ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The competition for jobs in fire departments across the U.S. is heating up.

Although a degree has not traditionally been essential for firefighters, the demand for more educated applicants is increasing.

Firefighters are now competing for positions with candidates who hold associate and bachelor’s degrees. 

Columbia Southern University recently partnered with the Pensacola Fire Department to help local firefighters gain an edge over the competition.

This partnership provides firefighters, their spouses, and children with special benefits including tuition discounts and an application fee waiver. The fire department will also be featured on the CSU Web site, in marketing materials, and at conferences and speaking engagements.

Pensacola Fire Department employees can choose from 20 completely online degree programs offered by CSU.

Associate, bachelor, and certificate programs in fire science are available.

Other degree programs include business administration, information technology, public administration, and more.

“This partnership with CSU will allow us to be more involved in helping our firefighters achieve an education,” said Brock Jester, Fire Captain and Training Officer for the Pensacola Fire Department. “With competition heating up, it is becoming more important for firefighters to have degrees backing their experience.” 

The Pensacola Fire Department provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire code enforcement, and public education programs to the 60,000 citizens of Pensacola, Florida.

More than 130 Pensacola Fire Department employees operate in six fire stations through six engine companies, two ladder companies, three rescue companies and two aircraft rescue firefighting units. The department is also one of the regionally certified training centers in Northwest Florida.

CSU holds more than 20 Florida fire department partnerships and roughly 215 around the world.