SECTION 127.628. Firefighter I (Two Credits), Adopted 2015

(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12. Recommended prerequisite: Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security. Students shall be awarded two credits for successful completion of this course.

(b) Introduction.

(1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.

(2) The Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.

(3) Firefighter I introduces students to firefighter safety and development. Students will analyze Texas Commission on Fire Protection rules and regulations, proper incident reporting and records, proper use of personal protective equipment, and the principles of fire safety.

(4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.

(5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.

(c) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected to achieve business and industry employability skills standards such as attendance, on-time arrival, meeting deadlines, working toward personal/team goals every day, and ethical use of technology.

(2) The student uses communication skills as related to fire management. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate the use of speech and written communication platforms common to fire management services;

(B) practice steps involved in using radio communication for fire management;

(C) apply the Incident Command System to manage emergencies; and

(D) apply protocols in emergency management response when working at an accident scene.

(3) The student executes safety procedures and protocols associated with fire management services. The student is expected to:

(A) apply local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to safety issues;

(B) apply protocols for handling hazardous materials at the awareness level; and

(C) practice personal safety procedures.

(4) The student comprehends the steps to develop an institutional professional growth plan to develop team building and leadership skills common for fire management systems. The student is expected to:

(A) recognize techniques for functioning within a group environment; and

(B) demonstrate model leadership within fire management.

(5) The student applies laws, ordinances, regulations, and rules as defined by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Certification Curriculum Manual to perform duties within a set of rules or protocols. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the correct laws and rules applicable to basic firefighter certification by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection;

(B) review the Texas Commission on Fire Protection requirements for certification as a basic firefighter as stated in the Standards Manual for Fire Protection Personnel;

(C) identify the various levels of firefighter certifications by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as stated in the Standards Manual for Fire Protection Personnel;

(D) identify the levels of instructor certification by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as stated in the Standards Manual for Fire Protection Personnel; and

(E) describe responsibilities of a firefighter as required by the National Fire Protection Association 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.

(6) The student describes the stages of a fire, the process of combustion, and the appropriate action to be taken for extinguishment. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the four products of combustion commonly found in structural fires that create a life hazard;

(B) define terms such as fire, flash point, ignition temperature, fire point, flammable (explosive) range, boiling point, oxidation, pyrolysis, reducing agent, vaporization, combustion, vapor density, and specific gravity;

(C) describe the process of thermal layering that occurs in structural fires and how to avoid disturbing the normal layering of heat;

(D) define fire triangle and fire tetrahedron;

(E) describe heat energy sources such as chemical, electrical, mechanical, and nuclear;

(F) identify the stages of fire development;

(G) explain the special conditions that occur during a fire's growth such as flameover, rollover, flashover, thermal layering, and backdraft; and

(H) identify the units of heat measurement and how to convert units.

(7) The student describes the methods of heat transfer. The student is expected to:

(A) describe methods of heat transfer such as conduction, convection, and radiation; and

(B) describe examples of heat transfer in fire emergencies such as conduction, convection, and radiation.

(8) The student analyzes the physical states of matter in which fuels are commonly found. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the physical states of matter in which fuels are commonly found such as solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels;

(B) explain terms related to the combustion process such as specific gravity, vapor density, and the theory of surface-to-mass ratio; and

(C) identify narcotic asphyxiant gases and irritants common in smoke.

(9) The student comprehends the fire extinguishment theory. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the fire extinguishment theory; and

(B) analyze methods of extinguishment such as temperature reduction, fuel removal, oxygen exclusion, and inhibiting chemical reaction.

(10) The student describes the characteristics of water as it relates to fire extinguishing potential. The student is expected to:

(A) explain the law of thermodynamics as it relates to specific heat, latent heat, and heat flow; and

(B) compare the advantages and disadvantages of water as an extinguishing agent.

(11) The student analyzes the internal systems that sustain life in the human body and identifies the physical requirements of a self-contained breathing apparatus wearer. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the internal systems that sustain life in the human body such as the respiratory and cardiovascular systems;

(B) describe the National Fire Protection Association standards applicable to the self-contained breathing apparatus;

(C) identify the firefighter's physical requirements for wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus;

(D) identify respiratory hazards during firefighting that require the use of respiratory protection;

(E) identify the different types of self-contained breathing apparatus; and

(F) describe the safety features and function of the open circuit self-contained breathing apparatus.

(12) The student demonstrates confidence in performing firefighting skills while wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the safety requirements when using the self-contained breathing apparatus;

(B) describe how to calculate the air supply duration in the cylinder;

(C) describe the safety rules when wearing the self-contained breathing apparatus;

(D) describe the uses and limitations of the self-contained breathing apparatus;

(E) demonstrate the various methods of donning and doffing the self-contained breathing apparatus while wearing protective clothing;

(F) demonstrate the replacement of an expended cylinder on a self-contained breathing apparatus assembly with a full cylinder;

(G) demonstrate rescue procedures without compromising the rescuer's respiratory protection such as rescuing a firefighter with functioning respiratory protection, a firefighter without functioning respiratory protection, or a civilian without respiratory protection;

(H) perform firefighting skills while wearing the self-contained breathing apparatus with a fully charged cylinder;

(I) demonstrate the use of the self-contained breathing apparatus to manage a restricted passage in conditions of obscured visibility; and

(J) demonstrate emergency procedures to be used in the event of failure of the self-contained breathing apparatus.

(13) The student demonstrates inspection, care, and testing procedures for the self-contained breathing apparatus. The student is expected to:

(A) document routine maintenance for the self-contained breathing apparatus; and

(B) describe the use of an air supply system for recharging an air cylinder and cylinder testing maintenance of a self-contained breathing apparatus.

(14) The student identifies the types and components of fire service protective clothing and personal protective equipment. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the various types of fire service protective clothing;

(B) identify the different components of structural firefighting protective equipment and their functions;

(C) demonstrate the correct procedures for inspection and maintenance of personal protective equipment;

(D) describe the limitations of personal protective equipment in providing protection to firefighters;

(E) explain the physical limitations of a firefighter working in a personal protective ensemble; and

(F) demonstrate the donning and doffing of personal protective equipment such as helmet with eye protection, hood, boots, gloves, protective coat and trousers, self-contained breathing apparatus, and personal alert safety system device.

(15) The student demonstrates the proper testing and operation of a personal alert safety system device. The student is expected to:

(A) explain the proper operation of a personal alert safety system; and

(B) demonstrate the proper testing of a personal alert safety system.

(16) The student recognizes all aspects of the fire department organization. The student is expected to:

(A) identify aspects of the fire department organization;

(B) explain the firefighter's role as a member of the fire department;

(C) analyze the rules and regulations common to most fire departments;

(D) identify the mission of the fire service and of the local fire department according to the authority having jurisdiction;

(E) describe the function of a standard operating system and the responsibilities of a firefighter relating to compliance with the provisions of occupational safety and health programs; and

(F) explain the components of a member assistance program.

(17) The student recognizes common types of accidents and injuries and their causes. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the elements of a personnel accountability system and the application of the system at an incident;

(B) identify potential long-term firefighter health considerations of exposure to products of combustion;

(C) identify common types of accidents or injuries such as those occurring at the emergency scene, responding to and returning from calls on fire apparatus, in personal vehicles, at the fire station, at other on-duty locations, and during training; and

(D) demonstrate techniques for action when trapped or disoriented in a fire situation or in a hostile environment.

(18) The student describes the handling of different types of accidents and hazards. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the procedures for terminating utility services to a building;

(B) explain hazards that exist and describe procedures to be used in electrical emergencies;

(C) describe the safe handling and operation of hand and power tools;

(D) describe safety procedures for fire service lighting equipment such as power supply (portable or mounted), lights, cords, and connectors; and

(E) recognize the procedures for the use of safety equipment such as seat belts, ear protection, eye protection, and other safety equipment provided for protection while riding on apparatus.

(19) The student identifies safety procedures for ensuring a safe environment. The student is expected to:

(A) identify protective equipment and describe its uses;

(B) recognize traffic and scene control devices;

(C) identify structure fire and roadway emergency scene potential hazards;

(D) describe solutions to mitigate potential hazards; and

(E) describe procedures for safe operation at emergency scenes.

Source Note: The provisions of this §127.628 adopted to be effective April 7, 2022, 47 TexReg 1677