.

Careers in Emergency Services

A variety of career paths will be open to you upon completion of an Emergency Services certification. Some positions include:

  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Paramedic
  • 911 Operator/Dispatcher
  • Emergency Management Director
  • Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher, Postsecondary
  • First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives
  • Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff
  • Private Detective and Investigator

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science and Safety degree prepares you to enter highly-specialized fields as skilled and knowledgeable fire science and safety technicians.

Careers in Fire Science and Safety

As an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science and Safety degree holder, some jobs available to you include:

  • Municipal Firefighter
  • Fire Inspector
  • Fire Investigator
  • Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist

Learn about these occupations in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Learn more about Emergency Services Training at ECC!

With an Emergency Services degree or certification from Elgin Community College, you can change and save lives. 

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