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Fire Technology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • explain the importance of warm-up and cool-down cycles.
  • discuss the benefits of maintaining a regular exercise program.
  • develop increased aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, and improved agility.
  • identify appropriate techniques for performing various exercises.
  • identify appropriate lifestyle modification techniques.
  • identify health risk factors.

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • discuss fire apparatus history, typing, design, specifications, and construction
  • describe the operation of various fire apparatus and specialized equipment
  • analyze the difficulties of maintaining fire apparatus

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • compare and contrast leadership versus management within a fire organization
  • discuss the leader’s role and responsibilities within a fire organization
  • explain the different types of fire department organizations
  • identify and describe the general functions of management within a fire organization
  • describe the use of the incident management system for responses involving one or more units
  • describe the need for research and development at the company level

FT 141 Legal Aspects of Emergency Services

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

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

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • define the different categories of laws in the United States as they pertain to emergency services.
  • discuss federal, state, and local laws and liabilities applicable to emergency services.
  • explain the purpose of national codes and standards.
  • discuss applicable court decisions that have influenced emergency services.
  • recognize the legal issues and concerns affecting the emergency services.

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • describe how to recognize, protect, and preserve evidence of fire cause
  • explain the techniques relating to court procedures
  • explain the techniques for interviewing witnesses and suspects
  • diagnose the point of origin at a fire scene
  • describe the scientific method of fire investigation

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:January 1, 2025

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.


Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • describe techniques for dealing with various rescue situations
  • set up emergency rescue equipment
  • describe confined space rescue operations
  • improvise treatments for common medical injuries, using minimal equipment

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • discuss the historical changes in fire service tactics and strategy
  • assess the differences in fire extinguishing agents and apply the most effective methods to the situation
  • estimate the staffing structure and equipment needs at an emergency utilizing the Incident Command System (ICS)
  • calculate the best method for extinguishing the fire on the fireground
  • recognize the divisions of fire tactics and strategy
  • explain the role of each fire tactics and strategy division
  • apply salvage and overhaul procedures at an emergency
  • categorize fireground tactics and strategies used in urban and wildland emergency situations

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • assess wildland fire behavior as it relates to weather, fuel, and topography
  • illustrate the wildland fire threat in California
  • describe firefighters' safety as it relates to wildland fire fighting
  • demonstrate the methods used to bring wildland fires under control

FT 295 Independent Studies in Fire Technology

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • demonstrate mastery of specific job skills in the fire technology field related to an associate degree or certificate occupational program level career as written in the minimum three (3) learning objectives created by the student and their employer or work site supervisor at the start of the course.
  • make effective decisions, use workforce information, and manage their personal career plans.
  • behave professionally, ethically, and legally during work, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational norms.
  • behave responsibly during work, exhibiting initiative and self-management in situations where it is needed.
  • apply effective leadership styles during work, with consideration to group dynamics, team and individual decision making, and workforce diversity.
  • communicate in oral, written, and other formats, as needed, in a variety of contexts during work.
  • locate, organize, evaluate, and reference information during work.
  • demonstrate originality and inventiveness during work by combining ideas or information in new ways, making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, and reshaping goals in ways that reveal new possibilities using critical and creative thinking skills such as logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.

FT 299 Experimental Offering in Fire Technology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • illustrate and explain the history and culture of the fire service
  • analyze the basic components of fire as a chemical chain reaction and the major phases of fire
  • differentiate between fire service training and education, and explain the value of higher education to the professionalization of the fire service
  • list and describe the major organizations that provide emergency response service and illustrate how they interrelate
  • discuss and describe the scope, purpose, and organizational structure of fire and emergency services
  • describe the common types of fire and emergency service facilities, equipment, and apparatus
  • compare and contrast effective management concepts for various emergency situations
  • identify the primary responsibilities of fire prevention personnel including: code enforcement, public information, and public and private protection systems
  • describe the importance of wellness and fitness as it relates to emergency services
  • examine the main factors that influence fire spread and fire behavior

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • define the national fire problem and the role of fire prevention.
  • identify and describe fire prevention organizations and associations.
  • define laws, authority have jurisdiction (AHJ), regulations, and fire codes.
  • define the functions of a fire prevention bureau.
  • describe inspection practices and procedures.
  • identify and describe the standards for professional qualification for fire marshal, plans examiner, fire inspector, fire and life safety educator, and fire investigator.
  • list opportunities in professional development for fire prevention personnel.
  • describe the history and philosophy of fire prevention.

FT 302 Fire Protection Equipment and Systems

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • compare smoke and fire movement in various types of building construction and the relationship to systems and equipment.
  • identify the organizations that provide information or service to fire protection systems.
  • compare types, classifications, ratings, and effectiveness of fire extinguishers.
  • identify distribution, installation, and testing requirements for fire extinguishers.
  • identify the types, components, and operation of fire protection systems and equipment for special hazards.
  • identify water supply requirements, distribution systems, and testing for public and private fire protection.
  • classify types, components, and operation of automatic and special sprinkler systems.
  • identify the types of standpipe systems and their water supply requirements.
  • compare detection, alarm, and supervisory devices and systems.
  • compare heat and smoke control devices and hardware.

FT 303 Building Construction for Fire Protection

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • classify safety concerns presented by the following types of loads: impact, wind, snow, dead or fixed, live, and fire.
  • evaluate fire stability for the following structural members: columns, walls, arches, beams, and trusses.
  • describe key factors in the fire performance of three common floors and four ceilings found in wood and ordinary construction.
  • choose the key features of a wood-frame building and their implications for fire stability.
  • analyze ordinary construction and cite factors in fire stability and fire spread.
  • list indicators of collapse in ordinary construction.
  • cite the possible fire hazards in various types of construction.
  • identify key factors that may be expected to lessen or increase the resistance of steel to stress and fire.
  • identify key factors that increase or lessen concrete's resistance to stress and fire.
  • evaluate the probable impact of the following factors on smoke spread within buildings: buoyancy, expansion, stack effect, wind, Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC), smoke control systems, fire protection systems, and detection systems.
  • define architectural features that may adversely affect the safety of emergency operations in buildings under construction.
  • describe the history of fire resistance construction and its changes through the years.

FT 304 Fire Behavior and Combustion

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • General Education:AA/AS Area IV
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • classify the basic laws differentiating matter and energy.
  • compile basic terminology, definitions, and terms associated with basic fire chemistry.
  • compose some of the basic chemical symbols used in chemical formula writing.
  • identify physical properties in the three states of matter.
  • describe the Department of Transportation (DOT) warning placards and labeling systems.
  • identify the components of fire.
  • describe the various methods and techniques of fire extinguishing.
  • list the physical and chemical properties of fire.
  • differentiate and explain the phenomena of fire chemistry and behavior.

FT 305 Firefighter Safety and Survival

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • describe the risk management process and the operational influence of “after action reviews” on safety.
  • explain the need for annual medical evaluations and the establishment of physical fitness criteria for emergency services personnel throughout their careers.
  • analyze case studies of emergency scene firefighter fatalities to determine, through examination of cause and effect, how to prevent such incidents in the future.
  • explain how technological advancements, training standards, and investigation of accidents and “near misses” can produce a higher level of firefighter safety and survival.
  • discuss the importance of fire sprinklers and code enforcement.
  • describe the importance of public education as a critical component of life-safety programs.

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • summarize the components related to water supply in fire service hydraulics.
  • explain the properties of water at rest and in motion, velocity, and discharge.
  • describe how water is discharged from a fire apparatus.
  • explain the operational procedures of fire service pumps and their control devices.
  • calculate the friction loss of water within a hydraulic system.

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:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • describe the various Department of Transportation (DOT) hazard classes
  • describe the Department of Transportation's placarding and labeling system
  • identify the basic physical properties and burning characteristics of the various classes of hazardous materials
  • explain the need for scene isolation, scene stabilization, and incident control
  • identify various acceptable methods of incident control measures depending upon the dangers of the chemicals
  • analyze the health dangers and symptoms of chemical classes
  • compare the safety considerations encumbered by the fire department to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines

FT 495 Independent Studies in Fire Technology

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  • actively engage in intellectual inquiry beyond that required in order to pass a course of study.
  • discuss and outline a proposal of study, that can be accomplished within one semester term, with a supervising instructor qualified within the discipline.
  • design an independent study (to be completed individually or by collaboration of a small group) to foster special knowledge, skills, and experience that are not available in any one regularly scheduled course.
  • use resources to gather discipline-specific information.
  • utilize modes of analysis and critical thinking to apply theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study to significant problems and/or educational activities.
  • analyze and apply the knowledge, skills and experience that are involved in the independent study to theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study.
  • explain the importance of the major discipline of study in the broader picture of society.
  • communicate a complex understanding of content matter of the major discipline of study.
  • demonstrate competence in the skills essential to mastery of the major discipline of study that are necessary to accomplish the independent study.
  • identify personal goals and pursue these goals effectively.
  • utilize skills from the “academic tool kit” including time management, study skills, etc., to accomplish the independent study within one semester term.

FT 499 Experimental Offering in Fire Technology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This is the experimental courses description.