Firefighter Certification V

Class

This course is a study of ropes and knots, rescue procedure and techniques, and hazardous materials. This is the fifth in a series of courses in preparation for certification as a basic firefighter.

Course Learning Objectives

Demonstrate competencies, for subjects taught, set forth in the TCFP curriculum for Basic Fire Suppression including the following:

  1. Describe the purpose of the NFPA standard applicable to ropes
  2. Identify the construction characteristics of rope and select rope to accomplish a given task
  3. Identify and demonstrate the terms used when tying a knot or hitch and describe their uses
  4. Explain the uses of various knots used in the fire service, and given a task select and tie the appropriate knot
  5. Describe and demonstrate the procedures for the inspection, maintenance, and storage of ropes, and identify when they should be taken out of service
  6. Describe and demonstrate hoisting any selected forcible entry tool, ground
  7. ladder, or appliance to a height of at least 12 feet using an approved knot with safety
  8. Explain and demonstrate the use of a rope to tie ladders, hose, and other
  9. equipment so as to secure the devices to immovable objects
  10. Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques of searching for victims
  11. Demonstrate the proper techniques for removing injured persons from hazardous environments
  12. Describe and demonstrate the techniques of packaging a victim for emergency transportation
  13. Demonstrate the extrication of a victim from a vehicle, operating as a member of a team
  14. Identify various life safety harnesses, webbing and associated hardware
  15. Demonstrate the proper techniques for lowering a person from a second floor level using ropes, harnesses, or ladders
  16. Describe various rescue techniques and their proper safety procedures
  17. Demonstrate and describe the use of rescue tools and define raking, flying, and dead or vertical shores
  18. Describe and demonstrate the service and maintenance of power supply and lighting equipment
  19. Identify and be able to describe the purpose, goals, and definitions of the NFPA standards applicable to Hazardous Materials
  20. Demonstrate a knowledge of safety principles applicable to hazardous materials response at the Awareness Level
  21. Demonstrate a knowledge of hazardous material incident management concepts as applicable to hazardous materials incident response
  22. Identify principles pertaining to the recognition of hazardous materials
  23. Demonstrate knowledge of principles of classification, identification, and verification of hazardous materials.
  24. Given examples of facility and transportation hazardous materials incidents, describe, and demonstrate the actions to be taken in hazardous materials incidents
  25. Demonstrate knowledge of the standard operating procedures and the local
  26. emergency response plan adopted by the authority or authorities having
  27. jurisdiction
  28. Identify the threat posed by the intentional release of hazardous materials due to acts of terrorism or other criminal activity
  29. Identify and be able to describe the purpose, goals, and definitions of the NFPA standards applicable to Hazardous Materials.
Required Textbooks
  1. Essentials of Firefighting & Fire Department Operations current edition,Fire Protection Publications, ISBN: 978-0-13-314080-4
  2. Hazardous Materials for the First Responder current edition,  Fire Protection Publications, ISBN: 978-0-87939389-2
  3. Emergency Response Guide Book current edition U.S. Department of Transportation, ISBN: 978-1-60287-179-3
Evaluation Standards

Course grade will be based on the following distribution:

                                                                                    Grade Distribution

Workbook Checks                  10%                             90% to 100% = A

Notebooks                               10%                             80% to 89% =   B

Module Final                          40%                             75% to 79% =   C

Chapter Quiz/                         30%                             < 74.99% =    F

Projects                                   10%

Practical                                  P/F

The student must maintain a 75% or above course average after the fifth examination, as well as, achieve a grade of 75% or above on both the Mid-Term and Final examinations. Failure to maintain this grade level will result in dismissal from the Academy. 

The student will be evaluated based on his or her overall average from quizzes, examinations, and workbooks, notebooks, projects, and practical evaluations..

Absences

Regular and punctual attendance is required.  All Weatherford College policies on attendance will be observed. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection requires minimum hands on skill and knowledge verification that requires attendance.

Instructional Methods

Lecture, web distanced lecture, class discussion, audiovisuals, group work, research and reading.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program the student will have the knowledge and skills in preparation for an entry level career with federal, state, and local fire and emergency service agencies with emphasis on:

1.   Structural Firefighting

2.   Wildland fire suppression

3.   Hazardous materials incidents

4.   Fire prevention and investigation

5.   Fire management and administration

6. Incident command systems

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
SCANS

The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) identified competencies in the area of Resources, Interpersonal, Information, Systems, and Technology; and foundation skills in the areas of Basic Skills and Personal Qualities. A SCANS matrix which includes this course is available for your review.