FIRT Fire Protection

Overview to fire protection, career opportunities in fire protection and related fields, philosophy and history of fire protection/service, fire loss analysis, organization and function of public and private fire protection services, fire departments as part of local governments, laws and regulations affecting the fire service, fire service nomenclature, specific fire protection functions, and basic fire chemistry and physics. Includes introduction to fire protection systems and introduction to fire strategy and tactics.

In-depth study of basic fire and arson investigation practices. Emphasis on fire behavior principles related to fire cause and origin determination.

Study of local building and fire prevention codes. Emphasis on fire prevention inspections, practices, and procedures.

Introduction to the organization and management of a fire department and the relationship of government agencies to the fire service. Emphasis on fire service leadership from the perspective of the company officer.

Principles of the use of water in fire protection. Includes application of hydraulic principles to analyze and solve water supply problems.

Study of chemical characteristics and behavior of various materials. Topics include storage, transportation, handling hazardous emergency situations, and the most effective methods of hazard mitigation.

Study of firefighter occupational safety and health in emergency and non-emergency situations.

Examination of building codes and requirements, construction types, and building materials. Topics include walls, floorings, foundations, and various roof types and the associated dangers of each.

Introduction to the chemical nature and properties of inorganic compounds as related to the fire service. Topics include fundamental laws of chemistry, states of matter, gas laws, chemical bonding, and thermodynamics with applications to various industrial processes.

Design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems, heat and smoke control systems, special protection and sprinkler systems, water supply for fire protection, and portable fire extinguishers.

Study of industrial emergency response teams and specific concerns related to business and industrial facilities.

In-depth study of fire service management as pertaining to budgetary requirements, administration, organization of divisions within the fire service, and relationships between the fire service and outside agencies. Not offered in Texas.

Analysis of the nature of fire problems and selection of initial strategies and tactics including an in-depth study of efficient and effective use of manpower and equipment to mitigate the emergency.

Continuation of Firefighting Strategies and Tactics I. Emphasis on use of incident command in large scale command problems and other specialized fire problems.