FRSC100 Introduction to Fire Science

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Fire Science

  1. Course Number and Title

    FRSC100 Introduction to Fire Science

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course is an overview of the history and philosophy of municipal fire protection and public fire prevention. It provides a basic understanding of laws and regulations, equipment, strategies and tactics, building construction, extinguishing agents, hazardous materials, fire chemistry and physics, and the types of municipal fire department organizational structures.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. Students will:
        1. demonstrate an understanding of the history,organization and function of public and private fire protection services and their relationship to local government;
        2. identify laws and regulations affecting the fire service and fire service nomenclature;
        3. demonstrate an understanding of the basic functions and types of fire protection systems and their relationship to fire chemistry and physics; and
        4. analyze changing trends and evolving societal demographics and their effect upon the fire department to accomplish the delivery of fire protection services to the public.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. history and philosophy of the modern fire service,
      2. basic components of fire as a chemical reaction, the major phases of fire, and an examination of the main factors that influence fire spread and fire behavior
      3. difference between fire service training and education; fire protection certificate program and a fire science degree program; and an explanation of the value of education in the fire service
      4. major organizations that provide emergency response service and how they interrelate with one another
      5. identification of fire protection and emergency service careers in both public and in the private sector
      6. synthesis of the role of national, state and local support organizations in fire protection and emergency services, including the laws and regulations that affect the fire service
      7. scope, purpose and organization structure of fire and emergency services and fire service nomenclature
      8. the common types of fire and emergency service facilities, equipment, and apparatus
      9. effective management concepts for various emergency situations
      10. the components of fire prevention including code enforcement, public information, and public and private fire protection systems

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. The assessment of course learning goals will be based on classroom discussions, written exams, assignments, papers, and/or performance based tasks and projects.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      See course format.

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Section VIII is not being used in new and revised syllabi as of 12/10/08.

Review/Approval Date - 3/17/2010; Revised 4/2012