Basic and Advanced Fire Fighting Course

Lesson 1 • Personal Safety Principles

Establishes self-protection priorities, situational awareness, and emergency escape concepts. Safety principles underpin every operational task in the course.

Lesson 2 • Chemistry of Combustion

Covers the fire tetrahedron, fuel types, and ignition thresholds. Provides the chemical basis for all suppression strategies taught later.

Lesson 3 • Fire Classification Systems

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

Lesson 4 • Fire Development Stages

Examines incipient, growth, fully developed, and decay phases. Understanding stage transitions enables timely suppression and evacuation decisions.

Lesson 1 • Structural Firefighting Ensemble

Covers helmet, hood, coat, pants, gloves, and boots as an integrated system. Proper ensemble use directly limits burn and smoke exposure.

Lesson 2 • PPE Inspection and Maintenance

Establishes pre-use inspection criteria, cleaning procedures, and retirement standards. Maintained PPE ensures consistent protection throughout service life.

Lesson 3 • Proximity and Specialized PPE

Introduces aluminized proximity suits, chemical splash gear, and wildland PPE. Specialized gear expands operational capability beyond structural environments.

Lesson 1 • Gaseous and Clean Agents

Examines CO2, halon alternatives, and inert gas systems for suppression without residue. Clean agents protect sensitive equipment and enclosed spaces.

Lesson 2 • Portable Extinguisher Operation

Teaches PASS technique, extinguisher ratings, and selection criteria. Portable extinguishers are the first line of defense for incipient-stage fires.

Lesson 3 • Water as a Suppression Agent

Explains water's heat absorption capacity, application rates, and limitations. Water is the primary agent for Class A fires and the baseline for all hose operations.

Lesson 4 • Foam Systems and Application

Covers AFFF, AR-AFFF, and Class A foam types, expansion ratios, and proportioning. Foam suppresses flammable liquid fires and prevents vapor release.

Lesson 1 • Hose Advancement Techniques

Trains single-firefighter and team hose advancement in hallways, stairwells, and exterior positions. Proper advancement maintains water supply and firefighter positioning.

Lesson 2 • Master Stream and Aerial Operations

Covers deck guns, portable monitors, and aerial ladder pipes for high-volume delivery. Master streams are deployed when hand lines cannot control large-scale fires.

Lesson 3 • Nozzle Types and Flow Rates

Covers smooth bore, combination, and foam nozzles with their flow and reach characteristics. Nozzle selection determines suppression effectiveness and water efficiency.

Lesson 4 • Basic Hydraulic Calculations

Introduces friction loss, elevation pressure, and engine pressure formulas. Hydraulic calculations ensure adequate flow at the nozzle for effective suppression.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Fire Ventilation

Explains pressure differentials, thermal layering, and flow paths that drive smoke movement. Understanding these principles prevents ventilation-induced fire spread.

Lesson 2 • Horizontal Ventilation Methods

Addresses door, window, and wall opening strategies for cross-ventilation. Horizontal ventilation is coordinated with attack line advancement.

Lesson 3 • Vertical Ventilation Operations

Covers roof cutting, ridge venting, and skylight removal for upward smoke release. Vertical ventilation is most effective during offensive interior attacks.

Lesson 4 • Positive Pressure Ventilation

Teaches fan placement, opening sizing, and timing for positive pressure ventilation. PPV rapidly clears smoke and improves visibility for search and rescue.

Lesson 1 • Size-Up and Pre-Attack Assessment

Teaches the 13-point size-up process covering life safety, building construction, and fire location. Accurate size-up drives all tactical decisions that follow.

Lesson 2 • Overhaul and Loss Control

Covers hot spot detection, debris handling, and salvage operations after knockdown. Overhaul prevents rekindle and minimizes property damage.

Lesson 3 • Interior Attack and Fire Control

Trains offensive attack positioning, nozzle technique, and coordinated ventilation timing. Interior attack extinguishes the seat of the fire while limiting smoke spread.

Lesson 4 • Forcible Entry Techniques

Covers through-the-lock, conventional, and power tool entry methods for doors and windows. Controlled entry preserves building integrity and limits fire spread.

Lesson 1 • Flammable Gas Emergency Response

Addresses LPG, natural gas, and compressed gas cylinder emergencies including leak control. Gas fires must not be extinguished until flow is stopped.

Lesson 2 • Wildland-Urban Interface Firefighting

Introduces WUI fire behavior, structure triage, and defensible space assessment. WUI operations blend structural and wildland tactics in a single incident.

Lesson 3 • Electrical and Utility Fire Hazards

Trains safe distances, de-energization procedures, and arc flash awareness. Electrical hazards require utility coordination before suppression begins.

Lesson 4 • Industrial Process Fire Control

Covers fixed suppression system support, process shutdown, and exposure protection in industrial settings. Industrial fires demand pre-incident planning and system knowledge.

Lesson 1 • Fireground Communication

Establishes radio discipline, progress reports, and emergency traffic protocols. Clear communication reduces errors and supports rapid tactical adjustments.

Lesson 2 • Multi-Agency and Large Incident Coordination

Covers unified command, mutual aid activation, and interoperability challenges. Large incidents require seamless coordination across multiple agencies and jurisdictions.

Lesson 3 • Tactical Priorities and Objectives

Covers life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation as ordered priorities. Tactical objectives translate strategic goals into actionable assignments.

Lesson 4 • Resource Management and Staging

Trains resource typing, staging area setup, and assignment tracking. Effective resource management prevents freelancing and ensures accountability.