Fire Science Course Descriptions
FIRE 1505 – National Incident Management System. 3 credits
This course introduces students to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and to the orientation and purpose of the Incident Command System (ICS). The NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template that enables all government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents. Basic features, principles, key components, and benefits of the NIMS as well as topics in leadership and management, briefings, organizational flexibility, and the National Response Plan as related to the NIMS are addressed. (3 lect.)
FIRE 1515 – Firefighter I: Structure I. 4 credits
This introductory course focuses on the minimum entry-level job performance requirements to become qualified as a Firefighter I. Topics covered in the course include the history, tradition, and development of the American Fire Service; fire department organization; fire behavior, communications and alarms, and firefighter safety; personal protective clothing; an introduction to types of fire equipment and its appropriate use; and an overview of building construction and ventilation. In order for the student to become certified as a Firefighter I, the student must successfully complete FIRE 1515, FIRE 1516 and FIRE 1517. (4 lect.)
FIRE 1516 – Firefighter I: Structure II. 4 credits
This course is a continuation of FIRE 1515, Firefighter I: Structure I. this course continues to focus on the entry-level job performances required to become qualified as a Firefighter I. Topics covered in this course include ropes and knots; rescue procedures, and forcible entry; fire suppression, salvage, overhaul, and determination of cause of fire; fire prevention and education, emergency medical services and firefighter survival, and hazardous materials awareness and operations. In order for a student to become certified as a Firefighter I, the student must successfully complete FIRE 1515, FIRE 1516, FIRE 1517, and pass the Wyoming State Certification Test for Firefighter I that is administered upon the completion of FIRE 1516. Prerequisite: Completion of FIRE 1515. (4 lect.)
FIRE 1517 – Firefighter I Field Experience. 4 credits
This course is the culminating course for Firefighter I certification and requires successful completion of all performance evaluations and skills sheets as outlined by the Wyoming Department of Fire Protection and Electrical Safety or the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). In order for the student to become certified as a Firefighter I, the student must successfully complete FIRE 1515, FIRE 1516 and FIRE 1517. Prerequisite: Instructor permission. (4 lect.)
FIRE 1550 – Arson Detection for the First Responder. 1 credit
This National Fire Academy (NFA) course is designed to define the role of the initial responder organization. The course emphasizes the importance of the initial responder’s ability to recognize the potential of an intentionally set fire, to preserve evidence, and to properly report the information to appropriate officials. This course is one in a series that is currently required to receive consideration for officer certification in the State of Wyoming. This course is normally taught in a weekend format and attendance is required. (ADFR F201). (1 lect.)
FIRE 1800 – Wildland Operations Urban Interface. 2 credits
This course is designed to train potential dispatch recorders on the structure of an expanded dispatch organization in order for them to effectively perform within the organization. Instruction will include the purpose and process of completing the resource order and other dispatch forms and establishing dispatch procedures. The course is intended to be an interactive experience in which the student will interact with the materials, the instructor, and fellow students. This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NWCG D-119) (2 lect.)
FIRE 1805 – Dispatch Recorder. 1 credit
This course is designed to train potential dispatch recorders on the structure of an expanded dispatch organization in order for them to effectively perform within the organization. Instruction will include the purpose and process of completing the resource order and other dispatch forms and establishing dispatch procedures. The course is intended to be an interactive experience in which the student will interact with the materials, the instructor, and fellow students. This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NWCG D-119) (1 lect.)
FIRE 1810 – Introduction to Wildland Fighting. 3 credits
This course is designed to introduce the student to entry level wildland firefighting skills and emphasizes the primary factors affecting the start and spread of wildfire as well as recognition of potentially hazardous situations. This course is a combination of two National Wildland Coordinating Group courses: S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior and S-130, Firefighter Training (3 lect.)
FIRE 1815 – Introduction to Wildland Fighting Simulation. 1 credit
This field based course focuses on the proper use, handling, and maintenance of hand tools and different fire equipment. The student will demonstrate line construction and methods; water use and handling methods; and proper travel procedures en route to and from a fire. The student will construct simple and progressive hose lays and participate in an “after action review”. The student must furnish full personal protective equipment. A simulated fire exercise is included. Prerequisite: Completion of FIRE 1810. (1 lect.)
FIRE 1830 – Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior. 2 credits
This is a classroom based skills course designed to prepare the experienced firefighter and prospective supervisor in undertaking safe and effective fire management operations. It is the second course in a series that collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills. (NWCG S-290) Prerequisite: Completion of FIRE 1810 or instructor permission. (2 lect.)
FIRE 1835 – Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations. 1 credit
This course is designed to help students develop skills required for predicting effective fire behavior by applying fire behavior calculations using manual methods and nomograms. The skill of interpreting fire behavior output is developed by studying the determinants of fire behavior and applying input factors of wind, slope, fuels, and fuels moisture. This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NWCG S-390). Prerequisite: Qualified as any single resource boss or completion of FIRE 1830 and instructor permission. (1 lect.)
FIRE 1840 – Crew Boss. 2 credits
This course is designed to develop skills and proficiency for responsibilities and duties associated with a single resource boss position. The course content focuses on initial dispatch through demobilization to the home unit. (NWCG, S-230). Prerequisites: Completion of FIRE 1830 or instructor permission. (2 lect.)
FIRE 1845 – Engine Boss. 1 credit
This course is designed to develop skills and proficiency in the performance of duties associated with engine boss, single resource (ENGB). The course content focuses on examining engine and crew capabilities and limitations, information sources, fire size-up considerations, tactics, and wildland/urban interface. (NWCG S-231). Prerequisites: Completion of FIRE 1840 or instructor permission. (1 lect.)
FIRE 1850 – Interagency Incident Business Management. 1 credit
This course is designed to provide students with the foundation for basic incident business and management skills required to perform tasks in the position identified by the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The course is designed to be interactive in nature as the following topics are addressed and discussed: conduct and ethics for incident support, pay provision and timekeeping/recording, commissary, compensation for injury/illness, travel, property management, claims, and interagency cooperative relations. This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NWCG S-260) (1 lect.)
FIRE 1851 – Initial Attack Incident Commander. 1 credit
This course is designed to meet the training needs of the Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT4), which is a position within the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and recognized by the National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG). The ICT4 rank is used in fire and all-risk incidents. Instruction will include fire readiness and mobilization, methods of sizing up a fire, deployment and containment of a fire, as well as administrative requirements and post-fire evaluation. It is presented in a lecture/discussion format and supplemented with group exercises. This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NWCG S-200) Prerequisite: Qualified as an single resource boss and instructor permission. (1 lect.)
FIRE 1852 – Field Observer. 1 credit
This course is designed to meet the training requirements for the position of Field Observer on a wildfire and/or as a prescribed fire monitor as outlined in the Wildland Fire Qualifications System Guide and the Position Task Books. Instruction is designed to develop a student’s skills in identifying and interpreting maps, performing map calculations, using observation aids and instruments, performing field observations, and communicating information. This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. This class will include a one-day field trip and may have pre-coursework requirements. (NWCG S-244) Prerequisite: Qualified as any single resource boss or completion of FIRE 1830 and instructor permission. (1 lect.)
FIRE 1855 – Applied Interagency Incident Business Management. 1 credit
This course is designed for students interested in entry-level finance positions within the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) such as commissary managers, personnel time recorders, equipment time recorders, injury compensation specialists, and claims specialist. These positions are used in fire and all-risk incidents. Instruction includes assembling the “Kit” for the first 48 hours of an incident; training as personnel time recorder, commissary manager, equipment time recorder, injury compensation specialist, and claims specialists. The course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NWCG S-261) Recommend: completion of FIRE 1850 or prior incident experience in finance. (1 lect.)
FIRE 1900 – Facilitative Instructor. 3 credits
This course is designed to prepare students in becoming effective facilitative instructors. The goal of this course is to improve training quality by presenting instructional methods with an emphasis on student-oriented adult training techniques. This course is designed to meet the National Wildland Coordination Group instructor requirements. (NWCG M-410) (3 lect.)
FIRE 2515 – Firefighter II: Structure. 3 credits
This course is designed for career or volunteer firefighters to further develop their firefighting skills to meet the minimum job performance requirements for the second level of progression in firefighting. Topics include the Incident Command System (ICS), assuming the transferring of command, and the Wyoming Fire Incident Reporting system (WFIRS). The primary focus of the course is on identifying foams, gas fires, auto extrication, building construction and roof types, fire hydrants including types and tests, sprinkler systems, and fire protection systems. A person trained at the Firefighter II level will function safely and effectively as an integral member of a team of equally or less experienced firefighters to accomplish a series of tasks. Prerequisite: FIRE 1517, certified as a Structure Firefighter I, and instructor permission. (3 lect.)
FIRE 2516 – Firefighter II: Field Experience. 3 credits
This course is the culminating course for Firefighter II certification and requires successful completion of all performance evaluation and skills sheets as outlined by the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety or the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Students successfully completing Firefighter II: Structure and belonging to an approved firefighting organization can quality for issuance of a Firefighter II certificate. Students enrolling in this course are required to demonstrate skill proficiency in areas such as assuming and transferring command, utilizing the Incident Command System, basic fire reporting, extinguishing an exterior combustible liquid fire, interior attack in a structure fire, etc. Prerequisite: Certified as a Structure Firefighter I, FIRE 2515, and instructor permission. (3 lect.)
FIRE 2517 – Division/Group Supervisor. 1 credit
This course is designed to help the student develop skills required to perform as a division/group supervisor. Topics discussed are division/group management, organizational interaction, and division operations. The instruction is focused on support of the specific tasks performed by a division/group supervisor and not on the tasks performed by general management/supervisors as outlined in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) or Incident Command System (ICS). This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NWCG S-339) Prerequisite: NWCG qualified as a Task Force Leader or Incident Commander Type 3 and instructor permission. (1 lect.)
FIRE 2518 – Task Force/Strike Team Leader. 2 credits
This course is designed to meet the training requirements for Task Force Leader and Strike Team Leader as outlined in the wildland Fire Qualifications System Guide and Position Task Books. Examples, exercises, and major topics in the course are specific to wildland fire suppression. Major topics such as pre-incident and mobilization responsibilities; pre-engagement, engagement, and post-engagement; initial attack, incident transition, and type 3 organization; demobilization; military assignments; and all-risk are included in the course. This course is taught in an intensive three-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NWCG S-330) Prerequisite: Qualified as any single resource boss and instructor permission. (2 lect.)
FIRE 2520 – Ignition Operations. 2 credits
This is an entry-level course providing training in the functional roles and responsibilities connected with the position of fire boss (FIRB) and firing operation, the act of lighting fires for prescribed fire burns, or for controlling wildland fire burns. The course focuses on planning, ignition procedures and techniques, and equipment applicable to wildland and prescribed fire. This course is not intended to qualify or certify any personnel in the use, storage or transport of any firing device,. Rather, it is to provide the potential firing boss a description of available equipment and the requirements specific to each such device. This course it taught in an intensive 32-hour format and attendance is mandatory. (NWCG S-234) Prerequisite: FIRE 1830. (2 lect.)
FIRE 2530 – Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations. 3 credits
This course is intended as training for all personnel seeking to qualify as Awareness and Operations Level Responders to hazardous materials incidents. The primary focus of the course is on NFPA 472, “Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents”; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 (q). EPA 40 CFR 311; and the Office of Domestic Preparedness, “Emergency Responder Guidelines for Awareness Level and Operational Level for Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers.” This course is taught in an intensive five-day format and attendance is mandatory. (3 lect.)
FIRE 2580 – Firefighter Line of Duty Death and Injury. 1 credit
This course is designed for fire service supervisory, managerial, and policy making/influencing personnel with the goal of reducing line of duty deaths and injuries. This class is one in a series that is currently recommended to receive consideration for officer certification from the State of Wyoming. This course is normally taught in a weekend format and attendance is required. (1 lect.)
FIRE 2710 – Leadership I: Strategies for Company Success. 1 credit
This course provides the company officer with basic leadership skills and tools needed to perform effectively in the fire service environment. This course is recommended for line officers, unit commanders, program supervisors, training officers, staff or administrative officers, or for individuals seeking a supervisory position within a fire or rescue organization. This class is one in a series that is currently required to receive consideration for officer certification from the State of Wyoming. This course is normally taught in a weekend format and attendance is required. (NFA F803) (1 lect.)
FIRE 2720 – Leadership III: Strategies for Supervisory Success. 1 credit
This course is a study of various strategies and techniques utilized in the fire service environment by a company officer to supervise personnel. The course is recommended for individuals including line officers, unit commanders, program supervisors, training officers, and staff or administrative officers seeking a supervisory position within a fire or rescue organization. This course is one in a series that is currently required to receive consideration for officer certification from the State of Wyoming. This course is normally taught in a weekend format and attendance is required. (NFA H805) (1 lect.)
FIRE 2725 – Followership to Leadership. 1 credit
This training course is designed as a self-assessment opportunity for individuals preparing to step into a leadership role in fire and all-risk incidents. The course focuses on transition challenges for new leaders, leadership values, creating a cohesive team environment, situational leadership, and ethical decision-making. The course combines one day of classroom instruction followed by a second day in the field with students working through a series of problem solving-events in small teams. (NWCG L-280) Prerequisite: FIRE 1810 or instructor permission. (1 lect.)
FIRE 2730 – Introduction to Fire Inspection Principles and Practices. 2 credits
This course is an introduction to fire inspection principles and practices. The course content emphasizes steps required for conducting a fire prevention inspection, identifying basic code deficiencies and appropriate methods to correct code deficiency, roles of codes, and standards in fire inspection. The examination and illustration of the complexity of today’s building designs and systems, identifying basic types of construction, subsystems and subsystems functions, classifications of occupancies, fire protection systems and devices, and describing procedures to validate operations readiness of fire protection systems and devices are included. The student is taught to recognize the presence of hazardous materials or process and the presence of fire hazards in structures. This course is taught in an intensive three-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NFA) (2 lect.)
FIRE 2735 – Managing in a Changing Environment. 1 credit
This course addresses the concepts, functions, and responsibilities essential at the intermediate management level, as well as issues affecting mid-level management personnel in the fire service. The course focuses on the major areas such as economic, social, political, and technological influences, having an impact on the future of the fire service. The student is directed to identify specific major areas concerning economic, social, political, and technological influences that are and/or will have an impact on their fire service organization and on them personally. The student will examine, discuss, and practice strategies for managing the changes brought about by the identified influences. This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NFA) (1 lect.)
FIRE 2740 – Managing Company Tactical Operations - Preparation. 1 credit
This course is designed to meet the needs of fire officers and crew leaders with responsibilities in managing the operations of one or more companies in structural firefighting operations. Emphasis is placed on the rules and responsibilities, readiness, communication, factors concerning building construction and fire behavior, pre-incident preparation, and fire flow calculations used by fire officers and crew leaders in a structural fire emergency. This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NFA) (1 lect.)
FIRE 2745 – Managing Company Tactical Operations – Decision Making. 1 credit
This course is designed to provide an effective approach to command decision making and organization. It is designed to meet the needs of fire officers and crew leaders with responsibilities to manage the operations of one or more companies in structural firefighting operations. The components include preparation for response, decision making and tactical operations. The foundation of the course is an extensive use of simulation to provide application of concepts and the development of skill. This course is taught in an intensive two-day format and attendance is mandatory. (NFA) (1 lect.)