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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Fitness and Conditioning for Firefighters
Course: FSC134

First Term: 2005 Summer I
 Lec + Lab   3 Credit(s)   4.6 Period(s)   4.12 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S


Description: Overview of all aspects of fitness for current and prospective firefighters. Includes physical and mental aspects of performance for optimal achievement on fire department agility tests and fire fighting tasks; individual conditioning strategies, nutritional guidelines, protective clothing concepts, and basic exercise principles. Pre- employment, evaluation, and lifelong fitness and conditioning



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the physical requirements for performing basic fire fighting tasks. (I)
2. Explain the relationship of proper nutrition to total fitness. (I)
3. Explain the impact of protective clothing on the physical performance of firefighters. (I)
4. Explain the physical and mental aspects of well-being and conditioning. (II)
5. Demonstrate proper exercise techniques for specific conditioning programs. (II)
6. Explain the relationship between proper training and effective physical and mental performance. (II, III)
7. Apply skills of physical and mental aspects of performance required in physical agility testing and fire fighting. (III)
8. Perform specific manipulative firefighter tasks. (IV)
9. Explain the relationship between firefighter fitness evaluations and the physical agility pre-employment tests. (V)
10. Contrast and compare firefighter health and fitness to performance, productivity, and quality of life in the workplace. (VI)
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. Physical Requirements of Fire Fighting
   A. Physical fitness
      1. Flexibility
      2. Aerobic conditioning
      3. Muscular strength
      4. Muscular endurance
   B. Nutrition
      1. Basic balanced diet
      2. Specialized diets
   C. Fire Fighting environment
      1. Micro effects of inside protective clothing
      2. Macro environment of outside protective clothing
II. Physical Aspects of Well-Being and Conditioning
   A. Exercise principles
      1. General adaptation
      2. Specificity of training
      3. Overload principle
   B. Exercise physiology
      1. Aerobic and anaerobic energy sources
      2. Muscle physiology
      3. Recovery from undertraining/overtraining
      4. Myotatic stretch reflex
      5. Physical effects of environment
      6. Injury prevention
   C. Proper exercise techniques
      1. Flexibility
      2. Weight training
      3. Specialized programs
      4. Implementation of organizational programs
III. Mental Aspects of Performance
   A. Stress model
   B. Relaxation techniques
   C. Focus training
   D. Visualization
   E. Performance keys
   F. Mastering skills
IV. Fire Fighting
   A. Equipment
      1. Hydrant
      2. Ladders
      3. Hose evolutions
      4. Others
   B. Tasks
      1. Ventilation
      2. Search and rescue
      3. Others
V. Physical Agility Preparation
   A. Physical and mental fitness
   B. Mastering motor skills
   C. Pre-employment evaluation
VI. Lifelong Fitness and Conditioning
   A. Physiologic change and the aging process
   B. Changes in job requirements
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date:  4/26/2005

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.