Department Chair: Spencer Kimura, 847.635.1827, skimura@oakton.edu
Program Coordinator, EMT: Aref Abdellatif, 847.76.7890, aabdellatif@oakton.edu
Program Coordinator, Paramedic: Michael Doocy, 847.376.7887, mdoocy@oakton.edu
The goal of the Fire Science Technology program is to prepare students for careers in fire services and related occupations, as well as to improve chances in the selection process of becoming a firefighter. The curriculum also offers courses for fire personnel to obtain Fire Officer I and II certification from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and for the individual already employed who desires further knowledge in specialty areas of fire science. In addition to Associate in Applied Science Degree, four certificate programs are offered: Fire Science Technology Certificate; Emergency Medical Technician – Basic Certificate; Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Certificate1 in preparation for Illinois Department of Public Health Licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic and Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic; Basics of Fire Fighting Certificate.
Clinical placements require health assessment and certain immunizations, at an additional cost to students. Contact Health Services, 847.635.1885 for forms and information.
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Limited enrollment program conducted in area hospitals
Fire Science Technology (FIR) Courses
FIR 1001 credit hours (lecture: 1 | lab: 0)
Preparation for Fire Service Entrance Examination
Course instructs firefighter candidates about all aspects of hiring process. Content includes how to locate job opportunities; properly complete job applications; take written physical, psychological, and medical examinations; and prepare for oral interview by Police and Fire Commissioners.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Spring | Summer
FIR 1013 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Introduction To Fire Science
Course introduces aspects of fire science. Content includes history of fire protection; fire protection organization; magnitude and causes of fire losses; properties of hostile fires; and principles of fire preventing, detecting, confining and extinguishing fires.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Spring | Summer
FIR 1026 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 6)
Firefighter II / Basic Firefighter Part I
Course instructs students in the theory, basic individual skills, and team skills required for using and operating fire suppression and ancillary equipment and as well as other basic fire knowledge and skills required by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and recommendations by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 1001: Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Content includes: fire organization, fire behavior, safety, self contained breathing apparatus, portable fire extinguishers, ladders, fire hose and appliances, building construction, forcible entry, ventilation, water supply, nozzles and fire streams, rescue, fire control, ropes and knots, loss control, fire detection-alarm & fire suppression systems, fire prevention & public education, protecting evidence for cause and determination, communications, terrorism, and firefighter survival. Fee: TBA.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in FIR 103.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Summer
FIR 1036 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 6)
Firefighter II / Basic Firefighter, Part II
Course continues to instruct students in the theory, basic individual skills, and team skills required for using and operating fire suppression and ancillary equipment and as well as other basic fire knowledge and skills required by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and commendations by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 1001: Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Content includes: fire organization, fire behavior, safety, self contained breathing apparatus, portable fire extinguishers, ladders, fire hose and appliances, building construction, forcible entry, ventilation, water supply, nozzles and fire streams, rescue, fire control, ropes and knots, loss control, fire detection-alarm & fire suppression systems, fire prevention and public education, protecting evidence for cause and determination, communications, terrorism, and firefighter survival. Fee: TBA.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in FIR 102.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Summer
FIR 1063 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 2)
Firefighter III Advanced Technician Firefighter
A course to instruct the Basic Operations Firefighter students in advanced firefighting techniques. The Advanced Technician Firefighter is able to perform firefighting operations without direct supervision. Emphasis will be placed on advanced firefighting suppression operations, individual and team skills as required by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and recommendations by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 1001: Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Successful completion of this course along with passage of the State Written Exam and other required OSFM Certification Courses will lead to OSFM Certification as an Advanced Technician Firefighter. Fee: TBA.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Summer
FIR 1083 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Behavior and Combustion
Course introduces the theories and principles of how and why fires start, the dynamics of fire, how fire spreads, and how fires are properly controlled using various methods of fire extinguishment.
Recommended: FIR 101
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Spring | Summer
FIR 1213 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Fighting Tactics I
Course examines fire fighting tactics and strategies. Content includes pre-fire activities; fire ground operations, including search and rescue, forcible entry, ventilation, suppression, salvage and overhaul; post-fire activities, and the incident command system.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Spring
FIR 1223 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Fighting Tactics II
Course continues FIR 121. Content includes application of principles of fire fighting tactics to specific fire situations; and documentation and evaluation of actual fire incidents.
Prerequisite: FIR 121.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Spring
FIR 1303 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Chemistry of Hazardous Materials
Course offers a review of elementary chemistry. Content includes properties of flammable liquids and gases, oxidizers, water reactive chemicals, corrosive chemicals, toxic materials and radioactive materials; storage, handling and fire suppression techniques of potentially hazardous materials.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Spring
FIR 1313 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Hazardous Materials - First Responder
Course offers an operational level and understanding of hazardous materials. Content includes identification and classification of hazardous materials; physical and chemical properties of hazardous materials; planning, response and mitigation of hazardous materials incidents; analysis of case histories and application of learned principles to simulated exercises.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Spring
FIR 1924 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Emergency Response Tactical Operations
A course in tactical planning for emergency responders using pre-plan scenarios to coordinate tactical operations. Emphasis is on crisis management by fire, police and support personnel in implementing tactical operations for any and all emergencies. Hazards include fire, hostile intruder, severe weather, utility outages, natural disasters, and facility security. Technologies are used in a lab environment to gain information about the condition of personnel and to assess risk. Technologies include surveillance, pre-plans, and converged communications to provide information to emergency operations managers for developing the appropriate tactical response and recovery efforts. Credit toward graduation cannot be received for both FIR 192 and LAE 192.
Recommended: CAD 191 or FIR 191.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Spring
FIR 2013 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Prevention Principles I
Course presents responsibilities, objectives and organization of a fire prevention bureau. Content includes setting up and implementing a systematic inspection program; classification of occupancy by hazard; function of water supplies and automatic sprinkler systems; and other codes related to fire safety and application of codes to fire prevention activities.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Spring
FIR 2053 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Building Construction
Course studies structural and interior construction and building equipment as related to fire safety considerations. Content includes analysis of vertical and horizontal openings and exterior features in communication of fires; effects of fire exposure on structural integrity of buildings.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Summer
FIR 2093 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Hydraulics
Course reviews basic mathematics and studies of hydraulic principles and formulas for fluid flow, friction loss and forces. Content includes operation and characteristics of fire pumps, water distribution and supply for fire protection, fluid flow in hoses, nozzle discharge and fire streams, and application of principles to fire department operations.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Summer
FIR 2113 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Prevention Principles II
Course continues FIR 201 Content includes responsibilities and management of fire prevention programs, implementation of public education programs; function of fire alarm and special extinguishing systems; and relationship of building, life safety and codes to fire hazards and causes.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Spring | Summer
FIR 2153 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Investigation
Course offers an analysis of causes of fires and relationship of fire characteristics and traces to se causes. Content includes recognition of equipment failures responsible for fires; incendiary fires; collection, preservation and documentation of evidence substantiating fire causes; interrogation techniques in fire investigations and cooperation of fire investigating agencies.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Spring | Summer
FIR 2173 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Department Administration I
Course presents types, organizational structure, and activities of fire departments. Content includes recruitment through training; personnel assignments, promotion, working conditions, pay and hours, retirement; fire station facilities, communication centers, training facilities; preparation of specifications, advertising and acceptance of bids for procuring apparatus and equipment; testing and maintenance of apparatus and equipment and types of systems and utilization of available water supply.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Spring | Summer
FIR 2183 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Department Administration II
Course examines fire department operations. Content includes procedures of municipal fire alarm systems; radio facilities, dispatching to emergency alarms; basic operational procedures for various types of fire and emergency situations; fire loss data, manpower productivity and utilization; grading of fire defenses; community public relations; public education in fire and life safety and organizing for fire prevention inspections, code enforcement and special fire prevention campaigns.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Spring | Summer
FIR 2193 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Industrial Fire Protection
Course studies industrial fire prevention practices. Content includes study of fixed-fire protection systems; employee fire safety education; in-plant inspections; hazard controls, organization of industrial fire brigades, and cooperation with public fire departments.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Spring
FIR 2208 credit hours (lecture: 5 | lab: 6)
Emergency Medical Technician
Course studies duties performed by emergency medical technicians, following the National EMS Education Standards. Contents include CPR, human body anatomy, vital signs, ventilation, cardiac emergencies, resuscitation, automated external defibrillation, pharmacology, bleeding and shock, fractures, injuries, childbirth, lifting and moving of patients, legal and ethical issues. Practical skill performance is heavily emphasized throughout the course. This course is approved by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and successful completion of course qualifies students to take IDPH’s EMT licensing examination or the National Registry Examination for EMT.
Prerequisite: 18 years of age or older, high school diploma or High School Equivalency Certificate at the time of National Registry of EMT examination. American Heart Association Basic Life Support current certification required.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Fee: $200
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
FIR 2216 credit hours (lecture: 4 | lab: 8)
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic I
Course is the first of four laboratory and clinical instruction courses for the Paramedic Program. All four courses, which include hospital and field internship experiences, must be passed, in the following sequence: FIR 221, FIR 222, FIR 223, FIR 224. The course content will address the Fundamentals of Paramedicine and prepare students to care for the sick and injured at an advanced level of care. It is designed to expand upon entry-level knowledge and skills acquired as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). This course will provide the student with a broad knowledge base upon which to make reasoned decisions when giving emergency care.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
FIR 2226 credit hours (lecture: 4 | lab: 8)
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic II
Course is the second of four laboratory and clinical instruction courses for the Paramedic Program. All four courses, which include hospital and field internship experiences, must be passed, in the following sequence: FIR 221, FIR 222, FIR 223, FIR 224. This course builds on the emergency concepts learned in FIR 221. It provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to be effective in the pre-hospital environment. It is designed to prepare the student to work as a paramedic in a range of settings such as with individuals, groups, and communities in and out of the hospital setting. It educates the students on how to achieve positive outcomes for patients. Students will gain clinical decision-making, problem-solving and critical thinking skills through simulated learning activities and clinical placements.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
FIR 2236 credit hours (lecture: 4 | lab: 8)
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic III
This course is the third of four laboratory and clinical instruction course for the Paramedic Program. All four courses, which include hospital and field internship experiences, must be passed, in the following sequence: FIR 221, FIR 222, FIR 223, FIR 224. This course is designed to prepare competent entry-level paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The course will give students continued training to be successful when challenging the National Paramedic Certification exam. The course presents material on advanced concepts in emergency medicine needed for delivery of emergency care at the paramedic level of practice. Students will integrate prior didactic and skills coursework in preparation for field internship practicums, job seeking, and career planning.
Prerequisite: FIR 222.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Spring | Summer
FIR 2246 credit hours (lecture: 4 | lab: 8)
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic IV
Course is the fourth of four laboratory and clinical instruction courses for the Paramedic Program. This final course in the sequence also includes ambulance experience. Students are required to use higher order thinking and critical reasoning skills to safely care for patients in and out of the hospital environment under the direct supervision of an approved paramedic system preceptor. Students are required to complete a state-specified number of field internship hours, including a minimum number of patient care contacts and demonstration of competencies. During these field internship hours, students are required to successfully demonstrate ascending mastery of skills and accountability. Upon successful completion of the courses, students will be eligible to take the National Registry of Paramedic exam and obtain Paramedic licensure by IDPH.
Prerequisite: FIR 223.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Summer
FIR 2273 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Department Administration III
Course is first of two management courses required of eligible candidates pursuing Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal certification as Fire Officer II. Content includes management principles and techniques used by mid-level managers and chief officers in fire service; principles of time management, decision-making, motivation and delegation.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Summer
FIR 2283 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Department Administration IV
Course is second of two management courses required of eligible candidates pursuing Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal certification as Fire Officer II. Content includes management principles and techniques used by mid-level managers and chief officers in fire service. Principles of public relations, labor relations, administrative liability and personnel management are emphasized.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Summer
FIR 2303 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 2)
Fire Apparatus Engineer
Course examines fire apparatus drivers and operators. Content includes pumps and controls, relay pumping operations, water supplies to elevated streams, standpipe sprinklers and miscellaneous equipment, preventive maintenance, records and reports.
Recommended: FIR 121.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Summer
FIR 2353 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Service Instructor I
Course examines job of fire service instructor. Content includes basic principles of adult learning, classroom management, steps in teaching, teaching methods, planning instruction, training aids and devices, implementation of training programs, use of records, types of evaluation, preparation of tests, performance testing and practice teaching.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Summer
FIR 2363 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Fire Service Instructor II
Course continues FIR 235. Content includes more advanced teaching techniques, including illustrative and demonstrative lectures, testing and performance assessment, qualifications and duties of a training officer; defining objectives of training program; planning, acquiring and using training facilities; developing curriculum; administering a training program and planning and conducting conferences.
Prerequisite: FIR 235.
Instruction Type: In-Person
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Summer
FIR 2414 credit hours (lecture: 2.5 | lab: 3)
Emergency Medical Technician – Part I
This is the first of two courses that study duties performed by an emergency medical technicians (EMT), following the National EMS Education Standards. Contents include CPR, human body anatomy, vital signs, ventilation, cardiac & respiratory emergencies, resuscitation, automated external defibrillation, pharmacology, orthopedic injuries (fractures), lifting and moving of patients, medical, legal and ethical issues. Practical skills are introduced throughout the course. Upon successful completion of both FIR 241 and FIR 242, students are eligible to take the National Registry of EMT (NREMT) examination to become an Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) licensed EMT.
Prerequisite: 18 years of age or older, high school diploma or High School Equivalency Certificate at the time of National Registry of EMT examination. American Heart Association Basic Life Support current certification required.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $200
FIR 2424 credit hours (lecture: 2.5 | lab: 3)
Emergency Medical Technician – Part II
This is the second of two courses that study duties performed by an emergency medical technicians (EMT), following the National EMS Education Standards. Contents include CPR, human body anatomy, vital signs, ventilation, cardiac & respiratory emergencies, resuscitation, automated external defibrillation, pharmacology, orthopedic injuries (fractures), lifting and moving of patients, medical, legal and ethical issues. Practical skill performance is heavily emphasized throughout the course. Upon successful completion of both FIR 241 and FIR 242, students are eligible to take the National Registry of EMT (NREMT) examination to become an Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) licensed EMT.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of FIR 241. 18 years of age or older, high school diploma or High School Equivalency Certificate at the time of National Registry of EMT examination. American Heart Association Basic Life Support current certification required.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $200
FIR 2453 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Law For The Fire Service
Course introduces legal aspects of fire science. Contents include study of judicial system; civil and criminal actions; legal status of fire department; jurisdiction and liability of fire prevention bureaus; municipal responsibility to and for fire fighters; authority and liability of fire fighters; law and arson investigation; techniques for testifying in court; and compensation, pension and termination of employment of fire fighters.
Recommended: FIR 101.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Spring | Summer
FIR 2854 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 2)
Blue Card – Incident Command
Course is designed to equip and then certify the students with the knowledge and skills necessary to serve in the role of Incident Commander or to supervise and manage emergency and hazard zone operations for National Incident Management System Type 4 and Type 5 events. The Blue Card certification is a blended course experience which incorporates 50 hours of online instruction with 24 hours of in-class computer simulation training.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and completion of FEMA Certifications: ICS-100.b, IS-200.b, ICS-700.a, and IS-800.b. Also, students must successfully complete 50-hour online course component prior to beginning in-class simulation.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $385
Term Typically Offered: Fall
FIR 2901-6 credit hours (lecture: 0-6 | lab: 0-1)
Topics in Fire Science Technology
Course covers a variety of different topics during different semesters. Topics will be selected from among current advances in fire science technology. Typical course concentrations might be Fire Officer Training III or Hazardous Materials and Terrorist Incident Response. Check with the instructor and the latest college class listings for details. The course may be repeated twice. Fee Varies. Prerequisite may vary by topic.
Instruction Type: In-Person