Introduction to the Fire Service (Cole FPD)

   Course Description

This introductory course for new fire service personnel acquaints participants with the basics of fireground duties. Discussions address fire service history, organization, fireground safety, and fire behavior. We will discuss and demonstrate basic hose practices, ground ladder practices, ventilation techniques and introduce proper procedures for using self-contained breathing apparatus and fire service hand tools. Practical evolutions designed to reinforce participants' skills are included. This class will meet all the prerequisites to participate in live-fire training evolutions.

   Course Organization

Students are provided access to the course, textbook, and online learning assessments prior to the in-person portion of this course. Students are required to thoroughly read their text and utilize the Canvas messaging system to contact their instructor with any concerns or questions.

Students successfully completing the online portion of this course must attend the in-person lecture before successfully completing the practical skills evolutions to receive an MU Fire and Rescue Training end of course certificate. The end of course modules shall be completed entirely before a student is allowed to participate in the in-person portion of the course. During the first day of the in-person portion of this course, the instructor will review the critical learning components and help solidify abstract theories discussed throughout the course. The remainder of the course will focus on assignments, projects, and practical skills.

Canvas uses Modules to organize course resources. Each module may include:

• Videos covering the topic
• Readings to enhance student understanding
• Discussions to connect to students
• Quizzes to check understanding
• Assignments to show student mastery of the material

   Objectives

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

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Fire Service and Firefighter Safety

JPRs 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.2.4, 4.3.2, 4.3.3, 4.3.5, 4.3.10, 4.3.17 

Chapter 2: Communications

JPRs 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3

Chapter 3: Building Construction

JPRs 4.3.4, 4.3.12

Chapter 4: Fire Dynamics

JPRs 4.3.10, 4.3.11, 4.3.12

Chapter 5: Personal Protective Equipment

JPRs 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3, 4.5.1

Chapter 8: Ground Ladders

JPRs 4.3.6, 4.3.9, 4.3.10, 4.3.11, 4.3.12, 4.5.1

Chapter 9: Forcible Entry

JPRs 4.3.4, 4.3.9, 4.3.11, 4.5.1

Chapter 11: Tactical Ventilation

JPRs 4.3.11, 4.3.12, 4.5.1

Chapter 12: Fire Hose

JPRs 4.3.8, 4.3.10, 4.5.2

Chapter 13: Hose Operations and Hose Streams

JPRs 4.3.7, 4.3.8, 4.3.10, 4.3.15

Chapter 14: Fire Suppression

JPRs 4.3.7, 4.3.8, 4.3.10, 4.3.11, 4.3.13, 4.3.14, 4.3.18, 4.3.19

Chapter 15: Overhaul, Property Conservation, and Scene Preservation

JPRs 4.1.2, 4.3.8, 4.3.10, 4.3.14, 4.5.1

   Textbook & Reading Materials

IFSTA’s Essentials of Firefighting 8th edition. 

   Instructor

Please communicate with me through the Canvas email and messaging system.

   Assignments

Students shall strive to complete all online modules, reading assignments, discussion posts, quizzes, exams, assignments, and presentations a minimum of three days before the in-person portion of this course. Click here for an overview of the assignments for the course. If this is unattainable, please contact your instructor as soon as possible.

   Activities

 Special Requirements:

•Personal protective equipment (PPE): The following gear is required toparticipate: helmet, bunker coat, bunker pants with boots, and gloves that met theNFPA standard 1971 at the time of purchase.

•Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA): Participants attending should bringtheir own pressure-demand type self-contained breathing apparatus and one sparecylinder. All air cylinders must be within hydrostatic date or will not be refilled andshould be marked with departmental identification. Breathing apparatus mustmeet NFPA standard 1981. In addition participants must provide a Nomex or PBIprotective hood.

•Individuals with beards, sideburns or other hair styles that interfere with the properseal of a breathing apparatus face piece will not be allowed to participate in classesrequiring SCBA use. Note: Protective hoods over beards are not approved.

   Discussions

The purpose of the discussions is to give you an opportunity to learn from each other and explore the topics introduced in the course as a learning community. Sometimes, the act of writing can help us clarify, make connections, and draw implications from our experiences in new ways. 

We acknowledge that everyone's contribution will be unique and particular to their context and experiences. Therefore, we expect and welcome a diversity of contributions and viewpoints. We hope that everyone will bring to the course a posture of curiosity, interest in listening, and willingness to share.

As members of a learning community, writing publicly, in small amounts, and without much time to edit may be the greatest challenge of all in this course.

• We invite you to err on the side of jumping into discussions with our shared understanding that an online discussion board can never reflect your most robust thinking and writing, and that's not the point in this context.
• Our goal is to share what comes to mind and is shaping our thinking and actions in this experience together. 

We also expect that participants will bring different prior experiences, interests, and motivations to this course and how the discussions unfold will reflect this range.

   Netiquette

For a successful online course experience, clear, thoughtful communication is essential. Discussion forums and course communications are important venues for exchanging ideas and promoting learning. Your instructor and fellow participants wish to foster a safe and inclusive online learning environment. Constructive criticism and questions are encouraged; however, you will be expected to remain professional and courteous in all of your posts. You are encouraged to comment, question or critique an idea, but you are not to attack an individual.

Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University of Missouri's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Please consider that sarcasm and humor can be misconstrued in online interactions and generate unintended disruptions. Working as a community of learners, we can build a polite and respectful course atmosphere. As your instructor, I  reserve the right to delete any forum posts or blog entries I deem to be inappropriate for the course.

(Adapted  with permission from MU Course Design & Technologies' Online Teaching Foundations)

   Diversity

We value the voice of every student in this course. We embrace our diversity as a group—in race, gender, age, sexual orientation and gender identity, religion, language, ability, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic and veteran status, —is an asset, resource and strength that is critical to our learning experience.  As a result, we are committed to designing inclusive lessons and assignments that encourage diverse perspectives to be recognized and respected, while providing you with the opportunity to speak and be heard, explore your own understanding, and engage with one another.

(Adapted  with permission from MU Teaching for Learning Center’s Teaching and Learning in the Diverse Classroom)

   Assessment and Grading

Successful completion of reading assignments, quizzes, assignments, activities, presentations, and score a minimum of 70% on an end of online course exam.

Quizzes and the end-of-course exam are automatically graded and immediately available for review.

Contesting a quiz or exam question  shall be conducted by emailing MU FRTI at frti@missouri.edu. Please include the course name, the specific quiz name, the question number, how you answered the question, and why you believe the provided response was correct.

   Course Completion

Upon completion of the in-person and online portions of this blended course, MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute will provide the student with a course completion certificate. The student's successful participation will be recorded on their MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute transcript, which may be requested here.

Students successfully completing this course will also be reported to the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, who may then invite the student to pursue the appropriate IFSAC certification.

   Accommodations

We all learn differently, and we want every student to succeed. If you have a learning need or disability, please contact us as soon as possible so we can provide you with appropriate accommodations.  

   Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with Internet access. Students should bring an Internet-capable laptop to class.

Learners will also need some technical skills, which might include

• Using the learning management system
• Sending and receiving an email with attachments
• Creating and submitting files in commonly used word processing formats
• Copying and pasting
• Downloading and installing software
• Using spreadsheet programs
• Using presentation and graphics programs

See our Getting Started with Canvas page for short tutorial videos to provide an overview of Canvas. You may also find this Canvas Student Guide helpful.

If this is the first time you have taken a course through MU Extension, let's make sure you can access this course again.