Catalog Description

Hours: 40 lecture
Description: Career exploration in fire technology. Includes educational planning of available degree programs, labor market research, and the hiring process: development of a resume, background investigations, personal history statements, interview dynamics, and hiring examinations. (not transferable)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Outline specific areas of interest within the fire technology field.
  • CSLO #2: Demonstrate skills necessary to complete the steps involved in the hiring process.
  • CSLO #3: Create a personal history statement (PHS) to identify personal obstacles to getting hired.
  • CSLO #4: Identify potential barriers to employment and assemble a personal plan to overcome those barriers.

Effective Term

Fall 2019

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

40

Outside of Class Hours

80

Total Student Learning Hours

120

Course Objectives

1. Outline, describe, and explain areas of interest within the career field;
2. Compare academic programs related to personal goals;
3. Distinguish between possible career paths in private industry & government;
4. Analyze results of career research;
5. Compare and contrast various hiring processes;
6. Outline the typical hiring process for a firefighter in the state of California;
7. Prepare a personal history statement;
8. Investigate careers using technology, personal contacts or printed materials;
9. Develop a personal resume;
10. Develop a student educational plan for transfer;
11. Summarize educational requirements;
12. Compare academic programs related to personal goals;
13. Differentiate between firefighter requirements established by California State Fire Training, United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other U.S. State Fire Training requirements;
14. Establish a hiring interview plan; and
15. Participate in a formal oral interview.

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

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: Based on assigned research paper profiling a given fire department, students will discuss their findings with the class. The instructor and students will have an open discussion of lessons learned, ideas to help students become more employable and possible hurdles that need to be considered. Grading based on participation.
          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Students will participate in a final written exam that will test their knowledge learned during the course. The test will include true / false, multiple choice and short answer questions: Example short answer question: Please list and describe the 3 main components of obtaining a fire service career?
          • Problem Solving Examinations
            • Example: Students will participate in a "oral panel / interview" with 2-4 fire service professionals. The fire service professionals will ask students multiple oral questions which will test the students problem solving skills, ethical judgment and personal character traits. Rubric Grading. Example question: You are a 1st year rookie fire fighter and respond to a house fire with your crew. Once inside the structure a crew member picks up some loose cash which was on a bedroom dresser and places it there pocket. How do you respond?
          • Reports
            • Example: 1. Students will write a 3-5 page research paper on the hiring process for fire fighters in the state of California. 2. Students will prepare a typed professional resume based on their selected service career field. 3. Students will formulate a 5 year career goal plan breaking down the goals every 6 months and then detail that in a report and present it orally to the class. 4. Students will also research a fire department and type a report detailing what the minimum and desired qualifications are to be hired at that agency. 5. Students will complete a fire department application.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. Instructor will present a lecture on the hiring criteria for fire service agencies of Placer, Sacramento & Nevada Counties. Students will then research these hiring criteria. They will be prepared to discuss their research in class and write a short paper on the differences and similarities of hiring criteria for local fire service agencies.
          2. Instructor will, through handouts and lecture, instruct the students on the proper ways to complete an employment interview. The instructor will enlist local fire service professionals to conduct mock oral interviews to evaluate the student's application of interview procedures and skills. Instructor will review the panel's findings with each student.

          Distance Learning

          1. Instructor online lecture on developing an educational plan for transfer, followed by students developing a personal educational plan for transfer. Plans are posted online for comment and review by the instructor and other students.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Identify a specific fire service agency related to your career goals and read the specific requirements to be employed by that agency. 2. Complete assigned reading on the traits of a firefighter and the civil service process to be hired. 3. Research future trends related to one of your career areas and analyze employment potential(s).

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Research and prepare a report on the basic employment requirements to enter a selected entry level position in the fire technology field. 2. Identify specific educational and job specific information in your background and write a personal resume. 3. Research and prepare a personal history statement.

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

          1. Participate in a formal mock interview. 2. Give an oral presentation to the class presenting your findings of a class assignment.

          Required Materials

          • The Aspiring Firefighter's Two-Year Plan
            • Author: Paul S. Lepore
            • Publisher: Aspiring Firefighters
            • Publication Date: 2012
            • Text Edition: 3rd
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

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

          Supplemental Student Material provided by instructor.