MCCCD Program Description

Fire Captain Academy

Course: FSC167

First Term: 2020 Fall

Lecture 6.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: T - Lab Load

Description: Roles and responsibilities of a company officer within the fire department system with emphasis on practical application and preparation for the role of company officer in a move-up or out-of-class status. Emphasis on customer service, safety, crew development, discipline, community involvement, and specific engine and ladder company officer functions. Includes fire and emergency medical simulations.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the captain`s role as it relates to each component of a fire service organization. (I) 2. Describe in detail how captains impact internal and external customer service. (II) 3. Explain the captain`s role in program management. (III) 4. Give examples of how captains can and should function as training officers. (III, XV) 5. Describe the captain`s responsibility related to community involvement. (III) 6. Explain how to meet the battalion chief`s expectations. (IV) 7. Explain the risk factors associated with modern residential and commercial building construction. (V) 8. Explain the engine captain`s role in managing various risks that threaten firefighters. (VI) 9. Cite the eight functions of command. (VI) 10. Identify and respond to safety concerns during a simulated incident. (VI) 11. Explain the ladder captain`s role in managing the various risks that threaten firefighters. (VII) 12. Explain the role of the captain when responding to special operations incidents. (VIII) 13. Describe the role of the captain in managing the disciplinary process. (IX) 14. Cite the four types of diversity, and describe the organizational advantages they offer. (X) 15. Explain how yearly performance evaluations can be used by a captain to aid in employee development. (XI, XIII) 16. Explain the captain`s role as a public information officer. (XII, XIV) 17. Describe the captain`s role in supporting crime scene investigations. (XVI) 18. List and describe the three conflict resolution philosophies. (XVII) 19. Contrast functional and dysfunctional conflict. (XVIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. The captain`s role in the fire organization A. Fire protection B. Medical services C. Human resource management D. Physical resource management E. Urban services II. Customer service A. The common thread in all we do B. Purpose for our existence C. Internal customers D. Boss behaviors and customer service E. Road blocks to quality customer service F. Attitudes and egos III. Company officer functions A. Setting the standard B. Manager vs. micromanager C. Formal and informal D. Safety E. Reporting procedures F. Company activity calendar G. Program management H. Station and rig maintenance I. Incident management J. Training officer role K. Community involvement L. Station environment M. Who is your boss? IV. Battalion chief expectations A. Fire department programs, rules, regulations, and philosophy B. Communicate, communicate, communicate C. Self-discipline D. Support training V. Building construction A. Risk management perspective B. Fire resistance and mass C. Code load and actual load D. Truss anatomy E. British Thermal Unit (BTU) F. Intelligent heat removal G. The three forces 1. Compression 2. Tension 3. Shear H. Building materials and force I. Beams J. Girder K. Column L. Types of Loads 1. Dead 2. Live 3. Axial 4. Eccentric 5. Torsional M. Wall construction and collapse N. Commercial wall construction 1. Non-reinforced masonry 2. Reinforced masonry 3. Tilt slab 4. Non-combustible (steel) O. Residential wall construction P. Roof construction 1. Commercial 2. Residential Q. Ledgers R. Types of roof sheathing 1. Solid decking 2. Plywood 3. Oriented Stranded Board (OSB) S. Confined spaces T. Tile roof hazards VI. Engine company functions A. Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.s) B. Where do engine companies get in trouble? C. Managing risk 1. Driving 2. Thermal insult 3. Lost or trapped 4. Collapse 5. Wellness issues D. Functions of command E. Safety on the fireground F. Rescue Sector G. Safety simulation VII. Ladder company functions A. Search, rescue, and treatment B. Ventilation C. Forcible entry D. Raise ladders E. Provide access and check fire extension F. Utility control G. Provide lighting H. Operate ladder pipes I. Perform overhaul J. Extrication K. Loss control VIII. Special operations first responder A. Initial actions B. Quick decisions vs. discretionary time C. Residential natural gas leak D. Ruptured gas Line E. Pool chemicals truck F. Industrial site: hazardous situation G. Burning propane tank H. Commercial building: hazardous situation I. Cryogenics J. Mercury spill K. Leaking chlorine rail car L. Trench incident M. Confined space incident N. Wall or structural collapse O. Mountain rescue P. Palm tree rescue IX. Disciplinary process A. Corrective, progressive, lawful B. Employee Assistance Programs C. Union and legal representation D. Investigative process and reporting E. Suspected on-duty substance abuse F. Disciplinary action G. Discipline follow-up H. Personnel documentation X. Diversity A. Organizational advantages B. Types of Diversity 1. Ethnic 2. Religious 3. Educational 4. Age and gender C. Getting past diversity barriers D. Legal aspects of diversity in the workplace E. Do`s and don`ts XI. Employee development A. Improving job performance B. Tough decisions C. Documentation D. Yearly performance evaluations E. Discipline F. Confidentiality issues G. Support H. Union representation I. Drug testing XII. Community involvement A. District council members B. Community activists C. Community events D. Schools E. Public education F. Community rooms G. Station visits XIII. Relationship by objectives (RBO) A. Purpose B. Action plans C. RBO teams/committees 1. Fire protection 2. Medical services 3. Human resources 4. Physical resources 5. Urban resources D. RBO process model 1. Issue 2. Analyze 3. Decide 4. Educate 5. Review 6. Revise 7. Complete E. Resolving stalemates F. Correlating ream G. Current action plans H. Future trends in RBO XIV. Public information officer (PIO) A. Overview of public affairs B. Do`s and don`ts of interacting with media C. What the PIO can do for the organization D. The most commonly asked questions by the media at incidents E. Personal interview roleplay XV. Captain`s role as the training officer A. Training role permeates all other roles B. Team activity and training assessment C. What is and isn`t `training` D. If you condone it-you own it E. How to improve in your role as training officer F. Principles of adult learning G. Putting it all together XVI. Crime scene investigation and violent incidents A. Response B. Protecting our people C. Civil disturbance D. Captain`s responsibilities E. Size-up F. The approach G. Don`ts H. Terrorism 1. Domestic 2. International I. Memorandums and procedures (MP) review J. Scene preservation K. Captain`s role L. Accident scenes M. Safety of our personnel, victims, and motorists N. Types of evidence O. Examples to learn from P. Documenting impaired drivers Q. Victim position R. Clothing S. Scene security XVII. Situational leadership A. Foundational concepts of leadership B. Explanation of models C. Examples and application D. Case studies E. Group dialogue XVIII. Managing conflict A. The nature and reality of conflict B. Decision-making process C. Conflict resolution philosophies 1. Traditional 2. Behavioral 3. Interactional D. Values of conflict E. Examples and lessons learned F. Change equals survival G. Paradox of conflict H. Functional vs. dysfunctional conflict I. Competition vs. conflict J. Conflict management models

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 25, 2020

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.