2007-2008 Academic Catalog

Course descriptions


Course descriptions index


Fire Science

A $75 per semester fee for the upgrade of equipment will also be assessed for one or more ARSK, EMS and FIRE courses. These fees are in addition to any lab/materials fees.


FIRE 101      3 Credits
Principles of Emergency Services
Overview of fire protection, career opportunities in fire protection and related fields, philosophy and history of fire protection/service. Fire loss analysis, organization and function of public and private protection services. Fire departments as part of local government, laws and regulations affecting fire services, fire service nomenclature, specific fire protection functions. Basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems and introduction to fire strategy and tactics. (3 + 0) Offered Fall


FIRE 105      3 Credits
Fire Prevention
The history and philosophy of fire prevention, organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau. Use of fire codes, identification and correction of fire hazards, and the relationships of fire prevention with built-in fire protection systems, fire investigation, and fire and life-safety education. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


FIRE 107      3 Credits
Strategy and Tactics
The principles of fire control through utilization of personnel, equipment and extinguishing agents on the fire ground. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


FIRE 110      3 Credits
Introduction to Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
Review of federal and state hazardous materials laws and regulations. Career opportunities related to the field of hazardous materials including transportation, emergency response and site clean up, and Incident Command System (ICS). (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FIRE 115      3 Credits
Fire Apparatus and Equipment
Fire apparatus design, specifications and performance capabilities, effective use of apparatus in fire emergencies. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FIRE 117      3 Credits
Rescue Practices
Rescue situations and techniques including vehicle extrication, rescue carries, ventilation principles, structural rescue, use of portable hand and power tools, wildland/canine search and rescue, ice and water rescue and emergency life saving principles. Materials fee: $150 plus $13 for additional mandatory insurance plus $75 turnout cleaning/repair fee. (Prerequisites: EMS 170, or permission of instructor. All students are required to wear a complete set of fire department-approved protective clothing (turnout gear). Limited quantities are available for loan through the emergency services program coordinator. An eight-hour personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus safety orientation must be completed in order to participate in live fire exercises.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


FIRE 121      3 Credits
Fire Behavior and Combustion
Theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread and how they are controlled. (3 + 0) Offered Fall


FIRE 123      3 Credits
Fire Investigations I
Fundamentals and technical knowledge needed for proper fire scene interpretations, including recognizing and conducting origin and cause, preservation of evidence and documentation, scene security, motives of the firesetter and types of fire causes. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FIRE 127      1 Credit
Vessel Safety: Emergency Equipment and Procedures
Introduction to safe boating practices and skills including boat handling, rules of navigation, proper safety equipment, weather, boat trailering, lines and knots, first aid and emergency procedures. (1 + 0) Offered Fall


FIRE 131      3 Credits
Firefighter I, Series I
The initial phase in a four-phase process for achieving state of Alaska Fire Fighter I certification. Fundamental knowledge of fire behavior, fire organizations, types of fire equipment emergency response services possess and methods of their use. Successful completion of all four phases will qualify the student for Alaska State Fire Fighter I certification. Materials fee: $150; mandatory insurance: $13; turnout cleaning/repair fee: $75. (Prerequisite: All students are required to wear a complete set of fire department approved protective clothing (turnout gear). Limited quantities are available for loan through the Emergency Services Program Coordinator. ) (3 + 0) Offered Spring, As Demand Warrants


FIRE 133      3 Credits
Firefighter I, Series II
The second phase in a four-phase process for achieving state of Alaska Fire Fighter I certification. Fundamental knowledge of fire behavior, fire organizations, types of fire equipment emergency response services possess and methods of their use. Successful completion of all four phases will qualify the student for Alaska State Fire Fighter I certification. Materials fee: $150; mandatory insurance: $13; turnout cleaning/repair fee: $75. (Prerequisite: All students are required to wear a complete set of fire department approved protective clothing (turnout gear). Limited quantities are available for loan through the Emergency Services program coordinator. An 8 hour Personal Protective equipment (PPE) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) safety orientation offered each semester must be completed in order to participate in live fire exercises.) (2 + 2) Offered Fall, As Demand Warrants


FIRE 135      3 Credits
Firefighter I, Series III
The third phase in a four-phase process for achieving state of Alaska Fire Fighter I certification. Fundamental knowledge of fire behavior, fire organizations, types of fire equipment emergency response services possess and methods of their use. Successful completion of all four phases will qualify the student for Alaska State Fire Fighter I certification. Materials fee: $150; mandatory insurance: $13; turnout cleaning/repair fee: $75. (Prerequisite: All students are required to wear a complete set of fire department approved protective clothing (turnout gear). Limited quantities are available for loan through the Emergency Services program coordinator. An 8 hour Personal Protective equipment (PPE) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) safety orientation offered each semester must be completed in order to participate in live fire exercises.) (2 + 2) Offered Fall, As Demand Warrants


FIRE 137      3 Credits
Firefighter I, Series IV
The final phase in a four-phase process for achieving state of Alaska Fire Fighter I certification. Fundamental knowledge of fire behavior, fire organizations, types of fire equipment emergency response services possess and methods of their use. Successful completion of all four phases will qualify the student for Alaska State Fire Fighter I certification. Materials fee: $150. (3 + 0) Offered Spring, As Demand Warrants


FIRE 143      1 Credit
Firefighter Internship, Series 1
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. (0 + 2) Offered Fall


FIRE 145      1 Credit
Firefighter Internship, Series 2
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. (Prerequisite: FIRE 143.) (0 + 2) Offered Spring, As Demand Warrants


FIRE 147      1 Credit
Firefighter Internship, Series 3
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. (Prerequisite: FIRE 145.) (0 + 2) Offered Summer, As Demand Warrants


FIRE 151      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Control I
Designed to provide national certification for entry-level and experienced fire fighters with fundamental knowledge of wildland fire organization, fire behavior, air operations, suppression methods, safety and the incident command system. Successful course completion combined with national age and physical fitness requirements will qualify the student for an interagency fire qualification card (red card) with a rating of Firefighter (FFT2). (3 + 0) Offered Spring


FIRE 153      3 Credits
Advanced Wildland Firefighter
Designed to provide national certification for advanced wildland firefighters with knowledge of portable pumps and water use, chain saws, preliminary fire investigation and the duties and responsibilities of squad boss. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or permission of instructor.) (2.5 + 1) Offered Fall


FIRE 155      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Behavior
Fire behavior knowledge necessary to determine basic input data for fire behavior calculations such as rate of spread, fire line intensity, flame length and area/perimeter growth using fire behavior prediction systems. Prepare fire perimeter maps, assess and predict chances of extreme fire behavior conditions, assess fire line data and fire behavior estimations, identify fire suppression limitations, and make recommendations for fire line location and safe control tactics. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FIRE 157      3 Credits
Wildland Air Operations and Safety
Basic use of aircraft in wildland fire operations including helicopter operations, types and capacities, helibase/helispot construction, logistics support and specialized missions. Fixed wing operations include establishment of air bases, retardant operations, aircraft fueling and paracargo support. Emphasis on aviation safety. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


FIRE 159      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Operations Function
Overview of the operations function including organization; implementation of the incident action plan; tactical use of crews, engines and bulldozers; appointment of supervisors in accordance with span of control; use of fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft and fire operations in the urban interface. Functional position of single resource boss/crew covered. (Prerequisites: FIRE 151, 153, 155, 157 and 254, or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


FIRE 161      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Logistics Function
Overview of the support and service branches of the logistics function within the incident command system. Emphasis on entry-level positions of ordering manager, receiving and distribution manager, base camp manager, equipment manager and medical unit leader. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


FIRE 165      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Planning Function
An overview of the planning process, organizational relationships with other functions, use of planning matrix board, check-in and resource status procedures, evaluation, analysis and display of incident information, documentation, demobilization, use of technical specialist and components of an incident action plan. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


FIRE 202      3 Credits
Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply
Provides a foundation of theoretical knowledge in order to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection and their application to analyze and solve water supply problems. (Prerequisites: FIRE 101 and a C or better in DEVM 060 or placement into DEVM 105 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


FIRE 203      3 Credits
Hazardous Materials Chemistry I
Basic fire chemistry relating to most categories of hazardous materials including problems of recognition, reactivity and health risks encountered by fire fighters. (Prerequisite: Satisfactory demonstration of basic chemistry knowledge (pretest) or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


FIRE 205      3 Credits
Hazardous Materials Chemistry II
Chemistry review of common hazardous materials. Control, confinement and containment operations with an emphasis on decontamination procedures. Meets requirements of the operations level, first responder to hazardous materials incidents. (Prerequisite: FIRE 203 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FIRE 206      3 Credits
Building Construction for Fire Protection
The components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety. Focus on fire fighter safety. Includes elements of construction and design of structures shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations and operating emergencies. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or employment or experience in related field, such as fire protection, insurance, construction architecture or engineering.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


FIRE 207      3 Credits
Hazardous Materials Technician
Advanced information for protection and safety of personnel engaged in response and field cleanup of hazardous materials and substances at the hazardous materials technician level (EPA course #165.15). Materials fee: $150. (Prerequisite: FIRE 205 or permission of instructor. (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FIRE 209      3 Credits
Hazardous Materials Command/Safety Officer
Preparation for Incident Commander and the Safety Officer positions on complex hazardous materials incidents or large site cleanup operations. (Prerequisite: FIRE 207 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FIRE 210      3 Credits
Fire Administration I
Organization and management of a fire department and the relationship of government agencies to the fire service. Emphasis on fire service leadership from the perspective of the company officer. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


FIRE 212      3 Credits
Building and Fire Codes
Introduction to life safety aspects of the uniform building code. Emphasis on uniform fire code for fire inspections on existing buildings, flammable liquids, hazardous materials and special processes. Preparation for the uniform fire code exam administered by the International Conference of Building Officials. (Prerequisites: FIRE 101 and 206, or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FIRE 214      3 Credits
Fire Protection Systems
Features of design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems, heat and smoke control systems, special protection and sprinkler systems, water supply for fire protection and portable fire extinguishers. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


FIRE 215      3 Credits
Advanced Hazardous Materials Technician
Provides increased hands-on skills for personnel with a hazardous materials technician rating. Emphasis will be placed on task proficiency in spill containment, plugging, patching, diking and valve shut-offs on large commercial transporters. Stabilization of large and small chlorine leaks and decontamination will also be covered. Materials fee: $150. (Prerequisites: FIRE 207 or permission of instructor.) (2 + 2) Offered As Demand Warrants


FIRE 216      3 Credits
Methods of Instruction for Emergency Services Training
Skills necessary to instruct emergency service courses including adult education techniques, classroom setup, use of audiovisual equipment, presentation and evaluation methods of students and instruction. (Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FIRE 217      1 Credit
Hazardous Materials Technician Refresher
Information and skills required for protection and safety of personnel engaged in response and field cleanup of hazardous materials and substances at the hazardous materials technician level. Materials fee: $50. (Prerequisites: Fire 206 or equivalent with certification that may not be expired for more than one calendar year.) (1 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FIRE 218      3 Credits
Advanced Rescue Practices
Provides instruction in four of the most common rescue situations that fire departments encounter in an Interior Alaska rescue: vehicular extrication, rope rescue, confined space rescue and ice/water rescue. Class stresses basic knowledge and hands-on experience. All students are required to wear a complete set of fire department-approved protective clothing (turnout gear). Limited quantities are available for loan through the Emergency Services program coordinator. Materials fee: $150 plus $15.60 mandatory insurance plus $75 turnout cleaning/repair fee. (Prerequisites: FIRE 117 and EMS 170; or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


FIRE 231      3 Credits
Hazardous Materials Tactical Operations
Tactical operations involving hazardous materials at fixed facilities as well as transportation incidents involving flammable and combustible liquids, corrosives, poisons, cryogenics, oxidizers, LPG, etiological materials, etc. (Prerequisite: FIRE 207 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


FIRE 232      3 Credits
Fire Fighter II
Advanced technical study of fire alarms, communications, fire behavior, self-contained breathing apparatus, rescue, safety, ladders, fire hose, nozzles and appliances, fire streams, water supplies, sprinklers, overhaul and inspections. All students are required to wear a complete set of fire department approved protective clothing (turnout gear). Limited quantities are available for loan through the emergency services program coordinator. Materials fee: $150 plus $75 turnout cleaning/repair fee. (Prerequisites: FIRE 131, 133, 135 and 137, or permission of instructor. An eight-hour personal protective equipment  and self-contained breathing apparatus safety orientation must be completed in order to participate in live fire exercises.) (2 + 2) Offered Summer, As Demand Warrants


FIRE 244      1 Credit
Firefighter Internship, Series 4
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. (Prerequisite: FIRE 145 or 147.) (0 + 2) Offered Fall


FIRE 246      1 Credit
Firefighter Internship, Series 5
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. (Prerequisite: FIRE 244.) (0 + 2) Offered Spring


FIRE 248      1 Credit
Firefighter Internship, Series 6
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. (Prerequisite: FIRE 246.) (0 + 2) Offered Summer, As Demand Warrants


FIRE 249      3 Credits
Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations
Assistance to emergency planners and first responders to plan for and safely handle chemical accidents through use of a computer. CAMEO contains chemical nomenclature and response information for 3, 311 commonly transported chemicals. (2.5 + 1) Offered As Demand Warrants


FIRE 252      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Prevention
Overview of wildland fire prevention including data collection, problem identification, problem analysis, action planning, fire reporting, fire cause determination, enforcement of laws and ordinances, public fire education and the economics of fire prevention. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 and FIRE 153 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FIRE 254      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Finance Function
Fire business management objectives, including duties and responsibilities of a fire finance section relating to management practices and programs. Procedures required in various finance positions including financial management of a large complex wildland fire. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 and FIRE 153 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


FIRE 256      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Planning and Multiple Use Management
Fire management and its role in a multiple use resource program. Includes prescribed and wildfire practices, environmental concerns, management goals and objectives and pre-fire planning. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151, FIRE 153, FIRE 155, or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


FIRE 258      3 Credits
Wildland Fuels Management
Use of fire as a resource management tool. Natural and prescribed fire planning. Development and procedures to meet management objectives, components for conducting safe, prescribed burning. (Prerequisites: FIRE 151, 153, 155, 158 and 262 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


FIRE 262      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Control II
Instruction in tactical operations of fire line construction. Use of hand crews, heavy equipment, water and engines, firing operations, wildland/urban interface and using combinations of resources. Advanced level course for trained and experienced wildland fire fighters. (Prerequisites: FIRE 151, 153, 155, 157, 159 and 254 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


FIRE 270      3 Credits
Wildland Fire Command Function
An overview of the command function including use of single and unified command, roles and responsibilities of the incident commander and staff, development and implementation of strategic decisions, providing information to the media and managing the incident from initial attack of small, non-complex fires to larger, more complex initial attack suppression organizations dealing with escape attack situations. (Prerequisites: FIRE 151, 153, 155, 252 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2008-09.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring