Hans Silberschlag
Residential Faculty - Fire Science | Fire Service Management
Program Director:
Applied Sciences and Technology
Office: TC 50 - Room: TC 111
480-461-6300
480-461-6311 (alt)
602-228-4117 (mobile)
Office Hours
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Office Hours that are listed are in-person, plus Office Hours are available by appointment and/or prior to scheduled class times.
Profile
Chief Hans Silberschlag (Ret.) has been affiliated with Mesa Community College (MCC) since 1979 when he began taking Fire Science courses. Hired by Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department in 1986, he promoted through the ranks of Firefighter, Paramedic, Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, and Assistant Fire Chief. Hans was a facilitator and instructor for the Tempe Learning Center where he taught supervisory, management and leadership courses to City of Tempe employees.
After 33 years of service with the City of Tempe, he retired from the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department and transitioned to Mesa Community College fulltime as a residential faculty member and Department Chair for the Fire Science and EMT Department.
While working in the fire service, Hans began teaching as an Adjunct Faculty Member for Mesa Community College in 1988 as an EMT instructor, and transitioned to teaching Fire Science courses after a few years. In 1993, he was one of the original instructors for the MCC Fire Academy (Firefighter I & II Academy) and became the Fire Academy Coordinator in 1997.
In 2013, Hans became the Program Director for the MCC Emergency Management Program, and in 2021 he became the Program Director for the MCC Fire Science Program. He has been an instructor, developer and facilitator for the MCC Virtual Incident Command Center (VICC) since 2015.
He has earned the Executive Fire Officer designation and credentialing from the National Fire Academy, along with a Certified Public Manager designation and credentialing from Arizona State University, and has been a keynote speaker and presenter at a variety of fire service and higher education conferences throughout the United States.
Hans has earned an AAS in Fire Science, and B.S. in Public Safety Management, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership - Community College/Higher Education, and an Ed.D in Higher Education Leadership. He continues to research, write and lectures on topics relating to the fire service, public safety, customer service, and leadership.
Classes Taught
Fall 2026
| FSC101 | Introduction to Fire Service Selection and Entry | 4 Credits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Overview of the application and selection processes used by various fire departments and fire service organizations. Focus on the skills and abilities required for entry-level positions in the fire department, including oral and written communication skills, mathematical and mechanical skills, problem-solving skills, and physical agility and stamina. Elements of fire service culture and their effects on personal growth and interpersonal relationships. Major components of written application processes, requirements, preparation of resumes and their effect on employment prospects. Preparation for the interview to include communications skills, mental preparation techniques, behaviors, and the importance of the interview in the pre-employment process. Prerequisites: None. |
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| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability | |||||||||||||||||||
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15277
|
Dobson Campus
|
Hybrid In-Person
Lecture/Lab
|
08/25/2026 – 12/18/2026
|
TuTh
|
4:25 PM – 6:00 PM
|
Open 22 of 30 |
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Notes: Hybrid classes include face-to-face format on campus at the time listed in the class schedule. The other part will be held online either without a set time to attend or a Live Online session. Students enrolling in a hybrid class acknowledge they already possess the skills described in the Minimum Computer and Technology Requirements at https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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| FSC105 | Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations | 3 Credits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Basic methods of recognition and identification based upon the chemical and physical properties of hazardous materials; basic safety procedures when utilizing specific types of protective clothing and equipment; basic tactical information relating to scene management. Satisfies minimum standards for certification testing set forth by the current ProBoard and/or Arizona State Training and Certifying Authority. Prerequisites: None. |
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| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability | |||||||||||||||||||
|
15270
|
Dobson Campus
|
In-Person
Lecture/Lab
|
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026
|
MoWe
|
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
|
Open 18 of 30 |
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| FSC130 | Fitness for Firefighters/CPAT | 1 Credits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Skills and abilities required for entry level position in the fire service including physical ability, and stamina. Opportunity to take the accredited International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) at the end of the course at a IAFF licensed agency. Prerequisites: None. |
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| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability | |||||||||||||||||||
|
15276
|
Dobson Campus
|
Hybrid In-Person
Lecture/Lab
|
08/24/2026 – 10/12/2026
|
-
|
-
|
Open 1 of 20 |
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Notes: Hybrid classes include face-to-face format on campus at the time listed in the class schedule. The other part will be held online either without a set time to attend or a Live Online session.
Students enrolling in a hybrid class acknowledge they already possess the skills described in the Minimum Computer and Technology Requirements at https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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|
33076
|
Dobson Campus
|
Hybrid In-Person
Lecture/Lab
|
08/26/2026 – 10/16/2026
|
-
|
-
|
Open 20 of 20 |
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Notes: Hybrid classes include face-to-face format on campus at the time listed in the class schedule. The other part will be held online either without a set time to attend or a Live Online session.
Students enrolling in a hybrid class acknowledge they already possess the skills described in the Minimum Computer and Technology Requirements at https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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| FSC208 | Firefighter Safety and Building Construction | 3 Credits | ||||
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Actions necessary to provide for the safety of firefighters operating on the fireground. Effects that fire and heat may have on various types of building construction resulting in the loss of structural integrity. Includes signs and symptoms of structural damage. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in FSC113 or permission of Instructor or current employment as a firefighter and/or Firefighter I and II Certification and/or related experience as determined by the Program Director. |
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| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
|
17745
|
|
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
|
08/24/2026 – 10/16/2026
|
|
|
Open 23 of 25 |
|
Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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| FSC215 | Customer Service in the Public Sector | 3 Credits | ||||
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Examines the personal and practical skills needed to enhance customer service in the public sector with an emphasis on application, basic management requirements, and training. Prerequisites: None. |
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| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
|
17628
|
|
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
|
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026
|
|
|
Open 15 of 30 |
|
Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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Fall Flex Start 2026
| FSC202 | Supervisory Training For Firefighters | 3 Credits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Administrative methods applied to the fire service, departmental organization, and personnel management. Includes fire alarm signaling systems, fire service planning, and relationships with other city departments. Prerequisites: None. |
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| Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
|
17744
|
|
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
|
10/19/2026 – 12/18/2026
|
|
|
Open 22 of 25 |
|
Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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Degrees & Awards
A.A.S. Degree - Fire Science
B.S. Degree - Public Safety Management
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership - Community College/Higher Education
Ed.D. - Higher Education Leadership
Executive Fire Officer designation and credentialing from the National Fire Academy
Certified Public Manager designation and credentialing from Arizona State University
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