Fire Science
Health Sciences, Education & Wellness
Student Alert: 356 BCC courses renumbered and/or renamed starting summer 2008. For example, Speech 200 is now Communication Studies 210. If you have taken courses at BCC prior to summer 2008, visit our Common Course Number Advisory website to learn more and view a list of changed courses.
- FS 100 Introduction to Fire Service . 1 CR
- Surveys the field of fire service. Topics include typical fire department structure, authority of the fire chief and fire marshal, and fire department interactions with other local, state, and federal agencies.
- FS 101 Fire Behavior & Combustion . 2 CR
- Studies basic chemical concepts of fire behavior and combustion. Topics include fire and the physical world, properties of solids, liquids and gases and chemical reactions as they relate to fire behavior. Fire extinguishment agents and their effect on fire are explored.
- FS 102 Introduction to Fire Prevention Practices . 3 CR
- Examines the spectrum of fire prevention functions and philosophies and their relationships to fire suppression efforts. Students review legal mandates for fire prevention, fire inspection practices and processes, public education and public relations, plan review, fire codes and related regulations, and the need and process of fire investigation.
- FS 105 Fire Service Hydraulics . 3 CR
- Studies the mechanical properties of water at rest and in motion. Students focus on applying the properties of water to fire suppression operations and fire stream development. Other topics include municipal water supply systems and rural water supply operations. Prerequisite: FS 110 and placement by assessment into MATH 099 or MATH 098 with a C- or better, or permission of instructor.
- FS 110 Fundamentals of Emergency Services . 3 CR
- Intended for students desiring a career in the fire and emergency services. Course provides an overview of health, physical fitness, fire nomenclature, career opportunities, philosophy and history of fire protection/service, organization and function of public fire protection services as part of local government. Prerequisite: Placement by assessment into ENGL& 101 (prev ENGL 101) or ENGL 092 or 093 with a C- or better.
- FS 111 Fundamentals of Firefighting . 7 CR
- Develops introductory-level firefighting skills. Topics include fundamentals of safety, communications, behavior of fire, protective equipment, ladders and hoses, water supply, forcible entry, and rescue techniques.
- FS 113 Intermediate Firefighting . 8 CR
- Continues FS 111 with additional basic skills training for fire service personnel. Topics include fire extinguishers, ventilation, ropes/knots, ladders, salvage, and sprinkler systems.
- FS 115 Advanced Firefighting . 2.5 CR
- Completes the basic skills training series. Topics include fire cause, foam agents, multi-company operations, and fundamentals of fire education and public relations.
- FS 117 Hazardous Materials Operation . 0.5 CR
- Introduces hazardous materials for emergency responders. Students learn basics of identification, recognition, and resource information availability.
- FS 119 Live Fire Control . 2.5 CR
- Offers live-fire training for emergency responders, covering Class A (common combustibles) and Class B (flammable liquid) fires. Students practice using special techniques and equipment. Requires lab performance for all students.
- FS 120 Fire Investigation . 3 CR
- Covers fire origin, causes, and spread. Topics include recognizing accidental and incendiary fires, securing and preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, coordinating with other agencies, compiling reports, arson laws and court procedures. Prerequisite: FS 110 or permission of advisor.
- FS 130 Investigative Interview Techniques . 2 CR
- Introduces the basic interview techniques used during criminal investigations. Students practice techniques for developing elements of a complete case report and for interviewing criminal suspects and witnesses. Prerequisite: FS 120 or permission of advisor.
- FS 131 Fire Service Instructor . 3 CR
- Emphasizes the study, application, and evaluation of teaching methodology and techniques that can prepare an individual as a fire service instructor. Course meets NFPA 1041 standards.
- FS 137 Fire Protection . 3 CR
- Surveys fire alarm protection systems and water-type fire extinguishing sprinkler systems for special hazards. Students visit local facilities using various fire protection equipment and systems and learn to make critical appraisals.
- FS 140 Incident Safety Officer . 2 CR
- A study of fire fighter safety using NFPA and state standards. Emphasizes the day-to-day health and safety of department members. Addresses standards, regulations, role of safety officer, accident investigations, record keeping, structural, EMS, hazardous materials, and wild land emergencies.
- FS 150 Intermediate Fire Science Investigation . 3 CR
- Recalls elements in basic fire investigation. Discussion of motives and laws affecting juvenile fire setters both criminal and non-criminal. Covers investigation of fire scenes that involve injuries or fatalities, electrical causes of fires, and the compilation of information into reports for a case ready presentation. Prerequisite: ENGL& 101, (prev ENGL 101) and FS 101 and FS 130 and FS 152 or permission of instructor.
- FS 152 Building Construction . 3 CR
- Provides the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety. Elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting building, pre-planning and operating at emergencies. Prerequisite: FS 110 or permission of instructor.
- FS 160 Fire Tactics & Strategy . 3 CR
- Reviews planning, implementation, and evaluation of basic fire tactics at the responding officer level. Students learn pre-fire planning, size-up, fire simulation, fire behavior, organizational structures, strategy, and resource requirements and allocation. Prerequisite: FS 110 or permission of advisor.
- FS 177 Wild Land/Urban Interface . 2 CR
- Presents information and skills required to contain fires in open or rural land that interfaces with urban or suburban environments. Specific issues include forests, grassland, farmland, etc.
- FS 190 Fire Inspection & Codes . 4 CR
- Studies International Fire Code as applied to fire prevention inspections at the fire company level. Students relate the IFC to the International Building Code and other recognized standards. Students take a realistic approach to field application. Prerequisite: FS 110 or permission of instructor.
- FS 200 Plan Review For Fire Prevention . 4 CR
- Introduces the tools and techniques of reviewing building plans from the fire prevention perspective. Students get hands-on plan review experience and develop the basic skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to be a plan reviewer. Prerequisite: FS 102 and FS 137 and FS 190 or permission of advisor.
- FS 201 Emergency Medical Technician . 8 CR
- Covers all emergency medical techniques currently within the responsibilities of the basic EMT providing emergency care with an ambulance service. Meets federal and state standards.
- FS 210 Incident Management Multi-Company Operations . 3 CR
- Studies emergency incident management at the fire company level. Topics include basic command structure and components, incident safety, personnel accountability, and application of management processes to a variety of emergency situations.
- FS 215 Hazardous Materials Incident Management . 3 CR
- How to manage a hazardous materials incident. Content meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in OSHA 1910.120q and educational competencies referenced in NFPA 472. Prerequisite: FS 100 and FS 111 and FS 115 and FS 119 or proof of completion of a Hazardous Materials Operations Certificate.
- FS 231 Fire Service Leadership . 3 CR
- Examines the roles and responsibilities of company officers through concepts, examples, and practice. Students learn skills necessary for effective supervision, including goal setting, delegation, counseling, coaching, problem solving, decision-making, leadership, communications, and the supervisor's role in labor relations.
- FS 232 Human Resources Management . 3 CR
- Provides an overview of state and federal laws pertaining to the workplace. Students discuss issues of leadership and administration including labor management, collective bargaining, human resources, safety regulations, local government, planning, and budgeting.
- FS 233 Fire Service Administration . 3 CR
- Details the principles of organization and management as applied to fire service agencies. Students apply theories to actual management problems through realistic case studies.
- FS 237 Fire Protection Systems II . 3 CR
- Analyzes fire protection and detection systems, focusing on advanced concepts in fire sprinkler systems. Format includes classroom discussion and practical sprinkler demonstrations. Prerequisite: FS 137 or permission of advisor.
- FS 240 Crime Scene & Physical Evidence . 4 CR
- Examines federal and Washington state laws of search and seizure from a fire investigation perspective. Topics include functions of crime laboratories, concepts of physical evidence, protection of the crime scene, and techniques for crime scene processing. Prerequisite: FS 120 or permission of advisor.
- FS 260 Arson for Profit . 4 CR
- Presents arson for profit through theory and case studies. Students learn procedures of investigating arson fires. Where and what to look for in determining motivation and method. Prerequisite: FS 120 or permission of advisor.
- FS 261 Incident Management II . 3 CR
- Studies incident management processes for emergency response at the disaster management level. Students discuss advanced command structure and components, pre-incident planning, and application of management processes to a variety of large-scale emergency situations. Prerequisite: FS 210.
- FS 290 Advanced Codes & Inspection . 3 CR
- Utilizing the International Fire Code, course builds on FS 190 by analyzing specific articles of the code that are more difficult to interpret and apply. looks closely at local, state, and federal regulations that apply to the IFC. Prerequisite: FS 190 or permission of instructor.
- FS 291 Hazardous Materials Inspection . 3 CR
- Outlines steps and issues in hazardous materials
inspections as specified in Article 80 of the National Fire Protection
Association. Topics include hazardous material permits, plan review and
enforcement of hazardous material code compliance, evaluation of alternative
methods, and environmental regulation compliance.
Prerequisite: FS 190 or permission of advisor. - FS 298 Seminar in Fire Science . V1-3 CR
- Covers workshops and seminars on fire science
and supervision for which college credit
is offered.