1997-98 UAF Catalog

Course Descriptions


Degrees and Programs Index


Fire Science

FIRE 101 (3 Credits) Fall
Introduction to Fire Science (3+0)
A course designed to inform students of career opportunities within municipal fire protection and related fields including history, nomenclature, fire department functions and the incident command system. Materials fee: $5.00.


FIRE 105 (3 Credits) Spring
Fundamentals of Fire Prevention (3+0)
Organization and function of fire prevention programs, inspections, surveying, mapping, recognition of fire and life safety hazards, fire protection engineering, public fire education and enforcement. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or instructor permission.)


FIRE 107 (3 Credits) Spring
Municipal Fire Tactics and Strategy (3+0)
Principles of fire control through utilization of personnel, equipment and extinguishing agents. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or instructor permission.)


FIRE 110 (3 Credits) Fall
Introduction to Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (3+0)
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. Course meets the requirements for the eight hour Hazardous Materials Awareness Level, First Responder to Hazardous Material Incidents, Basic Incident Command System ICS. Materials fee: $5.00.


FIRE 111 (3 Credits) Fall
Supervision and Management for Emergency Services (3+0)
Review of management, organization, planning, and supervision to meet the needs of Emergency Services. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or instructor permission.)


FIRE 115 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Fire Apparatus and Equipment (3+0)
Fire apparatus design, specifications and performance capabilities, effective utilization of apparatus in fire emergencies. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 117 (3 Credits) Spring
Rescue Practices I (3+0)
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: $75.00 plus $11.25 for additional mandatory insurance plus $40.00 cleaning/repair deposit. (Prerequisites: Advanced First Aid, EMS 103 or 119, or instructor permission. 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 Fire Science Program Coordinator.)


FIRE 120 (3 Credits) Fall
Introduction to Fire Chemistry and Physics (3+0)
Introduction to nomenclature, principles, problem solving of basic chemistry and physics as they relate to fire and hazardous material situations. Emphasis on problem solving and understanding how chemical and physical properties of materials and basic mathematics impact today's fire fighters. Materials fee: $5.00.


FIRE 123 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Fire Investigation (3+0)
Determining origin and cause of fires (mechanical, accidental, or incendiary) for structural, wildland and transportation incidents; fire effects on materials; related laws; recognizing and preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses and suspects, rules of arrest and detention procedures, and court discipline. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 131 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Firefighter I, Series I (2+2)
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: $75.00 plus $40.00 cleaning/repair deposit. (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 Fire Science Program Coordinator. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 133 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Firefighter I, Series II (2+2)
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: $75.00 plus $40.00 cleaning/repair deposit. (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 Fire Science Program Coordinator. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 135 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Firefighter I, Series III (2+2)
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: $75.00 plus $40.00 cleaning/repair deposit. (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 Fire Science Program Coordinator. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 137 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Firefighter I, Series IV (2+2)
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: $75.00. (Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 143 (1 Credit) Fall
Firefighter Internship, Series 1 (0+var)
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. Materials fee: $5.00.


FIRE 145 (1 Credit) Spring
Firefighter Internship, Series 2 (0+var)
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 143.)


FIRE 147 (1 Credit) Summer
Firefighter Internship, Series 3 (0+var)
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 145.)


FIRE 151 (3 Credits) Spring
Wildland Fire Control I (3+0)
Designed to provide national certification for both entry-level and experienced fire fighters with fundamental knowledge of wildland fire organization, fire behavior, air operations, suppression methods, safety, the incident command system, portable pumps, water use, and chain saws. Materials fee: $5.00.


FIRE 155 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Wildland Fire Behavior (3+0)
Provides fire behavior knowledge 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. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1998-99.)


FIRE 157 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Wildland Air Operations and Safety (3+0)
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. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 159 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Wildland Fire Operations Function (3+0)
Overview of the operations function including organization; implementation of the incident action plan; tactical use of crews, engines, bulldozers; appointment of supervisors in accordance with span of control; utilization of fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft. Functional positions of crew boss, staging area manager and strike team leader covered. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisites: FIRE 151, 155, 157 and 254, or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 161 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Wildland Fire Logistics Function (3+0)
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. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1998-99.)


FIRE 165 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Wildland Fire Planning Function (3+0)
Provides 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. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 171 (1 Credit) As Demand Warrants
Vessel Safety: Emergency Equipment, Procedures & Drills (1+0)
This 3-day, 26-hour course should provide mariners with the knowledge and skills needed to run a safe operation at sea or on the rivers. Preparing for an emergency, use of marine radio equipment, use of personal floatation devices and immersion suits, basic stability, and marine firefighting are some of the topics discussed. A pool session is included to use survival gear. Students completing course check list will be issued a card and certificate which meets one of the requirement of the US Coast Guard for documented commercial fishing vessels.


FIRE 202 (3 Credits) Fall
Fire Hydraulics (3+0)
Review of applied mathematics; hydraulic principles; applications of formulas and calculations; water supply and distribution. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisites: FIRE 101 and satisfactory demonstration of basic math skills (pretest), or instructor permission.)


FIRE 203 (3 Credits) Fall
Hazardous Materials I (3+0)
Basic fire chemistry relating to most categories of hazardous materials. Problems of recognition, reactivity and health encountered by fire fighters. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: Satisfactory demonstration of basic chemistry knowledge (pretest) or instructor permission.)


FIRE 205 (3 Credits) Spring
Hazardous Materials II (3+0)
Chemistry review of common hazardous materials control, confinement and containment operations with an emphasis on decontamination procedures. Basic Incident Command System instruction. Meets the requirements of the 24 hour Operations Level, First Responder to hazardous materials incidents. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 203 or instructor permission.)


FIRE 206 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Building Construction for Fire Protection (3+0)
Fundamentals of building construction as it relates to fire protection. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or employment or experience in related field, such as fire protection, insurance, construction architecture, or engineering. Next offered: 1998-99.)


FIRE 207 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Hazardous Materials III (2+2)
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: $75.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 205 or permission of instructor.)


FIRE 208 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Fire Service Records and Reports (3+0)
Provides the student with a basic understanding in the use of records and reports systems including computers, ANFIRS reporting, maintenance of training, equipment and apparatus records, writing and submitting narrative reports, accident/injury reports, managing documentation, and legal requirements for maintaining records. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 209 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Hazardous Materials IV (3+0)
Preparation for Incident Commander and the Safety Officer positions on complex hazardous materials incidents or large site cleanup operations. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 207 or instructor permission.)


FIRE 212 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Building and Fire Codes (3+0)
Introduction to life safety aspects of 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 International Conference of Building Officials. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisites: FIRE 101 and 206, or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 214 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Fire Protection Equipment and Systems (3+0)
Portable fire extinguishing equipment, protection systems for specific hazards including sprinkler systems, halon, dry chemical, fire detection, and alarm systems. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 101 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 215 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Advanced Hazardous Materials Technician (3+0)
Provides increased hands-on skills for personnel who have obtained their 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: $75.00. (Prerequisites: FIRE 207 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1998-99.)


FIRE 216 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Methods of Instruction for Fire Service Training (3+0)
Skills necessary to instruct fire service courses including adult education techniques, classroom setup, use of audiovisual equipment, presentation, and evaluation methods of students and instruction. Materials fee: $5.00. (Next offered: 1998-99)


FIRE 218 (3 Credits) Fall
Rescue Practices II (3+0)
Provides instruction in four of the most common rescue situations that fire departments encounter in the Interior of 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 Fire Science Program Coordinator. Materials fee: $75.00 plus $13.50 mandatory insurance plus $40.00 cleaning/repair deposit. (Prerequisites: FIRE 117 and EMS 103 or 119 or instructor permission.)


FIRE 231 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Hazardous Materials Tactical Operations (2.5+1)
Prepares students to handle 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. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 207 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 232 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Fire Fighter II/III (2.5+1)
Advanced technical knowledge 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. Students are required to wear a complete set of fire department approved protective clothing (turnout gear). Limited quantities are available for loan through the Fire Science Program Coordinator. Materials fee: $75.00. (Prerequisites: FIRE 131, 133, 135 and 137, or instructor permission.)


FIRE 241 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Hazardous Materials Inspector (3+0)
Evaluation of storage conditions in a hazardous materials facility and providing limited technical assistance to the building owners. Knowledge of the codes as they apply to the storage of hazardous materials. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisites: FIRE 205 and FIRE 212 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 244 (1 Credit) Fall
Firefighter Internship, Series 4 (0+var)
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 145 or 147.)


FIRE 246 (1 Credit) Spring
Firefighter Internship, Series 5 (0+var)
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 244.)


FIRE 248 (1 Credit) Summer
Firefighter Internship, Series 6 (0+var)
Practical experience in fire operations and training by arrangement through local fire departments. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 246.)


FIRE 249 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (2.5+1)
Assistance to emergency planners and first responders to plan for and safely handle chemical accidents through the use of a computer. CAMEO contains chemical nomenclature and response information for 3,311 commonly transported chemicals. Materials fee: $5.00. (Next offered: 1998-99.)


FIRE 252 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Wildland Fire Prevention (3+0)
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. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 254 (3 Credits) Fall
Wildland Fire Business Management (3+0)
Fire business management objectives, including duties and responsibilities of fire finance section relating to management practices and programs. Procedures required in various finance positions including financial management of a large complex wildland fire. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151 or instructor permission.)


FIRE 256 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Wildland Fire Planning and Multiple Use Management (3+0)
Fire management and its role in a multiple use resource program. Includes prescribed and wild fire practices, environmental concerns, management goals and objectives, and prefire planning. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisite: FIRE 151, FIRE 155, or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 258 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Wildland Fuels Management (3+0)
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. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisites: FIRE 151, 155, 158 and 262 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1997-98.)


FIRE 260 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Fire Research and Development (3+0)
Research and development in the area of fire prevention, detection, prescribed burns, fire suppression, and post suppression. Materials fee: $5.00.


FIRE 262 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Wildland Fire Control II (3+0)
Instruction in tactical operations of fireline 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. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisites: FIRE 151, 155, 157, 159, and 254 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1998-99.)


FIRE 270 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Wildland Fire Command Function (3+0)
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 decision, providing information to the media, and managing the incident from initial attack of small, noncomplex fires to larger, more complex initial attack suppression organizations dealing with escape attack situations. Materials fee: $5.00. (Prerequisites: FIRE 151, 155, 252 or instructor permission. Next offered: 1998-99.)