Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 06/22/04
FSC102 20046-20052	L+L	11 Credit(s)	19.6 Period(s)
Fire Department Operations
Introductory fire science course primarily designed for the 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 or Corequisites: EMT104 and permission of instructor.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
FSC102   20046-20052	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, classes of fires, and the methods of fire control. (II)
3.	Describe the importance of firefighter safety on the fireground and in the fire station, and explain what constitutes protective clothing. (III)
4.	Assemble, don, and use a self-contained breathing apparatus. (III)
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 demonstrate the proper method of operating a fire hydrant and using foam. (V)
7.	Explain the types, functions, and maintenance of fire apparatus, including safe operation. (VI)
8.	Perform the standard hose rolls, carries, and evolutions used by the fire department. (VII)
9.	Perform the standard hand 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.	Explain the use and techniques of salvage, using salvage cover throws. (XIV)
16.	Explain proper techniques for overhaul. (XV)
17.	Explain and demonstrate overall tactical operations applied to a structural fire. (XVI)
18.	Extinguish a simulated interior fire in a structure, following standard operating procedures. (XVI)
19.	Describe the hazards that electricity poses to firefighters and cite specific electrical emergencies. (XVII)
20.	Describe radiological hazards encountered by firefighters and the methods for monitoring exposure levels. (XVIII)
21.	Extinguish various fires involving special emergencies that are encountered by firefighters. (XIX)
22.	Explain the importance of firefighters maintaining a high level of physical and mental fitness. (XX)
23.	Describe the function of fire prevention and investigation programs in the fire department. (XXI)
24.	Describe various fire code violations. (XXII)
25.	Describe the organization plan during a given incident, and explain the role of fire companies. (XXIII)
26.	Describe the four tactical priorities of a fireground incident. (XXIV)
27.	Complete final written evaluation. (XXV)
28.	Complete International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Practical Skills Validation. (XXV)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
FSC102   20046-20052	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. Dispatch 1. Types 2. Policy a. Jurisdiction b. Screening calls G. Communication procedures 1. Radio communications 2. Receiving calls in the station 3. Role of the dispatcher a. Call takers b. Tactical radio operations 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. Fire classes 1. Class A - ordinary combustibles 2. Class B - flammable liquids 3. Class C - live electrical equipment 4. Class D - combustible metals F. Fire control methods G. Fire extinguishment theory 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. SCBA Usage a. Normal use b. Emergency use c. Remote air systems IV. Ropes, Knots, and Hitches A. Types used B. Inspection and care of ropes C. Tying knots and hitches D. Raising equipment V. Water Supply A. Characteristics of water B. Hydrologic cycle C. Metropolitan water supply D. Rural water supply E. Uses of water system F. Water main valves G. Fire hydrant operations 1. Description and method 2. Types of hydrants 3. Inspection program 4. Hydrant testing procedure a. Private b. Public H. Foam 1. Types 2. Usage 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 E. Apparatus safety 1. Operations 2. Introduction to driving 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 1. 1 3/4" attack line 2. 2 1/2" attack line 3. Extending a 1 1/2" attack line 4. Stang(copyright) gun operations VIII. Fire Service Hand 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 1. Climbing techniques 2. Ladder safety 3. Methods of raising and using ladders IX. Power Tools A. Types B. Maintenance C. Methods of operation 1. Forcible entry operations 2. Introduction to ventilation operations 3. Introduction to overhaul operations 4. Introduction to extrication operations D. Safety 1. Fireground safety 2. EMS (Emergency Medical Services) incidents X. Building Construction A. Types of construction B. Construction principles C. Strength of common building materials D. Variables of structural materials E. Structural concerns 1. Construction of columns 2. Construction of trusses, rafters, and arches 3. Roof construction 4. Floor and ceiling construction 5. Design deficiencies responsible for fire spread 6. Structural collapse 7. Importance and methods of pre-planning F. Fireground effects on construction 1. Roof failures 2. Wall collapse 3. Other 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 1. Personal 2. Crew 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 L. Risk Management Plan 1. Risk a lot 2. Risk a little 3. No risk XIII. Ventilation A. Definition 1. Vertical 2. Horizontal B. Reasons for ventilation 1. Prevent mushrooming 2. Gain entry 3. Provision for firefighter safety 4. Support for interior search C. Determining when and where to ventilate D. Ventilation size-up or profile of a structure E. Standard ventilation procedures 1. Roof operations 2. Opening a roof F. Horizontal operations G. Discussion of positive pressure ventilation XIV. Salvage A. Definition and importance 1. Types 2. Maintenance B. Uses and techniques 1. Standard throws 2. Carry-alls 3. Hall runners 4. Use of plastic 5. Improvising usage XV. Overhaul A. Definitions 1. Concealed spaces 2. Fire confinement B. Techniques 1. Use of tools 2. Minimizing loss 3. Conserving evidence C. Firefighter safety XVI. 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 XVII. Electricity A. Types of current 1. Alternating 2. Direct B. Electrical emergencies 1. Arching and sparking 2. Overheating 3. Other C. Hazards to firefighters 1. Electricity and the human body 2. Utility company installations 3. Common electrical emergencies 4. Firefighting tactics 5. General safety guidelines XVIII. Radiological Monitoring A. Common radiological terms 1. Source 2. Alpha particles 3. Beta particles 4. Gamma rays B. Dosimeters C. Short and long term exposure 1. Protection 2. Other monitoring equipment 3. U.S. D.O.T. (United States Department of Transportation) radioactive labeling system XIX. Special Firefighting Techniques and Hazardous Emergencies A. Brush fires B. Compressed gas fires C. Flammable liquid fire D. Cargo carrier fires E. Hazardous materials fires F. Confined space or underground emergencies G. Others H. Firefighter hazards 1. Backdraft 2. Flashover 3. Fire control and rescue a. Helicopter b. Fixed-wing 4. Safety precautions XX. Firefighter Maintenance A. Physical fitness B. Following safety procedures C. Employee assistance D. Preventative measures 1. Coping with stress 2. Family and friends 3. Recreation 4. Nutrition 5. Tobacco 6. Other XXI. Fire Prevention and 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. Fireground responsibility 3. Arson 4. Legal considerations XXII. Fire Code Violations A. Multi-Residential B. Commercial XXIII. Incident Organization and Structure A. Fireground incident commander role B. Sector officer's role C. Supervisor/company officer role D. Communication flowchart 1. Fireground accountability 2. Fireground safety XXIV. Tactical Priorities A. Search and rescue 1. Primary 2. Secondary B. Fire control 1. Fire attack 2. Support operations C. Property conservation 1. Loss stopped 2. Secondary damage D. Customer service 1. Customer stabilization 2. Support programs XXV. Evaluations A. Final written B. Practical skills 1. Ladder operations 2. Hose line operations 3. Salvage and overhaul 4. Demonstrate firefighter safety

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