Catalog Description

Advisory: Completion with grade of "C" or better or concurrent enrollment in FIRE 1
Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Fundamentals of fire department organization, management, and resources, and the use of those resources to control various emergencies. Includes safety, operational considerations, evaluation of tactics and strategies with a focus on making behavioral changes for positive outcomes. (CSU-with unit limitation)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Compare and contrast the organizational divisions of a typical fire department and evaluate the duties and responsibilities of these divisions.
  • CSLO #2: Analyze the management systems and give examples of where they could be used in the fire service.
  • CSLO #3: Evaluate and defend the safety considerations that should be used on various emergency incidents.

Effective Term

Fall 2019

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. Compare and contrast the organizational divisions of a typical fire department and evaluate the duties and responsibilities of these divisions;
2. analyze the management systems and give examples of where they could be used in the fire service;
3. analyze the elements of mutual aid and automatic aid and the constraints and capabilities of each for a second alarm or larger incident;
4. compare and contrast the various ways emergency calls can come into a dispatch system and explain how units are dispatched;
5. compare and contrast three separate pieces of fire apparatus and explain where they would be used;
6. analyze the steps of size-up and explain how they apply to a structure fire;
7. assess what impact regulatory agencies and doctrines have upon a firefighter;
8. evaluate safety procedures used on a wildland fire;
9. compare the differences between the duties of a fire service unit and a private ambulance on a typical motor vehicle accident;
10. list and defend the safety considerations that should be used on various emergency incidents; and
11. investigate how to preserve evidence for a fire investigator on a structural fire.

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

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Students will take a multiple-choice examination on Dispatching to emergencies. Standard grading. Example question: A ______ is a radio system that uses a shared bank of frequencies to make the most efficient use of radio resources. A. trunked system, B. simplex system, C. radio repeater system, D. mobile data system.
          • Projects
            • Example: In small groups, students will outline the differences between a volunteer, combination and fully paid fire departments and present their findings to class.
          • Reports
            • Example: In a report, students will list the attack options and assignments from an instructor based scenario of a garage fire in a single family home.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. The instructor will lecture on the different types of engines, ladder trucks, and aerial apparatus in the fire service. Students will work in small groups to determine which type of vehicle is best suited for a given emergency and present their findings to the class.
          2. The instructor will discuss safety issues related to a firefighter fatality. Students will collaborate in small groups to analyze issues related to making behavioral changes to avoid future fatalities. Students will prioritize what changes should be made to tactics and strategy and make recommendations for policy changes.

          Distance Learning

          1. Following a brief introduction video and reading assignment on dispatch systems, students will compare and contrast the various ways emergency calls can come into a dispatch system and explain how units are dispatched. Students shall then discuss this subject in a discussion board both with the instructor and other students.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. The student will read the section in the textbook on organizations related to the fire service. They will then thoroughly investigate an assigned organization and give a classroom presentation on how the organization interacts with a fire department. 2. The student will read the chapter on the Incident Command System and complete a worksheet diagramming the five major functional areas of the ICS.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Prepare a report of a LODD or LODI occurred. Determine what issues were the causation of the incident and steps the agency can take to avoid similar incidents in the future. 2. Write a short report describing the pros and cons of positive pressure ventilation on tactical considerations.

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

          Write a research paper on a chosen fire agency describing the following: 1. What is the organization, name etc.? 2. Organizational logo? 3. A detailed organizational chart including a flow chart of the different divisions? 4. History of the organization? 5. Core Values & what do they mean to the administration, firefighters and various department personnel? 6. Mission Statement? 7. What services do they provide? (i.e. EMS, Fire Suppression, Water Rescue, Haz-Mat mitigation etc…) 8. What are the different divisions they have? (i.e. Operations, Finance, Logistics, etc) 9. How do the different divisions interact with the community they serve? 10. Statistics: a. How many Structure Fires per year? b. How many Wild land Fires per year? c. EMS Runs per year? d. Technical Rescues per year? e. Public Assist Runs per year f. False Alarms do they run per year? 11. How many fire stations? 12. Do they have special operations units? (i.e. HazMat, Technical Rescue Unit, H2O Rescue Boats, MCI Unit, etc.) 13. Busiest fire house, how many calls per year? 14. Slowest fire house, how many calls per year? 15. What does it take to get a job with their organization as an entry level fire fighter(minimum qualification)? 16. Where does the administration see the department in 2, 5 or 10 years? (Do they have a 2, 5 or 10 year strategic plan?) 17. Does the agency operate using SOP’s (standard operating procedures), SOG’s (standard operating guidelines)? Please attach a copy of what you find of one of there SOG’s or SOP’s and describe what particular standard is used for?

          Required Materials

          • Firefighter Safety and Survival
            • Author: Don Zimmerman
            • Publisher: DELMAR Cengage
            • Publication Date: 2012
            • Text Edition:
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Firefighting Strategies and Tactics
            • Author: Angle, Gala, Harlow, Lombardo, Maciuba
            • Publisher: DELMAR Cengage
            • Publication Date: 2008
            • Text Edition: 2nd
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills Evidence-Based Practices
            • Author: National Fire Protection Association and International Association of Fire Chiefs
            • Publisher: Jones & Bartlett
            • Publication Date: 2017
            • Text Edition: 3rd
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

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