Firefighter First Aid Course

Lesson 1 • Scene Safety and Size-Up

Teaches systematic scene assessment before patient contact to prevent responder injury. Builds the habit of continuous hazard reassessment throughout an incident.

Lesson 2 • Role of First Aid in Firefighting

Defines first aid responsibilities unique to firefighters versus civilian responders. Connects occupational hazards to the need for specialized medical readiness.

Lesson 3 • Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

Covers consent, duty of care, and liability protections for first responders. Grounds students in the ethical framework governing emergency medical decisions.

Lesson 4 • Standard Precautions and Infection Control

Applies universal precautions to prevent bloodborne and airborne pathogen exposure. Establishes hygiene protocols essential before advancing to patient care skills.

Lesson 1 • Nervous System and Consciousness

Describes central and peripheral nervous system functions that govern patient responsiveness. Enables accurate neurological assessment during trauma and medical emergencies.

Lesson 2 • Musculoskeletal System Overview

Reviews bones, joints, and muscles relevant to trauma assessment and patient movement. Prepares students to identify fractures and splinting needs in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • Respiratory System Essentials

Covers airway anatomy from mouth to alveoli and the mechanics of normal breathing. Provides the anatomical basis for airway management taught in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Integumentary and Shock Physiology

Examines skin as a diagnostic tool and explains the physiological cascade of shock. Links skin findings to internal conditions assessed throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Patient Prioritization and Handoff

Applies triage principles to prioritize multiple patients and structure EMS handoff reports. Ensures continuity of care when transferring patients to advanced medical providers.

Lesson 2 • Head-to-Toe Physical Examination

Guides a systematic physical exam to detect injuries and abnormalities not found in the primary survey. Reinforces anatomical knowledge from Chapter 2 in a clinical context.

Lesson 3 • Vital Signs Measurement

Teaches accurate measurement of pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and skin signs. Provides baseline data used to track patient deterioration or improvement over time.

Lesson 4 • Initial Patient Assessment

Establishes the primary survey sequence to identify and correct life threats immediately. Forms the foundation for every patient encounter in subsequent chapters.

Lesson 1 • Special Airway Considerations

Addresses airway management for pediatric patients, obese patients, and smoke inhalation victims. Adapts core techniques to the unique challenges of fire and rescue environments.

Lesson 2 • Supplemental Oxygen Delivery

Explains oxygen cylinder operation and selection of delivery devices by patient condition. Links oxygen therapy to respiratory and shock management covered in adjacent chapters.

Lesson 3 • Bag-Valve-Mask Ventilation

Develops skill in one-person and two-person BVM technique for apneic patients. Emphasizes mask seal, tidal volume, and ventilation rate to prevent complications.

Lesson 4 • Airway Adjuncts and Suctioning

Covers oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway insertion and suction device operation. Prepares students to maintain a clear airway during prolonged rescue operations.

Lesson 1 • Chain of Survival Concepts

Explains the links from recognition through post-resuscitation care that determine cardiac arrest outcomes. Positions the firefighter's role within the broader emergency medical system.

Lesson 2 • Adult CPR Technique

Teaches correct hand placement, compression depth, rate, and recoil for adult cardiac arrest. Emphasizes minimizing interruptions to maintain coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure.

Lesson 3 • Pediatric and Infant CPR

Adapts compression technique, depth, and ratio for children and infants based on size and physiology. Addresses the respiratory-first etiology common in pediatric cardiac arrest.

Lesson 4 • AED Operation and Integration

Covers AED pad placement, rhythm analysis, and shock delivery coordinated with CPR cycles. Trains students to operate AEDs in wet, confined, and noisy fire scene environments.

Lesson 1 • Wound Types and Dressing Selection

Identifies abrasions, lacerations, avulsions, punctures, and amputations and selects appropriate dressings. Prepares students to manage the wound variety encountered in fire and rescue incidents.

Lesson 2 • Bleeding Assessment and Classification

Distinguishes arterial, venous, and capillary bleeding by appearance and severity. Connects bleeding classification to urgency of intervention and method selection.

Lesson 3 • Internal Bleeding and Shock Management

Addresses recognition and supportive care for suspected internal hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock. Links hemorrhage control skills to systemic shock physiology from Chapter 2.

Lesson 4 • Direct Pressure and Wound Packing

Teaches sustained direct pressure and wound packing with gauze for deep or junctional wounds. Establishes the primary hemorrhage control method before advanced techniques.

Lesson 1 • Spinal Injury Assessment and Stabilization

Teaches mechanism-of-injury evaluation and manual spinal stabilization for suspected spinal trauma. Addresses the balance between spinal precaution and rapid extrication in fire scenarios.

Lesson 2 • Musculoskeletal Trauma Management

Covers assessment and splinting of fractures, dislocations, and sprains encountered in rescue operations. Reinforces anatomical knowledge from Chapter 2 in a hands-on treatment context.

Lesson 3 • Burn Assessment and Emergency Care

Classifies burns by depth and extent using the rule of nines and guides initial emergency treatment. Addresses thermal, chemical, and electrical burns common in fire and rescue operations.

Lesson 4 • Head and Brain Injury Management

Identifies signs of traumatic brain injury and applies supportive care to prevent secondary injury. Connects neurological assessment from Chapter 3 to trauma-specific interventions.

Lesson 1 • Neurological and Diabetic Emergencies

Covers stroke recognition using FAST criteria and blood glucose emergency management. Connects nervous system physiology from Chapter 2 to time-sensitive neurological interventions.

Lesson 2 • Pediatric Medical Emergencies

Adapts assessment and treatment approaches to infants and children with medical emergencies. Addresses the anatomical and physiological differences that alter pediatric emergency management.

Lesson 3 • Cardiac and Respiratory Emergencies

Identifies acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and severe asthma and applies appropriate first aid. Builds on cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy from Chapter 2 in a clinical context.

Lesson 4 • Environmental and Toxicological Emergencies

Addresses heat stroke, hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and smoke inhalation management. Directly relevant to the environmental hazards firefighters encounter on the job.