Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

FSC 6 - Fire Tactics and Strategy

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU
Unit(s)
3.00
  • Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course introduces students to the principles of fire control in municipal and suburban environments. It includes an overview of the utilization of human resources, equipment and extinguishing agents on the fireground.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Explain the goals of municipal and suburban firefighting.
  2. Analyze priorities in responding to municipal and suburban firefighting situations.
  3. Identify and prioritize basic tactical concepts and procedures in municipal and suburban firefighting.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lecture topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec Hrs

Introduction

3.00

Strategic concepts of municipal and suburban firefighting

6.00

Strategic evaluation of fire behavior and building construction

6.00

Strategic fireground decisions

6.00

Tactical concepts

6.00
Tactical Procedures6.00

Tactical priorities: Introduction

4.00

Tactical priorities: Rescue

2.00

Tactical priorities: Exposures

2.00

Tactical priorities: Confine

2.00

Tactical priorities: Extinguish

2.00

Tactical priorities: Overhaul

2.00

Tactical priorities: Ventilate

2.00

Tactical priorities: Salvage

2.00
Total Hours:51.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Demonstrations
  2. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
  3. Lecture
  4. Handouts

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Homework
  3. Class participation
  4. Written Assignments
  5. Class Discussion

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Locate and read an article regarding a municipal fire where a fatality occurred, and be prepared to discuss the relationship between tactics used and the fatality in class.
  2. Read an instructor provided fire scenario, and be prepared to discuss a company-based attack of the fire.

Writing Assignments

  1. Write a one page pre-plan of a commercial building, and identify tactics to be utilized in response to a fire in that building.
  2. Write a two page paper describing an assigned interview with a fire service company officer and considerations in making tactical fireground decisions.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. Conduct a one-on-one interview with a fire company officer, and discuss prioritization of fire response strategies. Be prepared to share what you learned in class.
  2. Tour a commercial building, and be prepared to discuss a tactical fire response plan for that building.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

James S. Angle. (2013). Firefighting Strategy and Tactics. Jones and Bartlett Learning, 3rd.

Other Learning Materials

Audiovisual

Handouts

Basic Firefighter Tools

Minimum Qualifications

Fire Technology