Official Course Description:   MCCCD Approval:  04/25/00
FSC102      20005-20016	L+L	11 Credit(s)	19.6 Period(s)
Fire Department Operations
Introductory fire science course primarily designed for the new fire department recruit. Includes firefighting skills, equipment, and administrative policies, fire department operations, personnel policies, and International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Practical Skills Testing. Prerequisites: EMT/FSC104 and permission of instructor.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
FSC102   20005-20016	Fire Department Operations

1.	Explain the organization, services provided, and dispatch policies of the fire department. (I)
2.	Describe the theory of fire behavior, phases of fire, types of fires, and the methods of fire control. (II)
3.	Describe the importance of firefighter safety and explain what constitutes protective clothing. (III)
4.	Assemble, don, and use a self-contained breathing apparatus. (VI)
5.	Use proper rope inspection procedure, and tie the standard knots and hitches used by the fire department. (IV)
6.	Describe the components of a water supply system and use the proper method of operating a fire hydrant. (V)
7.	Explain the types, functions, and maintenance of fire apparatus. (VI)
8.	Perform the standard hose rolls, carries, and evolutions used by the fire department. (VII)
9.	Perform the standard ladder evolutions used by the fire department. (VIII)
10.	Operate the various power tools used by the fire department. (IX)
11.	Describe the principles of building construction, types of construction, and how building construction relates to firefighting operations. (X)
12.	Perform forcible entry through various barriers, using the proper tools and standard procedures. (XI)
13.	Use search and rescue techniques in a structure to remove a victim. (XII)
14.	Ventilate a structure successfully, using both horizontal and vertical techniques and the proper equipment. (XIII)
15.	Use salvage cover throws for salvage and overhaul. (XIV)
16.	Explain the importance of early salvage and proper overhaul techniques as applied to a structural fire. (XIV)
17.	Explain the overall tactical operations applied to a structural fire. (XV)
18.	Extinguish a working interior fire in a structure, following standard operating procedures. (XV)
19.	Describe the hazards that electricity poses to firefighters and cite specific electrical emergencies. (XVI)
20.	Describe radiological hazards faced by firefighters and the methods for monitoring exposure levels. (XVII)
21.	Extinguish various fires involving special emergencies that are encountered by firefighters. (XVIII)
22.	Describe the proper procedures to follow when performing special rescue operations and other hazardous emergencies encountered by firefighters. (XVIII)
23.	Explain the importance of firefighters maintaining a high level of physical and mental fitness. (XIX)
24.	Describe the function of fire prevention and investigation programs in the fire department. (XX)
25.	Research the correct responses to numerous file code violation questions posed. (XXI)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
FSC102   20005-20016	Fire Department Operations

I. Fire Department Organization A. Scope of services provided and goal statement B. Fire department chain of command C. Management policies 1. Rules and regulations 2. Standard operating procedures D. The traditional fire service E. Improvements in the fire service F. Types of alarms dispatched G. Dispatch policy 1. Jurisdiction 2. Screening calls H. Communication procedures 1. Radio communications 2. Receiving calls in the station II. Fire Behavior A. Definition of fire B. Elements of combustion C. Methods of heat transfer 1. Conduction 2. Convection 3. Radiation D. Phases of fire 1. Incipient 2. Free-burning 3. Smoldering E. Four classes of fires 1. Class A - ordinary combustibles 2. Class B - flammable liquids 3. Class C - live electrical equipment 4. Class D - combustible metals F. Fire extinguishment theory G. Fire control methods III. Fireground and Station Safety A. Types of injuries sustained B. Accidents 1. Unsafe acts 2. Unsafe conditions C. Human factors in safety D. Goals and objectives of safety program E. Fireground safety procedures F. Fire station safety G. Accident reporting 1. Injuries 2. Exposures H. Protective clothing 1. Definition and policy 2. When and what to wear 3. Specifications and protection levels 4. Other self-protection concerns a. Jewelry b. Equipment storage c. Equipment repair and replacement I. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) 1. Types of gases 2. Products of combustion 3. Effects of contaminated environments on firefighters 4. SCBA policies 5. Introduction to the SCBA a. Manufacturing b. Parts c. Assembly d. Donning procedure e. Wearing the SCBA f. Air utilization and quality 6. Lifelines 7. Emergency use 8. Remote air systems IV. Ropes and Knots A. Types of ropes used B. Inspection and care of ropes C. Knots and hitches used D. Raising equipment V. Water Supply A. Characteristics of water B. Hydrologic cycle C. Metropolitan water supply D. Uses of water system E. Water main valves F. Fire hydrant operations 1. Description and method 2. Types of hydrants 3. Inspection program 4. Hydrant testing procedure a. Private b. Public VI. Fire Apparatus A. Types and functions 1. Engine companies 2. Ladder companies 3. Others B. Apparatus equipment C. Checking apparatus and equipment D. Apparatus maintenance VII. Fire Hose and Evolutions A. Types, use, and care B. Hose constructions C. Hose couplings D. Appliances and equipment E. Nozzles 1. Solid stream 2. Fog stream F. Hose loads G. Hose rolls 1. Straight 2. Donut 3. Storage H. Hose carries, drags, and advances I. Hose placement 1. Engine companies 2. Ladder companies J. Extending hose lines 1. Dry lines 2. Charged lines K. Standard hose evolutions VIII. Fire Service Ladders and Evolutions A. Types of ladders and their uses 1. Straight 2. Roof 3. Extension 4. Folding 5. Aerial B. Construction features of ladders C. General ladder concepts and terms D. Ladder carries E. Climbing techniques F. Ladder safety G. Methods of raising and using ladders H. Standard ladder evolutions IX. Power Tools A. Types B. Maintenance C. Methods of operation D. Special uses E. Safety in operating power tools X. Building Construction A. Types of construction B. Construction principles C. Strength of common building materials D. Variables of structural materials E. Wall construction F. Construction of columns G. Construction of trusses, rafters, and arches H. Roof construction I. Floor and ceiling construction J. Design deficiencies responsible for fire spread K. Structural collapse L. Importance and methods of pre-planning XI. Forcible Entry A. Definition B. Requirements for successful forcible entry C. Reasons 1. Provide access 2. Aid in rescue 3. Aid in ventilation D. Pre-planning E. Types of tools 1. Hand tools 2. Power tools F. Methods of forcing entry 1. Doors 2. Fences 3. Windows 4. Roofs 5. Walls G. Procedures and safety XII. Search and Rescue A. Safety of firefighters B. Definition of rescue C. Rescue size-up D. Rescue considerations 1. Remove people from the fire 2. Remove fire from the people E. Priorities for search and rescue F. Primary search G. Secondary search H. Support of rescue efforts I. Structural factors in rescue attempts J. Removal of victims 1. Ambulatory 2. Non-ambulatory K. Rescue from collapsed structures XIII. Ventilation A. Definition 1. Vertical 2. Horizontal B. Reasons for ventilation 1. Prevent mushrooming 2. Gain entry C. Advantages of ventilation in firefighting D. Determining when and where to ventilate E. Ventilation size-up or profile of a structure F. Standard ventilation procedures G. Backdraft conditions H. Roof operations 1. Types of roofs 2. Opening a roof I. Ventilation exposures XIV. Salvage and Overhaul A. Definition and importance B. Salvage covers 1. Types 2. Maintenance 3. Standard throws 4. Use of plastic 5. Carry-alls, hall runners, and other tools C. Improvising with salvage covers D. Tools used for overhaul E. Searching for concealed space fires F. Protecting and conserving evidence G. Other aspects of salvage and overhaul XV. Structural Firefighting and organization A. Methods of extinguishment B. A safe interior attack C. Fireground factors D. Tactical priorities 1. Rescue 2. Fire control 3. Property conservation E. Apparatus placement F. Operating fire streams G. Support activities H. Special hazards 1. Electrical 2. Gas 3. Others XVI. Electricity A. Types of current 1. Alternating 2. Direct B. Fires caused by faulty equipment C. Electrical conductors D. Arching and sparking E. Overheating F. Electricity and the human body G. Utility company installations H. Electrical emergencies commonly encountered I. Firefighting tactics J. General safety guidelines XVII. Radiological Monitoring A. Common radiological terms 1. Source 2. Alphe particle 3. Beta particle 4. Gamma ray B. Dosimeters C. Short and long term exposure D. Protection E. Other monitoring equipment F. Radioactive labeling system (D.O.T.) XVIII. Special Firefighting Techniques and Hazardous Emergencies A. Brush firefighting B. Utilizing helicopters 1. Uses 2. Safety precautions C. Compressed gas fires D. Flammable liquid fire E. Fires involving cargo carriers F. Fires involving other hazardous materials G. Confined space or underground emergencies H. Major medical incidents I. Others XIX. Firefighter Maintenance A. Physical fitness B. Employee assistance C. Nutrition D. Smoking E. Following safety procedures XX. Fire Prevention and Fire Investigations A. Codes and ordinances B. Inspection methods C. Permits D. Public education 1. Awareness 2. Learn not to burn program 3. Dealing with the public E. Fire investigation techniques 1. Methods 2. Firefighter's responsibility F. Arson G. Legal considerations XXI. Fire Code Violations

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