Course Catalog

FST 111 Introduction to Fire Service

This course provides an overview of fire protection and emergency services, career opportunities in fire protection and related fields. This course further address topics including the culture and history of emergency services, fire loss analysis, along with the organization and function of public and private fire protection services. Additional insight will be provided on the topics of fire departments as part of local government, laws and regulations affecting the fire service, fire service nomenclature, and specific fire protection functions. Other topics will include basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems, introduction to fire strategy and tactics, and life safety initiatives.
Note: Individuals with greater than one year firefighter experience are not eligible for credit.

Prerequisite: College Reading and Writing Readiness OR concurrent enrollment in ENG 109 or ELI 109 or ENG 100 -AND- Basic Algebra Readiness

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 116 Fire Fighting Tactics and Strategy I

An introduction to the basic principles and methods associated with the strategic and tactical responsibilities of the line officer on the fireground. Emphasizes size-up, fire operations, pre-fire planning, and basic engine and truck company operations.
NOTE: FST 111 and/or one year active experience in the fire service is recommended.

Prerequisite: FST 111

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: No

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 117 Fire Fighting Tactics and Strategy II

Continuation of FST 116, with advanced principles and methods associated with fireground strategies and tactics, required of the company officer and chief officer. The course emphasizes multi-company alarm assignments, sectorization of the fireground, handling disasters and major fire incidents. Student participation of assigned fire simulation exercises will be required.

Prerequisite: FST 116

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: No

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 118 Incident Command

This course introduces students to the basic principles that firefighters, company officers and chief officer use when organizing and managing an emergency scene. This course will stress sectorization, scene safety, and scene management. Emergency fire, hazardous materials, underwater and medical scene management will be reviewed.

Prerequisite: FST 111 (C or better)

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 130 Basic Operations Firefighter A

This course focuses on the organization and structure of a fire agency, fire behavior, building construction, safety issues in the fire service, communication procedures and practices, self-contained breathing apparatus, fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing agents, and ropes and knots. The course will include weekly lectures and lab sessions that focus on developing and enhancing practical skills. Students enrolled in this course will become active members of an assigned fire department. NOTE: This is the first of three courses that prepares students to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.

Prerequisite: FST 111 (C or better) Recommended: MTH 114 (C or better)

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: No

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  4.00

FST 131 Basic Operations Firefighter B

This course focuses on fire service ladders, hose and related appliances, nozzles and streams, water supply, forcible entry and ventilation. The course will include weekly lectures and lab sessions that focus on developing and enhancing practical skills. Students enrolled in this course will be active members of an assigned fire department. NOTE: This is the second of three courses that prepares students to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.

Prerequisite: FST 130 (C or better)

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  4.00

FST 132 Basic Operations Firefighter C

This course focuses on search and rescue, fire control, loss control, protecting evidence, fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems, prevention techniques, public education, wild land and ground cover firefighting, and firefighter safety and survival. The course will include weekly lectures and lab sessions that focus on developing and enhancing practical skills. Students enrolled in this course will be active members of an assigned fire department. NOTE: This is the third of three courses that prepares students to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.

Prerequisite: FST 131 (C or better)

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  4.00

FST 173 Fire Instructor I

This course is designed to meet the needs of those individuals who wish to learn the techniques of instructing in the fire service. It is structured to provide basic information about human relations in the classroom environment, methods of teaching, and the proper method of writing lesson plans. Areas covered include: Orientation and description of the instructor's job, roles and responsibilities of the fire service instructor, concepts of learning, human factors in learning, oral communications, methods of instruction, lesson plans, instructional materials, organizing the learning environment, testing and evaluation, records and reports, and practical application. Persons currently recognized by the Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) as a firefighter are eligible to challenge the OSFM end-of-course exam.
NOTE: FST 111 and/or one year active service experience in the fire service is recommended.

Prerequisite: FST 111

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 174 Fire Instructor II

This course is a continuation of FST 173. Teaches advanced principles and techniques of instruction. This course is structured to provide information about human relationships in the teaching-learning environment, methods of lesson and course development. Materials covered will include performance objectives, instructional materials development, evaluation and references.

Prerequisite: FST 173

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 177 Fire Prevention Principles I

This course provides fundamental knowledge relating to the field of fire prevention. Topics include: history and philosophy of fire prevention; organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau; use and application of codes and standards; plans review; fire inspections; fire and life safety education; and fire investigation.

Prerequisite: FST 111

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: No

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 179 Fire Protection Systems

This course provides information relating to the features of design and operation of fire alarm systems, water-based fire suppression systems, special hazard fire suppression systems, water supply for fire protection and portable fire extinguishers.

Prerequisite: FST 111 (C or better)

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 180 Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival

This course introduces the basic principles and history related to the national firefighters life safety initiatives focusing on the need for cultural and behavioral change throughout the emergency services.

Prerequisite: FST 111 (C or better)

Offered Spring 2019: No

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 181 Fire Behavior and Combustion

This course explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and are controlled. The use of water and other extinguishing agents are compared to determine how they extinguish different classes of fires. Major focus of this course is related to terms and concepts associated with chemistry and dynamics of fire.

Prerequisite: FST 111 (C or better)

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 182 Building Construction for Fire Protection

This course provides the components of building construction related to firefighter and life safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at emergencies.

Prerequisite: FST 111 (C or better)

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 192 Hazardous Materials Operations

This course is designed for firefighters and other persons who might encounter Hazardous Materials in the course of their occupations. This course will stress identification, site entry, isolations, evacuation, use of Hazardous Safety Data sheets, and how to obtain assistance at the hazardous materials scene. Practical applications and hands-on experiences are required for this course. The course is designed to meet the requirements of Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness, and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations, of the Office of the State Fire Marshal Certification, OSHA 29 CFR 1910, and NFPA 472.

Prerequisite: FST 111 (C or better)

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 193 Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply

This course 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 solve water supply problems.

Prerequisite: FST 111 (C or better)

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 200 Terrorism and Homeland Security

(Formerly EDM 212) This course focuses on helping students understand the issues relating to modern day terrorism and how government responds to such events. This course will also introduce students to disasters which often impact our country. Emphasis will be placed on helping students understand the concept of unified response and how multiple, diverse organizations will interact to respond and mitigate such events. Additional emphasis will involve an in-depth understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and how this system is used by emergency responders. Student groups will work to plan and solve issues related to disaster events of varying complexity.

Prerequisite: College Reading and Writing Readiness

Offered Spring 2019: No

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 218 Fire Officer Supervision

Introduction to objectives and techniques of fire company management. Acquaints the student with the role and function of the company officer. Discussion of management theories and practices; includes planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling.

Prerequisite: FST 111

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: No

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 273 Fire Science Business and Operations

The advanced study of management principles and techniques used by mid-level officers. These studies will include: management of resources; personnel, money, facilities, and time; principles of delegation, problem solving and motivation.

Prerequisite: FST 111

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 274 Fire Administration and the Law

This course focuses on the management principles and techniques used by current or future chief officers in the fire service. It acquaints the student to principles of public relations, labor relations, personnel management, information management, and administrative liability, including: criminal and civil liability, disciplinary hearings, avoiding lawsuits, administrative investigations, and State and Federal Regulations.

Prerequisite: FST 111

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00

FST 279 Special Topics in the Fire Service

This course will take a subject of topical interest such as rescue practices, water supply analysis or reporting systems and cover that subject in depth. Because topics will vary widely from year to year a student may seek approval to repeat this course once for credit.

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

Offered Spring 2019: Yes

• Subject:
  FST
• Units:
  3.00