AFC web address: www.alabamafirecollege.org 

Textbook/Other Materials

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.

Special Equipment Required:
NFPA compliant turnout gear, SCBA and spare bottle and PASS device
White AFC t-shirts, red AFC shorts, red AFC sweat suit for physical training, available at the Shelton State Bookstore by calling 1-800-538-0762, and running shoes (white or black)

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

Course Description/ Objectives

Description:
This is an entry level course for fire fighters. This eight week course consists of a combination of classroom study, drill field practice, and training evolutions that will prepare the fire fighters to perform most fireground functions under the supervision of an officer or experienced fire fighter.  Successful completion of all written exams, practical exercises, and a passing score on the state certification exam is required for graduation. 

Goals:
The purpose of this course is to specify, in terms of performance objectives, the minimum requirements for professional service as a fire fighter. This course shall cover the requirements for the Fire Fighter I and II level of progression. 

Objectives:   

Fire Fighter I

• Initiate the response to a reported emergency so that all necessary information is obtained, communications equipment is operated properly, and the information is promptly and accurately relayed to the dispatch center.
• Receive a business or personal telephone call so that proper procedures for answering the phone are used and the caller’s information is relayed.
• Transmit and receive messages via the fire department radio so that the information is promptly relayed and is accurate, complete, and clear.
• Use SCBA during emergency operations so that the SCBA is properly donned and activated within one minute, the SCBA is correctly worn, controlled breathing techniques are used, emergency procedures are enacted if the SCBA fails, all low-air warnings are recognized, respiratory protection is not intentionally compromised, and hazardous areas are exited prior to air depletion.
• Respond on apparatus to an emergency scene so that the apparatus is safely mounted and dismounted, seat belts are used while the vehicle is in motion, and other personal protective equipment is correctly used.
• Force entry into a structure so that the tools are used properly, the barrier is removed, and the opening is in a safe condition and ready for entry.
• Exit a hazardous area as a team so that a safe haven is found before exhausting the air supply, others are not endangered, and the team integrity is maintained.
• Set up ground ladders so that hazards are assessed, the ladder is stable, the angle is proper for climbing, extension ladders are extended to the proper height with the fly locked, the top is placed against a reliable structural component, and the assignment is accomplished.
• Attack a passenger vehicle fire operating as a member of a team so that hazards are avoided, leaking flammable liquids are identified and controlled, protection from flash fires is maintained, all vehicle compartments are overhauled, and the fire is extinguished.
• Extinguish fires in exterior Class A materials so that exposures are protected, the spread of fire is stopped, collapse hazards are avoided, water application is effective, the fire is extinguished, and signs of the origin area(s) and arson are preserved.
• Conduct a search and rescue in a structure operating as a member of a team so that ladders are correctly placed when used, all assigned areas are searched, all victims are located and removed, team integrity is maintained, and team members’ safety, - including respiratory protection – is not compromised.
• Attack an interior structure fire operating as a member of a team so that team integrity is maintained, the attack line is properly 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 safely, attack techniques facilitate suppression given the level of the fire, hidden fires are located and controlled, and the correct body posture is maintained, hazards are avoided or managed, and the fire is brought under control.
• Perform horizontal ventilation on a structure operating as part of a team so that the ventilation openings are free of obstructions, tools are safely used, ladders are properly used, ventilation devices are properly placed, and the structure is cleared of smoke.
• Perform a vertical ventilation on a structure operating as part of a team so that ladders are properly positioned for ventilation, a sufficient opening is created, all ventilation barriers are removed, structural integrity is not compromised, products of combustion are released from the structure, and the team retreats from the area when ventilation is accomplished.
• Overhaul a fire scene so that structural integrity is not compromised, all hidden fires are discovered, fire cause evidence is preserved, and the fire is extinguished.
• Conserve a property as a member of a team so that the building and its contents are protected from further damage.
• Connect a fire department pumper to a water supply as a member of a team so that connections are tight and water flow is unobstructed.
• Extinguish incipient Class A, Class B, and Class C fires so that the correct extinguisher is chosen, the fire is completely extinguished, and proper extinguisher-handling techniques are followed.
• Illuminate the emergency scene so that designated areas are illuminated and all equipment is operated within the manufacturer’s listed safety precautions.
• Turn off building utilities so that the assignment is safely completed.
• Combat a ground cover fire operating as a member of a team so that threats to property are reported, threats to personal safety are recognized, retreat is quickly accomplished when warranted, and the assignment is completed.
• Perform a fire safety survey in a private dwelling so that fire and life-safety hazards are identified, recommendations for their correction are made to the occupant, and unresolved issues are referred to the proper authority.
• Present fire safety information to station visitors or small groups so that all information is presented, the information is accurate, and questions are answered or referred.
• Clean and check ladders, ventilation equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), ropes, salvage equipment, and hand tools so that equipment is clean and maintained according to manufacturer’s or departmental guidelines, maintenance is recorded, and equipment is placed in a ready state or reported otherwise.
• Clean, inspect, and return fire hose to service so that damage is noted and corrected, the hose is clean, and the equipment is placed in a ready state for service.

Fire Fighter II

• Complete a basic incident report so that all pertinent information is recorded, the information is accurate, and the report is complete.
• Communicate the need for team assistance so that the supervisor is consistently informed of team needs, departmental SOPs are followed, and the assignment is accomplished safely.
• Extinguish an ignitable liquid fire, operating as a member of a team, given an assignment, an attack line, personal protective equipment, a foam proportioning device, a nozzle, foam concentrates, and a water supply so that the proper type of foam concentrate is selected for the given fuel and conditions, a properly proportioned foam stream is applied to the surface of the fuel to create and maintain a foam blanket, fire is extinguished, re-ignition is prevented, team protection is maintained with a foam stream, and the hazard is faced until retreat to safe haven is reached.
• Coordinate an interior attack line team’s accomplishment of an assignment in a structure fire so that crew integrity is established; attack techniques are selected for the given level of the fire; attack techniques are communicated to the attack teams; constant team coordination is maintained; fire growth and development is continuously evaluated; search, rescue and ventilation requirements are communicated or managed; hazards are reported to the attack teams; and incident command is apprised of changing conditions.
• Control a flammable gas cylinder fire operating as a member of a team so that crew integrity is maintained, contents are identified, safe havens are identified prior to advancing, open valves are closed, flames are not extinguished unless the leaking gas is eliminated, the cylinder is cooled, cylinder integrity is evaluated, hazardous conditions are recognized and acted upon, and the cylinder is faced during approach and retreat.
• Protect evidence of fire cause and origin so that the evidence is properly noted and protected from further disturbance until investigators can arrive on the scene.
• As part of a team, extricate a victim entrapped in a motor vehicle so that the vehicle is stabilized, the victim can be disentangled without undue further injury, and the hazards are managed.
• Assist rescue operation teams so that procedures are followed, rescue items are quickly recognized and retrieved, and the assignment is completed.
• Prepare a pre-incident survey so that all required occupancy information is recorded, items of concern are noted, and accurate sketches or diagrams are prepared.
• Maintain power plants, power tools, and lighting equipment so that equipment is clean and maintained according to manufacturer and departmental guidelines, maintenance is recorded, and equipment is placed in a ready state or reported otherwise.
• Perform an annual service test on fire hose so that procedures are followed, the condition of the hose is evaluated, any damaged hose is removed from service, and the results are recorded.
• Test the operability of and flow from a fire hydrant so that the readiness of the hydrant is assured and the flow of water from the hydrant is assured and the flow of water from the hydrant can be calculated and recorded.

Instructional methods:
Classroom instruction and hands-on practical evolutions 

Course Schedule

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

Week One: 
Orientation, Fire Department Organization, Safety, Fire Behavior 
Week Two:
Portable Extinguishers, Personal Protective Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment 
Week Three
Hazardous Material Awareness & Operations 
Week Four
Ropes and Knots, Rescue & Extrication, Forcible Entry 
Week Five
Ladders, Ventilation, Water Supply 
Week Six
Fire Hose, Fire Streams & Foam, Loss Control 
Week Seven
Fire Control, Sprinkler & Alarm Systems 
Week Eight
Fire Department Communications, Prevention & Public Education, Protecting Evidence, Final Certification Test, Graduation                             

Course Policies

Attendance: 
Students are expected to attend all classes. Failure to appear in class for a scheduled activity will be considered an absence, unless prior permission is received from the instructor. For any absence to be excused, it must be accompanied by written description of extenuating circumstances. For a certification course, students must attend all classes to obtain certification. 

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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