***THIS COURSE IS FULL***

We are no longer accepting applications as of 4/21/17.

The roster for confirmed and alternate assigned students will be posted to www.erie.gov/fire on 4/24/17. All confirmed and alternate assigned students (and their chief or training officer) must attend the mandatory orientation on 5/20/17.

2017 Erie County

Blended Learning Two-Week Firefighter 1 Boot Camp

BEFO / SCBA/IFO–2016 Edition

Erie County DHSES Training & Operations Center

May 20-July 21

ERIE COUNTY COURSE#: 1S17005B / NYS OFPC COURSE#: 01-05-0066

 

See the attached Student Packet for a detailed schedule with reading, skills and online assignments: http://www2.erie.gov/fire/sites/www2.erie.gov.fire/files/BEFO-IFO Student Packet2017-BOOT CAMP170418.pdf

 

GENERAL SCHEDULE:

5/20/17              0800 Mandatory Orientation with Chief or Training Officer

5/20/17-6/9/17   Online Assignments

6/10/17              0800 Skills

6/11/17              0800 Skills

6/11/17-7/9/17   Online Assignments

7/10/17-7/14/17 0800 Skills and Online Assignments

7/14/17-7/16/17 Online Assignments

7/17/17-7/21/17 0800 Skills

7/21/17              1830 Graduation Ceremony

The mandatory orientation and all skills sessions will take place at the Training & Operations Center.

 

 

COURSE DETAILS:

 

Course Name

This course shall be referred to as the “Erie County Blended Learning Firefighter 1 Boot Camp” course or; alternately as the Blended Learning Two Week BEFO & SCBA/IFO 2016 Edition course.

NOTE: This student packet applies specifically only to the 2017 offering of this two-week blended learning delivery in Erie County NY. While much of the information is similar to the traditional offerings of BEFO / SCBA/IFO; much of it is tailored to this compressed blended learning offering only.

 

Course Description

Effective September 1, 2016, the Firefighter 1 course no longer exists as a single course in its entirety. The New York State OFPC Firefighter-1 certification is now delivered in two (2) separate courses. Both will be delivered in succession during this Blended Learning Boot Camp Delivery.

This course is designed for entry level fire department members seeking to become interior structural firefighters who are highly motivated, self-directed student with access to high-speed internet and who can commit to a very aggressive training schedule in a compressed time format.

Students must be available to attend a four-hour orientation session (Week#1), weekend units at Week#3; and two consecutive full weeks of units in Weeks# 8 and 9. Final written and skills evaluation will be performed at the end of Week#9 in person at the Training & Operations Center.

Students will be expected to read three chapters, complete the three respective on-line interactive slide shows and score 80% on three on-line chapter tests each week. On-line assignments must be completed at the specific deadlines and before participation in the in-person skills units. Students will be monitored and assisted by an instructor through email and online forum course contact.

As the initial entry program for firefighting personnel, this combined course introduces firefighting concepts, practices and techniques necessary for the new member to become an interior structural firefighter who can perform under direct supervision of a company officer.

Completion of this course achieves the 21 objectives of Function#4.2 of the NYS OFPC “Recommended Best Practices for FD Training Programs” (01/15) document: (http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc/training/firefighting-best-practices.cfm).

1. BEFO w/HMFRO: ALL students begin with Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations with Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations (Most often represented as “BEFO w/HMFRO”).

This part of the course is designed to prepare students to respond to emergencies as EXTERIOR FIREFIGHTERS. The completion certificate for this course will state: “Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations w/HMFRO”.

1. SCBA/IFO: Students will then progress directly into the SCBA/Interior Firefighting Operations portion of the course (Most often represented as ”SCBA/IFO or SIFO”) to be trained as an Interior Structural Firefighter who will wear a self-contained breathing apparatus. The completion certificate for this course will state: “SCBA/Interior Firefighting Operations-Firefighter 1”.

 

Course Length

This blended learning delivery consists of twenty-six (26) units of on-site skills training and twenty-two (22) units of independent on-line learning; all conducted over a 9-week period.

 

Class Size

The minimum number of students required to conduct this course shall be 16. The maximum course size shall be 24.

 

Student Pre-requisites

All roster-confirmed students enrolling in this course must:

·         Obtain the Required Student Textbook prior to attending the first class.

• Attend the first (orientation) unit of the course or their seat will be forfeited. Contact the instructor if you are unable to attend the first unit.
• Provide proof of completion of an approved CPR course
• Provide proof of completion of the Introductory Incident Command Course IS-100 course online at: http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is100b.asp and the Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-700 course at:https://emilms.fema.gov/IS700aNEW/index.htm and bring both certificates of completion with you to class.
• Be physically capable of wearing SCBA and possess medical clearance for SCBA use. Students not possessing the pre-requisite will not be allowed to participate, for their own safety. A completed and signed “Training Authorization Letter” submitted with your course application will meet this requirement.
• Have a device to access the internet: desktop, laptop, smart phone, tablet or any device capable of running a web based program.
• Bring a completed and signed NYS OFPC Training Authorization Letter with you to the first (orientation) class. (Form is included in this Student Packet or can be downloaded from www.erie.gov/fire).

 

Students who do not meet the above requirement shall not be enrolled in this course.

 

Syllabus

A course syllabus is included in this student packet. Any changes or updates shall be distributed to every student during the first course meeting.

 

Required Student Text Book

The new Firefighter 1 (and Firefighter 2 and BEFO-Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations courses) curriculum are based on the IFSTA/Brady Essentials of Firefighting and Fire Department Operations-6th Edition. This book is required at the first class and they may be purchased at the Fire Safety Office at a cost of $85 each, where your fire company or fire district will be billed by the Erie County Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Organization. If you are purchasing from other sources – be sure that you are buying the version that includes “Fire Department Operations.”

Computer Use and Online (Out-of-Class) Activities
This course relies heavily on computer use during instructor-monitored online sessions and for completion of online quizzes and activities outside of the classroom. Required Online Registration: Students must register at the IFSTA Resource1 Learning Management System (LMS) web site: r1.ifsta.org in order to complete required online activities and exams. There is a $40 fee for registration and content on this site, payable thru IFSTA’s Resource 1 website. Students will receive a login confirmation once registered.

Online assignments must be completed by the specific deadlines and before participation in the corresponding in-person skills instruction and evaluation that will occur at the Training & Operations Center during weeks 3, 8 and 9. Any student that does not complete all of the required activities shall not be permitted to take the final exam. Course activities shall be graded as complete or incomplete.

Discussion forum participation is not mandatory but allows the lead instructor to develop a sense of classroom community and make the course content more specific to the students enrolled. NOTE: Computer use is not required during in-person instruction and evaluation sessions. Therefore, students are asked to be respectful of the instructors and other students, and limit their use of electronic devices during instructional time. Students that are unable to refrain from non-course usage may, solely at the instructor’s discretion, be asked to close, turn off or put away their mobile device and to use it only when necessary.

 

Grading

The following grading policy will be used in this Blended Learning Firefighter 1 course: The minimum passing grade for all tests and exams is 70.00%.

• Skill Demonstration and Practice: Is scheduled in proximity to the completion of the appropriate on-line chapters. Online videos of each skill are available on Resource1 for viewing by each student and are linked to the respective chapters.

 

• Tests: Students are required to take a total of nine (9) tests during this course. Each test is completed online at r1.ifsta.org and allows multiple attempts for students to achieve the highest grade possible. The online program automatically scores the test and enters the score in a downloadable spreadsheet accessible by the lead instructor.

 

• Final Exam: Final written and skills evaluation will be performed at the end of Week#9 in-person at the Training & Operations Center. The course final exam is completed in-classroom and is proctored by a NYS OFPC representative.

Students must pass the final exam with a raw score of 70.00% or higher to pass the course. No student shall be issued a certificate for this course that has not passed the final exam.

• Course Failure: A student who fails to achieve a minimum score of 70% will be deemed to have failed the course. The instructor will meet individually with the student to identify and discuss the student’s grade deficiency.

In the event that a student fails the final exam (with a raw score of lower than 70%) the student will be afforded one opportunity to retest at a later date.

Failure to successfully complete the course after one (1) attempted re-test will require the student to have to retake portions of the course. Certificates will not be issued to students who do not successfully complete the course.

 

Attendance

Students are expected to be in attendance for all class sessions. Students should contact the lead instructor immediately if an absence is anticipated.

 

Individual Training Records

An individual training record which denotes completion of each activity and out-of-class activity shall be kept. This record shall also accurately record the average for all tests, scores for each exam, final exam score, and the final course average.

 

Reasonable Accommodations

Any student who may need an accommodation for testing based upon the impact of a disability must complete the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services “Application to Request Reasonable Accommodation of a Disability” and submit it, with the required supporting documentation, as soon as possible. Accommodations will not be provided without submission of the “Application to Request Reasonable Accommodation of a Disability” and the necessary supporting documentation.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

• Please read all of the notes below, download the appropriate documents and share them with your recruits and firefighters. Start submitting standard training course applications and NYS OFPC training authorization forms immediately.

• As always, the training schedule is a “living document” with frequent updates. PLEASE NOTE THAT MORE COURSES WILL BE FORTHCOMING SOON

 

AIR CONSUMPTION TEST: IFO-Interior Firefighting Operations/SCBA and FIREFIGHTER 1

All Task Oriented Air Consumption (TOAC) tests are held at the Erie County Emergency Services Training & Operations Center in Cheektowaga.

 

If you plan to be or are enrolled in an Erie County IFO-Interior Firefighting Operations/SCBA - Firefighter 1 Class, watch this video to learn what will be expected of you and what you should start practicing for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRo2SnrR9cg&feature=youtu.be

 

The air consumption test is not a race, but a test of physical abilities and endurance that establishes a personal benchmark for you to understand just how long a nominal 30 minute air bottle may last you under firefighter working conditions. Instructors will work with you to prepare you to be successful in this training scenario.

 

It consists of eight (8) stations that simulate real firefighter tasks to be completed on the fireground:

1. Hose Carry/Stair Climb

2. Hose Stretch & Hose Pull

3. Tool Lift/Carry

4. Ladder Raise

5. Forcible Entry

6. Search

7. Rescue

8. Ceiling Push/Pull

 

Recruit Firefighters must complete all eight (8) stations and stay on breathing air for a minimum of 10 minutes. Once all eight (8) stations are completed and the student still has air left in their SCBA cylinder, they will continue to rotate through each station until such time that their air is completely breathed down from their bottle. Each firefighter is partnered with a shadow/escort who monitors them frequently and records their air consumption and time after each station.

 

Review the attachment, check out the video and start preparing. Please share with all existing and future Firefighter 1 students.

 

STUDENT BOOK required for all BEFO-Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations, IFO-Interior Firefighting Operations/SCBA, Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 classes:

 

The new Firefighter 1 (and Firefighter 2 and BEFO-Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations courses) curriculum are based on the IFSTA/Brady Essentials of Firefighting and Fire Department Operations-6th Edition. This book is required at the first class and they may be purchased at the Fire Safety Office at a cost of $85 each. Your fire company or fire district will be billed by the Erie County Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Organization. If you are purchasing elsewhere – be sure that you are buying the version that includes “Fire Department Operations.”

 

Be sure to include your e-mail address and cell or other phone number on your application to ensure effective communications as the roster is posted and important course information must be distributed.

 

TRAINING TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF FIREFIGHTER 1:

View this physical fitness training tip from SFI Scott Janowski at http://www2.erie.gov/fire/index.php?q=content/training-tips-preparing-success-firefighter-1 or download and share this Training Tip with your Chief/Training Officers and Firefighter 1 Candidates.

 

APPLYING FOR TRAINING COURSES:

Please download the current version of the Standard Training Course Application (see below) and destroy all old copies. Course hosts have one week after the schedule is published to submit their course applications after which time, applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis.

 

A completed and signed NYS OFPC Training Authorization Form should accompany applications for ALL hands-on/live fire courses.

 

ROSTERS:

Rosters are posted to www.erie.gov/FIRE as student registrations are compiled for the particular class, and only after the minimum number of registrations have been received. Rosters are updated periodically as registrations are received, as a course is full, or as the registration deadline has passed.