Firefighting

FIREFIGHTING-CLHS

Meets VPAA One (1) Credit Graduation Requirement

This course includes firefighting skills which are mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging.  Students that are admitted to this course will have extensive classroom and practical areas in the following; Fire Behavior, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, Portable Extinguishers, Ropes and Knots, Building Search & Victim Removal, Ground Ladders, Water Supply Techniques, Laying, Carrying and Advancing Hose, Water Fire Streams, Salvage, Overhaul and Protecting Evidence of Fire Cause, Fire Cause and Origin, Incident Command Systems, Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations, Rescue and Extrication Tools, Vehicle Extrication and Special Rescue, Ignitable Liquid and Flammable Gas Fire Control, Fire Incident Reports, Pre-Incident Survey and other areas to prepare them for minimum state firefighting certification.  Students considering this course need to be in good physical shape due to the strenuous demands that are essential to this program, including confined space, rescue, loading and advancing hose lines that are charged, and using ladder’s that may be extended to 24 feet in height.  All firefighting operations will require successful demonstration and will be graded.  Authorization by a student’s family physician is required before students will be allowed to participate in practical exercises and/or examinations.  Most areas of study in firefighting are team oriented and students should be prepared for both individual and group teamwork.

General Qualifications:

Students must have good communication skills, be adaptable to change, be able to apply problem-solving techniques, have a good attendance record, be responsible, be mature, and be in good physical condition. 

Prerequisite: Recommended junior status with an average cumulative 2.0 GPA.