Chabot College
Fall 2003
Replaced Fall 2010
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:
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22.
analyze and describe the differences between the certificate, two-year, four-year degree
programs, and state certification;
describe the educational requirements, duties, and information sources for various occupations in
fire protection;
Identify the basic components of fire as chemical reaction, the major phases of fire, and the main
factors that influence fire spread and behavior;
identify the effects of fire on the environment and the historical efforts made to protect society;
identify the major organizations that contribute to fire protection;
define and describe the purpose and scope of fire departments;
identify the types of common fire department apparatus, equipment, and personal safety
equipment used for fire fighting;
identify the various codes, standards, ordinances, and regulations that affect fire protection;
identify the various types of public and private fire protection equipment and systems;
define the common elements of a fire prevention bureau;
identify the various applications of computers in the fire service;
define fire fighting strategy and tactics;
describe the basic elements of firefighter safety and survival;
define and describe cultural differences and pertinent laws;
define “culture” and identify “cultures” within the fire service and general population;
identify how individual life experiences impact our attitudes and behavior towards our co-workers;
define discrimination and harassment;
identify laws and regulations relating to discrimination and harassment;
identify some common behaviors that could contribute to a “hostile” work environment;
identify the impact of verbal and non-verbal communication on interpersonal relations;
identify methods to overcome hostile work environment;
apply team building and communication skills in a diverse cultural setting.
Course Content:
1.
Introduction to fire technology
a.
Scope and content of fire technology curriculum
b.
Career potential assessment
Chabot College
Course Outline for Fire Technology 50, page 2
Fall 2003
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
c.
Work ethics and human relations
d.
Available training programs
e.
Personnel development programs
Fire protection career opportunities
a.
Public fire protection careers
b.
Private fire protection careers
Public fire protection
a.
History of fire protection
b.
Fire losses
c.
Purpose and scope of fire service agencies
d.
Fire defense planning
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 method
Public and private support agencies
a.
Types of organizations
b.
Advisory and regulatory agencies
c.
Private fire suppression organizations
d.
Proprietary services
e.
Volunteer
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
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
Emergency operations
a.
Personnel
b.
Alarm system
c.
Standard operating procedure
Chabot College
Course Outline for Fire Technology 50, page 3
Fall 2003
9.
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18.
Fire prevention
a.
Personnel/positions
b.
Responsibilities of the fire prevention bureau
c.
Company inspection programs
d.
Fire information reporting systems
e.
Arson
Training
a.
Personnel and positions
b.
Skill development/maintenance
c.
Performance standards
d.
Ambulance companies
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
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
Fire protection systems and equipment
a.
Public and private systems
b.
Extinguishing agents
Emergency incident management
a.
Introduction to strategy development
b.
Relationship of strategy to tactics
c.
Incident command system
Purpose and importance of training
Cultural awareness
a.
Fire service cultures
b.
General population cultures
c.
Team building and communication skills
Hostile work environment
a.
Discrimination
b.
Harassment
Interpersonal relations
a.
Verbal communications
b.
Non-verbal communications
Chabot College
Course Outline for Fire Technology 50, page 4
Fall 2003
Methods of Presentation:
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Lecture and discussion
Audio-visual presentations
Role playing
Group activities
Problem-solving exercises
Reading assignments
Diagnostic quizzes
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical assignments
a.
Group project designing a fire department
b.
Problem solving exercise of fire protection
c.
Public speaking exercise with mock oral for employment
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
a.
Weekly quizzes
b.
Group course project
c.
Classroom performance
d.
Midterm and final examinations
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Essentials of Firefighting, IFSTA, 4th edition, 1998
Introduction to Fire Service Technology Materials, Chabot, Copymat, 1997
Fire Service Orientation and Indoctrination, IFSTA, 1993
National Fire Protection Handbook, NSPA, 19th edition, 2002
Special Student Materials:
None
Revised: 11/19/02