MCCCD Program Description

Wildland Firefighter

Course: FSC110

First Term: 2007 Spring

Lec + Lab 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Basic-level course for individuals with little or no experience in the wildland environment. Preparation for performing as a beginning-level wildland firefighter with an organized fire department engine or hand crew.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe local and interagency relationships in the Arizona Wildland Firefighting system and roles for wildland fire suppression. (I) 2. Demonstrate use of compass and global positioning system, in accordance with United States Geologic Survey topographic and local mapping systems, to locate given landmarks and potential fire locations, and to read and locate legal description from a geographic location. (II) 3. Describe the environmental factors of wildland fire that affect the start and spread of wildfire. (II) 4. Describe requirements for fire reporting, record keeping, and complete Arizona wildland fire reports. (II) 5. Describe components of the incident command system. (III) 6. Describe the incident command system used by a local fire department. (III) 7. Describe maintenance, safety, and efficient use of wildland fire suppression personal protective equipment. (IV) 8. Describe use and safety requirements of aircraft in wildland fire suppression. (IV) 9. Demonstrate safe and effective use of hand tools and heavy equipment in wildland suppression. (IV, IX) 10. Describe need for pre-suppression activities. (IV) 11. Describe the impact of the combustion process and fuel characteristics on wildland fires. (V) 12. Describe relationship of topography, weather, time of day, and fuels on fire behavior and suppression. (V) 13. Describe requirements for a fire size-up. (VI) 14. Identify and define common wildland fire terms. (VI) 15. Describe requirements of initial attack, direct basic tactical operations, and fire line construction. (VII) 16. Describe use of various water supply possibilities, basic hose lays, and mop-up operations for wildland operations. (VII) 17. Describe physical fitness standards for wildland firefighters. (VIII) 18. Demonstrate use of a fire shelter. (VIII, IX) 19. Describe the ten standard fire orders and watch out 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. Introduction A. Arizona State Land Department organization 1. Mission and operations of Arizona Land Department 2. Forestry division B. Interagency relationships and cooperation C. Role of local fire departments II. Locating and reporting fires A. Maps 1. Types 2. Uses B. Legal descriptions C. Land ownership D. Map exercise E. Compasses and global positioning system F. Fire reporting and record keeping III. Incident operations and management A. Introduction to National Interagency Management System/incident command B. Incident command system operations C. Fireline handbook (410--1) D. Incident command system in local fire department operations E. Incident management system standards 1. Communications 2. Resource classifications/types 3. Personnel classifications/qualifications F. Incident command system exercise IV. Suppression equipment A. Personal equipment B. Hand tools C. Water handling equipment D. Engines E. Aircraft F. Heavy equipment V. Fire behavior A. Fire triangle B. Heat transfer C. Fuels D. Weather E. Topography F. Extreme fire behavior VI. Size-up of the incident A. Anatomy of a fire B. Elements of size-up VII. Methods of suppression A. Types of attack 1. Initial 2. Direct 3. Indirect B. Handline tactics C. Engine/tender tactics D. Mop-up E. Project fires F. Strategy and tactics exercise VIII. Fire safety A. Physical fitness B. Ten standard orders C. Watch out situations D. Fire shelters E. Safety highlights and review IX. Practical exercises A. Hand tools and line construction B. Hose lays and portable pumps C. Engine and tender operations D. Fire shelter E. Practical operation

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 6/27/2006

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.