Firefighter Safety
&
Fire Behavior
A course development approach
focused on practical operations
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Course Overview:
The course on firefighter safety and fire behavior aims to provide a thorough
understanding of the fundamentals of fire safety, behavior, dynamics, and
firefighting strategies, all based on the given circumstances and applicable
German fire service standards. The course presents best practices to
ensure that firefighters have comprehensive knowledge to operate safely
and effectively. It caters to a basic level course for firefighters and aims to
equip them with the necessary knowledge to operate in firefighting
scenarios.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Course Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
 Understand the importance of firefighter safety during firefighting
operations.
 Identify the different types of fire behavior and fire dynamics.
 Analyze the fire dynamics and develop firefighting strategies accordingly.
 Implement appropriate firefighting tactics based on the fire behavior and
dynamics.
 Understand and applicable best practise to ensure firefighter safety.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Instruction time / course duration:
The duration of this course may vary depending on the intended delivery
format and the depth of coverage of each module. However, as a general
guideline, this course may be completed in approximately 60-80 hours of
instruction time, spread over several weeks. The exact duration may be
determined by the course instructor based on the specific learning
outcomes and instructional strategies chosen for the course.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Course Modules:
Module 1: Introduction to Firefighter Safety
This module should cover the importance of firefighter safety and the
necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for firefighting
operations. Participants should learn about effective communication
techniques and firefighter survival strategies.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Course Modules:
Module 2: Fire Behavior
This module should cover the basic principles of fire behavior and fire
dynamics. Participants should learn about the fire triangle, fire chemistry,
and heat transfer. The module should also cover different types of fire
behavior and the factors that influence fire spread.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Course Modules:
Module 3: Fire Dynamics
This module should cover the different stages of fire development and the
behavior and movement of smoke. Participants should learn about
flashover, backdraft, and other fire phenomena. The module should also
cover strategies for developing firefighting tactics based on the analysis of
fire dynamics.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Course Modules:
Module 4: Firefighting Tactics
This module should cover various firefighting tactics, including fire
suppression techniques, fire attack methods, search and rescue tactics,
and ventilation techniques. Participants should learn about the importance
of selecting the appropriate firefighting tactic based on fire behavior and
dynamics.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Assessment and Evaluation:
The course should be evaluated through written assessments, practical
demonstrations, and class participation. The written assessments should
test the participants' knowledge and understanding of the course material.
The practical demonstrations should evaluate the participants' ability to
implement firefighting tactics and strategies based on fire behavior and
dynamics. Class participation should be evaluated based on the
participants' engagement in class discussions and activities.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Training props:
Live Fire Training Props: These may include burn buildings, flashover simulators, and other
specialized equipment that can simulate live fire scenarios.
Smoke Maze or Tower: A maze or tower filled with simulated smoke can be used to train
firefighters on navigating through a smoke-filled environment and locating victims.
Ventilation Training Props: These can include training equipment that simulates various
ventilation techniques and their effects on fire behavior.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Each participant will require a full set of PPE to safely
participate in the practical components of the course, including bunker gear, SCBA units,
gloves, and helmets.
Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs): TICs can be used to train firefighters on identifying hot spots
and other thermal anomalies during a fire.
Rescue Mannequins: These are used for training participants on rescue and extrication
techniques and to simulate various victim scenarios.
Fire Behavior Training Aids: These can include visual aids and computer simulations that
demonstrate the principles of fire behavior, flame spread, and fire dynamics.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Training props:
It is important to ensure that the training props used in the course are in good
working condition, meet applicable safety standards, and are appropriate for
the skill level of the participants.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Applicable References:
Module 1: Introduction to Firefighter Safety
 FwDV 7: Breathing Apparatus
 VFDB 12-09: Smoke and Fire Tests to Increase the Safety of Emergency Services Personnel
 Steward, J. R., & Asplund, R. T. (2019). Firefighter Safety and Survival. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
 DIN 14096-2: Fire Service Directive - Tactical Ventilation
 NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 Edition
 NFPA 1851: Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire
Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2020 Edition
 NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, 2020
Edition
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Applicable References:
Module 1: Introduction to Firefighter Safety (continued)
 VFDB 12-09: Smoke and Fire Tests to Increase the Safety of Emergency Services Personnel
 Institution of Fire Engineering (2018). Guide to Fire Safety Management. IFE.
 Institution of Fire Engineering (2019). Introduction to Fire Safety Engineering Principles (3rd ed.). IFE.
 Purser, D. A. (2012). Fire Behaviour and Firefighting Tactics. Institution of Engineering and Technology.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Applicable References:
Module 2: Fire Behavior
 NFPA. (2016). Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
 Das, S., & Sahu, S. (2018). Fire Dynamics and Fire Fighting. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid
Mechanics and Thermal Sciences
 NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 Edition
 Purser, D. A. (2012). Fire Behaviour and Firefighting Tactics. Institution of Engineering and Technology.
 Alpert, R. L. (2011). Fire Behavior and Combustion Processes. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
 Drysdale, D. (2011). An Introduction to Fire Dynamics (3rd ed.). Wiley.
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Applicable References:
Module 3: Fire Dynamics
 Gorbett, G., & Hopkins, D. (2018). Fire Dynamics for Structural Firefighters
 Torero, J. L. (2009). Simplified Fire Dynamics Calculations
 NFPA. (2016). Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
 Das, S., & Sahu, S. (2018). Fire Dynamics and Fire Fighting. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid
Mechanics and Thermal Sciences
 NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 Edition
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer
Firefighter Safety & Fire Behavior
Applicable References:
Module 4: Firefighting Tactics
 IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting, 6th edition
 NFPA. (2016). Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
 International Association of Fire Fighters. (2018). Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department
Operations. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
 NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2019 Edition
 NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations,
Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments
 NFPA 1720: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations,
Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer Fire Departments
5/4/2023
created by: Andreas Meyer