If you’re ready to take the next step in your fire science career, Oakton College’s Fire Science Technology Certificate provides the specialized training you need. In this 30-credit program, you’ll gain the knowledge and practical skills necessary to succeed in fire science.
This certificate is the perfect next step for those with the Basics of Fire Fighting Certificate. Additionally, this certificate can be applied toward the Fire Science Technology A.A.S.
This program covers essential topics to deepen your understanding of fire science, including fire protection and prevention, emergency management, and building construction.
Earning your Fire Science Technology Certificate at Oakton College positions you to thrive in roles such as fire officer, investigator, or in safety education that saves lives and protects communities.
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.
To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.
We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.
Learn more about your options for paying for your education
Spencer Kimura, Chair
Chair, Fire Science Technologies
M.S. National Louis University
Executive Fire Officer
Chief Fire Officer
Chief Training Officer
MIFireE
skimura@oakton.edu
847.635.1827
Office: P253, Skokie
Aref Abdellatif
EMT Coordinator
aabdellatif@oakton.edu
847.376.7890
Office: B206, Skokie
Mike Doocy
Paramedic Coordinator
mdoocy@oakton.edu
847.376.7887
Office: B206, Skokie
Meet our part time faculty:
Peter Chiodo
Lecturer
pchiodo@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Pete Goss
Lecturer
pgoss@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Drew Smith
Lecturer
dsmith@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
EMS Advisory Committee One
IDPH EMS Region IX
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital EMS
System Advisory Committee (ALGH)
Peggy Drag, RN, BSN, Paramedic
Paramedic Program Director
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
David Hassard, MD
EMS Medical Director
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Robyn Mazzolini, RN, BSN, TNS
EMS System Coordinator
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Amanda Phelps, RN, MSN, TNS
Manager EMS, Trauma & Emergency Preparedness
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital | Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge
EMS Advisory Committee Two
IDPH EMS Region X
Amita Health Saint Francis Hospital EMS
System Advisory Committee
Sara Van Dusseldorp, NRP, LI, NCEE
Manager of Emergency Services
Amita Hospital
Jeremy Lott, DO
EMS Medical Director
St Francis Hospital
Ex-Officio Members:
Marc J. Battista, MA Applied Linguistics
Associate Vice President of Workforce Education
Dean of Business & Career Technologies
Oakton College
Spencer Kimura, MS, EFO, CFO, CTO, MIFireE
Fire Science Program Chair, Professor
Oakton College
Fire Advisory Committee
Dan Anderson
Fire Chief
Des Plaines Fire Department
Andy Carlson
Fire Chief
Northbrook Fire Department
Tony DeRose
Fire Chief
Glenview Fire Department
Ralph Ensign
Fire Chief
Morton Grove Fire Department
Martin C. Feld
Fire Chief
Niles Fire Department
Mike Hansen
Fire Chief
Lincolnwood Fire Department
Jeffrey Hoeflich
Fire Chief
Skokie Fire Department
Brian Lambel
Fire Chief
WIlmette Fire Department
Robert McKay
Fire Chief
North Maine Fire Department
Mike Nystrand
Fire Chief
Northfield Fire Department
Paul Polep
Fire Chief
Evanston Fire Department
Jill Ramaker, MScTRM
Executive Director
Northeastern IL Public Safety Academy
John Ripka
Fire Chief
Winnetka Fire Department
Jeffrey Sorensen
Fire Chief
Park Ridge Fire Department
Ex-Officio Members:
Marc J. Battista, MA Applied Linguistics
Associate Vice President of Workforce Education
Dean of Business & Career Technologies
Oakton College
Spencer Kimura, MS, EFO, CFO, CTO, MIFireE
Fire Science Program Chair, Professor
Oakton College
Licensure Requirements: Each state and territory has different licensure and certification requirements. Oakton has researched and/or contacted state licensing authorities to confirm that the program meets the educational requirements leading to professional licensure. Other licensure requirements may include professional certification exams, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting, etc.
Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. As of June 1, 2023, we have determined that individuals that successfully complete Oakton’s Emergency Medical Technician Basic and Paramedic Program curriculum:
Meets the education requirements leading to licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin
Does NOT meet the education requirements For licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington
We have not made a determination if the program curriculum meets the requirements for licensure/certification in these states and US Territories: American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming
If you intend to practice in any state other than Illinois, you should contact the appropriate licensing agency to independently verify whether Oakton’s program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in a particular state before beginning Oakton’s program. Be aware that state licensure requirements may change from time-to-time and that states may have conditions for licensure in addition to educational requirements.
