Cosumnes River College Fire Technology Program: Degrees and Training

What is the Cosumnes River College fire technology degree?

Career Education at Cosumnes River College offers a pathway to success that allows students to learn by exploring, collaborating, and doing from expert instructors and industry professionals. This program has prepared students for careers in emergency response for nearly four decades. The fire technology program at Cosumnes River College helped a woman find hope amid tragedy.

For example, intern Kayla Kerney, whose father Tim O'Hara is an adjunct professor in the program, joined after losing her husband. She describes the program as a God-driven purpose that allows her to save others in a way she could not save her husband. Another intern, Auston Schmierer, was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes at age seven and uses his health challenges as motivation to pursue a career as a paramedic.

How to complete Emergency Medical Technician training at CRC

If you earn a firefighter certificate and an emergency medical card, you can participate in a weekly 24-hour shift at the Cosumnes Fire Department. During this internship, you work on a fire engine and an ambulance.

Where does the program operate?

The program collaborates daily with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on wildland fires during the summer. It has also expanded into a 115-square-mile region in San Joaquin County known as the Clements area. Program coordinator Rick Haas describes this new territory as wildland heavy.

What support services are available for students?

The college provides financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans to help you pay for your education. You can also access tutoring and counseling services.

If you are a current or former foster youth, the NextUp program offers help with housing, transportation, books, and tutoring. The CalWORKs team assists you with class planning, finding paid work-study jobs, and covering costs for child care and supplies. The college provides benefits for veterans and current servicemembers, and your military service may qualify you for credit for prior learning.

What are the outcomes for graduates?

The program has an 85% hire rate into the fire service according to program coordinator Rick Haas, who has taught at the college for two decades. The college maintains an on-time graduation rate of 40% for first-time, full-time students, which is higher than the national average of 33.3%. The freshman retention rate at the college is 74%.

Who is the program for?

Cosumnes River College is a student-centered, open-access community college dedicated to preparing students for an ever-changing future. The A²MEND program provides mentoring and initiatives to increase the success of African American male students.

The Native American Student Success and Support Program empowers Native American students with academic advising, mentorship, and culturally relevant resources. For currently and formerly justice-involved students, the Rising Scholars program provides a supportive community and academic guidance.

What should prospective students know about Cosumnes River College?

Cosumnes River College is a public institution in Sacramento that serves over 14,023 undergraduate students. Opened in 1970 and named after the Cosumnes River, the college is part of the Los Rios Community College District.

The student-to-faculty ratio is 29 to 1, while the full-time faculty percentage is 41%. In 2027 College Factual rankings, the college reached the top 39% of institutions nationwide and is ranked number 219 among the best colleges in California. The college received 147 badges and is considered a fair price in terms of value for your money.