A hybrid approach to distance education technology: tailor made for the United States fire service

Due to increasing demands, professional requirements, emergent technologies, and new threats to public safety, fire service professionals have an ever increasing need for access to higher education. In addressing that need, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has initiated distance education classes as a part of the Fire and Safety Engineering Technology Program. Distance education enables the fire science degree-seeking student to access upper level college fire classes in the fire station or in the comfort of their own home. This paper describes the need for such a program, the strategies and technologies involved at UNC Charlotte, and the favorable outcomes that have resulted from the institution of this program.