NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Fire Science Program Outcomes & Assessment Methods:

1. Be prepared to fulfill the role of an entry level firefighter

Methods of assessment:

• 80% minimum first time pass rates with a grade of "C" or better
• Employer surveys

2. Be prepared to fulfill the role of a basic emergency medical technician

Methods of assessment:

• Employer surveys
  
  

3. Be prepared to fulfill the role of a hazardous materials first responder at the awareness and operations level

Methods of assessment:

• 80% minimum first time pass rates with a grade of "C" or better
• Employer surveys

4. Be accepted into a four-year college/university if one applies to continue education to the baccalaureate level

Methods of assessment:

• Students are accepted into a four-year college/university that NWACC has articulation agreements with or any other regionally accredited college/university if one applies
• Program director survey of graduates

5. Be prepared to successfully compete for advancement above the rank of firefighter

Method of assessment:

• Annual fire chief/employer survey

 

Program Outcomes 1, 2, and 3 – Outcomes were all positive.  There were two (2) total graduates for the AAS degree reporting in 2021, and both were hired and working in the Fire Service. All graduates met certification requirements, and all employer surveys indicated they agreed or strongly agreed graduates were fulfilling their expected roles as a Firefighter, Haz-Mat Responder and Emergency Medical Technician.

Program Outcome 4 –Zero (0) graduates of the program reported they were pursuing their education beyond the Associates degree level in 2019.

Program Outcome 5 – Two (2) graduates were promoted based on surveys to Fire Equipment Operator/Engineer.

There were also nine (9) graduates that received their Certificate of Proficiency in Fire Protection.

Program Outcomes 1, 2, and 3 – Outcomes were all positive.  There were three (3) total graduates for the AAS degree reporting in 2020, and one (1) reporting who graduated in 2019 but was hired in 2020.  All graduates were hired or working.  All graduates met certification requirements, and all employer surveys indicated they agreed or strongly agreed graduates were fulfilling their expected roles as a Firefighter, Haz-Mat Responder and Emergency Medical Technician. 

Program Outcome 4 –Zero (0) graduates of the program reported they were pursuing their education beyond the Associates degree level in 2019.

Program Outcome 5 – Two (2) graduates were promoted based on surveys in 2020.  One (1) to Captain, and one (1) to Driver/Operator/Engineer.

There were also thirteen (13) graduates that received their Certificate of Proficiency in Fire Protection.

Program Outcomes 1, 2, and 3 – Outcomes were all positive.  There were seven (7) total graduates for reporting 2019.  Four (4) graduates for 2019 were hired or working, and one (1) 2014 graduate and one (1) 2016 graduate that were hired in 2019, so they are also included in this report. All met certification requirements, and all employer surveys indicated they agreed or strongly agreed graduates were fulfilling their expected roles as a Firefighter, Haz-Mat Responder and Emergency Medical Technician.  One (1) graduate was working full-time as a Paramedic (not Firefighter) and we did not have an employer survey on this graduate.  One employer comment stated the graduate “has a lot of heart.”  No other comments were provided.

Program Outcome 4 –One (1) graduate of the program reported they were pursuing their education beyond the Associates degree level in 2019.

Program Outcome 5 – Seven (7) graduates were promoted based on surveys in 2019.  One (1) to Battalion Chief, two (2) to Captains, and four (4) to Driver/Operator/Engineer.

Program Outcomes 1, 2 and 3 – Outcomes were all positive.  There were seven (7) graduates for 2018, and two (2) 2017 graduates that were hired in 2018, so they are also included in this report.  All met certification requirements, and all employer surveys indicated they agreed or strongly agreed graduates were fulfilling their expected roles as a Firefighter, Haz-Mat Responder and Emergency Medical Technician.  There was one (1) neutral, which pertained to Program Outcome # 3 because the employer stated that they had not had any Hazardous Materials incidents in which to observe the graduate and give them a different score.  The employer did state this regarding the student: “He seems to be a good employee and very knowledgeable on the Fire/EMS side.”  Other employer comments regarding other graduates included: “Has done a great job honing his skills and has shown a strong desire to learn more”; and “A strong asset to the Fire Service and shows great promise in his future.  The program has assisted him in developing his skills to be a future chief officer.”

Program Outcome 4 – Zero (0) graduates of the program reported they were pursuing their education beyond the Associates degree level.

Program Outcome 5 – Zero (0) graduates were promoted based on surveys for 2018.

Program Outcomes 1, 2, and 3 - Six total graduates. Three graduates were hired or working in 2017 had met all certification requirements, and all employer surveys indicated they agreed or strongly agreed that graduates were fulfilling their expected roles as a Firefighter, Haz-Mat Responder and Emergency Medical Technician.

Program Outcome 4 – Zero graduates of the program reported they were pursuing their education beyond the Associates degree level.

Program Outcome 5 – Zero graduates were promoted based on surveys for 2017.

Program Outcomes 1, 2, and 3 - Seven total graduates. Seven graduates that were hired or working for a fire department met certification requirements, and all employer surveys indicated they agreed or strongly agreed graduates were fulfilling their expected roles as a Firefighter, Haz-Mat Responder and Emergency Medical Technician.  There was one (1) neutral, which pertained to Program Outcome # 3 simply because the employer stated that they had not had any Hazardous Materials incident/s in which to observe the graduate and give them a different score. The Fire Chief did state though that the graduate "shows a lot of knowledge and has been passing it on to other personnel in the department."

Program Outcome 4 – One graduate of the program reported they were now pursuing their education beyond the Associates degree level to the Baccalaureate level.

Program Outcome 5 – Three prior graduates have been promoted in 2016.

Program Outcomes 1, 2, and 3 - Eight total graduates. Six graduates that were hired by a fire department met certification requirements, and all employer surveys indicated they agreed or strongly agreed graduates were fulfilling their expected roles as a Firefighter, Haz-Mat Responder and Emergency Medical Technician. There was one (1) neutral, which pertained to Program Outcome # 3 simply because the employer survey stated they had not had any Hazardous Materials incident/s in which to observe the graduates and give them a different score.

Program Outcome 4 – One graduate of the program reported they were now pursuing their education beyond the Associates degree level.

Program Outcome 5 – Five prior graduates have been promoted in 2015.

Program Outcomes 1, 2, and 3 - 14 total graduates. Six graduates that were hired or working for a fire department at the time of the surveys met certification requirements, and all employer surveys indicated they strongly agreed graduates were fulfilling their expected roles as a Firefighter, Haz-Mat Responder and Emergency Medical Technician. One comment from the Rogers Fire Department representative was that "all three of their hires have taken even advanced classes during their probationary year such as Rope Rescue Technician and Confined Space Rescue and are doing great in all areas with good attitudes and work ethics."

Program Outcome 4 – Two graduates of the program reported they were now pursuing their education beyond the Associates and Bachelors degree level to the Masters level.                                                 

Program Outcome 5 – Five prior graduates have been promoted in 2014.

Program Outcomes 1, 2, and 3 - Nine total graduates. Seven graduates that were hired or working for a fire department at the time of the surveys met certification requirements, and employer surveys indicated they agreed or strongly agreed graduates were fulfilling their expected roles as a Firefighter, Haz-Mat Responder and Emergency Medical Technician. One exception was for one graduate that was still such a new hire they received a "neutral" on Program outcomes 2 and 3 (entry level Firefighter and Emergency medical Technician) with the supervisor's comments stating the graduate "has great potential, and needs additional training and monitoring that you would expect of a probationary firefighter."

Program Outcome 4 – One graduate of the program reported they were pursuing their education beyond the Associates degree to the Baccalaureate level.

Program Outcome 5 – One prior graduate had been promoted in 2013.