Fire Science Technology (FST) at Virginia Western Community College


         
 
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FST 100 - Principles of Emergency Services
Provides an overview to fire protection; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; philosophy and history of fire protection/service; fire loss analysis; organization and function to public and private fire protection services; fire departments as part of local government; laws and regulations affecting the fire service; fire service nomenclature; specific fire protection functions; basic fire chemistry and physics; introduction to fire protection systems; introduction to fire strategy and tactics.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 105 - Fire Suppression Operations
Introduces the fundamentals of fire suppression. Explores fire behavior and basic physical and chemical laws of fire dynamics. Prepares student to understand the need for quick operational decisions made on the fire ground including emergency management.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 110 - Fire Behavior and Combustion
Explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and how they are controlled.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 111 - Hazardous Materials Response
Studies hazardous materials storage, standards, and applicable laws designed to protect the public and emergency personnel. Discusses specific methods and techniques used by the emergency worker in the abatement of hazardous materials incidents.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 112 - Hazardous Materials Chemistry
Provides basic fire chemistry relating to the categories of hazardous materials including problems of recognition, reactivity, and health encountered by firefighters.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 115 - Fire Prevention
Provides fundamental information regarding the history and philosophy of fire prevention, organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau, use of fire codes, identification and correction of fire hazards, and the relationships of fire prevention with built-in fire protection systems, fire investigation, and fire and life-safety education.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 120 - Occupational Safety and Health for the Fire Service
Introduces the basic concepts of occupational health and safety as it relates to emergency service organizations. Includes risk evaluation and control procedures for fire stations, training sites, emergency vehicles, and emergency situations involving fire, EMS, hazardous materials, and technical rescue. (Upon completion of this course, students should be able to establish and manage a safety program in an emergency service organization.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 135 - Fire Instructor I
Emphasizes development of teaching methods and aids, including role-playing, small group discussion and development of individual learning methods and materials. Requires students to develop lesson plans and make presentations on appropriate topics. Based on current requirements of NFPA 1041, Standards for Fire Instructor Professional Qualifications, and prepares student for certification as Fire Instructor I.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 140 - Fire Officer I
Presents and develops the foundational skills needed to supervise and direct personnel and manage resources at the company level, which is based on the current requirements of the NFPA 1021, Standards for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications. Prepares student for certification as Fire Officer I.
Lecture 3-4 hours. Total 3-4 hours per week.
3-4 credits
FST 195 - Topics In
Provides an opportunity to explore topical areas of interest to or needed by students.
May be used also for special honors courses. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.
1-5 credits
FST 205 - Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply
Provides a foundation of theoretical knowledge in order to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection and to apply hydraulic principles to analyze and to solve water supply problems.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 210 - Legal Aspects of Fire Service
Introduces the Federal, State, and local laws that regulate emergency services, national standards influencing emergency services,, standard of care, tort, liability, and a review of relevant court cases.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 215 - Fire Protection Systems
Provides information relating to the features of design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems, heat and smoke control systems, special protection and sprinkler systems, water supply for fire protection and portable fire extinguishers.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 220 - Building Construction for Fire Protection
Provides the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety. Focuses on firefighter safety. Covers the elements of construction and design of structures and how they are key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at emergencies.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 230 - Fire Investigation
This course is intended to provide the student with the fundamentals and technical knowledge needed for proper fire scene interpretations, including recognizing and conducting origin and cause, preservation of evidence and documentation, scene security, motives of the firesetter, and types of fire causes.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 235 - Strategy and Tactics
Provides an in-depth analysis of the principles of fire control through utilization of personnel, equipment, and extinguishing agents on the fire ground.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 237 - Emergency Service Supervision
Teaches the history of modern management theories, including scientific management and behavioral scientist approach. Introduces concepts of group dynamics, leadership, communication, stress and time management, and personnel evaluation techniques. Discusses the legal and ethical considerations of personnel management in the emergency service.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 240 - Fire Administration
Introduces the student to the organization and management of a fire department and the relationship of government agencies to the fire service. Emphasis on fire service leadership from the perspective of the company officer.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
3 credits
FST 245 - Fire and Risk Analysis
Presents a study of current urban fire problems with emphasis on solutions based upon current available technology. Includes master planning, as well as methods of identifying, analyzing and measuring accompanying risk and loss possibilities.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite: FST 240.
3 credits
FST 250 - Fire Officer II
Presents an intermediate-level course to help individuals further develop the skills needed to supervise and direct personnel, manage resources at the company level; and is based on the current requirements of the NFPA 1021, Standards for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications. Prepares student for certification as Fire Officer II.
Lecture 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite: FST 140 or Certification as Fire Officer I.
3 credits
FST 255 - Fire Officer III
Presents the material and testing required for certification as a fire Officer III under the national Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, NFPA 1021. Includes instruction for those serving in or preparing for middle and upper ranks of large fire departments. Includes community awareness and public relations, human resource development, budget information management, public education, emergency service delivery and firefighter safety.
Lecture 3-4 hours per week.
Prerequisite: FST 250 or Certification as Fire Officer II.
3-4 credits