There are multiple paths to consider when looking at pursuing a job in fire protection services. The field is also expanding opportunities for the youth to explore this career field before graduating high school.
Career Paths
Volunteer Firefighters
Volunteer firefighters are typically individuals who work in other roles for their career but desire to be connected to the local fire department and serve the expanding volunteer needs.
Depending on the station, volunteer firefighters can be paid on-call or full-time.
The benefits of pursuing the field as a volunteer firefighter:
- The future firefighter will seek opportunities with a local fire department first—securing their volunteer opportunity.
- Once hired as a volunteer firefighter, the training is covered by the hiring department and state–making the overhead cost of training very minimal for the future firefighter.
The majority of the Moraine Park district is heavily supported by volunteer firefighters.
Career Fire Professionals
Individuals interested in the field can enroll in the two-year Fire Protection Technician associate degree program. This program provides the foundational coursework required to enter the field as a full-time firefighter.
From there, individuals with this training can take additional training, usually covered by the fire department, to advance into fire leadership.
Cadette Programs
Offered through Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue and Waupun, the program works in collaboration with Moraine Park, to offer introductory fire training to students ages 16-18.
Start College Now
Start College Now is a partnership with district high schools to provide college credit courses to students. Currently, Moraine Park offers human service courses such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification for high school students who qualify. Both credentials can be used toward the Fire Protection Technician degree and meet the needs of entry-level volunteer firefighters.
The Educator Behind MPTC Training: Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul, the College’s fire training instructor, began at Moraine Park like many local fire professionals do—as a student. After completing his training, he worked in the field, eventually serving as fire chief of the Fox Lake Fire Department. Today, he is the lead instructor at Moraine Park, playing a vital role in ensuring our communities remain safe and protected during fire and medical emergencies. During the academic year, Paul is responsible for providing training opportunities to more than 250 individuals in the district.
“I’ve served in many capacities in this career field, each rewarding in their own way. I’m proud to work alongside our district fire leaders to help provide the training needed to keep our communities safe,” Paul said.
Elevating Fire Education and Training
Fire training at Moraine Park received a much-anticipated advancement with the opening of the new Horicon Regional Center, one of four major referendum projects for the College. For decades, Moraine Park has offered fire training opportunities to fuel this valuable public-service career field and expanded facilities elevate training to the next level.
Horicon Regional Center Training Facility
The Horicon Regional Center, located at 1210 Wrucke St., opens many doors of possibility for the district community and beyond—making it a top-tier fire training facility. The new building and equipment allow for one-of-a-kind and expanded training options and program growth—including the new Fire Protection Technician associate degree program, which began this fall.
A Next Level Burn Building
Most fire training facilities offer Class A wood pallet live burn simulations. The advanced burn building allows the College to be one of few training sites in the state to hold Class B propane and gas burn simulations. This advancement allows training in both simulation settings, allowing future fire professionals to enter the field prepared for various fire scenarios.
Advanced Fire Training Tower
Previously housed at the Beaver Dam Campus, the new 3,840 square-foot fire training tower allows for dedicated training, with rooms for individualized and focused training, a rooftop vent prop, three burn rooms and a balcony to observe training.
Growth in Community Connectivity
Moraine Park’s strong roots have created a robust higher education and skilled training presence in the district for over 110 years. The new facility builds upon that, creating a community partnership with the City of Horicon for the first time and positioning the new facility in a central location for the 50+ fire stations in the district.