Catalog Description

Advisory: Completion of ENGL N with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 32 (11 lecture, 21 laboratory)
Description: Designed to prepare students with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the Firefighter I Academy. Topics include: ropes and knots, donning and doffing SCBA's, fire hose rolls and loads, physical fitness, fire department duties, responsibilities and conduct. (not transferable)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Identify the fire service mission and organizational principles.
  • CSLO #2: Apply basic skills utilizing fire tools and equipment.
  • CSLO #3: Complete effective written and oral reports relating to the fire industry.

Effective Term

Fall 2019

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

32

Outside of Class Hours

22

Total Student Learning Hours

54

Course Objectives

Lecture Objectives:
1. Describe fire department duties and their organization.
2. Identify and list firefighter safety objectives.
3. Outline the conduct necessary to become a firefighter.
4. Identify the requirements necessary to become a recruit firefighter.
5. Describe the characteristics and functions of miscellaneous tools and equipment used in the fire service.
6. Complete an effective written and oral report.
Laboratory Objectives:
1. Demonstrate how to roll hose
2. Demonstrate how to Don a self-contained breathing apparatus
3. Demonstrate how to tie basic knots
4. Demonstrate the ability to complete the physical tasks of a firefighter.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • Not Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Students will be given a multiple-choice test on firefighter injuries and deaths. Standard Grading. Example Question: Approximately how many fire fighters are killed each year in the United States in the line of duty? A. 40-60 B. 80-100 C. 130-150 D. 200-210
          • Reports
            • Example: Upon researching a firefighter line-of-duty death, students will present a written report outlining their findings. Students will also give an oral presentation of their findings to the class. Grading will be based on an instructor created rubric.
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: Students will demonstrate how to tie standard fire service knots. Students will be graded as Pass/Fail.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Laboratory
          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lab:

          1. The instructor will describe and demonstrate the proper way to roll in-service and out-of-service fire hose. The instructor will then supervise as students demonstrate how to properly roll fire hose for in-service use and how to roll fire hose when being placed out-of-service. The instructor will evaluate students according to an industry standard evaluation skills sheet developed by California State Fire Training.

          Lecture:

          1. The instructor will facilitate classroom discussion on the use of self-contained breathing apparatus and the safety guidelines for use.
          2. The instructor will lecture on care and maintenance of ropes and demonstrate how to tie knots. Students will then practice tying the knots.

          Distance Learning

          1. Online instructor lecture on firefighter safety objectives, followed by students writing a report listing each of the top 10 safety objectives and associating them with potential real situations. Reports are posted for instructor and student discussion.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Students will read assigned article from professional fire service periodical and be prepared for classroom discussion. 2. Students will read instructor provided material on fire service ropes and knots. A classroom discussion will consist of why fire service ropes and knots are used in specific situations.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Students will go to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) website and research assigned a firefighter line of duty death. Students will than write a report summarizing their findings. Reports will be graded on an instructor created rubric. 2. Working in groups, students will determine how best to tie two ropes together of unequal diameter.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          Required Materials

          • Fire Fighter Skills
            • Author: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) & International Assocation of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
            • Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Learning
            • Publication Date: 2014
            • Text Edition: 3rd
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

          1. Instructor Prepared Material from State Fire Training. 2. Firefighter 1 recruit procedures manual, current edition. 3. Firefighter 1 performance standards, current edition.