TEXTBOOK/OTHER MATERIALS

Supplementary reading:
NFPA 1003, Standard for Airport Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2000 edition, available from NFPA at www.nfpa.org.

Special Equipment Required:
NFPA compliant full turnout gear, SCBA, spare bottle and PASS device

Please note: Test questions are taken from the instructor's lecture AND the assigned reading. While some questions from the assigned reading may not be covered during class due to time constraints, students are responsible for knowing and understanding ALL information assigned in the syllabus.

Instructor materials:
Teaching Outline and PowerPoint: Rev. 9/2003

COURSE DESCRIPTION OBJECTIVES 

Description:
This course is designed for fire departments, both civilian and military; whose primary mission is aircraft fire and rescue. This is a five day (48 hour) course that meets the training requirements of both NFPA 1003 and FAA FAR Part 139.319.

Goals:
The purpose of this course is to specify, in terms of performance objectives, the minimum requirements for professional service as an Airport Fire Fighter. This course shall cover the requirements for Airport Fire Fighter. 

Objectives:   

• Respond to day and night incidents or accidents on and adjacent to the airport so that the route selected and taken provides access to the site within the allotted time.
• Communicate critical incident information regarding an incident or accident on or adjacent to an airport so that the information provided is accurate and sufficient for the incident commander to initiate an attack plan.
• Communicate with applicable air traffic control facilities so that all required clearances are obtained.
• Perform an airport standby operation so that unsafe conditions are detected and mitigated in accordance with the airport policies and procedures.
• Extinguish a 250-ft² (23.2m²) aircraft fuel spill fire so that the agent is applied using the proper technique and the fire is extinguished in 25 seconds.
• Extinguish an aircraft fuel spill fire so that the agent is applied using the proper techniques and the fire is extinguished in 90 seconds.
• Extinguish a three-dimensional aircraft fuel fire so that a dual agent attack is used, the agent is applied using the proper technique, the fire is extinguished, and the fuel source is secured.
• Attack a fire on the interior of an aircraft while operating as a member of a team so that team integrity is maintained, the attack line is deployed for advancement, ladders are correctly placed when used, access is gained into the fire area, effective water application practices are used, the fire is approached, attack techniques facilitate suppression given the level of the fire, hidden fires are located and controlled, correct body posture is maintained, hazards are avoided or managed, and the fire is brought under control.
• Attack an engine or auxiliary power unit/emergency power unit fire on an aircraft while operating as a member of a team so that the fire is extinguished and the engine or APU/EPU is secured.
• Attack a wheel assembly fire so that the fire is controlled.
• Ventilate an aircraft through available doors and hatches while operating as a member of a team so that a sufficient opening is created, all ventilation barriers are removed, the heat and other products of combustion are released.
• Replenish extinguishing agents while operating as a member of a team so that agents are available for application by the ARFF vehicle within the time established by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
• Preserve the aircraft accident scene so that evidence is identified, protected, and reported.
• Overhaul the accident scene so that all fires are extinguished and all property is protected from further damage.
• Gain access into and out of an aircraft through normal entry points and emergency hatches and assist in the evacuation process while operating as a member of a team so that passenger evacuation and rescue can be accomplished.
• Disentangle an entrapped victim from an aircraft so that the victim is freed from entrapment without undue further injury and hazards are managed.
• Implement initial triage of the victims of an aircraft accident so that each victim is evaluated and correctly categorized according to protocol.

Instructional methods:
Classroom Instruction and hands-on practical evolutions

 COURSE SCHEDULE 

(Tentative, subject to change depending on the progress of the class)

COURSE POLICIES

Tardiness:
Students must adhere to class schedules. Students are required to be punctual for all classes and class activities. Classes will begin promptly at the scheduled time unless specific instructions are given otherwise. 

Class participation:
This course will involve discussion, questions and answers on the materials, and case study. Class participation is expected from all students. 

Safety:
Safety of the student is top priority to the Alabama Fire College. Students must adhere to safety regulations while attending a class on or off the Fire College campus. At the Fire College campus, safety instructions are posted in every classroom, as well as escape routes and tornado actions. 

Academic misconduct:
Academic misconduct or dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism is not permitted in class. Suspected cases of academic misconduct will be reported to the Executive Director. Conduct detrimental to the fire service on or off campus will not be tolerated.  We will investigate any complaints, and if the complaint is valid the student will be dismissed and his/her agency will be notified. 

Grading:
Letter grades are assigned according to the following system for all certification courses for which students have registered.
A – Excellent (90-100)
B – Good (80-89)
C – Average (70-79)
Satisfactory grades for certification are A, B, or C.  A mark of AU is assigned for course work performed as an audit. 

Certification:
There will be an examination for state certification provided by the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission. An overall score of 70% is required to the successful completion of this examination. Re-tests may be taken after 30 days and within 12 months of the date of course completion. The Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission is accredited by the National Professional Qualifications System (NPQS) The Executive Director has generously decided to fund national registration and certification for all successful students, so each student will automatically receive certification from the NPQS upon successful completion of the course and exam.

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