Fire Protection and Safety Technology
The Dept. of FPST at OSU-OKC was created in the mid 1970’s as an Associate degree-granting outreach program of OSU-Stillwater’s Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology Department. Like OSU-Stillwater FPST, our curriculum is designed to prepare students for assessing and reducing the loss potential in the industrial setting with respect to fire, safety, industrial hygiene, and hazardous material incidents. We also have environmental science coursework focused on preparing students for careers in environmental management and compliance.
Organizations like sprinkler system or fire alarm system design companies are looking for degreed professionals with specific background in fire protection systems, fire chemistry and physics, drafting and computer aided design, and industrial loss prevention. Many companies are looking for degreed Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) professionals who are competent across several disciplines, such as occupational safety, occupational health, fire protection, and environmental management. Our degree programs and course curriculum are designed to prepare students to enter the workforce with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to perform competently as EH&S professionals and to pursue the common certifications needed in the EH&S career field (such as becoming a Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
Program Objectives
The FPST program prepares graduates for careers in Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). EH&S position responsibilities typically include four major disciplines: Fire protection and life safety, safety science, environmental program management, and occupational health.
The overall goals of the program, in terms of the graduates, are outlined in the following educational objectives. These are broad statements of skills and knowledge that the graduates of the FPST program will have upon graduation. These are divided into two categories: General Educational Objectives, and Technical Educational Objectives.
General Educational Objectives - the FPST graduate will:
- Demonstrate the application of a systematic approach to problem solving,
- Identify and explain common industrial processes,
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct training on loss control topics,
- Function effectively on teams,
- Communicate effectively,
- Recognize the need for, and ability to engage in, lifelong learning,
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional, ethical and social responsibilities,
- Demonstrate a respect for diversity and an awareness of contemporary professional, societal and global issues, and
- Demonstrate a commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement.
Technical Educational Objectives - the FPST graduate will:
- Recognize hazards,
- Evaluate hazards,
- Conduct risk analysis & risk management activities,
- Formulate control and mitigation strategies,
- Maintain program/system effectiveness,
- Anticipate probable hazards,
- Apply and interpret applicable codes and standards, and
- Demonstrate an understanding of the conduct of incident investigations including associated legal responsibilities and recordkeeping.
The curriculum is designed to immediately introduce the student to studies in fire protection, safety, and environmental science. Students are able to measure their interest in a fire protection and safety career early in their academic program. College Algebra and Technical Report Writing are required as foundational courses, as is one semester of chemistry and one semester of another science course (typically Anatomy and Physiology or Physics I). Computer usage and familiarity with Microsoft Occice is an essential component of many courses. Interested high school students should design their high school programs to prepare themselves for college level mathematics and science classes.
