Managing Fire Officer, Certificate of Completion

School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS)

This certificate program is designed to be an advanced certificate program for students are currently working in the field towards a promotion to the Managing Officer level. Upon successful completion of this certificate the student will have earned 3 IFSAC certifications, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I, and Fire Officer II.

See Recommended Sequence of Courses

Educational Option Information

• This educational option is an: Certificate of Completion
• This educational option can be completed: Full-time or Part-Time
• This educational option is designed for: Immediate employment and for transfer into CNM’s Fire Science, Associate of Applied Science.
• This educational option can be started: Any Term
• Primary course location: Advanced Technology Center, Online, Main Campus, Offsite.

Approximate Costs of this Educational Option

• Cost of Attendance
• Tuition
• Books
• Program and Course Fees

Financial Aid Considerations

• This is a financial aid eligible program.
  • Direct Subsidized Loans: 150 percent rule
  • Some courses are not eligible for Financial Aid. Please check the list here when considering a course.

  

Special Requirements

Physical Requirements

Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Students may be asked to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Many health programs require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS) Office for more information.

Felony Conviction

Most of the health programs in HWPS require students undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregiver’s criminal history screening program. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to starting their program or prior to beginning their clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions through the New Mexico Department of Health. Depending on the program, students may or may not be allowed to remain in the program pending appeal. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program. A successful appeal does not guarantee eligibility for licensure after graduation in professions that require licensure.  This program does not have any courses that specifically require a criminal background check, but for employment in the field this will be a requirement.

Licensing

Students completing various Fire Science courses will be allowed to sit for the associated IFSAC exams.

Additional Supplies

Additional tools, and supplies may be required for individual courses during the program. 

Educational Opportunities

This certificate is designed to assist students in completing the various requirements for promotion to the Managing Officer Level.  The courses are embedded in the Fire Science, Associates of Applied Science as both required, and elective courses.  Many of the courses in this certificate are transferable and some may be applied to two and four-year degree programs.  CNM currently has transfer agreements with many colleges and universities in New Mexico and elsewhere. 

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that in 2016 there were 327,300 firefighter jobs in the United States.  Additionally, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 7% growth in the employment of firefighters from 2016-2026.

Career Opportunities

Firefighters are traditionally employed by the local, state, federal governments.