NCTC FIRE ACADEMY SYLLABUS      

LOCATION :  Flower mound fire station #2

                        Other locations as needed

 Physical Fitness Training: Students are to train physical fitness for one hour only.

PT will be every class except MONDAYS.  Students must wear fire academy t-shirts/ fire academy shorts for workouts.  Sweatshirts or Hoodies may be acceptable for inclement weather.   

Text: Required: Firefighter essentials 7th edition

Other student workbooks and materials will be provided

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is the basic Firefighter  Academy course. Students successfully completing the class will be eligible for Texas State Fire Training Certification as a Firefighter  and will be qualified for entry-level firefighter positions in state, county, and municipal fire departments. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and abilities required in routine and emergency firefighting operations for both structure and wildland. 2. Execute the skills necessary to perform basic rescue operations including auto extrication, and first responder. 3. Operate, inspect, and maintain firefighting and rescue equipment. 4. Perform the necessary skills to execute basic fire prevention and fire investigation tasks. 5. Participate in daily Physical Training in preparation for successful performance  6. Perform station maintenance duties by providing basic cleaning of the fire training facilities as directed by assigned personnel

UNIFORM:

Students must be in uniform during class and during work experience duties at fire stations.. The uniform can be removed and replaced with PT gear during that time. T-shirts are permitted during strenuous working conditions also.  

Students will be issued structure PPE and equipment which must be brought to school and available for immediate use at all times. 

Instructor Stone is Quartermaster for the academy.   If you have an issue with broken, lost, or torn gear, airpacks, tools along with any other problem in that arena.  You must inform your instructor of the day, class quartermaster, along with Instructor Stone.  Simply informing the instructor of the day is not sufficient.   Instructor Stone is also in charge of all apparatus, other vehicles as well as NCTC training props & uniforms. Issues involving any of the above will be reported. 

The academy uniform must only be worn during academy instructional days. If the student leaves campus for lunch, the entire uniform must be worn including rookie ropes.  However, the uniform must not be worn at any time outside of school hours, unless the student must take care of personal business immediately after class, they may do so in uniform as long as it is for a reasonable amount of time. However, at no time should the student appear in uniform in locations that could be construed as inappropriate, or for questionable reasons, i.e. bars, liquor stores,. Students violating the uniform policy will be considered to have violated the terms of the Code of Conduct and may be dismissed from the academy.

Any behaviors by academy students that tarnish that reputation are a violation of the Student Code of Conduct  and will be handled as disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the academy

PROTOCOL:

Students will address instructors by their official position title of “Instructor”, followed by their last name.

When an Instructor enters the classroom setting, all members of the class are to come to attention until relieved. The Daily instructor will give an “at ease” order after the start of class, so the class will not come to order as they pass in and out of the classroom after class begins.    

When Standing in formation, all members will be at the position of-at ease, parade rest, or attention until relieved.

Class will begin with a formation outside of the classroom, and will close with a final formation outside of the classroom, weather permitting. Class is over when the command 

“Class dismissed” is given.

In the classroom, at the beginning of each lesson, students will stand behind their chairs when the instructor enters the room, and will remain standing until instructed to be relieved. This protocol will also be followed after every break.

All students shall be clean shaven at the start of every class.

Students will have cell phones turned off, or placed in a silent mode that will not disturb the class when receiving a call or text message. Phones will not be answered, and calls or texting will not be made during instructional time. Check your messages and make calls during breaks, at lunch, or after class. Repeated violations will be treated as any other violation of the code of conduct.

GRADING:

Grading Policy: Written Tests/Skills Tests/PFT - 75% is passing

A passing grade for individual course elements (quizzes, tests, homework assignments, and PFTs) is considered a 75% or better.

Physical Fitness Test (PFTs) will be graded and carry the same weight as a Quiz grade.  

Skills assessments are considered Pass/Fail items.  Students must meet the minimum requirements set forth for skills assessments.

Students must have a 75% or better by the conclusion of each section. Grades will NOT be rounded.  If a student’s final section grade is below the required 75%, he/she will fail the course, be removed from the academy and will not receive their Training Record or Firefighter Certificate of Completion. 

Course element dates are subject to change based on scheduling conflicts and/or needs of the Fire Academy. Students should expect approximately 1 test per week, and 1 homework assignment per section.  There will be an Exit Exam.  The exit exam will not be averaged into the final grade.  

The EXIT EXAM will be cumulative.  Each student will be required to pass this test to graduate and receive their certificate.  The students will have 3 attempts to pass.  Failing a third time means failing the course in its entirety.  

ATTENDANCE:

In order to meet the required number of hours for certification, students must attend all class sessions and physical training sessions as scheduled. Students who are late or absent from a class will receive a  warning. Unforeseen circumstances will be addressed.  A student may only miss 8 hours during any given section.  If a student is going to be late or absent for class, He/She will contact the Instructor of the day, the company officer, along with the class leader & will contact Via Email, John Copeland @  Jcope25130@gmail.com .  Failure to do so is unacceptable.   

Medical absences will be accepted only if documentation is provided that you are under a doctor’s care with a statement from the doctor recommending that you do not attend class. It will be the student’s responsibility to make-up missed classes and learn the material in order to pass the test. Many instructors come from outside the area so the student must realize that in some cases (i.e. manipulative skills classes) it may be impossible to make-up missed material because the instructor may not be available. In this case, the student may miss too much material to make-up and may have to drop/retake the course.

If you have a condition that allows you to come to class, but restricts you from participating in drills, PT, or other physical activities you may be removed from the course.  If you are under a physician's care and that physician restricts you from full participation, such as light duty only, you may be removed from the course.  

INJURIES:

If a student is injured during class time they must inform the instructor of the day, along with the class leader.  If the student requires medical attention, it will be provided by the staff or the staff will call emergency services. If the student has an injury that causes him to not participate in the academy's daily activities, even if the injury occurred while at other locations than the academy.  They must report this.  All injuries will be passed up the chain of command.  

TRAUMATIC EVENTS:

During your time at the academy you may witness events that are disturbing emotionally.  This can happen anytime, but more in particular during the class rideouts with a fire department.  If the student has an issue that arises from this, they will inform Instructor Copeland immediately.  It will be forwarded up the chain of command.  Services are available to assist the student if needed.   

CHEATING:

 “Cheating, plagiarism (including plagiarism in a student publication), or engaging in other academic dishonesty” may subject the student to disciplinary action. Any student determined to be cheating may be dismissed from the academy.  DONT CHEAT.

MAKE UP POLICY:

If a class is missed, it is the student’s responsibility to learn the material. The instructor will not offer make-up sessions. Many instructors come from outside the area so the student must realize that in some cases (i.e. manipulative skills classes) it may be impossible to make-up missed material because the instructor may not be available. If a test is missed, it will be considered failed and the student may retest. Remember the attendance policy above. 

ASSISTANCE:

All of the academy staff are available to answer questions or concerns you may have. We will do our best to address any issue.  If you feel you cannot go to a staff member you can speak with Chief Floyd directly. 

GRADUATION:

Only students who have successfully completed all the requirements of the academy will be allowed to participate with their class at the graduation ceremony and receive their certificates.

Good luck to you all.   

                                                                PREPARED BY INSTRUCTOR

                                                                JOHN COPELAND