Textbook/Other Materials

Supplementary reading:
NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2002 edition, available from NFPA at www.nfpa.org.

Instructor materials:
Teaching Outline and PowerPoint: Rev 7/2003

Fire Instructor I, II, III Pre-Course Materials

Course Description/Objectives

Description:
This course is designed to provide the Fire Instructor with the next level of understanding for the training of personnel. This course is designed to train the participants to perform job and task analysis, develop goals and objectives, and develop a lesson plan along with the coordinating of training aids and student test and evaluation.

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

Objectives:
After completion of the Fire Instructor II course, the candidate must be able to perform the following job performance requirements:

• Schedule instructional sessions so that the specified sessions are delivered according to department policy.
• Formulate budget needs so that the resources required to meet training goals are identified and documented.
• Acquire training resources so that the resources are obtained within established timelines, budget constraints, and according to agency policy.
• Coordinate training record keeping so that all agency and legal requirements are met.
• Evaluate instructors so that the evaluation identifies areas of strengths and weaknesses, recommends changes in instructional style and communication methods, and provides opportunity for instructor feedback to the evaluator.
• Create a lesson plan so that the job performance requirements for the topic are achieved, and the plan includes learning objectives, a lesson outline, course materials, instructional aids, and an evaluation plan.
• Modify an existing lesson plan so that the job performance requirements for the topic are achieved, and the plan includes learning objectives, a lesson outline, course materials, instructional aids, and an evaluation plan.
• Conduct a class using a lesson plan that the instructor has prepared and that involved the utilization of multiple teaching methods and techniques so that the lesson objectives are achieved.
• Supervise other instructors and students during high hazard training so that applicable safety standards and practices are followed, and instructional goals are met.
• Develop student evaluation instruments so that the evaluation instrument determines if the student has achieved the learning objectives, the instrument evaluates performance in an objective, reliable, and verifiable manner, and the evaluation instrument is bias-free to any audience or group.
• Develop a class evaluation instrument so that students have the ability to provide feedback to the instructor or instructional methods, communication techniques, learning environment, course content, and student materials.
• Analyze student evaluation instruments so that validity is determined and necessary changes are accomplished.

Instructional methods: Classroom instruction

Course Schedule

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

Monday:
Orientation and Administration; Challenges of Instruction; Safety: The Instructor's Role, Psychology of Learning; Workbook; Projects

Tuesday:
Lesson Plan Development; Instructional Delivery; Practical Training Evolutions; Workbook; Projects

Wednesday:
Testing and Evaluation; Instructional Media and Technology; Workbook; Projects

Thursday:
Management and Supervision of Training; Hazardous Training Exercise; Projects

Friday:
Presentations; Review and Critique; Certification Exam

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 students 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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