Stark State College’s Emergency Fire Services program is designed to prepare students for careers as professional firefighters and first responders through a blend of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and real-world experience. The program includes industry-recognized Firefighter Level I and II certifications required in Ohio, along with practical training such as operating fire equipment, participating in live fire scenarios, and completing team-based exercises that build leadership and communication skills. Coursework covers key fire science topics like fire behavior, hazardous materials, rescue operations, and incident command, while experienced instructors from the fire service provide mentorship and guidance.
Major code: 3554 Health and Public Services Division Emergency Services Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | ||
| EMS122 | Paramedic I 1 | 7 |
| EMS124 | Paramedic I Clinical 1 | 1 |
| EMS221 | Paramedic II 1 | 7 |
| EMS223 | Paramedic II Clinical 1 | 2 |
| EMS222 | Paramedic III 1 | 5 |
| EMS226 | Paramedic III Clinical 1 | 1 |
| EMS224 | Paramedic IV 1 | 6 |
| EMS225 | Paramedic IV Clinical 1 | 1 |
| Non-technical | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| EMS121 | Emergency Medical Technician 2 | 7 |
| BIO101 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| Select one of the following options: 1 | 11 | |
| Option 1: | ||
| Firefighter I and II | ||
| Option 2 - Take the Firefighter sequence of courses to obtain Firefighter Level 2 certification (Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 Transition): | ||
| Firefighter I and Firefighter 2 Transition | ||
| Option 3 - Take the Firefighter sequence of courses to obtain Firefighter Level 2 certification (Volunteer, Firefighter 1Transition and Firefighter 2 Transition): | ||
| Volunteer Firefighter and Firefighter I Transition and Firefighter 2 Transition | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Statistics | ||
| Math for Allied Health | ||
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
- 1
Check with your advisor prior to registering.
- 2
EMS121 Emergency Medical Technician is a prerequisite for EMS122 Paramedic I. A student can waive this course by showing proof of current State of Ohio EMT Certification. This certification is required for enrollment to the paramedic program.
Full-time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Students should make an appointment to see their advisor before registering for classes each semester. They should have prepared a completed registration form, including courses they wish to take, prior to this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below provides a scheduling option for full-time associate degree students who plan to finish in two years.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| EMS121 | Emergency Medical Technician 2 | 7 |
| BIO101 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Statistics | ||
| Math for Allied Health | ||
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| EMS122 | Paramedic I 1 | 7 |
| EMS124 | Paramedic I Clinical 1 | 1 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| EMS221 | Paramedic II 1 | 7 |
| EMS223 | Paramedic II Clinical 1 | 2 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| EMS222 | Paramedic III 1 | 5 |
| EMS226 | Paramedic III Clinical 1 | 1 |
| EMS224 | Paramedic IV 1 | 6 |
| EMS225 | Paramedic IV Clinical 1 | 1 |
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
| FST228 | Firefighter I and II 1 | 11 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Function within a fire department as a member of a fire department emergency response crew.
- Function within an organization as a paramedic.
- Ability to respond to and mitigate any type of emergency situation including by not limited to structure fires, medical calls, life threatening injuries, natural disasters, terrorist threats, hazardous material incidents.
- Ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals who are working toward a common goal. Namely to save life, property, and the environment.
- Ability to effectively operate hand tools and power tools to enable the firefighter/paramedic to perform the skills needed to mitigate an emergency incident involving people, buildings, and the environment.