Launch Your Career with an Online Fire & Emergency Services Degree

What can I do with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire & Emergency Services?

In today’s world, emergency services continually require higher levels of education and certification to advance within the field. The University of Florida’s online Bachelor of Science degree program in fire and emergency services is designed to prepare emergency service personnel to take on a more advanced leadership role and perform managerial duties with knowledge and confidence. Please note that this degree program does not certify you as a firefighter or provide you with EMS certification but is intended to prepare you to strategically manage fire, EMS, or emergency management agencies. 

A career in fire and emergency services is rewarding in its own right, as it is your responsibility to create and enforce safety policies for private entities and sometimes for the general public. Many professions within fire and emergency services require effective leadership skills, as they work to protect the people by averting risks and minimizing danger. The goal of UF’s fire and emergency services degree is to provide students with the ability to effectively lead publicly or privately sectored emergency management. Students can customize their academic route within the program’s major by choosing one of the three specializations offered, including: 

• Fire Management  

• EMS Management 
• Emergency Management

What does an online education in Fire & Emergency Services look like?

The fire and emergency services bachelor’s online degree program at UF Online prepares graduates for advancement within the ranks of fire service, EMS, and emergency management. Graduates can also pursue careers at the local, state, and national levels within government, insurance companies, or security management. Students will learn about organizational problems associated with fire and emergency services, as well as proper use of comprehensive emergency management in major catastrophic incidents and legal application of safety, health, and environmental regulations at state and federal levels.

Skills gained in the fire and emergency services degree program include:

• Risk management/reduction
• Management of catastrophic incidents
• Disaster planning and recovery
• Incident investigation and analysis
• Personnel management for emergency services

“Our program is designed for career advancement for the working Emergency Services Personnel, as well as a general track for future Emergency Managers without experience,” said Keith Collins, academic advisor for UF’s fire and emergency services program. “All of our faculty have frontline experience, relate well to our students, and are selected for their expertise in the industry. What sets UF apart is our top-down commitment to getting students the resources they need to perform, as well as our unanimous enthusiasm to remain accessible to each individual student.”

What jobs and careers can you get with a UF Online degree in Fire & Emergency Services?

Earning a bachelor’s degree in fire and emergency services online requires dedication, effective leadership behavior, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Students will be prepared to manage all aspects of modern fire, EMS, and emergency management with courses tailored to fulfill all professional aspirations within the field.

We have compiled a list of several career paths that graduates can advance in after earning their online degree, as well as their average annual salaries and a brief description of what the job duties include. All of the pay data is based on publicly available information provided by Payscale.com.

Emergency Medical Service Manager – $53,000

During a disaster, it is the responsibility of the emergency medical service manager to oversee the application of resources. They work directly with leaders within the fields of medical, health and emergency services such as fire chiefs, police chiefs, public works directors, and medical service coordinators.

The duties of an emergency medical service manager can include inspecting vehicles for emergency response purposes and ensuring they comply with rules and regulations applicable to emergency services. In a nutshell, they work closely on a regular basis with all emergency response managers to prepare communities for emergencies. The average person probably only thinks of emergency management in terms of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes. However, it is important to note that emergency management personnel also respond to man-made disasters such as hazardous material spills, major transportation accidents, large fires, and terrorist attacks. In the event of a man-made or natural disaster, they work in a timely manner to ensure synergy and organization among community emergency service leaders to minimize structural loss and casualties.

If a career in EMS management interests you, it is important to note that the abilities required for this position include strong interpersonal communication skills, analytical problem-solving, attention to detail, and the capacity to remain calm and empathetic under high-pressure situations.

Fire Inspector – $69,000

Whenever a building is constructed, there are certain fire safety protocols and regulations that must be met before it can be occupied. It is the role of a fire inspector to detect potential fire hazards and ensure that all federal, state, and local fire codes are met.

A fire inspector conducts inspections of new and existing buildings and certifies compliance with fire and safety codes. They have an extensive knowledge of codes, ordinances, construction materials, and alarm systems. It is their responsibility to keep buildings as safe as possible. Fire inspectors are involved from the beginning of a building’s lifespan, reviewing building plans with developers, conducting fire safety and emergency evacuation plans, inspecting storage tanks and air compressors, maintaining fire inspection files, and conducting follow-up visits to make sure violations do not occur.

A fire inspector works to keep their communities safe. As such it is very important for them to be highly skilled within their field and to be attentive to details. Fire inspectors must have strong skills in communication and collaboration to do their job effectively. Ideally, they will also display very strong leadership and critical thinking abilities, as they need to gain the understanding and trust of the building owners and occupants.

Homeland Security Officer – $78,000

Homeland security workers are known for being the core of U.S. protection services from domestic and international threats. They aim to reduce the risk of security threats (such as acts of terrorism or natural disasters) and respond to any attacks on our nation. Their primary goal is to ensure the safety of the general public by maintaining a strong defensive tactical plan of action.

Many important responsibilities fall into the hands of homeland security officers, as they are trusted with protecting the nation’s borders and stopping any threats of terrorism. They aim to facilitate legal immigration while being alert towards illegal immigration. The responsibilities of this role are integral to society’s infrastructure as they plan and initiate emergency responses for everything from natural disasters to cybersecurity threats. While the specific daily tasks of a homeland security officer may vary, something that all industry professionals will have in common is their commitment to ensuring the safety of our country and the general public.

Much like many professions within the realm of national security, becoming a homeland security officer requires excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. Working alongside other relief agencies means it is important for you to empathize with others as part of a team while also being able to think quickly and analytically. This is a profession that requires officers to think ahead by formulating potential motives for security crimes and to effectively come up with new solutions to all kinds of threats.

Geographer – $73,000

It is the role of a geographer to study the land we inhabit, from the physical features of a biome to the inhabitants and their cultural behaviors. This information is gathered and used alongside government and humanitarian entities to develop detailed plans to improve and sustain an environment, aiding everything from building new homes and roads to responding to natural disasters.

A geographer works to interpret interactions of both physical and cultural phenomena. This can mean conducting research on the implications of human activities within a specific area, studying social and economic characteristics, and even using geographical information software to develop and modify maps and graphs based on an area’s longitude, latitude, topography, and accessibility. Traveling is a significant part of a geographer’s role, as their research often leads them to the geographical region of the world they are studying. Their specific tasks will often include gathering data via field observations, surveys, focus groups, satellite imaging, and census records. They will then analyze and integrate useful data to improve the overall quality of life regarding the economic, environmental, and social aspects of a region.

As research and interpreting scientific findings are key aspects of the profession, an effective geographer will be able to write and present reports based on research findings. Several key skills needed to become an effective geographer also include using geographic information system (GIS) technology to collect and display data, conducting surveys and focus groups, and collecting data on physical characteristics of an area such as geological formations, climates, and vegetation.