Fire Science Technology (FIS)

FIS-101. Principles of Fire Science. (3 Credits)

The course explores the history of the fire service and its development into the organization that we know of today. Students will explore tactics and fireground strategies. Characteristics and behavior of fire will be discussed. Numerous fire service subjects including fire hose, tools and equipment, search and rescue situations, ventilation techniques, ropes and knots, and all types of emergency preparedness topics will be covered. (3 contact hours)

FIS-110. Hazardous Materials Awareness. (1 Credit)

Designed to give the student the knowledge necessary to implement a planned response to a hazardous materials circumstance. Emphasizes surveying the incident scene and collecting hazardous materials information. (1 contact hour)

FIS-117. Incident Safety Officer. (3 Credits)

This course introduces the student to the roles and responsibilities of an incident safety officer. The student will learn about firefighter line-of-duty deaths and ways in which firefighter deaths can be avoided. Risk versus benefits will be discussed. Emergency incident operations and responses to and from the incidents will be explored. Training operations will be covered with an emphasis on the fire department's liability to perform training that is safe and comprehensive. (3 contact hours)

FIS-118. Health and Safety Officer. (3 Credits)

This course introduces the student to the roles and responsibilities of the health and safety officer. The student will learn about firefighter wellness and fitness programs. The development of an overall safety program will be discussed. An infectious disease prevention program will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on legal issues and health and safety standards and regulations. (3 contact hours)

FIS-119. Water Rescue Operations. (2 Credits)

Students will be instructed on the techniques and procedures for responding to water-related emergencies. Topics include terminology and types of bodies of water. Personal protective equipment and emergency actions are explored. Rescues are practiced using simulated victims. Substantial time is spent in the water. (3 contact hours)

FIS-140. Company Fire Officer. (9 Credits)

This course presents information about the policies, procedures, applicable laws and rules involved in being a fire officer in the modern fire service. This course is meant for firefighters who wish to become company-level fire officers. The National Fire Protection Association Standards, State Fire Marshal standards, and generally accepted principles will be discussed. Instruction will cover company level fire inspections, company-level fire suppression tactics, basic leadership skills, labor-management concerns, and conflict resolution. (9 contact hours)

FIS-141. Company Fire Officer Seminar. (3 Credits)

Students will research and investigate how their fire departments meet the policies, procedures, applicable laws that govern them. Students will investigate and report on company level fire inspections, company-level fire suppression tactics, basic leadership skills, labor-management concerns, and conflict resolution within their fire departments. A lengthy evaluation document must be handed in at the conclusion of the course. (4 contact hours)

FIS-150. Advanced Fire Officer. (9 Credits)

This course presents information about the policies, procedures, applicable laws and rules that affect an advanced fire officer in the modern fire service. This course is meant for fire officers who wish to become advanced fire officers. National Fire Protection Association standards, State Fire Marshal standards, and generally accepted principles will be discussed. Instruction will cover multi-company fire suppression tactics, budgets, developing crew dynamics, networking and ethical concerns. (9 contact hours)

FIS-151. Advanced Fire Officer Seminar. (3 Credits)

As a continuation of FIS-141 students will further research and investigate how their fire departments meet the policies, procedures, and applicable laws that govern the service they provide. Students will investigate and report on budgets and finance, multi-company fire suppression tactics, crew dynamics, and ethical concerns within their fire departments. A lengthy evaluation document must be handed in at the conclusion of the course. (4 contact hours)

FIS-201. Fire Service Instructor I. (3 Credits)

This course introduces fire service course delivery skills. The course meets the guidelines of the Illinois Office of State Fire Marshal at Instructor I level. It qualifies personnel to conduct training and educational courses for fire service personnel. (3 contact hours)

FIS-202. Fire Service Instructor II. (3 Credits)

A sequel to Fire Service Instructor I. Emphasis is on performance objectives, lesson plan development, instructional materials development, teaching and the learning process, teaching tactics, and related concepts required to meet certification as a Fire Service Instructor II. (3 contact hours)

FIS-203. Fire Apparatus Engineer. (3 Credits)

This course studies properties of pumps. fluids, force, pressure, and flow velocities as related to the development of firefighting water streams. Emphasis is placed on the generation of fire streams in relationship to pumping capabilities, friction loss and water supply. Students will be able to operate various fire apparatus pumps and troubleshoot problems. (3 contact hours)

FIS-204. Hazardous Materials Operations. (3 Credits)

This course studies hazardous materials emergencies. Topics include classification of hazardous materials, identifying hazardous materials, locating hazardous materials, hazards linked to different hazardous materials, and various fire department strategies followed to minimize the effects of hazardous materials incidents. (3 contact hours)

FIS-206. Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue. (3 Credits)

This course prepares students to perform stabilization, extrication and disentanglement from passenger vehicles and standard machinery. Students will become familiar with a variety of tools including heavy duty hydraulics and specialized pneumatic tools. Upon successful completion of the course, the student is qualified to challenge the State Fire Marshal's Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue written exam for certification. Objectives for this course were developed based on training objectives prescribed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and the codes and standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

FIS-212. Fire Inspector I. (3 Credits)

This course introduces the student to the roles and responsibilities of the Fire Prevention Officer. Significant events in the history of fire prevention are discussed. Regulations established by regulatory agencies such as the National Fire Protection Agency and state statutes are explored within the context of administrative procedures associated with fire prevention. (3 contact hours)

FIS-213. Public Fire and Life Safety Educator. (3 Credits)

This course introduces the student to the roles and responsibilities associated with the Public Fire and Life Safety Educator: flammable liquids, compressed gases and explosives, electricity, combustion engines, and laboratories. Regulations for work with hazards as established by agencies such as the National Fire Protection Agency and state statutes are explored. (3 contact hours)

FIS-215. Fire Service Academy I. (3 Credits)

This course covers the curriculm related to Module A of the State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighting certification. The course will cover the following areas: Fire Service organization, the history and development of fire protection, and the relationship of departmental functions to other governmental agencies. The course will provide an overview of the various skills and knowledge pertaining to Building construction, fire extinguishers, fire dynamics, rope, ladders, personal protective equipment and forcible entry. Objectives for this course were developed based on training objectives prescribed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and the codes and standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (4 contact hours)

FIS-216. Fire Service Academy II. (3 Credits)

This course covers the curriculm related to Module B of the State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighting certification. The course will cover the following areas: Search and rescue, hose and nozzles, water supply, ventilation, salvage and overhaul and installed systems. Objectives for this course were developed based on training objectives prescribed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and the codes and standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (4 contact hours)

FIS-217. Fire Service Academy III. (3 Credits)

This course covers the curriculum related to Module C of the State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighting certification. The course will cover the following areas: Classroom portion of the fire service vehicle operator course, Haz-Mat awareness, NIMS 100, 200, 700 & 800, controlling various utility emergencies, Traffic Incident Management, and the Courage to Be Safe course. Objectives for this course were developed based on training objectives prescribed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and the codes and standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (4 contact hours)

FIS-218. Fire Service Academy IV. (3 Credits)

This course concentrates of developing and enhancing the psychomotor skills related to the State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighting certification. The skills will include the following areas: personal protective equipment, communications, rope, ladders, ventilation, forcible entry, water supply, hose and nozzles, search and rescue, and salvage and overhaul. Objectives for this course were developed based on training objectives prescribed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and the codes and standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (6 contact hours)

FIS-219. Fire Service Academy V. (3 Credits)

This course concentrates on synthesizing the psychomotor skills related to the State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighting certification. The course also includes team building exercises and group scenarios. The skills will included in engine company operations, truck company operations, squad company operations and RIT team operations. Objectives for this course were developed based on training objectives prescribed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and the codes and standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (6 contact hours)

FIS-220. Fire Service Seminar. (1 Credit)

This course introduces the student to the culture of the fire service. The student will learn how rank, seniority and tradition help to define the role of a firefighter. This course will cover firehouse humor and how firefighters deal with tragedy and crisis. Traditions and history of firefighting will be explored. Chain of command, delegation, and span of control will be discussed in relationship to a new firefighter. (1 contact hour)

FIS-221. Fire Service Internship. (3 Credits)

This course introduces the student to the roles and responsibilities of a firefighter. Topics will include communications and fire extinguishers. Regulations established by regulatory agencies such as the National Fire Protection Agency and state statutes are explored within the context of administrative procedures associated with fire suppression. Students will be affiliated with and members of a fire department. Fee is required. (16 contact hours)

FIS-222. Advanced Technician Firefighter. (2 Credits)

This course is developed to enhance the skills of entry level firefighters. This course meets the requirements of the Office of the State Fire Marshal for certification as an Advanced Technician Firefighter. Hands-on skills will be a required component of this course. (3 contact hours)

FIS-223. Hazardous Materials Technician. (4 Credits)

This course is intended to prepare the student to conduct offensive procedures for controlling a hazardous materials incident. This course covers identification of the types of containers that may carry hazardous materials, terms and definitions related to hazardous materials, donning and doffing hazardous materials personal protective equipment, using resources to identify and understand hazardous materials, and mitigating a mock hazardous materials incident. (6 contact hours)

FIS-228. Rope Operations. (2 Credits)

This course is intended to prepare the student to operate at an incident involving low angle rope operations. The course covers identification of the types of rope that may be used, the various pieces of equipment commonly used for rope incidents, the terms and definitions related to rope related incidents, the types of knots used, how to tie the various knots, how to construct haul systems, and the necessary personal protective equipment used at a rope incident. The course includes a significant laboratory component to insure student mastery of hands-on skills required during low angle rope operations. (3 contact hours)

FIS-230. Fire Investigation Module A. (3 Credits)

This course is the first of three modules required to become an Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) approved fire investigator. Fire behavior, the chemistry of fire, electrical components, and basics of fire investigation are discussed. (3 contact hours)

FIS-231. Fire Investigation Module B. (3 Credits)

This course is the second of three modules required to become an Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) approved fire investigator. Motives for setting fires, juvenile fire setter characteristics, legal issues, state statutes, courtroom testimony, chain of evidence, preparing an arson case, and investigations involving explosives will be discussed. (3 contact hours)

FIS-232. Fire Investigation Module C. (3 Credits)

This course is the third of three modules required to become an Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) approved fire investigator. Photography related to fire scenes, how to use photography equipment to document a scene, conducting a death investigation, verbal and non-verbal communication evidence collection, and financial analysis will be discussed. (3 contact hours)