MCCCD Program Description

Ladder Operations

Course: FSC159

First Term: 2013 Spring

Lec + Lab 1 Credit(s) 1 Period(s) 1 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Comprehensive training for members of fire department ladder companies. Emphasis on safety, progressive skills, and equipment review.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the techniques used to date buildings and demonstrate the ability to apply these protocols. (I) 2. List the tactical considerations and practice securing all utilities in both residential and commercial structures. (II) 3. Use forced entry methods on varied doors, gates, and boarded-up properties. (III) 4. Explain the safety considerations for extrication activities on late model luxury vehicles and apply these practices in extrication exercises. (IV) 5. Describe and practice with the unique features and advantages of tractor/tillered ladders and tower platform ladders. (V) 6. Describe basic and added value loss control tactics and apply these strategies in various real life scenarios. (VI) 7. Describe the importance of effective overhaul operations and model optimum practices. (VI) 8. Describe the three primary goals of fire ground ventilation and show ways in which fire ground ventilation would be used in various scenarios. (VII) 9. Describe the factors considered by roof sector when reading the roof and evaluate roofs of buildings in simulated emergency situations. (VII) 10. Explain and demonstrate how to determine the location and size of a ventilation hole. (VIII) 11. Describe why it is critical to coordinate mechanical horizontal ventilation with interior units and command and demonstrate in simulated emergency situations. (VIII)
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. Building Construction A. Knowledge = safety B. Gravity is our enemy C. Fire and buildings D. Definitions E. 4 Styles 1. Masonry 2. Frame (lumber) 3. Metal 4. Concrete F. Truss systems 1. Parallel cord truss 2. Parallel cord bar truss 3. Webbing 4. Coatings G. Dating buildings II. Securing Gas and Electric Utilities A. Purpose and goal B. Natural gas C. Electric service D. Water service III. Forcible Entry A. Factors to consider when using power equipment B. Doors 1. Inward-opening steel door 2. Outward-opening steel door 3. Steel roll-up doors 4. Recessed steel roll-up doors 5. Steel roll-up doors with loading dock and small ledge 6. Large steel roll-up door 7. Sheet curtain doors 8. Steel screen doors (security doors) C. Gates 1. Accordion or scissor gates 2. Metal hinged gate/locked D. Breaching block walls E. Barred windows F. Boarded windows with carriage bolt G. Chain link fence H. Use of rabbit tool I. Locks 1. Heel and toe padlock breaking 2. Duck-bill lock breaking 3. Disk lock breaking J. Considerations in rescue size-up and forcible entry 1. Life safety 2. Fire location and control 3. Damage control 4. Routes 5. Exposure problems 6. Attack line placement K. Lock types 1. Mortise 2. Rim locks 3. Cylinder locks 4. High security doors and locks 5. Guard plates 6. Cover cylinder 7. Fichet lock 8. Multi lock 9. Slip bar lock 10. Drop bars 11. Sliding bolts L. Forcible entry tactical considerations 1. Ladders to rear of commercial structures 2. Time versus damage 3. Exterior and Interior forcible entry 4. Secondary means of egress M. General rules of forcible entry N. General rules about doors O. General safety considerations P. Types of forcible entry kicks 1. Mule kick 2. Forward kick IV. Vehicular Extrication A. Initial response B. Extrication sector C. Automobile anatomy D. Extrication tools 1. Halmatro rescue tool 2. Hooligan, sledge 3. Hacksaw 4. Air chisel E. Safety and air bags 1. Undeployed airbags 2. Location of airbags V. Ladder Pipe Operations A. Defined B. Situations C. Master streams D. Types of apparatus 1. American LA France/LTI-Tractor Drawn/Tillered Ladder 2. LTI-American LA France Platform Mid Mount Ladder 3. Seagrave Tractor/Tillered Ladder 4. Aerialscope with Tower Platform 5. Quint-Ladder/Pumper E. Apparatus placement 1. Standard operating procedures 2. Tactical objectives and priorities 3. Staging procedures 4. Direct orders from command 5. Conscious decision on part of company officer 6. Working apparatus 7. Parked apparatus 8. Command vehicles F. Water stream management 1. Reach 2. Penetration 3. Striking power 4. Exposure protection G. Foam H. General safety considerations VI. Salvage, Loss Control, and Overhaul A. Primary Damage Control B. Secondary Damage Control VII. Roof Familiarization-On-Site Walk-Through A. Objectives B. Locations VIII. Ventilation A. Goal B. Roof types and construction concerns C. Dangers avoided through ventilation D. Methods of ventilation 1. Vertical (rooftop operations) 2. Mechanical horizontal ventilation 3. Positive pressure ventilation 4. Hydraulic ventilation

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 5/24/2012

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.