Public Safety

Bates Technical College’s Recruit Academy is a 29-credit, IFSAC-accredited program that provides newly-hired firefighters with the knowledge and skills required to become a probationary firefighter. The course is 14 weeks of intense training. At the end of the course, recruits obtain IFSAC certifications for HazMat Awareness and Operations, Firefighter I and II.

• Next available dates: April 24, 2023 thru July 28, 2023 (Please enroll through your fire department/district)

Bates Technical College follows the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) model curriculum that the U.S. Fire Administration founded, as a component of the associate degree in Fire Supervision.  

Our experienced fire service faculty teach degree coursework. The courses are designed to promote higher education, and to enhance the recognition of fire and emergency services as a profession that reduces loss of life and property from fire and other hazards.  

FESHE courses prepare professional firefighters to meet the requirements from Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II and Fire Officer I. Bates Technical College provides collegiate-level coursework in collaboration with the Washington State Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (also known as JATC). 

As per the partnership agreement between the Washington State Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) and Bates Technical College, JATC sponsors the tuition and fees for their firefighters who are members of the JATC membership department and are enrolled in FESHE courses, provided they maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. For firefighters with a lower GPA (0-1.9), Bates Technical College will send individual invoices to the respective fire departments.

The following FESHE courses are included in the program: 

FESHE Enrollment Form

FESHE Class Schedule

Self-Support Classes Refund Policy: 

100%    When Bates Technical College cancels the class. 

100%    When withdrawal is at least one business day prior to the first day of class. To officially withdraw from the class, email registration@batestech.edu. 

0%       When registered but do not attend the class. No refunds are available after the class has started. 

Bates will cancel a class if there are too few participants enrolled to cover the cost of the class. Bates reserves the right to cancel classes, reschedule classes, or change instructors.  You will be notified if a class is full or if a class cancellation occurs.   

This advanced training and degree program is designed for firefighters preparing for promotion or already having supervisory and management responsibilities. The foundation of the Fire Supervision Associates Degree Program is based on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications (2020) Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, and NFPA 1041 Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications (2019), Fire Instructor 1.

The Fire Supervision Degree Program recognizes key consensus standards established by NFPA 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications; NFPA 1041 Standard for Fire Instructor Professional Qualifications; the National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative; the International Association of Fire Chief’s Officer Development initiative; and these courses meet the accreditation standards of the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and will prepare the student for certification testing for Fire Instructor 1, Fire Officer 1, and Fire Officer 2.

The fire supervision program consists additional following courses: 

• Fire Supervision Degree Course Descriptions (pdf)
• Summer 2023 Registration Flyer (pdf)

This Emergency Medical Technician course will prepare you for an entry-level career in the dynamic emergency medical services field. As a student, you’ll prepare for the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Certification Exam and meet employment requirements for an EMT. The course adheres to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, the National EMS Educational Standards, and the Washington State Amended EMS Educational Standards

Summer Quarter Class Schedule

Dates: June 13 – August 15, 2023

Days and Times:

• Monday – Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Instructor Contact: David Koehler at david.koehler@batestech.edu

*Please note: If you do not have a valid CPR card, you will be enrolled in FIRES 209. When registering, please specify if you have a valid CPR card to avoid auto-enrollment.

Registration Requirements

• Must be at least 17 years old at the beginning of the course and 18 years at the time of completion
• Must provide a copy of valid ID or Driver’s License (printed color at 150 percent size)

Self-Support Class Tuition Policy

• 100% -When Bates Technical College cancels the class.
• 100% -When withdrawal is at least one business day prior to the first day of class. To officially withdraw from the class, email registration@batestech.edu.
• 0% -When registered but do not attend the class. No refunds are available after the class has started.

Bates will cancel a class if there are too few participants enrolled to cover the cost of the class. Bates reserves the right to cancel classes, reschedule classes, or change instructors.  You will be notified if a class is full or if a class cancellation occurs.

Required Books and Supplies

USE THIS LINK to ensure that you order the correct book and testing package.

Financial Assistance

The EMT course does not qualify for federal financial aid (FAFSA), but you may qualify for funding through our Workforce Education Services Office. To see if you qualify, please complete this survey