Fire Brigade Course

Lesson 1 • Fire Development Stages

Traces fire progression from ignition through flashover to decay. Understanding each stage enables correct tactical decisions at every point of intervention.

Lesson 2 • Fire Classification Systems

Defines Class A through Class K fire categories by fuel type. Correct classification drives agent selection and prevents suppression errors.

Lesson 3 • Smoke and Toxic Atmospheres

Identifies combustion byproducts, visibility reduction, and toxicity hazards. Prepares firefighters to assess atmospheric danger before and during entry.

Lesson 4 • Heat Transfer Mechanisms

Explains conduction, convection, and radiation as fire spread pathways. Connects heat transfer knowledge to building construction and suppression tactics.

Lesson 1 • Personal Protective Equipment Overview

Introduces structural, proximity, and wildland PPE ensembles and their protective ratings. Correct ensemble selection is the first line of firefighter survival.

Lesson 2 • Thermal and Physical Hazard Recognition

Identifies burn injury mechanisms, structural collapse indicators, and slip or fall hazards. Early hazard recognition reduces injury rates on the fireground.

Lesson 3 • Rehabilitation and Physiological Monitoring

Addresses heat stress, dehydration, and cardiac risk during operations. Structured rehab cycles maintain firefighter performance and prevent medical emergencies.

Lesson 4 • Firefighter Accountability Systems

Explains personnel accountability tags, passport systems, and incident check-in procedures. Accountability ensures every firefighter is tracked throughout an incident.

Lesson 1 • Hand Tools and Power Tools

Identifies axes, halligan bars, saws, and hydraulic tools and their tactical uses. Proper tool selection and handling prevent injury and accelerate fireground tasks.

Lesson 2 • Fire Apparatus Types and Functions

Surveys pumpers, tankers, aerials, and specialty units by design and capability. Matching apparatus to incident needs is foundational to effective resource deployment.

Lesson 3 • Fire Pump Operations

Covers pump engagement, pressure control, and flow calculations for attack and supply lines. Correct pump operation delivers adequate water to suppress fires safely.

Lesson 4 • Nozzles and Suppression Agents

Compares smooth bore, combination, and foam nozzles with matching suppression agents. Nozzle and agent selection directly determines suppression effectiveness.

Lesson 1 • Portable Water Tanks and Drafting

Addresses portable tank deployment, drafting lift limits, and priming procedures. Drafting from portable tanks extends water supply in hydrant-deficient areas.

Lesson 2 • Relay and Tanker Shuttle Operations

Covers relay pumping calculations and tanker shuttle cycle management for rural supply. These methods sustain water flow when hydrant systems are unavailable.

Lesson 3 • Water Supply Planning

Teaches needed fire flow calculations and pre-incident water supply mapping. Proactive planning ensures adequate supply before an incident escalates.

Lesson 4 • Hydrant Systems and Water Mains

Explains hydrant types, color coding, flow testing, and main sizing. Knowing the water distribution system allows firefighters to maximize available supply.

Lesson 1 • Door Forcible Entry Techniques

Covers inward and outward swinging door attacks using irons, through-the-lock, and power tools. Matching technique to door construction minimizes time and tool damage.

Lesson 2 • Building Construction Types

Classifies Type I through Type V construction by materials and fire resistance ratings. Construction type determines collapse risk, fire spread, and tactical approach.

Lesson 3 • Window and Wall Entry

Teaches window clearing, sill management, and breaching masonry or wood walls. Alternative entry points are critical when primary doors are blocked or reinforced.

Lesson 4 • Structural Collapse Indicators

Identifies visual and audible warning signs of imminent structural failure. Recognizing collapse indicators allows timely withdrawal before catastrophic failure occurs.

Lesson 1 • Ventilation Principles and Methods

Explains positive pressure, negative pressure, and hydraulic ventilation coordinated with attack. Proper ventilation improves visibility, reduces heat, and supports victim survival.

Lesson 2 • Attack Lines and Suppression Techniques

Covers initial attack line selection, advancement, and flow rate matching to fire volume. Correct line selection and technique prevent fire extension and firefighter injury.

Lesson 3 • Search and Rescue Operations

Teaches primary and secondary search patterns, victim packaging, and removal techniques. Rapid, systematic search maximizes victim survival during interior operations.

Lesson 4 • Size-Up and Tactical Decision Making

Applies the COAL WAS WEALTH size-up model to gather and prioritize incident information. Systematic size-up drives all subsequent tactical assignments and resource requests.

Lesson 1 • Hazard Classes and Properties

Surveys flammables, corrosives, toxics, oxidizers, and radioactive materials by hazard class. Understanding chemical properties guides isolation distances and PPE selection.

Lesson 2 • Hazmat Recognition and Identification

Uses placards, labels, shipping papers, and reference guides to identify hazardous materials. Correct identification is the prerequisite for all subsequent protective actions.

Lesson 3 • Protective Action Zones

Establishes hot, warm, and cold zones based on release type and wind direction. Zone discipline prevents cross-contamination and protects unprotected responders.

Lesson 4 • Decontamination Procedures

Explains emergency, gross, and technical decontamination methods for personnel and equipment. Effective decon prevents secondary contamination and protects medical personnel.

Lesson 1 • Incident Command System Fundamentals

Introduces ICS structure, span of control, unity of command, and modular expansion. ICS provides the organizational framework for all fireground coordination activities.

Lesson 2 • Tactical Assignments and Sectors

Assigns geographic and functional sectors with clear objectives and resource tracking. Sector organization improves accountability and prevents task duplication.

Lesson 3 • Command Establishment and Transfer

Covers fast attack, command, and investigation modes and formal command transfer protocol. Clear command establishment prevents freelancing and ensures unified direction.

Lesson 4 • Fireground Communications

Establishes radio discipline, channel assignments, and emergency traffic protocols. Effective communication is the connective tissue of all ICS functions on the fireground.