Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Management

This course outlines basic study and research techniques, the use of libraries, and the importance of research methodology and analysis for the social sciences. It is a writing intensive course that requires a sound understanding of written communication. Students enrolling in this course should be familiar with proper citations and documentation, grammar and syntax, organizing their writing, and parts of a paper. (Prerequisite: ENGL101 or ENGL102).

Pre Reqs: Proficiency in Writing(ENGL101),Effectiveness in Writing(ENGL102)

This course is a study of the theory and practice of incident command, the various methods of incident command, and specific focus on the Incident Command System (ICS) used in crises, disasters, and emergency management response systems. Cases are studied in order to assist students in understanding the management and leadership complexity associated with modern emergencies and disasters.

This course examines regulatory issues, hazard analysis, multi-agency contingency planning, response personnel, multi-agency response resources, agency policies, procedures and implementation, public education and emergency information systems, health and safety, command post dynamics, strategic and tactical considerations, recovery and termination procedures, and program evaluation.

This course explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and are controlled. The student can expect to identify physical properties of the three states of matter; categorize the components of fire; recall the physical and chemical properties of fire; describe and apply the process of burning; define and use basic terms and concepts associated with the chemistry and dynamics of fire; discuss the various materials and their relationship to fires as fuel; demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water as a fire suppression agent; articulate other suppression agents and strategies; and compare other methods and techniques of fire extinguishments.

This course provides fundamental information regarding 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 investigations, and fire and life safety education. Students can expect to define the national fire problem and its main issues; recognize the need for fire prevention as part of the overall mix of fire protection; recognize the need for fire prevention organizations, review minimum professional qualifications at state and national levels for fire inspectors, investigators, and public educators; define the elements of a plan review program; identify the laws, rules, codes, and other regulations regarding fire prevention; and discuss training, media, and public education programs for fire prevention.

This course addresses the study of suppression systems and their critical components as well as their application to selected fire protection problems. It will cover the duties, responsibilities and ethical aspects of the Fire Protection Engineer with focus on contract drawings and their relationship to contract specifications, and an actual survey of a large building. It will include the philosophy, history and fundamentals of public and private fire protection, and relations with other disciplines including architecture and the building industry, and will extend to the application of hydraulic theory to a range of design considerations.

This course is an overview of fire protection and its related fields. It also covers the philosophy and history of fire protection/service, fire loss analysis, organization and function of public and private fire protection services, fire departments as part of local government, laws and regulations affecting the fire service, fire service nomenclature, specific fire protection functions, basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems, and introduction to fire strategy and tactics. Students can expect to describe and discuss components of the history and philosophy of the modern fire service; analyze the basic components of fire as a chemical reaction, examine the major fire phases, and examine the main factors that influence fire spread and behavior; list and describe major emergency response services and illustrate how they interrelate; synthesize roles of national, state, and local support organizations in fire and emergency services; describe the scope of fire and emergency services organization; describe the common fire facilities, equipment, and apparatus; analyze management concepts for emergency situations; and explain fire prevention including code enforcement, public information, and public and private fire protection systems.

This course is a study in building construction components that relate to fire and life safety, to include a major focus on fire fighter safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating in emergencies. The student can expect to demonstrate an understanding of building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, and firefighting strategy and tactics; classify major types of building construction; analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with the various types of building construction; explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and their interrelationships; identify the principle structural components of buildings and demonstrate an understanding of each function; differentiate between fire resistance and flame spread, and describe the testing procedures used to establish ratings for each; classify occupancy designations of the building code; and identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighting safety.

This course is a theoretical study to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection and to apply hydraulic principles to analyze and solve water supply problems. The student can expect to apply the application of math and physics to the movement of water in fire suppression activities; comprehend the design principles of fire service pumping apparatus; analyze the community fire flow demand criteria; and demonstrate understanding of hydraulics, water characteristics, fluid pressure, hydrokinetics, Bernoulli’s formula, nozzle reaction, friction loss in water conductors, nozzle pressure equation, water distribution systems, Hazen-Williams equation, fire flow tests, determination of required fire flow, fire service pump design and testing, friction loss calculations, engine and nozzle pressure, Underwriter’s formula, parallel lines, Wyed lines, aerial stream calculations, relay pumping, mobile water supply, fire streams, four hydraulic laws of friction loss, and fire fighting foams and foam systems.

This course focuses on fire behavior and includes topics such as fire chemistry, science, interaction with the environment, and reaction to chemical and/or natural elements involved in a response.

This course examines design principles involved in structural fire protection and automatic suppression systems, including fire resistance and endurance, flame spread evaluation, smoke control, alarm systems, sprinkler innovations, evaluation of sprinkler system designs, and specialized suppression systems.

This course is a study of the leading theory and practice associated with community fire mitigation, planning, protection, response, and recovery. Topics of the course include fire-community relations, community outreach, volunteerism and fire protection, strategic community planning, inter-organizational responses, and other issues.

This course examines technical, investigative, legal, and managerial approaches to the arson problem, including principles of incendiary fire analysis and detection, environmental and psychological factors of arson, gang-related arson, legal considerations and trial preparations, managing the fire investigation unit, intervention and mitigation strategies, and shaping the future.

This course examines the relationship of fire administration and the role of executive fire administrators in the administration of complex issues in a dynamic environment. The course covers political, legal, financial, and ethical issues faced by fire administrators within the context of public administration. Topics include examination of the effects, influences, challenges, and opportunities of public and private fire functions and roles.

This course focuses on citizen and responder fire safety and risk reduction through prevention, response, and recovery phases of fire operations. Topics include risk reduction planning, equipment, communications, and procedure, among others.

This course focuses on public policy, law, and regulation concerning fire mitigation, response, and recovery. Legal issues and risk are addressed as topics in the course, as are general and specific national, state, and local fire regulations and public law.

This course examines tools and techniques of rational decision making in fire departments, including databases, statistics, probability, decision analysis, utility modeling, resource allocation, cost-benefit analysis, and linear programming.

This course is a comprehensive examination of modern practices in the selection, training, job analysis, evaluation, wage setting, incentive principles, merit rating, job efficiency, and labor/management relations of personnel as applied to both private and public sector organizations.

This course focuses on the psychological and physiological human response to natural and man-made disasters. Using clinical research and case histories, students will examine normal and abnormal psychological reactions, the recovery process and principles of mental health care for victims of mass disasters. Differences between natural and man-made disasters are examined and factors that mitigate post-traumatic effects are reviewed. Psychological aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) disasters are also considered.

This course introduces students to the principles of basic chemistry, the terminology, methodology and worldview of chemistry and the practical application to everyday living. Students will attain knowledge of chemical concepts, the environment and atmosphere, material and energy resources, and environmental pollution (including air, water, and soil). Concurrent enrollment in corresponding Lab Course is required.

This laboratory demonstrates both qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques. The course is designed for students in the sciences to learn how to make observations about physical and chemical phenomena, to make calculations, and to test out their own reasoning. It will enable the students to answer questions and solve problems involving nomenclature, physical properties, and synthesis of aliphatic compounds, such as alkanes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and ketones. Students will acquire skills in laboratory techniques, prepare organic compounds, study their properties, and interpret data collected to identify unknowns. The course involves study through interactive simulation laboratories designed to help reinforce and build upon the concepts presented in the SC101 - Introduction to Chemistry course. Students should access the CD's and using the Table of Contents, go to the CD that contains the following material: 27. Instructional Laboratory Demonstrations. Concurrent enrollment in corresponding Lecture Course is required.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

This senior capstone course allows students majoring in fire science to analyze specific program related issues and problems using the knowledge and understanding gained by completing the required courses in the program and a significant number of the major courses. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other Fire Science courses have been satisfactorily completed. Student must have SENIOR standing to register.