FFP: Fire Fighting & Protection

FIREFIGHTING I Co-requisite: FFP 0020 This course of study is the first of two parts, which prepares the student with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to safely and dependably perform fire-rescue duties as a firefighter. This course is co-requisite with FFP 0020 for those desiring to become state certified firefighters.

FIREFIGHTING II Co-requisite: FFP 0010 This co-requisite course with FFP 0010 is the second of the two-part series, which prepares the student for participating in the state certification examinations administered by the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training for obtaining a state of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance. Students must have successfully completed all aspects of FFP 0010 in order to participate in this course. (Special Fee: $1,202.78).

FIRE APPARATUS OPERATOR The curriculum covers the laws, rules and driving techniques for emergency vehicles, as well as a review of fire service hydraulics. Fireground evolutions and a driving course make up the practical part of the course. The evolution portion of the course includes the use of pre-connected lines, tandem pumping, drafting, relays and master streams. The student should have a basic understanding of fire stream hydraulics prior to entering this course. Students must bring gloves and proper attire for water pumping exercises.

EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATOR This course teaches the emergency vehicle operator proper driving techniques, the mental and physical aspects of the driving task, to identify physical forces, legal aspects, vehicle inspection, safe driving techniques, and the long-term impact of an accident on the operator, the emergency service organization, and the community when an emergency vehicle is involved in an accident.

FIRE SCIENCE FUNDAMENTALS This course is an overview of fire protection and emergency services, including career opportunities in related fields, the culture and history of emergency services, and fire loss analysis. It also covers the organization and function of public and private fire protection services, fire departments as part of local government, and the laws and regulations affecting the fire service. Since this course is approved as a New Student Experience (NSE) substitute course at Valencia College, it also explores the many educational, financial, and personal resources and support systems that are available at the college to help with academic and personal success.

INDUSTRIAL FIRE FIGHTING This course includes based firefighting principles, theory, and application. The course will meet the job performance requirements of NFPA 1001- Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and/or is the equivalent to the minimum standards for Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II.

FIRE DEPARTMENT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH This course examines guiding principles for fire department occupational safety and health programs. It includes safety considerations and risk management principles for rescue, fire suppression, and related activities. In addition, this course explores healthy lifestyles, tactical operations, and agency practices related to preventing firefighter injury, death and disease, and facilitating positive physical and mental health. This course also discusses the basic principles and history related to the 16 National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Life Safety Initiatives and the focus on the need for cultural and behavior change throughout the emergency services.

FIRE CHEMISTRY A study of basic physical and chemical properties of materials applicable to the chemistry of fire. Emphasis is on emergency situations and the most favorable methods of handling incidents involving hazardous material.

FIRE PROTECTION HYDRAULICS AND WATER SUPPLY This course is an overview of the principles and applications of hydraulics, enabling students to analyze and solve water supply problems in fire protection. The curriculum also covers pump theory, pump rating, and pressure/vacuum gauges. This course is one of the two required to take the Florida State Fire College Pump Operator certification exam. Students must complete this course with a grade of 70 percent "C" or higher to receive credit.

APPARATUS OPERATIONS Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in FFP 1301 This course covers the laws, rules, and driving techniques for emergency vehicles. A practical portion of the course will include fire ground evolutions using pre-connected lines, tandem pumping, drafting, relays, and master streams. Practice and proper demonstration of fire apparatus on a road or closed driving course. Students will need proper attire for water-pumping exercises. After completing this course and FFP 1301, the student will be eligible to take the State Pump Operator certification exam through the Florida State Fire College. This course must be completed with a 70 percent C grade to receive credit.

FIRE PREVENTION This course is an introduction to the principles of fire prevention that includes an overview of fire hazards, fire codes, fire prevention inspection procedures, public relations and education, fire protection systems, and determining fire cause while preserving evidence.

PRIVATE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS I This course explores the design and operation of fire alarm systems, water-based and special hazard fire suppression systems, smoke mitigation systems, portable fire extinguishers, and water supply for fire protection. Each system is covered as to need, construction, maintenance, and use.

FIRE BEHAVIOR AND COMBUSTION This course explores the theories and science of how and why fires start, spread, and are controlled. The course covers the combustion processes of materials and substances, fire dynamics, thermodynamics, and fire chemistry.

FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR This course is designed to provide the public educator with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully perform as a fire and life safety educator. It also meets selected sections of NFPA 1035: Professional Qualifications for Public Fire and Life Safety Educator. Key areas include strategies for public fire and life safety education, community fire and injury prevention programs, resources, and development/implementation.

INTERMEDIATE INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Prerequisite: FFP 1824. This is a continuation of the study of the Incident Command System (ICS), constructing an incident management organization for a given incident or event, including appropriate procedures for establishing command, transferring command, and terminating an incident, demonstrating knowledge of efficient incident resource management including logistics, finance, administration, and record-keeping, demonstrating a a familiarity with air operations, and demonstrating knowledge of incident planning processes.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FOR THE FIRE SERVICE This course provides a basic understanding of new and renovated building design and construction methods as related to firefighter and life safety. It covers building construction materials, principles, and practices concerning fire loads and fire behavior. This course also includes inspection and preplanning concepts to protect people and property.

FIRE CODES AND STANDARDS This course is a study of building and life safety codes in relation to types of occupancies, building design, fire resistance of building materials, fire problems inherent in structures and life safety considerations. A problem solving emphasis is used to provide opportunities for application of building and life safety code enforcement methods to prevent and correct building design problems.

BLUEPRINT READING AND PLANS REVIEW Prerequisites: Minimum Grade of C in FFP 2510 A comprehensive study of building construction blueprints and plans. The course will teach the student how to assimilate information contained in construction working drawings, specifications, interpreting conventional graphic communications, and accepted standards and conventions related to fire protection and prevention inspections.

PRIVATE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS II Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C in FFP 1540 A study of pre-engineered and portable systems, extinguishing agents, inspection procedures for code compliance and enforcement, and alarm systems.

FIRE CAUSE AND ORIGIN DETERMINATION A study of an arson investigator’s responsibility in determining the point of origin, cause and development of a fire; motives of fire setters; methods used to determine the accidental or intentional nature of a fire; correct procedures of investigation, evaluation of evidence and prosecution. (Special Fee: $24.00).

FIRE SERVICE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER The student will be prepared to serve effectively as an organizational spokesperson, according to the current practices in the profession of public relations in relationship to the Fire Service. Particular emphasis will be placed on case studies in crisis communications and the role of the Public Information Officer (PIO) in the Incident Management System (IMS).

COMPANY OFFICER A study of the basic concepts of fire company leadership, including the human skills, leadership tools, problem solving, and goal achievement of a company officer. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the officer in the setting of the fire company.

FIRE SERVICE COURSE DELIVERY A study of the instructor’s responsibility for communication, learning and teaching concepts, job analysis, teaching objectives and instructional aids use. This course is required to become eligible to sit for the Florida State Fire Officer certification exam.

FIRE SERVICE COURSE DESIGN Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C in FFP 2740 A study of how to develop courses based on nationally applicable performance standards for uniformed fire service personnel and to provide the knowledge, skill, and ability to develop a training curriculum.

ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES FOR THE FIRE SCIENCE An introduction to the federal, state, and local laws that regulate emergency services, national standards influencing emergency services, standard of care, tot, liability, and a review of relevant court cases.

FIRE ADMINISTRATION An in-depth review of the principles of organization and administration in fire protection service; the structure and function of the department, battalion and company as components of municipal organization; duties and responsibilities of the fire officer; a study of fire personnel management, training, budgeting, records, reports and other relations.

FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS AND STRATEGY I This course is a study of the basic concepts involved in fire fighting, including the behavior, fire fighting fundamentals and principles of extinguishment; the proper role for a utilization of various fire companies and pre-planning fire problems.

FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS & STRATEGY II Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in FFP 2810 This course is a study of the principles utilized on the fire ground for maximum manpower and equipment utilization; fire ground administration starting with a small fire on up through major conflagrations. Emphasis will be on developing thinking skills in relation to crises.

SELECTED TOPICS IN FIRE SCIENCE Prerequisite: Departmental approval. For students interested in discussion and exploration of selected topics in fire science technology. May be repeated for credit and grade forgiveness cannot be applied.

INTERNSHIP: EXPLORATION FIRE SCIENCE Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of required college- preparatory course; completion of 12 Valencia college-level credit hours and departmental approval. This course is a planned work-based experience that provides students with supervised career exploration activities and/or practical experiences through a supervised practical experiences related to their career objectives. May be repeated for credit, but grade forgiveness cannot be applied. (Internship Fee: $10.00).

INTERNSHIP IN FIRE SCIENCE This course assists students with gaining knowledge and utilizing course activities concerning practical applications related to firefighting duties, tasks and responsibilities. Through course assessments and activities, students will gain knowledge, experience and information about fire equipment and apparatus, fire department organization and structure, and fire protection duties and responsibilities. Students will visit various fire department sites to gather information and interview personnel relating to jobs and vocations in the fire service. Students will be required to submit documentation addressing the course outcomes. (Internship Fee: $10.00).