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Author: Dratler, Pam

Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (ARC)

Posted on by Dratler, Pam

Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and hands-on-learning skills in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry.  Applications of theory, principles and techniques will include system components and their interrelated functions, safety, procedures, tools and equipment to prepare the student for entry level employment in the HVAC field.

 

 

ACR Certificate of Proficiency (CP)

To earn a Certificate of Proficiency in this program, complete program requirement courses listed below.
CourseUnitsFace-To-Face at ESCOnlinePre-Req
Program Requirements
ACR 101: Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration: Mechanical3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026
ACR 102: Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration: Electrical3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026
ACR 103: Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration: Heating3.0Recommended Preparation: ACR 101
Pre-Req: ACR 102
ACR 105: Refrigerant Management and Recovery1.0Fall 2026
ACR 110: Advanced Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026ACR 101; ACR 102
ACR 111: Advanced Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration: Installation3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026ACR 101; ACR 102
ACR 112: HVAC Controls and Automation3.0Recommended Preparation: ACR 101
Pre-Req: ACR 102
Total Units16.0

 

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Fire Technology – Emergency Management

Posted on by Dratler, Pam

Emergency Management is a fantastically diverse career-field with a favorably projected future job growth. There are a variety of opportunities in public service at all levels of government and in a variety of sectors, including education, healthcare and private business.

 

    • Emergency Manager for Cities, Counties, States and the Federal Government
    • Disaster Recover Worker
    • Fire Prevention Officer
    • Emergency Dispatcher
    • Emergency Medical Technician Basic and Paramedic
    • Firefighter, both Municipal and Wildland
    • Homeland Security
    • Safety and Risk Manager

An emergency management associates degree teaches students about public safety issues, human behavior in times of crisis, cultural considerations in an emergency and the role of government agencies in disasters. Students gain skills in hazard identification and assessment, emergency management systems, and disaster preparedness.  Graduates learn to effectively manage emergencies at every stage, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.  The student will be able to define the role of the emergency manager in preparing for the mitigating the effects of hazards in the community.

This knowledge is identified in the following program courses:  Fire Protection Organization, Hazardous Materials, Building Construction, Introduction to Emergency Management, Disaster Response and Recovery, Disaster Mitigation, and Ethics.

 

Associates Degree in Science (AS) / Certificate of Achievement (CA)

To earn a Certificate of Achievement in this program, simply complete program requirement courses and applicable electives listed below. To earn an Associate’s Degree in this program, complete the program requirements and applicable electives below and the Associate Degree General Education requirements found here.
CourseUnitsFace-To-Face at ESCOnlinePre-Req
Program Requirements (21 Units)
FIRE 100: Fire Protection Organization3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026
FIRE 115: Hazardous Materials I3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 120: Building Construction for Fire Protection3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 131: Introduction to Emergency Management3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 132: Disaster Response and Recovery3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 133: Disaster Mitigation3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 142: Fire Ethics3.0Fall 2026
Electives (Select 12 Units)
FIRE 51: Fire Academy Preparation3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 98: Firefighter Skill Maintenance and Update1.5Fall 2026Must have completed an accredited Firefighter I Academy or Must have completed an approved internal Fire Department training program that follow State Fire Training 2013 standards for Firefighter I
FIRE 101: Firefighter Safety3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026
FIRE 118: Fire Prevention Technology3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 130: Fire Protection Equipment and Systems3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 151: Fire Fighter I Academy20.0Fall 2026EME 106; Certification as an EMT-I; Admission to the Fire Fighter I Academy program
FIRE 160: Wildland Fire Control I3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 165: Fundamentals of Fire Protection Chemistry3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026
FIRE 171A: Company Officer 2A - Human Resource Management for Company Officers2.5Meet the educational requirements for Fire Fighter II or experience as a career or volunteer firefighter
FIRE 171B: Company Officer 2B - General Administrative Functions for Company Officers1.0Meet education requirements for Fire Fighter II or equivalent
FIRE 171C: Company Officer 2C - Fire Inspections and Investigations for Company Officers2.5Completion of a CA Regionally accredited Fire Academy or a signed statement by the agency's Fire Chief or designee stating the sponsored student has completed all SFT training requirements and sills sheets for Firefighter I or equivalent
FIRE 171D: Company Officer 2D - All Risk2.5Completion of the following: ICS-200.B: Incident Command System for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents Hazardous Material Incident Commander (as offered by the California Specialized Training Institute)
FIRE 171E: Company Officer 2E - Wildland Incident Operations2.5S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior (Classroom Delivery Only)
FIRE 172A: Instructor I - Instructional Methodology2.5Recommended Preparation: Introduction to the Incident Command System (IS-100.B) or National Incident Management System (IS-700.A)
FIRE 173: Legal Aspects of Emergency Services3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 180: Fire Prevention IA2.5
FIRE 181: Fire Prevention IB2.5
FIRE 194: Fire Instructor IB2.5
FIRE 197A: Fire Technology General Topics0.5-5.0
FIRE 197B: Fire Technology Command Topics0.5-5.0
FIRE 197C: Fire Technology Field Topics0.5-5.0
Total Units 33.0

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  • Fire Technology: Palomar Community College District | All Rights Reserved

Fire Technology – General

Posted on by Dratler, Pam

Training to meet the requirements mandated by the California Office of State Fire Marshal for Certified Fire Fighter I.  Covers fire ground procedures, tactics, strategy, safety methods, fire dynamics, equipment usage and deployment, and subject material pertaining to the role of fire fighters within the fire service.

Prepares students for a career in fire suppression, fire prevention and/or fire protection.

 

 

Associates Degree in Science (AS) / Certificate of Achievement (CA)

To earn a Certificate of Achievement in this program, simply complete program requirement courses listed below. To earn an Associate’s Degree in this program, complete the program requirements below and the Associate Degree General Education requirements found here.
CourseUnitsFace-To-Face at ESCOnlinePre-Req
Program Requirements (21 Units)
FIRE 100: Fire Protection Organization3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026
FIRE 101: Firefighter Safety3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026
FIRE 118: Fire Prevention Technology3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 120: Building Construction for Fire Protection3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 130: Fire Protection Equipment and Systems3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 165: Fundamentals of Fire Protection Chemistry3.0Fall 2026Fall 2026
FIRE 142: Fire Ethics3.0Fall 2026
Electives (Select 15 Units)
FIRE 51: Fire Academy Preparation3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 98: Firefighter Skill Maintenance and Update1.5Fall 2026Must have completed an accredited Firefighter I Academy or Must have completed an approved internal Fire Department training program that follow State Fire Training 2013 standards for Firefighter I
FIRE 115: Hazardous Materials I3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 131: Introduction to Emergency Management3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 132: Disaster Response and Recovery3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 133: Disaster Mitigation3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 151: Fire Fighter I Academy20.0Fall 2026EME 106; Certification as an EMT-I; Admission to the Fire Fighter I Academy program.
FIRE 160: Wildland Fire Control I3.0Fall 2026
FIRE 171A: Company Officer 2A - Human Resource Management for Company Officers2.5Meet the educational requirements for Fire Fighter II or experience as a career or volunteer firefighter.
FIRE 171B: Company Officer 2B - General Administrative Functions for Company Officers1.0Meet the educational requirements for Fire Fighter II or equivalent.
FIRE 171C: Company Officer 2C - Fire Inspections and Investigations for Company Officers2.5Completion of a CA Regionally accredited Fire Academy or a signed statement the agency's Fire Chief or designee stating the sponsored student has completed all SFT training requirements and skills sheets for Fire Fighter I or equivalent.
FIRE 171D: Company Officer 2D - All Risk2.5Completion of the following: ICS-200.B: Incident Command System for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents Hazardous Material Incident Commander (as offered by the California Specialized Training Institute).
FIRE 171E: Company Officer 2E - Wildland Incident Operations2.5S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior (Classroom Delivery Only).
FIRE 172A: Instructor I - Instructional Methodology2.5Recommended Preparation: Introduction to the Incident Command System (IS-100.B) or National Incident Management System (IS-700.A).
FIRE 180: Fire Prevention IA2.5
FIRE 181: Fire Prevention IB2.5
FIRE 194: Fire Instructor IB2.5
FIRE 197A: Fire Technology General Topics0.5 - 5.0
FIRE 197B: Fire Technology Command Topics0.5 - 5.0
FIRE 197C: Fire Technology Filed Topics0.5 - 5.0
EME 106: Emergency Medical Technician (Lecture)6.0Summer 2026, Fall 2026EME 105 with a minimum grade of B; Must be age 18 by the first day of class; Current American Heart Association CPR for BLS Provider or American Red Cross for the Health Care Provider.
CE 100: Cooperative Education0.5 - 4.0Summer 100, Fall 2026
FIRE 173: Legal Aspects of Emergency Services3.0Fall 2026
Total Units 36.0

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  • FireAcademy52GroupPhoto-1: Palomar Community College District | All Rights Reserved

Paramedic Training

Posted on by Dratler, Pam

The Paramedic Program prepares the student in the elements of pre-hospital advanced life support.  Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the State of California EMT-P certification exam, which is the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Exam.

Admission to the program is by special application.  To be eligible for consideration, the applicant must: 1) Have 6 months full-time pre-hospital experience of equivalent as an EMT Basic.  2) Be eligible for admission to Palomar College. 3) Meet academic requirements outlined in the Paramedic Program brochure produced by the EME Program. AND 4) Have completed ZOO 145 or BIOl 145 with a grade of "C" or better and EME 175 and EME 175L with a "B" or better.

 

 

Associates Degree in Science (AS) / Certificate of Achievement (CA)

To earn a Certificate of Achievement in this program, simply complete program requirement courses listed below. To earn an Associate’s Degree in this program, complete the program requirements below and the Associate Degree General Education requirements found here.
CourseUnitsFace-To-Face at ESCOnlinePre-Req
Prerequisite Courses
EME 106: Emergency Medical Technician (Lecture)6.0Summer 2026, Fall 2026EME 105 with a minimum grade of B; Must be age 18 by the first day of class; Current American Heart Association CPR for BLS Provider or American Red Cross for the Health Care Provider.
EME 106L: Emergency Medical Technician Skills (Laboratory)1.5Summer 2026, Fall 2026EME 105 with a minimum grade of B; Must be age 18 by the first day of class; Current American Heart Association CPR for BLS Provider or American Red Cross for the Health Care Provider.
EME 175: Paramedic Preparation (Lecture)3.0Summer 2026, Fall 2026Current EMT with a minimum of 3 months full time pre-hospital experience
EME 175: Paramedic Preparation Skills (Laboratory)1.0Summer 2026, Fall 2026Current EMT with a minimum of 3 months full time pre-hospital experience
BIOL 145: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology3.0Summer 2026, Fall 2026Summer 2026, Fall 2026
Program Requirements
EME 206: Introduction to Paramedic Training (Lecture)5.5Fall 2026Admission into Paramedic Program
EME 206L: Introduction to Paramedic Training (Laboratory)1.5Fall 2026Admission into Paramedic Program
EME 207: Paramedic Medical Training (Lecture)10.0Fall 2026Admission into Paramedic Program
EME 207L: Paramedic Medical Skills (Laboratory)2.0Fall 2026Admission into Paramedic Program
EME 208: Paramedic Trauma Training(Lecture)4.5Summer 2026Admission into Paramedic Program
EME 208L: Trauma Skills (Laboratory)1.0Summer 2026Admission into Paramedic Program
EME 209: Paramedic Obstetrical and Pediatric Training (Lecture)2.5Summer 2026Admission into Paramedic Program
EME 209L: Paramedic Obstetrical and Pediatric Skills (Laboratory)1.0Summer 2026Admission into Paramedic Program
EME 210: Hospital Clinical Experience3.5Fall 2026Admission into Paramedic Program
EME 211: Clinical Integration I1.0-1.5Fall 2026
EME 212: Clinical Integration II1.5-2.0Summer 2026
EME 215: Field Internship10.0Fall 2026A minimum grade of "B" in EME 210, or concurrent enrollment in EME 210
Total Units 44.0-45.0

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  • Paramedic Training: Palomar Community College District | All Rights Reserved

EMT Basic

Posted on by Dratler, Pam

This  program prepares the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the National Registry EMT examination and enter the workforce in the State of California.

 

 

Learning Outcome(s):

  • Upon completion of the Emergency Medical Technician Program, the student will have developed the knowledge and skill necessary to demonstrate proficiency in the psychomotor skills necessary to fulfill the role of an entry level EMT.
  • Upon completion of the Emergency Medical Technician Program, the student will demonstrate competency by performing a thorough patient assessment and integrate basic pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate and execute a proper treatment plan for a patient experiencing a medical and/or traumatic emergency according to current national, state, and San Diego County protocols.

 

 

Certificate of Proficiency (CP)

To earn a Certificate of Proficiency in this program, complete program requirement courses listed below.
CourseUnitsFace-To-Face at ESCOnlinePre-Req
Program Requirements
EME 105: EMT Prep4.0Summer 2026, Fall 2026This course is the mandatory prerequisite for EME 106/106L
EME 106: Emergency Medical Technician (Lecture)6.0Summer 2026, Fall 2026EME 105 with a minimum grade of B; Must be age 18 by the first day of class; Current American Heart Association CPR for BLS Provider or American Red Cross for the Health Care Provider.
EME 106L: Emergency Medical Technician Skills (Laboratory)1.5Summer 2026, Fall 2026EME 105 with a minimum grade of B; Must be age 18 by the first day of class; Current American Heart Association CPR for BLS Provider or American Red Cross for the Health Care Provider.
Total Units11.5

Image Sources

  • emefire: Palomar Community College District | All Rights Reserved

Academics

Posted on by Dratler, Pam

The  Escondido Education Center has been designed to focus on a highly demanded Associate Degrees for Transfer, Certificates, Program Requirements, and General Education classes.

The Escondido Center is designed to provide students with the following academic degree programs:

  • Associate Degree: Emergency Medical Education
  • Certificate of Proficiency: Emergency Medical Education
  • Certificate of Achievement: Emergency Medical Education
  • Associate Degree: Fire Technology
  • Certificate of Proficiency: Fire Technology
  • Certificate of Achievement: Fire Technology
  • Variety of General Education classes required for Associate and Transfer Degrees
Emergency Medical Education (EME)
Emergency Medical Education (EME)
Fire Technology (FIRE)
Fire Technology (FIRE)