Chabot College
Course Outline for Fire Technology 50, page 4
Fall 2010
Chabot College Fall 2010
Replaced Fall 2011
Course Outline for Fire Technology 50
FIRE PROTECTION ORGANIZATION
Catalog Description:
50 - Fire Protection Organization 3 units
Introduction to fire protection; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; philosophy and history of fire protection; fire loss analysis; organization and function of public and private fire protection services; fire departments as part of local government; laws and regulations affecting the fire service; fire service nomenclature; specific fire protection functions; basic fire chemistry and physics; introduction to fire protection systems; introduction to fire strategy and tactics. 3 hours lecture plus a total of 12 hours laboratory for the semester.
[Typical contact hours: lecture 52.5, laboratory 12]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. analyze and describe the differences between the certificate, two-year, four-year degree programs, and state certification;
2. describe the educational requirements, duties, and information sources for various occupations in fire protection;
3. identify the basic components of fire as chemical reaction, the major phases of fire, and the main factors that influence fire spread and behavior;
4. identify the effects of fire on the environment and the historical efforts made to protect society;
5. identify the major organizations that contribute to fire protection;
6. define and describe the purpose and scope of fire departments;
7. identify the types of common fire department apparatus, equipment, and personal safety equipment used for fire fighting;
8. identify the various codes, standards, ordinances, and regulations that affect fire protection;
9. identify the various types of public and private fire protection equipment and systems;
10. define the common elements of a fire prevention bureau;
11. identify the various applications of computers in the fire service;
12. define fire fighting strategy and tactics;
13. describe the basic elements of firefighter safety and survival;
14. define and describe cultural differences and pertinent laws;
15. define “culture” and identify “cultures” within the fire service and general population;
16. identify how individual life experiences impact our attitudes and behavior towards our co-workers;
17. define discrimination and harassment;
18. identify laws and regulations relating to discrimination and harassment;
19. identify some common behaviors that could contribute to a “hostile” work environment;
20. identify the impact of verbal and non-verbal communication on interpersonal relations;
21. identify methods to overcome hostile work environment;
22. apply team building and communication skills in a diverse cultural setting.
Course Content (Lecture):
1. Introduction to fire technology
a. Scope and content of fire technology curriculum
b. Career potential assessment
c. Work ethics and human relations
d. Available training programs
e. Personnel development programs
2. Fire protection career opportunities
a. Public fire protection careers
b. Private fire protection careers
3. Public fire protection
a. History of fire protection
b. Fire losses
c. Purpose and scope of fire service agencies
d. Fire defense planning
4. Fire chemistry
a. Introduction to the characteristics and behavior of fire
b. Theories of fire
1) Fire triangle
2) Fire tetrahedron
c. Physics of fire
1) Fuel
a) Types of fuel
b) Flame spread characteristic
c) Classification of gases
2) Heat and temperature
3) Heat transfer
4) Classification of fires
5) Phases of fire
d. Extinguishing agents and methods
5. Public and private support agencies
a. Types of organizations
b. Advisory and regulatory agencies
c. Private fire suppression organizations
d. Proprietary services
e. Volunteer
6. Fire department resources
a. Fire department facilities
b. Types of apparatus and their functions
c. Equipment and tools carried on apparatus
d. Personal safety equipment
7. Operational functions of a fire department
a. Emergency operations
b. Fire prevention
c. Training
d. Administration
e. Non-emergency operations
f. Aircraft for firefighting operation
1) Fixed wing
2) Rotary wing
g. Hazardous materials control limit
8. Emergency operations
a. Personnel
b. Alarm system
c. Standard operating procedure
9. Fire prevention
a. Personnel/positions
b. Responsibilities of the fire prevention bureau
c. Company inspection programs
d. Fire information reporting systems
e. Arson
10. Training
a. Personnel and positions
b. Skill development/maintenance
c. Performance standards
d. Ambulance companies
11. Fire administration
a. Personnel and positions
b. Functions
c. Relationship or fire department with other agencies
d. Rules and regulations
e. Internal and external influences
f. Computer applications
g. Unity of command
h. Chain of command
i. Span of control
j Division of labor
k. Delegation of authority
l. Exception of principal
m. Management cycle
1) Goals
2) Objectives
12. Codes and ordinances
a. Federal, state, and local
b. Responsibility for enforcement
c. Relationship of codes and standards
d. Relationship of federal, state, and local regulations
13. Fire protection systems and equipment
a. Public and private systems
b. Extinguishing agents
14. Emergency incident management
a. Introduction to strategy development
b. Relationship of strategy to tactics
c. Incident command system
15. Purpose and importance of training
16. Cultural awareness
a. Fire service cultures
b. General population cultures
c. Team building and communication skills
17. Hostile work environment
a. Discrimination
b. Harassment
18. Interpersonal relations
a. Verbal communications
b. Non-verbal communications
Course Content (Laboratory):
1. Career potential assessment
a. Demonstrate how to perform a six-part physical ability test
b. Demonstrate how to perform a stair step ability test
c. Complete elements of a firefighter entrance exam as part of a group exercise
2. Oral appraisal board
a. Answer situational questions as a member of a group structured interview exercise
b. Answer job interview questions as a member of a group chief-level interview exercise
Methods of Presentation:
1. Lecture and discussion
2. Audio-visual presentations
3. Role playing
4. Group activities
5. Problem-solving exercises
6. Reading assignments
7. Diagnostic quizzes
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Write an analysis essay based on the content of a technical trade article
b. Create a fictional fire department from limited resources and course research
c. Demonstrate public speaking skills during a simulated employment interview
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
a. Class attendance and participation
b. Classroom exercises
c. Homework assignments
d. Weekly quizzes
e. Midterm examination
f. Group course project
g. Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
1. Orientation and Terminology, 4th ed., IFSTA, Fire Protection Publications, 2004
This book addresses the current Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education standard for Fire Protection Organization instruction according to the California Uniform Fire Technology Curriculum.
2. Fire Protection Organization Supplemental Manual, Buell, Chabot College, 2010
3. Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th ed., IFSTA-Brady, Fire Protection Publications, 2008
4. Diversity: The Impact of Perceptions Student Workbook, California Professional Firefighters, 1995
This manual is the most current text required by the California Fire Service Training and Education System for Fire Fighter I Cultural Diversity training.
Special Student Materials:
None
WB: FT 50 course outline F10.doc
02/10/10