Below is a list of classes covered during the recruit-training program:
Introduction to the Fire Service & Firefighter Safety: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to identify the mission of the fire service, describe how fire departments are organized, and understand various regulations that apply to firefighters; describe fire department SOPs, rules, and regulations that affect a Fire Fighter I; explain ways that fire departments may interact with other organizations and agencies; explain the roles and duties of a Fire Fighter I; describe fire and life safety initiatives aimed at reducing firefighter illnesses, injuries, and fatalities; describe the aspects of NFPA 1500 related to firefighter safety and health; summarize general guidelines for operating safely at structural fire scenes; summarize safe practices for riding in fire service vehicles and apparatus.
Communications: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe the different types of communication that occur in the fire department; explain the procedures for receiving non-emergency calls; describe the types of communications systems and equipment used to receive and process emergency calls; explain the procedures for receiving and dispatching emergency calls; describe radio equipment and procedures used for internal fire department communications; handle emergency and non-emergency phone calls; use a portable radio for routine and emergency traffic.
Building Construction: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to understand how building construction features and materials will contribute to fire spread as well as how heat affects structural components and materials; differentiate among types of building construction; describe the construction of floors, ceilings, and walls; explain how basements and stairs may impact firefighting operations; describe the construction and operation methods of different types of doors; describe the construction and operation methods of different types of windows.
Building Materials, Structural Collapse & Effects of Fire Suppression: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to identify the effects of fire on building materials, describe structural collapse considerations, and explain the effects of fire suppression activities on building materials; explain considerations to be taken when establishing collapse zones; describe actions that should be taken when structural collapse is imminent; describe building conditions and fire suppression activities that can impact fire spread and structural stability.
Fire Dynamics: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to explain the basic principles of fire science, describe the stages of fire development, and the reaction of building construction to fire; describe how thermal energy impacts fire behavior; explain the function of fuel within the combustion process; explain the function of oxygen within the combustion process; explain the self-sustained chemical reaction involved in flaming combustion.
Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to distinguish between types of personal protective clothing and equipment and explain how to safely use various types of protective clothing and equipment; describe the inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of PPE; describe conditions that require the use of respiratory protection equipment; identify SCBA components; describe the procedures for donning and doffing SCBA; describe methods of refilling, replacing, and storing SCBA cylinders; describe safety considerations for working in and exiting a hazardous atmosphere while wearing SCBA. Practical: Introduction to gear: coats, pants, helmet, gloves, hood, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Work with gear on; crawling, climbing, breathing on SCBA with mask, in non-air-conditioned areas. Three (3) 6.5-hour days. Gear weight is approximately 40 lbs.
Extinguishers: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to recognize different classifications and types of portable fire extinguishers and select the appropriate fire extinguisher for the situation at hand.
Ropes & Knots: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe various uses for life safety and utility rope and differentiate among types of knots. The student shall also be able to describe the procedures for cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining rope; identify types of knots; describe the procedure for hoisting various tools and equipment; explain how ropes and knots are used during rescues and in other emergencies.
Ground Ladders: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to identify types of ladders and the parts of a ladder. They shall also describe safe practices for using, carrying, and placing a ground ladder. Students shall be able to describe methods for raising and lowering a ladder, working from a ladder, and assisting victims down a ladder; describe the process of cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining a ladder. Practical: Lifting, carrying, raising, and climbing ladders as a team. Outdoor activity. Ladders weigh up to 140 lbs. Ladder length up to 35’. 100’ climb of aerial apparatus.
Forcible Entry: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to recognize different types of forcible entry tools and describe methods for forcing entry through doors, windows, and walls; explain considerations for forcible entry tool safety; explain how to carry forcible entry tools; describe how to clean and maintain forcible entry tools. Practical: Tools used for forcing a door. Prying and swinging an 8-pound sledgehammer. The combined weight of tools is 12 lbs.
Tactical Ventilation: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe the purpose of tactical ventilation and explain the process for ventilating flat or pitched roofs; describe safety considerations related to tactical ventilation; describe ventilation tools and equipment; describe considerations related to the ventilation of basements and other special compartments. Practical: Use a chainsaw to cut plywood on a roof simulator. Carrying or lifting a chainsaw to the roof of a three-story building. Climbing of ladders. Saw weight: 8 lbs. Outdoor activity.
Fire Hose: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe the characteristics of hoses, and understand how to inspect, care for, and maintain fire hose. They should also be able to differentiate between different types of hose rolls and loads. Practical: Lifting, draining, rolling, and carrying of fire hose. Outdoor activity. Approximate weight: 15 lbs.
Hose Operations & Hose Streams: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe water supply, methods used to deploy hose, and methods used to advance hose. Students shall also be able to explain how to operate types of hose lines, nozzles, and master stream devices. Practical: Flow water with hose lines as a team and individually. Approximate weight: 10-30 lbs.; with nozzle pushback at 20 lbs.
Maintenance & Testing Responsibilities (with Forcible Entry & Fire Hose): After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe procedures for maintaining equipment and service testing fire hose. Practical: Lifting, moving, and carrying light generator and light stand. Rolling and carrying hose. Outdoor activity. Equipment weight up to 40 lbs.
Structural Search & Rescue: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to explain practices for firefighter survival during interior operations, and describe search and rescue operations. Students shall also be able to describe MAYDAY protocols, evacuation, and rapid intervention operations; describe air-monitoring operations; describe rapid intervention crew equipment and duties. Practical: Crawling with 45 lbs. of gear on. Outdoor and inside (air-conditioned area) activity. Dragging of up to 200 lbs. with teammate and as an individual. Carrying and lifting 90 lb. manikin in gear. Gear on for all activities.
Fire Suppression: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to explain fire suppression methods for structure fires, vehicle fires, exterior fires, and ground cover fires; Explain the science behind fire suppression; Explain the role of firefighters in supporting fire protection systems during fire suppression; Explain the duties of firefighters related to building utilities. Practical: Full gear with SCBA. Advance hose lines flowing water (same as Streams). Extinguish vehicle fires.
Overhaul, Property Conservation & Scene Preservation: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe firefighters’ roles during overhaul, salvage, and scene preservation; Describe the duties that firefighters must perform to protect and preserve a fire scene. Practical: Lifting and folding of 10 lb. tarps, removal of drywall with tool overhead in gear. Outdoor activity.
Technical Rescue Support & Vehicle Extrication Operations: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe different types of rescue situations, the hazards involved in those situations, and the firefighter’s responsibility in vehicle extrication and rescue incidents; identify tools used at technical rescues; identify vehicle construction methods and components; describe vehicle stabilization operations; describe techniques used to access victims at a vehicle extrication incident. Practical: Outdoor activity. Full gear. Lifting a tool up to 60 lbs. Working with tools to open and remove parts of cars.
Foam Fire Fighting, Liquid Fires & Gas Fires: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe firefighting foam production and operations. They will also be able to describe operations involving liquid and gas fuel fires.
Incident Scene Operations: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe the process for initiating incident operations and transferring Command. Students will also be able to explain how unit operations are coordinated and how post-incident reports are used.
Fire Origin & Cause Determination: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to describe the roles and responsibilities of firefighters and fire investigators regarding fire origin and cause determination, and evidence preservation.
Community Risk Reduction: After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to explain the importance of fire and life safety programs, fire and life safety surveys, fire and life safety presentations, and preincident planning.
Electrical Emergencies: Class on electrical hazards associated with dealing with high voltage wires and how to deal with emergencies associated with the first responder. This class is instructed by AmerenUE.
Wildland & Ground Fires: After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will know the various methods of combating wildland fires, as well as the tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to safely operate at the scene of such incidents. They will learn how to suppress a ground fire and deploy a fire shelter. Practical: Outdoor activity. Partial gear. Extinguish brush and grass fires.
Fire Suppression & Auto Fires (Fire Control): After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will be able to distinguish between offensive and defensive strategies, and they will understand the special considerations for fires in large buildings, basements, concealed spaces, above ground level, lumberyards, energized equipment, and flammable gases and liquids. Students will also have the skills to operate hose lines; use fire streams; conduct indirect, direct, and combination fire attacks, operate master stream devices; and extinguish vehicle fires.
NFPA states that vehicle fires are one of the most common fires in the United States. With the advent of airbags, side impact protection, hybrids, and other alternative fueled vehicles, these “common” fires have become anything but routine. Fire recruits learn both basic and advanced skills to mitigate these common, yet highly hazardous and potentially deadly events. Skills such as forcible entry, hose and nozzle streams, and fire control are reinforced while students learn to safely extinguish a passenger vehicle fire emergency using live fire training.
E.M.S.: minimum emergency medical care performance capabilities to include infection control, CPR, bleeding control, and shock management.
Report Writing: Focuses on proper reports for state and local levels. Also helps students learn how to be more effective in relaying information using the pen and their thoughts.
Emergency Control of Natural Gas/Natural Gas burn: Studies the hazards of natural gas, explosive ranges, and properties of same. Also explores the dos and don’ts of dealing with natural gas. Focuses on firefighting duties of first-in engine company to a scene. Consists of four hours in the classroom and four hours of natural gas live fire training. Practical: Outdoor activity. Extinguish a natural gas fire using a 15 lb. fire extinguisher.
Flammable Liquids & Foam: This class deals with the chemistry of foam for fire suppression. Topics include concentrated foams, mixing, eductors, limitations, understanding fog nozzles, aspirating nozzles, and foam tubes. Includes hands-on live fire training field exercise. Practical: Outdoor activity. Full gear with SCBA. Hose line advancement extinguishment of liquid fires with a team.
Liquified Propane Gas: Focuses on useful handling of hazardous materials incidents involving flammable gases. Students will learn about tank construction, properties of liquid propane gas, proper tactics for dealing with liquid propane gas, and will receive live fire training with liquid propane gas on site. Consists of four hours in the classroom and four hours of live fire training. Practical: Outdoor activity. Full gear with SCBA. Advancing hose lines. Extinguishing propane-fed fires.
Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations: Recognition and identification of hazardous materials, labeling, placarding, scene control, and use of D.O.T. Response book.
High Rise: Covers construction, fireground management, tactical considerations, elevators, life safety, ventilation, and water supply.
Structure burns: Live fire training evolutions. Class incorporates all skills taught for firefighting: suppression, safety, rescue, ICS, hose handling, PPV, water supply, etc. Consists of 16 hours, all hands-on live fire training. Practical: Three day; outdoor activity. Full gear with SCBA. Extinguish fires in the burn building. Climbing ladders, moving hose lines, flowing water, crawling, and searching building.
Fire Detection, Protection & Suppression Systems: After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will be able to describe the components and functions of a fire alarm and the basic types of fire alarm initiation devices. Students will also be able to identify various sprinkler heads and indicating valves. They will also be able to describe and identify automatic sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, and specialized extinguishing systems.
Fire Ground Survival: The purpose of the Fire Ground Survival program is to ensure that training for Mayday prevention operations is consistent between all firefighters, company officers, and chief officers. Firefighters must be trained to perform potentially life-saving actions if they become lost, disoriented, injured, low on air, or trapped. These training exercises must be consistent throughout the fire service. Practical: Crawling, climbing, and searching through the building. Two days. Non-air-conditioned area.
Incident Command: This class combines command strategy with organizational procedures and is designed to be used for structural firefighting incidents using up to 25 companies. It is also used for other types of emergency incidents.
NIMS: National Incident Management System class: ICS 100, 200 & 700. This is a self-study requirement.
Everyone Goes Home: Firefighters must have the courage to face a multitude of risks to save lives and protect their communities. Their courage allows them to willingly risk their own lives so that others can be saved. A different type of courage is required to stay safe in potentially dangerous situations, avoiding needless risks and tragic consequences. This provocative and moving presentation is designed to change the culture of accepting the loss of firefighters as a normal occurrence. Building on the untold story of LODD survivors, it reveals how family members must live with the consequences of firefighter death and provides a focus on the need for firefighters and officers to change fundamental attitudes and behaviors to prevent line of duty deaths. The central theme promotes the courage to do the right thing to protect yourself and other firefighters and ensure that “Everyone Goes Home” at the end of the day.
Technical Rope Rescue Techniques: Topics covered: Personal Equipment and Protection; Rope and Related Equipment; Basic High-Angle Hardware; Use of Litters in High-Angle Rescue; Low-Angle Evacuation; Hauling Systems; Helicopter Rescue Operations; Knots; Anchoring; Belaying of One-Person Loads; Basic Ascending Techniques; Rescue Organization; Medical Considerations in Technical Rescue; and Rescue Belaying. Practical: Rope descending from 2-story elevation.
RACTAC: The concept of Rapid Access Care Treatment & Clearance (RACTAC) came from the desire to integrate Fire/EMS resources into law enforcement operations faster during active violence incidents. Looking at active shooter events around the country, fire department leaders created a model that enables emergency medical services (EMS) to provide emergency medical intervention faster and within the Incident Command System (ICS) construct.
Bluecard Terminology
Critical Incident Stress
Diversity/Harassment training
First Alarm SOG
Practical drills
Physical Education