Iowa Western can meet your department's training needs. We offer open classes and contract classes just for your department. Contact us at: Galen Barrett Regional Fire Training Coordinator Iowa Western Community College Continuing Education Office: (712) 325-3246 or Cell: (712) 355-3240 |
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Protecting Fire Scene Evidence Hazardous Materials Operations (refresher) |
Detailed Course Decriptions
Fire Behavior
Many people believe that fire is unpredictable, but there is no unpredictable fire behavior. Our ability to predict what will happen in the fire environment is hampered by limited information, time pressure, and our level of fire behavior knowledge.
Firefighters need to understand the combustion process and how fire behaves in different materials and in different environments. They also need to know how fires are classified so that they can select and apply the most appropriate extinguishing agent.
Most important, firefighters need to have an understanding of fire behavior that permits them to recognize developing fire conditions and be able to respond safely and effectively to mitigate the hazards presented by the fire environment.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Personal Protective Equipment
Firefighters must have the best protective clothing and equipment available.
Even if departments furnish firefighters with the latest protective gear and they use it consistently and conscientiously, their safety is not guaranteed because safety clothing and equipment have limitations.
Firefighters must be thoroughly trained in the use of their protective gear and must be capable of maintaining their protective clothing and equipment so that they are ready when needed.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Rope and Knots
Rope is one of the oldest and most basic tools used by firefighters. It is used to stabilize vehicles and other objects, hoist tools and equipment aloft, and to allow firefighters to access and rescue victims who are stranded above or below grade, or in bodies of water.
Rope is also used to help firefighters escape from life-threatening situations.
To use rope safely and effectively during fires and rescue operations, firefighters must know the various types of ropes and their applications. They must also be capable of tying a variety of knots and hitches quickly and correctly — and that takes practice.
Firefighters must know how to inspect, clean, and store ropes so that they are ready for use when needed.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Ground Ladders
To be an effective and fully contributing member of the department, the firefighter must be able to safely carry, raise, extend, climb, and lower fire service ground ladders when needed. These ladders may be needed for fire fighting operations, rescues, or both.
To use ladders safely and effectively, firefighters must know the types of ladders available to them, along with their capabilities and limitations.
Firefighters must know the parts of a ladder, the hazards associated with setting up ground ladders, what constitutes a stable foundation for ladder placement, proper angles for various ladder applications, safe limits related to degree of angulation, and what constitutes a reliable structural component against which a ladder can be placed.
Firefighters must have all of this knowledge in order to safely apply fire service ground ladders as well as how to clean and inspect them after use.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Building Construction
A failure to recognize the potential dangers of a particular type of construction and the effects that fire may have on it can be catastrophic for firefighters. For their safety and that of their fellow firefighters, firefighters must have at least a basic knowledge of building construction.
Firefighters need to know about construction materials, methods, and designs in general and those that are used in their area in particular.
Knowledge of the various types of building construction and how fires react in each type give firefighters and officers information that is vital to planning a safe and effective fire attack.
Firefighters need to know common building construction terms, materials, and methods. They also need to know how various types of construction are classified and how each type behaves in fires.
Finally, firefighters need to know the sights and sounds that indicate the possibility of structural collapse or other extraordinary events during interior fire fighting operations.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Portable Fire Extinguishers
In many cases, fire extinguishers can control or extinguish small fires in less time than it takes to deploy a hoseline.
However, even though portable fire extinguishers may be found in many of the homes, apartments, and businesses that must be entered to extinguish fires, firefighters should only rely on those carried on the fire apparatus.
To use fire extinguishers safely and effectively, firefighters must know capabilities and limitations of the extinguisher — and their own capabilities and limitations — as well as the proper techniques for their application.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Fire Hoses
To fight fires safely and effectively, firefighters must know the capabilities and limitations of the various types of fire hose used in their departments.
Firefighters must know the differences between supply hose and attack hose and how to use each one.
Firefighters must know how to load hose onto apparatus and how to make the various hose load finishes used in their department.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Forcible Entry
Forcible entry is the technique used by firefighters to gain access into a structure whose normal means of entry is locked or blocked.
When properly applied, forcible entry efforts do minimal damage to the structure or structural components and provide quick access for firefighters. Forcible entry should not be used when normal means of access are readily available.
Firefighters may need to use forcible entry tools and techniques to breach a wall as a means of escaping from a burning building.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Ventilation
Ventilating a burning building allows heat, smoke, and other products of combustion to escape to the atmosphere. It also allows clear, cool air to be drawn into the building. This allows firefighters to see better, locate victims easier, and find the seat of the fire sooner. It also limits fire spread and channels the heat and smoke away from any trapped victims.
To perform horizontal and vertical ventilation safely and effectively, firefighters must understand fire behavior and know the various ventilation methods. Firefighters must have a knowledge of roof construction and how to create ventilation openings in flat and pitched roofs that have a variety of coverings.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Because water is still the primary fire extinguishing agent used by firefighters in North America, and because fires often occur considerable distances from major water sources, fire departments must develop ways to transport the available water from its source to where it is needed.
Firefighters must know what water supply systems have been developed and what their responsibilities are when these systems are used.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Fire Streams
To fight fires safely and effectively, firefighters must know the capabilities and limitations of all the various nozzles and extinguishing agents available in their departments.
They must understand the effects that wind, gravity, velocity, and friction with the air have on a fire stream once it leaves the nozzle.
Firefighters must know what operating pressure their nozzles require and how the nozzles can be adjusted during operation.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Loss Control
Customer service is the core of everything that fire departments do. Loss control is an important component of fire department service delivery and is but one aspect of customer-service opportunities.
Salvage and overhaul operations are two of the most effective means of loss control.
Planning, procedures, and equipment are essential for effective loss-control operations.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Protecting Fire Scene Evidence
Before an investigation into the origin and cause of a fire can be conducted, there must be evidence to evaluate.
As a firefighter, one of the most important responsibilities is to avoid disturbing or destroying evidence while fighting the fire. In the area of origin — as determined by how the fire behaved, burn patterns on walls, depth of char, and other clues —appropriate caution must be used when spraying water, moving debris, and even walking around.
Once the area of origin is known, a more thorough investigation can be conducted to determine the exact cause of the fire.
As a firefighter, it may be necessary to determine the cause of the fire; more likely, firefighters may be assigned to assist their supervisor or a fire investigator in making that determination.
If the fire origin and cause investigation reveals evidence of arson, the property becomes a crime scene and must be treated as one. Firefighters must cooperate fully with whoever is assigned to investigate the crime.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. Class fee: $90.00
Incident Safety Officer
The Safety Officer’s responsibilities fall into two clear-cut categories: those associated with responding at the incident scene, and those associated with managing the occupational safety and health program of the department. This course focuses on responding at the incident scene. It is an incident-specific, scene oriented course designed to teach what a safety Officer at an incident needs to know.
Duration: 16 hours Class fee: $440.00
Health and Safety Officer
The Safety Officer’s responsibilities fall into two clear-cut categories: those associated with responding at the incident scene, and those associated with managing the occupational safety and health program of the department. This course focuses on the Health and Safety Officer who is the manager of the fire department's occupational safety and health program. Appointed by the fire chief, the HSO is responsible for ensuring that the department has a compliant program that provides for the safety, health, and wellness of the firefighters. The components of this National Fire Academy course will serve as a guide for the development and implementation of a compliant occupational safety and health program.
Duration: 16 hours Class fee: $440.00
Hazardous Materials Operations (refresher)
This course is designed to provide the First Responder with a refresher of and the skills necessary to detect presence of hazardous materials, identify the hazards associated with these materials, and to take defensive action against these materials. This course is for people who respond to releases of hazardous materials as part of the initial response for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment. This class will reinforce the student’s knowledge of the basic hazard and risk assessment techniques, how to select and use proper personal protective equipment, an understanding of basic hazardous materials terms, how to perform basic control, containment and/or confinement operations, how to implement basic decontamination procedures, an understanding of the relevant standard operating procedures and termination procedures and an understanding of Weapons of Mass Destruction and how to detect that they may have been used.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 472: Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120: Performance Standards for Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response.
Duration: 4 hours Class fee: $140.00
Hazardous Materials Operations (complete)
This course is designed to provide the First Responder with understanding of and the skills necessary to detect presence of hazardous materials, identify the hazards associated with these materials, and to take defensive action against these materials. This course is for people who respond to releases of hazardous materials as part of the initial response for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment. This class will give the student knowledge of the basic hazard and risk assessment techniques, how to select and use proper personal protective equipment, an understanding of basic hazardous materials terms, how to perform basic control, containment and/or confinement operations, how to implement basic decontamination procedures, an understanding of the relevant standard operating procedures and termination procedures and an understanding of Weapons of Mass Destruction and how to detect that they may have been used.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 472: Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120: Performance Standards for Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response.
Duration: 16 hours Class fee: $440.00
Rope Rescue I
Rope Rescue I is designed to introduce students to the rope, knots and equipment used to access victims. This course also includes skills development for rappelling. It is not the intent of the course to make the students rope rescue experts, but to ensure that students have the necessary knowledge and skills to begin to develop the proficiency needed to operate safely and efficiently at rope rescue incidents.
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, NFPA 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 1983: Standard for Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services.
Duration: 16 hours Class Fee: $990.00
Rope Rescue II
Rope Rescue II is designed to introduce students to the rope systems and mechanical advantage needed to safely remove a victim from its environment. It is not the intent of the course to make the students rope rescue experts, but to ensure that students have the necessary knowledge and skills to begin to develop the proficiency needed to operate safely and efficiently at rope rescue incidents.
Prerequisite: Rope Rescue I
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, NFPA 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 1983: Standard for Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services.
Duration: 16 hours Class Fee: $990.00
Rope Rescue III
Rope Rescue III is designed to introduce students to anchor systems and high-tension line systems. It is not the intent of the course to make the students rope rescue experts, but to ensure that students have the necessary knowledge and skills to begin to develop the proficiency needed to operate safely and efficiently at rope rescue incidents.
Prerequisite: Rope Rescue I & II
This class meets and/or exceeds NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, NFPA 1006: Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 1983: Standard for Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services.
Duration: 8 hours Class Fee: $590.00