Lone Star College-Montgomery is pleased to welcome David Griffin as the new director of the college’s flourishing, two-year-old fire science program. Griffin, who has served as an adjunct instructor for the program since August of 2009, will oversee the management of the fire science program’s instructors, equipment, state compliance, and most recently, the addition of an associate of applied science degree in fire science technology available this spring.
 
“I’ll continue to make sure the program meets the needs of our students and also those of the surrounding fire departments, especially in terms of what a rookie firefighter should know when he or she graduates,” said Griffin. “I have a passion and love for this career and want to see this program grow and be one of the best in the state.”
 
No rookie to the firefighting profession, Griffin began his career more than 15 years ago as a volunteer firefighter with Little York Fire Department in Houston. After that department transitioned to a combination of both volunteer and paid personnel, Griffin remained, holding various ranks until he assumed the role of fire chief and led the crew for eight years.
 
For the past 10 years, Griffin has been with Houston Fire Department, spending the last four years as an engineer/operator. He holds an advanced firefighter certification through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and a master certification through the State Firemen's & Fire Marshals' Association of Texas.

“Our fire science students and instructors have benefitted greatly from Griffin’s knowledge and leadership,” said Barbara Buchanan, academic dean at LSC-Montgomery. “He is performing admirably, working closely with the surrounding fire departments to meet their needs, as well.”
 
One need, according to projections by the Texas Workforce Commission, is a demand for more than 320 firefighters in Harris County and Montgomery County through 2013. To help, the fire science program at LSC-Montgomery will add an associate of applied science degree in fire science technology beginning in the spring. The degree, which is in addition to the current certificate program, will prepare graduates for employment in the fire science field and provide opportunities for job advancement for currently employed firefighters.

“This expansion is the next step to enhance the opportunities for the students and the overall impact of this program throughout the region.” said Griffin.
 
Griffin hopes to use his past experiences—the high’s and the low’s—to show the students that firefighting is a challenging, but rewarding career. The ultimate goal, he said, is to see every fire science academy graduate get hired by a department in the state and have a successful career.
 
While Griffin has a passion for the firefighting profession, his true love is for his family—his wife and two sons.
 
For more information about the fire science program at LSC-Montgomery, visit www.LoneStar.edu/fire-science-dept-montgomery; or contact David Griffin at David.K.Griffin@LoneStar.edu.
 
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
 
With more than 69,000 students in credit classes for fall 2010, and a total enrollment of more than 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.