FSC 150: Basic Wildland Firefighting

Credits 3.0 Lecture Hours 3 Lab Hours 0
General Education Category
Pending Evaluation
Activity Course
No

The course is presented with a strategic approach with hands on learning to be a successful first year wildland firefighter. A variety of field exercises, classroom lectures, group presentations a full day field exercise with wildland fire equipment involved. A few quizzes, 10 & 18’s test and a final exam will be used to evaluate students’ academic portion of the course.

Prerequisites

None

Student Learning Outcomes

1.    S-130 Introduction to Wildland Firefighting Certificate 

  • Learn and know the names of WFF hand tools, there uses, general maintenance as well as sharpening techniques.
  • Learn the labeling and parts of a wildfire, general navigation tactics while navigating the forests, the use of a compass, identifying areas on a fire map and what all the symbols mean.
  • Will obtain a general understanding of backfiring techniques also referenced as “burnouts” why and how fire is used to fight fire as well as a hands-on experience with some of the tools on the final field day.
  • Educated on the tactics of extinguishing a wildfire with both direct and indirect tactics.
  • Students will receive gear for the final exercise and perform the role as a crewmember on a Hotshot crew just without live firefighting. Will be a mock scenario. 

2.    S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Weather Certificate

  • Will be able to generate a fire weather update using a belt weather kit with sling sclerometer and know how to properly report over the radio.
  • Be educated on the basic cloud formations, weather systems that we watch for, understand the importance of how relative humidity and wind factor into fire suppression efforts.
  • Understand how weather has played a major factor in fatality fires and how we learn from them to improve processes moving forward for future generations.

3.    L-180 Introduction to Fireline Leadership 

  • Multiple leadership videos will be shown and discussed on how to become a more effective leader. Why “leading up” is needed and the proper time to do so.
  • Students have many opportunities to present in front of the class to work on presentation skills
  • A variety of team, group and couple exercises will be implemented to work with others throughout the class for the tenure. 

4.    ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System 

  • Will understand how the Federal, State, and local Government Agencies all organize through organized structure.
  • Know where they fit into the organization and how the Incident Qualification System works.