Gateway Technical College’s fire protection program is the regional leader in fire training and education. Firefighters must be ready to properly handle any emergency that occurs, assess the situation, determine incident priorities, and then safely and effectively contain the emergency. Gateway provides the training to give its students the tools to handle these situations and more. Fire Protection Technician associate degree students are immersed in scenario-based training where instructors will stage real-world emergencies in various settings including industrial areas, second-floor apartments and medical facilities. Students gain real world experience by running a virtual fire department or community-wide emergency operations center. Gateway also provides the most advanced equipment and training to prepare students for a demanding, but rewarding, career as a firefighter. The Health and Emergency Response Occupations (HERO) Center, located in Burlington, WI, is a dedicated fire and emergency medical service (EMS) training facility that specializes in simulation-based training. Students have access to two fire training sites complete with burn buildings, training props, fire engines, an equipment vehicle and various trailers providing students with realistic training experiences. Partnerships with local fire departments provide additional instructional support, internships and job shadowing opportunities. Students will acquire and refine the hard and soft skills needed to become a fire service professional as well as network with professionals in the field preparing them for a fulfilling career.