Basic Fire Fighter Academy

The College of the Desert Basic Fire Fighter Academy program provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to safely perform, under minimal supervision, essential and advanced fire ground tasks. These shall include basic rescue operations, auto extrication, basic fire suppression, prevention and investigation, a basic knowledge of the "Incident Command System" (ICS) and an introduction to the potential dangers of hazardous materials. In addition, students will learn to use, inspect, and maintain various types of firefighting and rescue equipment. 

BFFA 063A (Basic Firefighter I Academy-Part 1) is the first required course of a sequential two semester accredited State Fire Marshal (SFM) Basic Firefighter Academy designed to provide cadets with a basic knowledge of fire service operations and the entry level skills required by the vast majority fire departments nationwide.

Successful completion of both BFFA 063A and BFFA 063B (Basic Firefighter I Academy-Part 2) are required to be eligible to apply for the State Firefighter I Certificate after completing the required experience requirement. The Fire Academy course units are part of required electives for Fire Technology Associates Degree for employment preparation. Students completing the Fire Academy will receive certificates of achievement through the California State Fire Marshal’s Office and IFSAC / Pro Board, California State Training Institute, the National Wildland Coordinating Group, and FEMA. This certificate is also nationally recognized by the IFSAC / Pro Board standard of certification for the Fire Fighter I. Completion of this certificate satisfies the manipulative and academic training requirements as established by the SFM to become certified as a Fire Fighter 1.

The COD Basic Fire Academy is accredited through the California State Fire Marshal’s Office and adheres to the SFM’s 2013 Certified Firefighter I requirements.

Advisor:

Cameron T. Miller
Associate Professor, Fire Technology
cmiller@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.568.7520

Program Coordinator:

Robert C. Perotti
Public Safety Academy Manager
Fire Academy Coordinator
rperroti@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.776.7255

Associate Degree

Certificate of Achievement

Basic Fire Fighter Academy (BFFA) 

BFFA 063A  Basic Fire Fighter I Academy (Part 1)   Units: 10.25

This course is Part 1 of the Basic Firefighter 1 Academy. Students must successfully complete this course to be eligible to enroll in BFFA 063B (Part 2). Successful completion of both BFFA 063A and BFFA 063B are required to meet the minimum requirements as mandated by the California State Fire Marshal. This course provides students with the skills and knowledge needed for the entry-level professional fire fighter position to perform his/her duties safely, effectively, and competently. The curriculum is based on the 2019 edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1001 Standard for Fire fighter Professional Qualifications, the 2012 edition of NFPA 1051 Standard for Wildland Fire fighter Professional Qualifications, and the 2008 edition of NFPA 72 Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents. Completion of this course satisfies the requirements as established by the State Fire Marshal for the (2019) Fire fighter I curriculum. Completion of this course requires students to complete all summative tests with a minimum of 80%, complete all activities and formative tests, and complete all mandatory skills testing as established by the State Fire Marshal Firefighter I 2019 course plan. Students will be required to attend one of two Orientation sessions to be held during the summer months prior to the Fall semester, after the initial application deadline. Students will be issued CSFM certificates upon successful completion of the scheduled training modules during the Fire Academy. Upon completion of a specific California State Fire Training modules a fee of $465.00 is required for this course to cover the California State Fire Training Certificate of Completion. Check the program website for additional information. Students will be required to rent NFPA compliant structural protective equipment to enroll in this course.
Lecture Hours: 121         Lab Hours: 197          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: EMT 084 FIRE 001 or FIRE 001A & FIRE 001B; Corequisite: CSFM 070 or previous completion Corequisite: KINE 037 or previous completion
Advisory: ENG 061
Limitation on enrollment: Successful completion of a Certified Physical Ability Test (CPAT) or BIDDLE test within one year prior to the start of the Fire Academy. KINE 037 may be substituted for this requirement. Students must complete a mandatory respiratory examination (FIT) test before using the SCBA equipment. Safety gear and SCBA will be required of all students. Complete IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System (http://training.fema.gov/EMIweb/IS/is100Ist.asp) and IS-700: National Incident Management, An Introduction (http://training.fema.gov/EMIweb/IS/is700alst.asp) during BFFA 063A Academy.
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

BFFA 063B  Basic Fire Fighter I Academy (Part 2)   Units: 8.75

This course is Part 2 of the Basic Firefighter 1 Academy. Students must have successfully completed BFFA 063A (Part 1) to be eligible to enroll in BFFA 063B (Part 2). Successful completion of both BFFA 063A and BFFA 063B are required to meet the minimum requirements as mandated by the California State Fire Marshal. This course provides students with the skills and knowledge needed for the entry level professional fire fighter position to perform his/her duties safely, effectively, and competently. The curriculum is based on the 2019 edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1001 Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, the 2012 edition of NFPA 1051 Standard for Wildland Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and the 2008 edition of NFPA 72 Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents.) Completion of this course satisfies the requirements as established by the State Fire Marshal for the Fire Fighter 1 and 2 (2019) curriculum. Completion of this course requires students to complete all summative tests with a minimum of 80%, complete all activities and formative tests, and complete all mandatory skills testing as established by the State Fire Marshal Fire Fighter 1 and 2 (2019) course plans. Students will be issued CSFM certificates upon successful completion of the scheduled training modules during the Fire Academy. 1. Students will be required to rent or purchase NFPA compliant structural protective equipment to enroll in this class. 2. Students will be required to purchase black leather boots that include a vibrant rubber sole, steel shank and steel toe. 3. Students will be required to purchase two complete Fire Academy uniforms. Uniform specifications and vendors are identified in the Fire Academy Standard Operating Procedures. 4. Students will be required to pay for the California State Fire Marshal Fire Service Training & Education System (FSTEP) certificates at time of specific course completion for approximate total of $600.00. 5. Students will be required to pay for the California State Fire Marshal Fire Fighter 1 and 2 IFSAC and Pro Board written examination fees for a total of approximately $300.00. The BFFA 063B Firefighter 1 Academy has specific California State Fire Training courses built into the program. Upon completion of each specific California State Fire Training modules a fee of $75.00 is required for the course to cover the California State Fire Training Diploma for each individual module course.
Lecture Hours: 85         Lab Hours: 234          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: BFFA 063A with a minimum grade of "B"
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: Students must complete all activities and formative tests. Students must complete all summative tests with a minimum score of 80%. Students must complete all mandatory skills testing.
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None