Junior Firefighter Course

Lesson 1 • Regulatory and Standards Overview

Introduces the regulatory bodies and consensus standards governing firefighter training and safety. Establishes compliance awareness as a career-long obligation.

Lesson 2 • Firefighter Roles and Responsibilities

Defines the duties of entry-level firefighters on and off the fireground. Sets professional expectations for conduct and performance.

Lesson 3 • Fire Department Organizational Structure

Explains rank hierarchy, chain of command, and unit divisions. Connects organizational knowledge to daily operational accountability.

Lesson 1 • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Teaches SCBA components, donning, operation, and emergency procedures. Proficiency with SCBA is a prerequisite for interior firefighting operations.

Lesson 2 • Structural Firefighting Protective Gear

Covers the components, donning procedures, and care of structural turnout gear. Proper fit and maintenance directly affect thermal and physical protection.

Lesson 3 • Personal Alert Safety System Use

Explains PASS device activation, alarm recognition, and integration with SCBA. Reinforces the device as a critical last-resort survival tool.

Lesson 4 • Firefighter Injury and Fatality Prevention

Analyzes leading causes of firefighter injuries and deaths to establish a prevention-first mindset. Grounds all subsequent safety practices in real-world data.

Lesson 1 • Chemistry and Physics of Fire

Covers combustion chemistry, the fire tetrahedron, and heat transfer modes. Provides the scientific basis for all fire suppression and ventilation strategies.

Lesson 2 • Stages of Fire Development

Describes incipient, growth, fully developed, and decay stages with visual indicators. Enables firefighters to read fire conditions and anticipate behavior changes.

Lesson 3 • Structural Collapse and Void Spaces

Examines collapse patterns, void space formation, and indicators of imminent failure. Prepares firefighters to recognize when to withdraw from a structure.

Lesson 4 • Building Construction Types

Classifies the five construction types by materials and fire resistance ratings. Construction type directly determines collapse risk and tactical approach.

Lesson 1 • Extinguisher Operation and PASS Technique

Teaches the PASS technique and safe operating distances for each extinguisher type. Hands-on application reinforces correct stance, aim, and sweep methods.

Lesson 2 • Municipal Water Supply Systems

Describes water distribution infrastructure, pressure zones, and flow capacity. Understanding supply systems enables effective hydrant selection and drafting decisions.

Lesson 3 • Fire Extinguisher Classifications and Ratings

Explains extinguisher classes by fuel type and numerical ratings for coverage area. Correct selection prevents ineffective application or hazardous reactions.

Lesson 1 • Nozzle Types and Fire Stream Selection

Explains smooth-bore, combination, and foam nozzles and their flow rate characteristics. Stream selection is matched to fire conditions and tactical objectives.

Lesson 2 • Hose Couplings and Appliances

Covers threaded and Storz coupling types, connection methods, and common appliances. Correct coupling technique prevents leaks and maintains flow during operations.

Lesson 3 • Hose Loads and Deployment Methods

Teaches flat, horseshoe, and accordion loads along with preconnect and minuteman deployments. Efficient deployment reduces time to water on the fire.

Lesson 4 • Fire Hose Types and Construction

Identifies attack, supply, and forestry hose by diameter, construction, and pressure rating. Proper hose selection ensures compatibility with pumping and nozzle equipment.

Lesson 1 • Forcible Entry Tools and Selection

Identifies hand tools, power tools, and hydraulic tools used for forcible entry. Tool selection is based on door or window construction and time constraints.

Lesson 2 • Ground Ladder Types and Components

Identifies straight, extension, roof, and folding ladder types by length and application. Correct ladder selection is determined by building height and access needs.

Lesson 3 • Ladder Carries, Raises, and Placement

Covers one- and two-firefighter carries, beam and flat raises, and proper placement angles. Safe placement ensures stability and prevents tip-over during climbing.

Lesson 4 • Inward and Outward Opening Door Techniques

Demonstrates through-the-lock, conventional, and power saw entry methods for various door types. Minimizing damage preserves structural integrity and limits fire spread.

Lesson 1 • Size-Up and Initial Actions

Covers the 360-degree size-up process, life hazard assessment, and initial resource deployment. Accurate size-up drives all subsequent tactical decisions at the scene.

Lesson 2 • Primary Search and Victim Removal

Teaches systematic primary search patterns, victim location, and removal techniques. Speed and thoroughness in primary search directly affect civilian survival rates.

Lesson 3 • Firefighter Survival and Mayday Procedures

Covers entrapment recognition, LUNAR reporting, and self-rescue techniques. Rapid Mayday declaration and survival actions are critical to firefighter rescue outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Incident Command System Fundamentals

Introduces ICS structure, span of control, and the junior firefighter's role within it. Operational effectiveness depends on understanding command relationships before entry.

Lesson 1 • Principles and Purpose of Ventilation

Explains how ventilation controls heat, smoke, and fire gases to improve conditions for attack and search. Improper ventilation can accelerate fire spread and endanger crews.

Lesson 2 • Positive Pressure Ventilation Operations

Covers PPV fan placement, inlet-to-outlet ratios, and coordination with interior crews. Correct PPV application clears smoke rapidly without pushing fire into unburned areas.

Lesson 3 • Overhaul Procedures and Hidden Fire Detection

Covers systematic overhaul, thermal imaging use, and safe debris handling after knockdown. Thorough overhaul prevents rekindle and identifies structural hazards before release.

Lesson 4 • Horizontal and Vertical Ventilation

Teaches window and door horizontal ventilation and roof cutting for vertical ventilation. Each method is matched to building type, fire location, and wind conditions.