COURSE OF STUDY

Lecture - Wednesday, 1:00 - 3:05 p.m. - Room 436 Warren Hall

Instructor - Ward Robens - (540) 863-2894; e-mail: wrobens@dl.vccs.edu

Office - 354 Scott Hall.

Office hours for class assistance & advisement -

Return to DSLCC Forest Technology Program Curriculum Page

Examines forest fire behavior, including factors causing ignition and spread, methods of fire prevention, pre-suppression and forest fire control organization. Lecture 2 hours per week. Lab time for performing a prescribed burn will be incorporated into the scheduled lecture time as weather permits. One (1) credit hour is granted by DSLCC upon satisfactory completion of this course.

This course is essential to the forest technicians' understanding of forest fire behavior. The knowledge of environmental factors of fire behavior which affect the spread of wildfire; basic fire suppression methods which break the fire triangle; and, the recognition of situations which are potentially hazardous to life and property, are skills that will enable the forest technician to implement safe and effective methods of fire control.

Upon completion of this course, the student will have the knowledge and skills to work safely as a fire suppression crew member and to:

1. Describe in writing, the Fire Triangle and methods of breaking the triangle.

2. Describe in writing, environmental influences on fire behavior.

3. Recognize forest fuels and fuel characteristics which affect the start & spread of wildfire.

4. Recognize the weather factors which produce rapid fire spread.

5. Recognize the topographic characteristics and describe how they affect fire behavior & control.

6. Define and recognize the major causes of human-caused wildfire.

7. Understand the 10 standard fire fighting orders, & 18 "Watch-Out" situations.

8. Identify techniques for prevention, pre-suppression and suppression.

9. Have an understanding of a fire organization and its functions.

10. Participate in an active fire exercise (weather permitting).

11. Have opportunity to qualify for USFS "red-card" for wildfire suppression by passing fitness test.

12. Properly and safely handle common fire suppression tools.

IV. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

Lecture, discussion, individualized instruction, audio-visual material, assigned reading, field exercise and observation will be utilized.

V. REQUIRED TEXT

Introduction to Fire Behavior Workbook, DSLCC

Equipment: (required for field exercise only): Approved safety hardhat, Steel-toe safety boots, Eye protection, work gloves, long-sleeve cotton shirt, cotton pants/jeans

VI. GRADING POLICY

Grades will be determined as follows ;

1. Midterm 30%                       

2.Reports,quizzes, exercises 30%

3. Final exam 30%

4.Field exercise participation 10%

Grading scale: A = 90% +; 

                     B = 80-89%;  

                     C = 70-79%

                     D = 60-69%; 

                    F = below 60%

VII. ATTENDANCE AND ASSIGNMENT POLICY

Students are expected to attend each class scheduled for this course. Attendance will be determined by the percentage of course meetings attended and recorded as a quiz grade in increments of 10%. Attending all classes = 100% quiz grade, 1 absence = 90%, 2 absences = 80%, etc.

Due to the nature of the class and anticipated field exercises, NO missed field assignments can be made up. All take-home assignments will have a DUE DATE. Grades for an assignment will be lowered one letter grade for each 24-hour period the work is submitted past the DUE DATE. After one week, a "0" will be assigned.

NO make-up tests/exams will be administered without making prior arrangements with the instructor.

Safety: The control burning lab involves a certain amount of risk, including breathing of smoke, proximity to flames and heat, walking through brush and poison ivy, and working near live fire. Be aware that the instructor cannot control all forms of risk. The student is expected to be prepared for this lab exercise. In the event that the student is not prepared or is physically unable to attend the lab or to participate in the exercise, the student will be asked to stay away.

Withdrawal: A student can withdraw from the course without academic penalty within the first eight (8) weeks of the semester. Otherwise, the student will receive a grade of "F". Merely not attending class DOES NOT constitute withdrawal from the course. Refer to the DSLCC catalog for complete procedures for withdrawal. 

Enrollment: VCCS policy prohibits enrolling in a failed or non-completed course more than twice unless mitigating circumstances exist.

Fire Policy: In case the building needs to be evacuated during the class period, exit Room 436, turn right and proceed through the side door into the lawn.

Spring Academic Calendar:

Classes begin: January 10, 2005

Last Day to Add/Drop or receive refund January 24, 2005

Semester Break (No classes) March 7 through 11, 2005

Last Day to Withdraw without Academic Penalty March 21, 2005

Last Day of classes April 29, 2005

Final Exams (reading days, snow make-up) May 3 through May 11, 2005

Graduation May 13, 2005

 Conduct and Behavior Policy:

Inappropriate conduct and/or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated in the classroom or during lab period. As a student in this college course you are a representative of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and the instructor expects that your conduct will reflect that. Failure to conduct yourself in a mature, responsible manner may result in a grade penalty and/or expulsion from the course.

The following rules are effective each time this course meets for class and lab and during the transportation between the DSLCC campus and the outdoor field sites.

1. You will treat fellow students and staff members courteously, respecting the personal rights of others.

2. You will respect the personal property rights of others. This includes appropriate care of facilities and materials belonging to DSLCC.

3. Possession and/or use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs is prohibited.

4. Walkmans, radios, video games, beepers, cell phones, etc. are not allowed during labs or lectures. If emergency conditions exist, the instructor can make exceptions for communications needs when requested.

5. The instructor recognizes the importance of social interaction between and among groups of students, but this interaction is not to interfere with class (lecture or lab) activities. Please be polite and considerate of others who desire to listen and take notes.

VIII. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Week 1            (1/26/05) - Course outline.  Fire history.  Causes of wildfire.  Fire   prevention and S-190(unit 1) The fire environment

Week 2            (2/02/05) - S-190, (unit 3)  – Fire Weather Factors – Fire video - Quiz.

Week 3            (2/9/05) -  Alan Craft- VDOF - I-100 ICS Orientation, S-130 Safety Orientation,

                                                                                        Firefighter Safety, Quiz

Week 4            (2/16/05) - Denny McCarthy– VDOF - S-190 (Unit 2) Fire Suppression and Securing the Control Lines

              Mid Term Test

Week 5            (2/23/05) –  John Wright - VDOF - Use of Fire Fighting Tools and Equipment. – line construction

                                            Video – “Wildfire Hand tools”

                                            The Fire Shelter – fire shelter practice, Quiz   

Week 6            (3/2/05) – Physical Fitness “Pack Test” 

Week 7            (3/9/05) – "Spring Break"

Week 8            (3/16/05 – Control Burn/ Final Exam

NOTE:  This schedule may change due to burning conditions.  The prescribed burn lab exercise will be scheduled, as weather permits, for any of the class meetings after 2/16 when conditions permit.