FIR 170 - Fundamentals of Firefighting I

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 

• Describe the history and culture of the fire service. 

• Explain the mission of the fire service and give examples of organizational models. 

• List the most prevalent causes of firefighter injuries and fatalities. 

• Understand the requirements of fire service safety standards. 

• Explain the basic concepts of fire behavior, including heat transfer and hostile fire events. 

• Explain how building construction materials and techniques are affected by fire. 

• Demonstrate proper use, maintenance, and care of personal protective equipment (PPE). 

• Correctly select, use, and inspect portable fire extinguishers. 

• Correctly select ropes and webbing for selected tasks, and correctly tie the appropriate knots to perform fireground tasks. 

• Safely perform search and rescue of persons in immediate danger. 

• Safely perform forcible entry on a variety of doors and gates. 

• Perform duties related to the use of ladders on the fire ground. 

• Safely perform carries and throws of fire service ladders. 

• Describe the reasons for performing tactical ventilation and perform ventilation operations. 

• Explain different static and dynamic water sources available for firefighting operations. 

• Describe the types of fire hose used in fire suppression operations. 

• Describe fire streams used to control fire or hazardous materials vapors. 

• Perform fire control operations in a variety of scenarios. 

• Describe common fire protection systems. 

• Perform loss control at a fire scene. 

• Identify and protect evidence of fire origin and cause. 

• Use common radios for fireground and routine communications. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of fire prevention and public education operations. 

• Describe the role of firefighters in a hazardous materials response. 

• Identify hazardous materials using established clues. 

• Differentiate between strategic goals and tactical objectives of a hazardous materials response. 

• Demonstrate proper decontamination procedures. 

• Implement proper product control procedures during a simulated hazardous materials incident. 

• Perform air monitoring and sampling. 

• List the hazards of operations at illicit laboratories and precautions firefighters should take when operating at such laboratories. 

• Successful challenge skills and written exams for Firefighter I and Hazardous Materials-Operations level certification through the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau. 

• Register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and obtain a FEMA Student ID (FEMA SID). 

• Successfully complete the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Institute’s IS-100 and IS-700 certificate. 

Student Learning Outcomes: 

• Summarize the history of the fire service. 

• Explain the organizational characteristics, cultural challenges, and cultural strengths that influence the fire service. 

• Describe the mission of the fire service. 

• Describe the organization of fire departments. 

• Distinguish among functions of fire companies. 

• Summarize primary knowledge and skills the firefighter must have to function effectively. 

• Distinguish among the primary roles of fire service personnel. 

• Describe fire department organizational principles. 

• Locate information in departmental documents and standard or code material. 

• Distinguish between fire department SOPs and rules and regulations. 

• Explain the ways the fire service may interact with other organizations. 

• List the main types of job-related firefighter fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. 

• Describe the National Fire Protection Association standards related to firefighter safety and health. 

• Identify Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and how they relate to firefighters. 

• Summarize the model that supports the concept of risk management. 

• Describe fire department safety and health programs. 

• Summarize firefighter health awareness issues. 

• Summarize safe vehicle operations. 

• Summarize guidelines for riding safely on the apparatus. 

• Describe ways to help prevent accidents and injuries in fire stations and facilities. 

• Explain general guidelines for tool and equipment safety. 

• Describe ways to maintain safety in training. 

• State the practices a Firefighter I uses for emergency scene preparedness and safety. 

• Summarize general guidelines for scene management including highway incidents, crowd control, and cordoning off emergency scenes. 

• Explain the importance of personnel accountability. 

• Respond to an incident, correctly mounting and dismounting an apparatus. [Skill Sheet 2-I-1] 

• Wearing appropriate PPE, including reflective vest, demonstrate scene management at roadway incidents using traffic and scene control devices. [Skill Sheet 2-I-2] 

• Explain the procedures for receiving emergency and non-emergency external communications. 

• Describe the information required to dispatch emergency services. 

• Describe the systems used for internal communications. 

• Explain radio limitations that may impact internal communications. 

• Describe radio procedures used for internal communications. 

• Handle emergency and non-emergency calls. 

• Use a portable radio for routine and emergency traffic. 

• Describe the aspects that make up on-scene communications. 

• Explain the information gathered by post-incident reports. 

• Create an incident report. 

• Describe the purpose of personal protective equipment. 

• Describe characteristics of each type of personal protective equipment. 

• Summarize guidelines for the care of personal protective clothing. 

• Explain safety considerations for personal protective equipment. 

• Identify respiratory hazards. 

• Identify types of respiratory protection equipment. 

• Describe the limitations of respiratory protection equipment. 

• Explain methods for storing respiratory protection equipment. 

• Describe general donning and doffing considerations for protective breathing apparatus. 

• Summarize general considerations for protective breathing apparatus inspections and care. 

• Summarize safety precautions for refilling SCBA cylinders. 

• Explain procedures for replacing SCBA cylinders. 

• Explain safety precautions for SCBA use. 

• Describe non-emergency and emergency exit indicators. 

• Describe non-emergency exit techniques. 

• Demonstrate the method for donning structural personal protective clothing for use at an emergency. 

• With structural personal protective clothing in place, demonstrate the over-the-head method of donning an SCBA. 

• With structural personal protective clothing in place, demonstrate the coat method of donning an SCBA. 

• With structural personal protective clothing in place, demonstrate the method for donning an SCBA wihile seated. 

• Doff personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection, and prepare for reuse. 

• Demonstrate the steps for inspecting an SCBA. 

• Demonstrate the steps for cleaning and sanitizing an SCBA. 

• Demonstrate the method for filling an SCBA cylinder from a cascade system, wearing appropriate PPE, including eye and ear protection. 

• Demonstrate the method for filling an SCBA cylinder from a compressor/purifier system wearing PPE, including eye and ear protection. 

• Demonstrate the one-person method for replacing an SCBA cylinder. 

• Demonstrate the two-person method for replacing an SCBA cylinder. 

• Explain the basic principles of forcible entry. 

• Describe the basic construction of locksets. 

• Describe considerations a firefighter must take when using forcible entry tools. 

• Indicate steps needed to care for and maintain forcible entry tools. 

• Explain the ways to force entry through various types of doors. 

• Identify considerations that need to be taken when forcing entry through locks, padlocks, overhead doors, and fire doors. 

• Describe forcible entry methods used for windows. 

• Explain considerations firefighters must take when forcing entry through miscellaneous types of windows and covers. 

• Describe forcible entry methods for breaching walls. 

• Explain forcible entry methods for breaching floors. 

• Describe different construction types of ground ladders. 

• Identify the parts of a ladder including markings and labels. 

• Recognize the types of ladders used in the fire service. 

• Explain the considerations addressed by ladder inspection, cleaning, and maintenance. 

• Describe safety guidelines used when handling ladders. 

• Explain considerations taken when selecting, lifting, and lowering a ladder. 

• Describe various methods for ladder carries. 

• Identify basic considerations and requirements for ground ladder placement. 

• Describe various methods for ladder raises. 

• Compare procedures for moving ground ladders. 

• Explain the methods used to secure ladders. 

• Describe ladder climbing considerations. 

• Indicate what methods can be used to work from a ladder. 

• Explain methods for assisting a victim down a ladder. 

• Clean, inspect, and maintain a ladder. 

• Carry a ladder - One-firefighter low-shoulder method. 

• Carry a ladder - Two-firefighter low-shoulder method. 

• Carry a ladder - Three-firefighter flat-shoulder method. 

• Carry a ladder - Three-firefighter flat arm’s-length method. 

• Carry a ladder - Two-firefighter arm’s-length on-edge method. 

• Tie the halyard. 

• Raise a ladder - One-firefighter method. 

• Raise a ladder - Two-firefighter flat raise. 

• Raise a ladder - Two-firefighter beam raise. 

• Raise a ladder - Three- or four-firefighter flat raise. 

• Deploy a roof ladder - One-firefighter method. 

• Compare and contrast the characteristics of life safety rope and utility rope. 

• Summarize basic guidelines for rope maintenance. 

• Explain reasons for placing rope out of service. 

• Describe webbing and webbing construction. 

• Describe parts of a rope and considerations in tying a knot. 

• Describe knot characteristics and knot elements. 

• Describe characteristics of knots commonly used in the fire service. 

• Select commonly used rope hardware for specific applications. 

• Summarize hoisting safety considerations. 

• Inspect, clean, and store rope. 

• Tie an overhand knot. 

• Tie a bowline knot. 

• Tie a clove hitch. 

• Tie a clove hitch around an object. 

• Tie a handcuff (rescue) knot. 

• Tie a figure-eight knot. 

• Tie a figure-eight bend. 

• Tie a figure-eight on a bight. 

• Tie a figure-eight follow through. 

• Tie a Becket bend. 

• Tie a water knot. 

• Hoist and axe. 

• Hoist a pike pole. 

• Hoist a roof ladder. 

• Hoist a dry hoseline. 

• Hoist a charge hoseline. 

• Hoist a power saw. 

• Summarize the impact of building construction and floor plans on structural search techniques. 

• Explain size-up and situational awareness considerations during structural searches. 

• Summarize safety guidelines for structural search and rescue. 

• Differentiate between primary and secondary search techniques. 

• Recognize basic search methods. 

• Describe victim removal methods. 

• Explain firefighter survival methods. 

• Explain what survival actions firefighters can take when needed. 

• Describe the actions of a rapid intervention crew or team (RIC/RIT) when locating a downed firefighter. 

• Demonstrate the procedure for conducting a primary search. 

• Demonstrate the procedure for conducting a secondary search. 

• Demonstrate the incline drag. 

• Demonstrate the webbing drag. 

• Demonstrate the cradle-in-arms lift/carry. 

• Demonstrate the seat lift/carry. 

• Demonstrate the extremities lift/carry. 

• Demonstrate the actions required for transmitting a MAYDAY report. 

• Demonstrate the proper procedures for an SCBA air emergency. 

• Demonstrate the actions required for withdrawing from a hostile environment with a hoseline. 

• Demonstrate low profile maneuvers without removing SCBA - Slide technique. 

• Perform low profile maneuvers without removing SCBA - SCBA-first technique. 

• Demonstrate the method for breaching an interior wall. 

• Demonstrate the steps for disentangling from debris or wires. 

• Describe reasons for tactical ventilation.  

• Identify considerations that affect the decision to ventilate.  

• Explain the critical fire behavior indicators present during tactical ventilation. 

• Define horizontal and vertical ventilation.  

• Explain the means for achieving horizontal and vertical ventilation. 

• Describe the types of horizontal ventilation. 

• Describe the types of vertical ventilation. 

• Recognize other types of ventilation situations.  

• Explain the effects of building systems on tactical ventilation.  

• Ventilate using mechanical negative pressure in a window. 

• Ventilate using mechanical negative pressure in a doorway. 

• Ventilate using mechanical positive pressure.  

• Perform horizontal hydraulic ventilation.  

• Demonstrate the procedure for sounding a roof. 

• Ventilate using a rotary saw to cut an opening. 

• Ventilate using an axe to cut an opening.  

• Demonstrate the procedure for opening a flat roof. 

• Perform the steps for opening pitched roofs.  

• Demonstrate the procedure for making a trench cut using a rotary saw. 

• Couple and uncouple a hose. 

• Operate a fog-stream nozzle. 

• Operate a broken stream nozzle. 

• Operate a solid stream nozzle.  

• Describe initial factors to consider when suppressing structure fires. 

• Summarize considerations taken when making entry.  

• Describe direct attack, indirect attack, combination attack, and gas cooling techniques. 

• Describe safety considerations that must be identified for upper level structure fires. 

• Explain actions taken when attacking below-ground structure fires. 

• Discuss methods of fire control through exposure protection and controlling building utilities.  

• Describe steps taken when supporting fire protection systems at protected structures. 

• Explain considerations taken when deploying, supplying, and staffing master stream devices. 

• Describe situations that may require suppression of Class C fires. 

• Identify hazards associated with suppressing Class C fires. 

• Describe actions associated with suppressing Class D fires. 

• Explain actions taken when suppressing a vehicle fire. 

• Compare methods used to suppress fires in stacked and piled materials, small unattached structures, and trash containers.  

• Summarize the main influences on ground cover fire behavior. 

• Compare types of ground cover fires.  

• Describe elements that influence ground cover fire behavior. 

• Identify the parts of a ground cover fire. 

• Describe protective clothing and equipment used in fighting ground cover fires. 

• Describe methods used to attack ground cover fires.  

• Summarize safety principles and practices when fighting ground cover fires. 

• Attack a structure fire using a direct, indirect, or combination attack. 

• Attack a structure fire above, below, and at ground level - Interior attack. 

• Turn off building utilities. 

• Connect supply fire hose to a fire department connection. 

• Operate a sprinkler system control valve. 

• Stop the flow of water of an activated sprinkler. 

• Deploy and operate a portable master stream device. 

• Attack a passenger vehicle fire. 

• Attack a fire in stacked or piled materials. 

• Attack a fire in a small unattached structure. 

• Extinguish a fire in a trash container. 

• Attack a ground cover fire. 

• Describe considerations taken when coordinating fireground operations. 

• Explain fireground roles and responsibilities a firefighter II may need to coordinate. 

• Discuss the process of establishing and transferring Command. 

• Describe hazards that may be present at fires in underground spaces.  

• List safety precautions that should be taken at flammable/combustible liquid fire incidents.  

• Recognize methods used when coordinating operations at a property protected by a fire suppression system.  

• Explain ways to use water to control Class B fires.  

• Compare methods used to suppress bulk transport vehicle fires and flammable gas incidents.   

• Explain the ways water supply system components are used by firefighters. 

• Describe types of fire hydrants and hydrant markings.  

• Explain fire hydrant operation and inspection considerations.  

• Explain alternative water supply sources and methods of access.  

• Describe methods used for rural water supply operations.  

• Operate a hydrant.  

• Make soft-sleeve and hard-suction hydrant connections. Connect and place a hard-suction hose for drafting from a static water source. 

• Deploy a portable water tank.  

• Explain basic fire hose characteristics.  

• Describe different causes of and prevention methods for hose damage.  

• Identify basic inspection, care, and maintenance methods for fire hose.  

• Compare various uses for hose appliances and tools.  

• Describe basic hose rolls.  

• Explain basic hose loads and finishes.  

• Compare various methods to make preconnected hose loads for attack lines.  

• Explain the methods used for supply hose lays.  

• Describe methods for advancing hoselines in various ways.  

• List the considerations that can impact operating attack hoselines.   

• Explain basic fire hose characteristics.  

• Describe different causes of and prevention methods for hose damage.  

• Identify basic inspection, care, and maintenance methods for fire hose.  

• Compare various uses for hose appliances and tools.  

• Describe basic hose rolls.  

• Explain basic hose loads and finishes.  

• Compare various methods to make preconnected hose loads for attack lines.  

• Explain the methods used for supply hose lays.  

• Recognize different methods for handling hoselines.  

• Describe methods for advancing hoselines in various ways.  

• List the considerations that can impact operating attack hoselines.  

• Explain the way vaporization and steam relate to the extinguishing properties of water.  

• Identify the factors that create pressure loss or gain. 

• Describe the impact water hammer has on fire streams.  

• Explain fire stream patterns and their possible limiting factors.  

• Describe the three types of fire stream nozzles.  

• Compare the different types of nozzle control valves. 

• Describe the factors in operating and maintaining handline nozzles.  

• Explain considerations for maintenance of electric generators and lighting equipment.  

• Describe the types of rescue tools and equipment.  

• Explain the uses and limitations of each type of rescue tool.  

• Identify the role of a fire department during vehicle extrication.  

• Describe safety considerations that must be identified and mitigated during vehicle extrication.  

• Explain the use of cribbing material during vehicle extrication.  

• Describe the methods used for gaining access to victims during vehicle extrication.  

• Describe the various types of technical rescue operations.  

• Explain the unique hazards associated with each type of technical rescue operation.  

• Identify types of emergency scene lighting equipment.  

• Explain the philosophy of loss control.  

• Describe the ways preincident planning impacts loss control.  

• Determine appropriate salvage procedures.  

• Compare and contrast different types of salvage covers.  

• Explain ways to fold, roll, spread, and improvise with salvage covers.  

• Describe ways to cover openings during salvage operations.  Explain methods used to maintain fire safety during overhaul.  

• Describe factors that influence locating hidden fires.  

• Identify different overhaul procedures.  

• Indicate the ways a thermal imager can be used during overhaul.  

• Clean, inspect, and repair a salvage cover.  

• Roll a salvage cover for a one-firefighter spread.  

• Spread a rolled salvage cover - One-firefighter method 

• Fold a salvage cover for a one-firefighter spread.  

• Spread a folded salvage cover - One-firefighter method.  

• Fold a salvage cover for a two-firefighter spread.  

• Spread a folded salvage cover - Two-firefighter balloon throw.  

• Construct a water chute without pike poles.  

• Construct a water chute with pike poles.  

• Construct a catchall.  

• Make a chute and attach it to a catchall.  

• Locate and extinguish hidden fires.  

• Explain ways to recognize obvious signs of the area of origin.  

• Describe the relationship between fire cause classifications and cause determination. 

• Recognize signs of arson.  

• Describe the importance of preserving evidence.  

• Explain techniques for preserving evidence. 

• Describe types of evidence used to indicate the area of origin or fire cause.  

• Recognize fire cause evidence. 

• Explain the roles and responsibilities of responders and investigators involved in fire investigations.  

• Tell what legal issues impact location and collection of evidence during a fire investigation.  

• Protect evidence of fire cause and origin.  

• Describe fire alarm systems.  

• Identify alarm initiating devices.  

• Explain the ways automatic sprinkler systems work.     

• Describe standpipe and hose systems.  

• Explain the ways smoke management systems work.  

• Explain the steps taken during fire and life safety program development.  

• Describe the components involved in fire and life safety program delivery.  

• Explain the impact of safety hazards, messages, and target audiences on creating fire and life safety education programs.  

• Indicate ways to identify and prevent firesetter development.  

• Describe the role of a Firefighter I in enforcing fire and life safety codes.  

• Distinguish between hazardous materials incidents and other emergencies. 

• Describe the various types of hazardous materials hazards. 

• Explain each of the routes of entry. 

• Describe the U.S. hazardous materials regulations and definitions. 

• Discuss hazardous materials incident statistics. 

• Identify the seven clues to the presence of hazardous materials. 

• Discuss the occupancy types, locations, and pre-incident surveys that may indicate hazardous materials. 

• Describe the container shapes that may contain hazardous materials. 

• Identify placards, labels, and markings that designate the presence of hazardous materials. 

• Describe the other markings and colors that may indicate the presence of hazardous materials. 

• Explain the written resources available to indicate the presence of hazardous materials. 

• Discuss the limitations of using the senses to determine the presence or absence of hazardous materials. 

• Discuss monitoring and detection devices. 

• Analyze scenarios to detect the presence of hazardous materials. 

• Interpret representative shipping papers. 

• Interpret a safety data sheet (SDS). 

• Explain how to identify terrorist attacks and illicit laboratories. 

• Describe each of the steps of the basic problem-solving formula. 

• Discuss isolation and scene control. 

• Explain the notification process. 

• Discuss protection of responders, the public, the environment, and property. 

• Describe recovery and termination. 

• Describe each of the various spill control tactics. 

• Perform absorption/adsorption. 

• Perform damming, diking, diversion, and retention operations. 

• Perform vapor suppression and dispersion operations. 

• Perform dilution operations. 

• Discuss leak control. 

• Perform remote valve shutoff. 

• Define decontamination. 

• Identify various decontamination methods. 

• Discuss general guidelines for decon operations. 

• Describe the different types of victims that may receive decontamination. 

• Describe and perform emergency decontamination. 

• Describe technical decontamination. 

• Set up and implement a technical decontamination corridor and undergo decontamination. 

• Perform technical decontamination on a non-ambulatory victim. 

• Discuss and perform mass decontamination. 

• Determine the effectiveness of decontamination operations. 

• Explain how to implement decontamination. 

• Discuss air monitoring and sampling. 

• Discuss concentrations and exposure limits. 

• Explain the basics of air monitoring. 

• Describe the selection and maintenance of detection and monitoring devices. 

• Explain how to detect specific hazards. 

• Perform a pH test on an unknown liquid. 

• Perform air monitoring with a multi-gas meter. 

• Describe other technologies used to detect hazardous materials. 

• Discuss general hazards at illicit laboratories. 

• Identify and avoid booby traps at illicit laboratories. 

• Discuss drug labs. 

• Describe chemical agent labs. 

• Describe explosives labs. 

• Discuss biological laboratories. 

• Discuss operations at illicit labs. 

• Explain remediation of illicit labs.