FSC 8 - Principles of Fire Safety

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 the basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives, focusing on the need for cultural and behavioral change throughout the emergency services.

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

1. Identify and explain the 16 life safety initiatives.
2. Understand the concepts of risk management and mitigation as it pertains to emergency services.
3. Define and describe the need for cultural and behavioral change within the emergency services relating to safety, incorporating leadership, supervision, accountability and personal responsibility.
4. Explain the need for enhancements of personal and organizational accountability for health and safety.
5. Define how the concepts of risk management affect strategic and tactical decision making.
6. Describe and evaluate circumstances that might constitute an unsafe act.
7. Explain the concept of empowering all emergency services personnel to stop unsafe acts.
8. Validate the need for national training standards as they relate to professional development inclusive of qualifications, certifications and re-certifications.
9. Defend the need for annual medical evaluations and the establishment of physical fitness criteria for emergency services personnel throughout their careers.
10. Explain the vital role of local departments in national research and data collection systems.
11. Illustrate how technological advancements can produce higher levels of emergency services safety and survival.
12. Explain the importance of investigating all near-misses, injuries and fatalities.
13. Discuss how incorporating the lessons learned from investigations can support cultural change throughout the emergency services.
14. Describe how obtaining grants can support safety and survival initiatives.
15. Formulate an awareness of how adopting standardized policies for responding to emergency scenes can minimize near-misses, injuries and deaths.
16. Explain how the increase in violent incidents impacts safety for emergency services personnel when responding to emergency scenes.
17. Recognize the need for counseling and psychological support for emergency services personnel, their families, as well as, identify access to local resources and services.
18. Describe the importance of public education as a critical component of life safety programs.
19. Discuss the importance of fire sprinklers and code enforcement.
20. Explain the importance of safety in the design of apparatus and equipment.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

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

1. Exams/Tests
2. Quizzes
3. Oral Presentation
4. Projects

Reading Assignments

1. Locate and read an article on "Firefighting Close Calls" related to a fire fighter line-of-duty fatality, and be prepared to discuss in class.
2. Read a texbook chapter on emergency scene management, and be prepared to take a quiz in class.

Writing Assignments

1. Write a minimum one page report on a fatal or "near-miss" fire incident.
2. Prepare a tri-fold holiday safety brochure for homeowners.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Interview a fire department chief officer about fire fighter safety using instructor-provided questions as a format, and be prepared to make a presentation in class about the interview.
2. In conjunction with an assigned group, prepare and present a safety presentation to the class.

James S. Angle. (2012). Occupational Safety and Health in the Emergency Services. Cengage Learning, 3rd.

Fire Technology