The University of Wolverhampton is to offer its students a degree in fire and rescue from September this year.
The new BSC (Hons) fire and rescue course, which is in partnership with West Midlands Fire Service, is geared towards preparing students for a career in the fire service through academic study and work placements.
The university's vice chancellor, Professor Caroline Gipps and the chief fire officer of the West Midlands' service, Vijith Randeniya, signed an agreement earlier this week to officially launch the degree.
It will include modules focused on crisis management, leadership, fire law, fire investigations and the chemistry of combustion. Students will also become community volunteers working with the fire service during their studies. If successful, students could be offered the opportunity to undertake the basic firefighters programme with West Midlands crews.
Mr Randeniya said: “In a modern professional fire service, it is vital that firefighters get the best possible training and qualifications available to them, in order to meet the demands of firefighting in the 21st century.
“People considering a career as a firefighter have the opportunity to gain a formal degree qualification in fire and rescue. The course represents another significant step in the development of professional firefighting in the United Kingdom and I am delighted to support its launch.”
