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Fire Technology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses

The Fire Technology program is dedicated to providing high quality training and educational programs for entry level and advanced level in-service instructional courses for those in paid and volunteer fire agencies. Our courses are categorized under the designations FT, FIRE, and FFS.

The FT courses are primarily degree/certificate applicable and include transferrable coursework to four-year colleges. These courses meet most fire agencies’ minimum qualifications for employment in our region and throughout California.

The FIRE and FFS courses are typically offered off-campus through an affiliate agency and have special enrollment limitations, prerequisites, require a different registration process, and may not be routinely offered. These courses include California State Fire Training certificate courses managed by the California State Fire Marshal.

This program was established under the direction of the California Fire Technology Directors Association and the Sacramento Regional Fire Technology Advisory Board. The program offers both an intensive training course culminating in a Certificate of Achievement and an additional general education program leading to the Associate in Arts degree. Instructors in this program are experienced members of the fire service.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

Dean
Phone (916) 570-5000
Email askhb-publicservice@arc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree

A.A. in Fire Technology

This program focuses on preparing for a career in the fire service. It includes educational opportunities for those currently employed within the fire service and those within volunteer fire agencies. Courses include those required for transfer to four-year colleges, those required to meet eligibility requirements for employment, and those required for incentive salary increases.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
FT 300	Fire Protection Organization	3
FT 301	Fire Prevention Technology	3
FT 302	Fire Protection Equipment and Systems	3
FT 303	Building Construction for Fire Protection	3
FT 304	Fire Behavior and Combustion	3
FT 305	Firefighter Safety and Survival	3
A minimum of 12 units from the following:		12
COMM 321	Interpersonal Communication (3)
COMM 325	Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 331	Group Discussion (3)
EMT 110	Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Didactic (6)
and EMT 111	Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practicum (1)
FT 110	Fire Apparatus (3)
FT 130	Fire Company Organization and Management (3)
FT 141	Legal Aspects of Emergency Services (3)
FT 170	Fire Investigation (3)
FT 180	Rescue Practices (3)
FT 190	Fire Tactics and Strategy (3)
FT 192	Wildland Fire Control (3)
FT 310	Fire Service Hydraulics (3)
FT 320	Hazardous Materials (3)
Total Units:		30

The Fire Technology Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

complete the duties of an entry level firefighter.
identify the fundamentals of the Incident Command System (ICS).
compare and contrast the makeup of a moderate size fire department with a large fire department.
describe the components of firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
compare and contrast modern PPE with antiquated PPE.
analyze simulated fire situations for indicators of flashover versus backdraft potential and prescribe mitigation measures to prevent them from occurring.
assess the fundamentals of physical science as they relate to the fire services: measurements, energy and work theories, power and transfer of heat principles, the laws of matter and the conservation of energy, and the exothermic chemical reaction called combustion.
classify and compare various types of municipal water systems.
describe the fundamentals of building construction and apply this knowledge to fire situations where forcible entry and overhaul evolutions may weaken the already fire-weakened structure.
compare and contrast fire prevention versus fire suppression efforts.
draft a pre-fire plan.
evaluate and analyze the rate of fire spread in a structure fire.
explain the physical and chemical properties of fire.
describe how ICS is used by fire departments at emergencies.
compare and contrast the makeup of a fully paid department with a volunteer fire department.

Career Information

Employment opportunities may be found in areas such as building inspection, fire investigation, fire prevention, hazardous materials specialist, public education, and firefighting.

Certificates of Achievement

Fire Technology Certificate

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
FT 300	Fire Protection Organization	3
FT 301	Fire Prevention Technology	3
FT 302	Fire Protection Equipment and Systems	3
FT 303	Building Construction for Fire Protection	3
FT 304	Fire Behavior and Combustion	3
FT 305	Firefighter Safety and Survival	3
A minimum of 12 units from the following:		12
COMM 321	Interpersonal Communication (3)
COMM 325	Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 331	Group Discussion (3)
EMT 110	Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Didactic (6)
and EMT 111	Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practicum (1)
FT 110	Fire Apparatus (3)
FT 130	Fire Company Organization and Management (3)
FT 141	Legal Aspects of Emergency Services (3)
FT 170	Fire Investigation (3)
FT 180	Rescue Practices (3)
FT 190	Fire Tactics and Strategy (3)
FT 192	Wildland Fire Control (3)
FT 310	Fire Service Hydraulics (3)
FT 320	Hazardous Materials (3)
Total Units:		30

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

complete the duties of an entry level firefighter.
identify the fundamentals of the Incident Command System (ICS).
compare and contrast the makeup of a moderate size fire department with a large fire department.
describe the components of firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
compare and contrast modern PPE with antiquated PPE.
analyze simulated fire situations for indicators of flashover versus backdraft potential and prescribe mitigation measures to prevent them from occurring.
assess the fundamentals of physical science as they relate to the fire services: measurements, energy and work theories, power and transfer of heat principles, the laws of matter and the conservation of energy, and the exothermic chemical reaction called combustion.
classify and compare various types of municipal water systems.
describe the fundamentals of building construction and apply this knowledge to fire situations where forcible entry and overhaul evolutions may weaken the already fire-weakened structure.
compare and contrast fire prevention versus fire suppression efforts.
draft a pre-fire plan.
evaluate and analyze the rate of fire spread in a structure fire.
explain the physical and chemical properties of fire.
describe how ICS is used by fire departments at emergencies.
compare and contrast the makeup of a fully paid department with a volunteer fire department.

Career Information

Employment opportunities may be found in areas such as building inspection, fire investigation, fire prevention, hazardous materials specialist, public education, and firefighting.

Firefighter Recruit Academy Certificate

This program provides the knowledge necessary to assume the role of firefighter with the ability to work effectively and safely with the fire environment as well as within a company in the fire department in all functions of that company. Topics include indoctrination into the fire service, general maintenance, apparatus and equipment operations, fire control, wildland firefighting, emergency vehicle operations, salvage, fire prevention and public education, fire and arson investigation, rapid intervention crew tactics, vehicle extrication, physical fitness/wellness, emergency care, and forcible entry.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
FIRE 1500	Firefighter Academy	11 -15
Total Units:		11 - 15

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

identify and describe the history, development, structure, organization and responsibility of the Fire Service
define, identify and apply the components and principles of the Incident Command System
explain the core values of the fire service and its duty of providing service delivery to the public
perform preventative maintenance to fire station, apparatus and equipment
demonstrate the use of fire department apparatus and tools within the scope of assignment
explain and apply the basic concept of fire control, fire and arson investigation and fire communication systems
identify and demonstrate basic skills in public education procedures and instruction
interpret work place rules and laws regarding harassment/discrimination policies and mandated reporting procedures
relate to wellness programs, stress management and approved academy physical fitness programs
identify and demonstrate first responder responsibilities for handling medical emergencies
identify first responder responsibilities for mitigation of hazardous material incidents
choose safe driving procedures for emergency response vehicles
apply principles of vehicle extraction
apply fire suppression tactics and strategies
interpret wild land fire behavior, suppression techniques and safety measures
demonstrate firefighter rescue and survival skills

Certificates

Fire Investigation 1A Certificate

This program provides participants with an introduction and basic overview of fire scene investigation. The focus of this course is to provide information in determining the area of fire origin in fires involving vehicles, structures, and wildland. Accidental and criminal fire causes are discussed in detail.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
FIRE 1670	Fire Investigation 1A, Fire Cause and Origin Determination (2)	2
Total Units:		2

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

distinguish the four different methods of heat transfer and compare their effects during a fire's progression
choose the correct California Arson Law section when applying it to a factual situation
recognize the elements necessary for the ignition and the sustained combustion of fuel and heat
explain the elements required for an electrically caused fire to occur
identify common scene indicators of arson and apply it to a factual situation
describe the methodology required for a proper and thorough investigation of a structure, vehicle, and wildland fire
differentiate between the different types of explosions and their unique effects

Fire Investigation 1B Certificate

This program expands on specific topics encountered by the fire investigator. These topics include detailed information on motives of fire setters; conducting a post blast scene; the investigation of a fire death; the recognition, collection, and preservation of evidence; interviewing and interrogation of witnesses and suspects; and the effect of a building's construction on the spread of fire.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
FIRE 1671	Fire Investigation 1B, Techniques of Fire Investigation	2
Total Units:		2

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

differentiate between the six common motives associated with fire setters
examine a fire scene appraising the different safety hazardous associated with an investigation
compare a fire scene investigation versus a post blast scene investigation
examine a fire scene to determine the appropriate evidence to support a fire cause
compare factures associated with an interview and an interrogation
appraise a fire death scene to determine if a criminal act has occurred
organize their case investigations utilizing proper case reports, resources, and insurance information

Fire Investigation 2A Certificate

This program provides information on how to investigate, apprehend, and convict arsonists. It focuses heavily on legal case preparation. Topics include interviewing and interrogating suspects, search and seizure, warrants, courtroom demeanor, and working with the district attorney's office.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
FIRE 1672	Fire Investigation 2A	2
Total Units:		2

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

differentiate among the three effects of an explosion.
validate an arson corpus after examining a practical fire scene.
appraise an explosion scene to determine if a criminal act has occurred.
organize a fire investigation utilizing case reports, court exhibits, and testimony.
differentiate between the U.S. Supreme Court's finding and California's Supreme Court's requirements in preparing a search warrant.
recognize the elements necessary for the ignition and the sustained combustion of fuel and heat in a practical situation.
describe the methodology and procedure required for a proper surveillance operation.

Fire Investigation 2B Certificate

This program provides advanced instruction in fire scene investigation, case preparation, and courtroom presentation. Topics include reviewing fire scene photography, sketching, evidence collection, interviewing and interrogation, and extensive use of simulations for developing and presenting an arson case in court.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
FIRE 1673	Fire Investigation 2B	2
Total Units:		2

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

demonstrate the proper procedure of qualifying as an expert witness in fire origin and cause
structure interview questions with witnesses and suspects in accordance with federal and state law requirements
identify common scene indicators of arson and apply it to a practical situation
examine a fire scene to determine the appropriate evidence needed to support a criminal fire cause
verify an arson corpus after examining a criminal fire scene

Fire Technology (FT) Courses

FT 100 Fire Service Conditioning and Fire Academy Preparation

Units:2.5
Hours:20 hours LEC; 100 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers strength training, flexibility and overall physical conditioning to prepare a student to take the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Additional topics include personal skills development, lifestyle modifications, and firefighting equipment familiarization.

FT 110 Fire Apparatus

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers various aspects of fire apparatus. Topics include design, typing, specifications, construction, performance capabilities, and maintenance. It also includes warning devices and the utilization of apparatus in fire service emergencies.

FT 130 Fire Company Organization and Management

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course explores the organization and management of a fire department and the relationship of government agencies to the fire service. It emphasizes fire service leadership from the perspective of the company officer. Topics include ethical conduct, challenges of supervision, organizational structure, communication, human resource management functions, and administrative functions.

FT 141 Legal Aspects of Emergency Services

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course addresses the federal, state, and local laws that regulate emergency services and include a review of national standards, regulations and consensus standards.

FT 170 Fire Investigation

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course introduces the general practices involved in fire investigation. Topics include determining the cause of fires (accidental, suspicious, and incendiary); types of fires; related laws; introduction to incendiary fires; motives for starting fires; recognizing and preserving evidence; interviewing witnesses and suspects; and arrest, detention, and court procedures.

FT 180 Rescue Practices

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course focuses on the identification and management of rescue situations, such as proper utilization and awareness of equipment, tools, and techniques to handle various rescue situations. Topics include vehicle extrication, water rescue, vertical rescue, building collapse, radiation hazards, hazardous materials rescue, fire situations including rapid intervention awareness, and other emergency situations.

FT 190 Fire Tactics and Strategy

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is a basic requirement for all fire suppression personnel. Topics include the principles of fire control, utilization of staffing, equipment and placement, extinguishing agents, and fire control methods on the fireground.

FT 192 Wildland Fire Control

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers all aspects of wildland fire fighting and introduces advances in technology for wildland fire suppression. Topics include fire behavior, weather conditions, topography factors, safety, prevention, extinguishing methods, initial attack, Incident Command System (ICS), communications, aircraft assistances, hand crews, and bulldozer operation.

FT 295 Independent Studies in Fire Technology

Units:1 - 3
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

FT 298 Work Experience in Fire Technology

Units:0.5 - 4
Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Enrollment Limitation:Students must be in a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job related to the fire technology field with a cooperating site supervisor. Students are advised to consult with the Fire Technology Department faculty to review specific certificate and degree work experience requirements.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340.
General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within the field of fire technology. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in associate degree level or certificate occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce, completion of Title 5 required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at an approved work site, and developing workplace skills and competencies.

During the semester, the student is required to complete 27 hours of related work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units. All students are required to attend the first course meeting, a mid-semester meeting, and a final meeting. Additionally, students who have not already successfully completed a Work Experience course will be required to attend weekly orientations while returning participants may meet individually with the instructor as needed. Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times when there are new or expanded learning objectives. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.

FT 299 Experimental Offering in Fire Technology

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.

FT 300 Fire Protection Organization

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU
C-ID:C-ID FIRE 100X
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides an introduction to fire protection, its career opportunities, and related fire service fields. Topics include philosophy and history of fire protection, fire loss analysis, organization and function of public and private fire protection services, fire departments as part of local government, as well as laws and regulations affecting the fire service. Additionally, fire service nomenclature, specific fire protection functions, basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems, and introduction to fire strategy and tactics, are covered.

FT 301 Fire Prevention Technology

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU
C-ID:C-ID FIRE 110X
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides fundamental knowledge relating to the field of fire prevention. Topics include history
and philosophy of fire prevention,organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau,use and
application of codes and standards,plans review,fire inspections,fire and life safety education,and fire
investigation.

FT 302 Fire Protection Equipment and Systems

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides information relating to sprinkler design and the operation of fire detection and alarm systems. Topics include fire cause and effect, heat and smoke control systems, sprinkler systems, water supply for fire protection, standpipe systems, and portable fire extinguishers.

FT 303 Building Construction for Fire Protection

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers the components of building construction that relate to fire safety. Specific focus is on elements of construction and the design of structures that are shown to be key factors regarding inspecting of buildings, pre-planning fire operations, and emergency operations at fires. Topics include principles of fire and smoke growth, fire resistance construction, as well as wood, ordinary, steel, and concrete construction.

FT 304 Fire Behavior and Combustion

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
General Education:AA/AS Area IV
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start and spread, and how they are controlled. Topics include an in-depth study of fire chemistry and physics, fire characteristics of materials, extinguishing agents, and fire control techniques.

FT 305 Firefighter Safety and Survival

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course introduces the principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives, focusing on the need for cultural and behavioral changes throughout the emergency services profession. It emphasizes occupational health and safety of firefighters as well as their personal and organizational accountability. Topics include safety, risk management, medical and fitness standards, industry standards relating to vehicle operation and road scene safety, as well as firefighter fatality case studies and analysis. This course emphasizes best safety practices before, during, and after the emergency incident.

FT 310 Fire Service Hydraulics

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:MATH 32 or MATH 42; AND eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers the theory of water hydraulics, hydraulic distribution systems, hydraulic practices, and extinguishing agents used with fire service hydraulics. Topics include the properties of water at rest and in motion, water velocity and discharge, distribution systems, fire service pumps, friction loss calculations, engine and nozzle pressures, and fire streams. This course also focuses on standpipe systems, automatic sprinkler systems, and foam systems.

FT 320 Hazardous Materials

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an introduction to hazardous materials, including physical properties, uses in industry, and characteristics when involved in spills, fires, and accidents. It covers emergency procedures, legal requirements, and compliance with regulations. Topics include flammable and combustible liquids, flammable and non-flammable compressed gases, flammable solids and combustible metals, oxidizing agents, poison gases and liquids, radioactive substances, and corrosive materials.

FT 495 Independent Studies in Fire Technology

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in this subject, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for independent study, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study with a professor in this subject and secure approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed.

FT 499 Experimental Offering in Fire Technology

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.