chapter 01

Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning

Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff

Introduction to Fire Protection3rd Edition



Chapter 1

Fire Technology Educationand the FirefighterSelection Process



Objectives

• Explain the differences between a community college certificate, an associate degree, and a four-year degree in fire technology

• List the advantages of obtaining a certificate or degree

• Assess your career potential in the fire service• Give examples of work ethics



Objectives (con’t.)

• Explain the need for sensitivity to diversity inside and outside the workplace

• Describe the different levels and availability of training programs

• Give examples of different types of personnel development programs

• List the steps in the selection process and important aspects of each



Objectives (con’t.)

• List ways you can prepare for the selection process

• Explain the purpose and importance of the probationary period

• Identify the steps in setting SMART goals



Introduction

• Firefighting technology curriculum involves technical training and manipulative training– For firefighter jobs and for non-firefighter jobs

• Technical training– Specifications of equipment– Necessary calculations to operate equipment

• Manipulative training– Operation of tools and equipment



College Fire Technology Programs• Certificate programs – set number of accredited

core courses and gen. ed. courses – no degree but an accumulated body of knowledge (most nontransferable)

• Associate’s degree- schools differ• Bachelor’s degree – Several in the U.S- Cal.

State (L.A), OK State, U. Maryland• On-site programs• Distance learning programs



Bachelor degree programs• California state L.A.- fire protection admin.

• OK State-fire protection and safety Tech. including an internship program

• U. Maryland- fire protection engineering

• Northwood University Mich. – online degree in fire service management

• Dept. Homeland security – online and regional



Purpose of Education

• Increasing chances for employment• Completion of probationary period• Professional development• Preparation for promotion• Pay incentives



FESHE• Began with conference in 2000 (NFA)

Produced the service related training curriculum.

• Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Professional Development for the Fire Service: Transforming to a National System

• Attended by fire service leaders from across the country

• Created experience-based model in 2002• Integration of training and education



Core Curriculum for Associate Degrees

• Building Construction for Fire Protection• Fire Behavior and Combustion• Fire Prevention• Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply• Fire Protection Systems• Principles of Emergency Services



Noncore Courses

• Fire Administration I• Occupational Safety and Health• Legal Aspects of the Emergency Services• Hazardous Materials Chemistry• Strategy and Tactics• Fire Investigation I• Fire Investigation II



Figure 1-1 National professional development model. (Courtesy of FEMA)



NFA Degree at a Distance Program (DDP)

• Advanced Fire Administration• Analytical Approaches to Public Fire Protection• Applications of Fire Research• Community and the Fire Threat• Disaster and Fire Defense Planning• Fire Dynamics• Fire Prevention Organization and Management• Fire Protections Structures and Systems

Design



NFA DDP (con’t.)

• Fire-Related Human Behavior• Incendiary Fire Analysis and Investigation• Managerial Issues in Hazardous Materials• Personnel Management in the Fire Service• Political and Legal Foundations of Fire

Protection• Upper level (bachelor) curriculum



Other College Programs

• Public administration (masters available)• Risk management• Industrial hygiene• Law• Emergency medicine• Chemistry• Firefighter certification



Career Potential Assessment

• Character• Team player• Preparation and adaptability• Job stress @ 100 killed every yr. High divorce

rate, alcohol and drug use• Physical fitness @1/2 die of heart related

illness

Are you ready?



Work Ethics and Human Relations

• Work environment• Loyalty• Dedication to duty• Accept hardships• Able to follow orders

– No freelancing– Positive safety attitude



Training Programs

• Pre-service training– Explorers– Volunteer firefighter– Reserve/cadet

• Emergency medical technician• Paramedic



Training Programs (con’t.)

• Find training at:– Local fire department– Training associations– Professional organizations



Training Programs (con’t.) • In-service

– Academy– Station/Battalion/Department– State – National



Personnel Development Programs

• Preparing for promotion• Mentoring• Firefighters as “generalists”• Firefighters as “specialists”



Selection Process

• Varies with jurisdiction• Begins with recruitment• May involve prerequisites

– High school diploma or GED– Firefighter I– Emergency medical technician (EMT)– Paramedic (EMTP)



Selection Process (con’t.)

• Application process– Advertisement of opening– Notification services– Completion of application



Written Examination

• Reading comprehension• Mathematics• Mechanical aptitude• Weighing written vs. oral examination

– Note: Preparation texts are available



Skills Test

• Tests for job-related mental ability– Listening– Recalling facts– Taking directions– Interpreting written and oral

materials/instructions



Oral Examination/Interview

• Evaluates:– Education– Work experience– Communication skills

• Preparation is very important



Physical Ability/Agility

• CPAT• 8 events pass/fail max time 10 min. 20 sec.• 50 lb vest • 85 ft walk between events ( 20 sec rest)

– Event 1: stair climb additional 25 lbs– Event 2: hose drag– Event 3: equipment carry– Event 4: ladder raise and extension



Physical Ability/Agility (con’t.)

• CPAT– Event 5: forcible entry– Event 6: search– Event 7: rescue– Event 8: ceiling breach and pull



Physical Ability/Agility (con’t.)

• Firefighter Combat Challenge• Work capacity test for wildland firefighters

– Federal wildland firefighters– Arduous fitness level

• Applicant must carry a 45-pound pack three miles in 45 minutes or less– Equivalent to a pace of four miles per hour



Background Investigation

• Personal information• Questionnaires to friends, relatives,

coworkers, etc.• Polygraph (lie detector test)• Final interview after successful completion



Medical Examination

• Good general physical condition free from defects– Heart– Back– Hearing– Vision



Probationary Period

• Last step in selection process, lasting six months to a year

• May contain goals and testing• Consists of final manipulative exam and final

written exam



Goal Setting

• Must start with clearly defined goals• Requires both planning and hard work• Begin planning now • Hiring processes are competitive



Goal Setting Process

• SMART: Simple, Measurable, Accountable, Realistic, Timely– Write goals down as a personal contract

– Current actions have future implications

– Prepare for CPAT or other physical ability test



Goal Setting Process (con’t.)

• Base goals on job requirements• Seek mentors• Don’t let failure stop you• Adapt and overcome• Celebrate success



Goal Setting Process (con’t.)

• Steps to achieving goals– Visualize

– Write them down

– Take action



Summary

• Process of becoming a firefighter– Seek fire service-related education

– Practice for written/oral examinations

– Prepare for physical ability/agility tests

– Meet medical requirements

chapter 01

Education

integration of training

nfa degree

firefighter selection

online degree

protection hydraulics

service management

protection applications

bachelors degree