Chabot College Fall 2003
Course Outline for Fire Technology 91A
WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING
Catalog Description
91A – Wildland FireFighting 2 units
Factors affecting wildland fire, prevention, fire behavior, and control techniques; emphasis on organization, weather patterns, and equipment usage, safety and wildland fire behavior. Course complies with the State Board of Fire Services requirements for Firefighter 1 Certification (1999). 28 hours lecture total, 12 hours lab total.
Prerequisites Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. define wildland terminology;
2. demonstrate wildland firefighter safety;
3. demonstrate firefighter preparedness;
4. utilize wildland tools and equipment;
5. describe wildland fire behavior;
6. select the appropriate level of protective clothing.
Course Content:
1. Fire protection organization in California
a. Wildland values and functions
b. Organization for wildland protection
c. Fire terminology
d. Fire history
e. The fire problem in California
2. Functions of the protection organization
a. The fire prevention problem
b. The fire prevention planning
c. Pre-suppression planning
3. Suppression organization and methods
a. Detection
b. Equipment
1) Ground
2) Air
3) Hand and power tools
4) Heavy equipment
5) Communication
6) Records
7) Backfiring equipment
4. Wildland fire behavior
a. Chemistry
b. Fuel
c. Weather
d. Topography
Chabot College
Course Outline for Fire Technology 91A, page 2
Fall 2003
Course Content – continued:
5. Wildland firefighter preparedness and personal protective equipment
6. Extinguishing agents
a. Water
b. Chemicals
c. Dirt
7. Wildland fire strategy
a. Response
b. Size-up
c. Rescue
d. Exposure
e. Attack methods
1) Progress hose lays
2) Mobile attack operations
3) Handline construction
f. Effects of structures endangered
g. Confinement
h. Extinguishment
i. Mop-up (Overhaul)
j. Patrol
8. Wildland firefighter safety
a. Lookouts, communications, escape routes, safety zones
b. Safety considerations when working around dozers
c. Safety considerations when working near aircraft
9. Characteristics and functions of fire shelters
10. Parts of a wildland fire
11. Introduction to incident base
12. Wildland hand tools
a. Inspection and maintenance
b. Characteristics and functions
13. Wildland firefighting equipment
a. Wildland map
b. Wildland compass
c. Drip torch
d. Black pumps
e. Fusees
14. Interface zone (1-Zone)
a. Safety considerations
b. Structure protection procedures
Methods of Presentation:
1. Lecture and discussion
2. Audio-visual presentations
3. Group activities
4. Assignments
5. Diagnostic quizzes
6. Demonstrations
7. Practical field application
Chabot College
Course Outline for Fire Technology 91A, page 3
Fall 2003
Typical Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Develop wildland interface scenario and the procedures to size up, contain, extinguish and overhaul
b. Demonstrate in field exercises, the proper use of tools and equipment
c. Demonstrate proper extinguishment methods using available means and equipment
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Demonstrations
b. Class attendance and participation
c. Midterm examination
d. Final examination
d. Notebook inspection
Textbook(s) (typical):
1. S-190 Student Workbook, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, 2002
2. Fireline Handbook, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, 2002
Special Student Materials:
None
Revised: 11/14/02