Fire Science
14 courses · Butte College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
FSC 2 Introduction to Fire Science
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- FIRE 100X
This course provides an overview of fire protection and emergency services; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; culture and history of emergency services; fire loss analysis; organization and function of public and private fire protection services; fire departments as part of local government; laws and regulations affecting the fire service; fire service nomenclature; specific fire protection functions; basic fire chemistry and physics; introduction to fire protection systems; introduction to fire strategy and tactics; life safety initiatives. (C-ID FIRE 100X).
FSC 4 Fundamentals of Fire Behavior and Combustion
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread and are controlled.
FSC 6 Fire Tactics and Strategy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to the principles of fire control in municipal and suburban environments. It includes an overview of the utilization of human resources, equipment and extinguishing agents on the fireground.
FSC 8 Principles of Fire Safety
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces the basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives, focusing on the need for cultural and behavioral change throughout the emergency services.
FSC 10 Building Construction for Fire Protection
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- FIRE 130X
This course provides the components of building construction related to firefighter and life safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, pre-planning fire operations and operating at emergencies. (C-ID FIRE 130X).
FSC 12 Fundamentals of Fire Prevention
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- FIRE 110X
This course provides fundamental knowledge relating to the filed of fire prevention. Topics include: history and philosophy of fire prevention; organization of a fire prevention bureau; use and application of codes and standards; plans review; fire inspections; fire and life safety education; and fire investigation. (C-ID FIRE 110X).
FSC 14 Fire Protection Equipment and Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- FIRE 120X
This course provides information relating to the features of design and operation of fire alarm systems, water-based suppression systems, special hazard fire suppression systems, water supply for fire protection and portable fire extinguishers. (C-ID FIRE 120X).
FSC 16 Fire Company Organization and Management
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to fire department organizations. It includes an overview of organizational structure, and an in depth examination of the role of the company officer. Planning, organizing, supervising and managing to meet the needs of the fire department mission are emphasized.
FSC 18 Basic Wildland Firefighting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 51 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course prepares students to meet the requirements to qualify and seek employment as a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter. It provides students with fundamental knowledge of wildland fire behavior, control, prevention and firefighter safety. Students will learn suppression and survival methods and techniques, and the use of hand and power tools and burning devices in the suppression of wildland fires. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be awarded certificates for the following National Wildland Fire Training courses: S-110 Basic Wildland Fire Orientation; S-130 Firefighter Training; S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior; L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service; I-100 Introduction to Incident Command System and NIMS 700 Introduction to National Incident Management System.
FSC 97 Special Problems-FSC
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 51-153 hours independent study
- Prerequisite
- Permission of instructor
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised study and practice in solving special problems in the student's career major. Any student interested in registering for a Special Problems course should contact a full-time instructor or chair/coordinator in the appropriate area no later than the last day of the tenth week of instruction. Students may not petition for a Special Problems course until they have completed satisfactorily 12 units of study at Butte College. 51-153 hours Independent Study. This course may be repeated to a maximum of 3.00 units.
FSC 99 Work Experience-FSC
- Units
- 0.5-8
- Hours
- 25.5-408 hours independent study
- Prerequisite
- Permission of Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor
- Transfers to
- CSU
Work experience is an experiential course where students apply what they have learned in the classroom to a work environment. The course offers students the opportunity to develop technical skills, explore possible career choices, build confidence, network with people in the field, and transition into the world of work. Work experience may include paid or unpaid employment. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every fifty-one hours of work experience. Students may enroll in this course up to 8 unit(s) to complete the entire curriculum of the course. A maximum of sixteen units can be earned in work experience courses during a student’s enrollment with Butte College.
FSC 105 Fire Academy Physical Training
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 8.5 hours lecture, 102 hours lab
- Corequisite
- FSC 106, FSC 107
This course prepares fire science students for the pre-employment physical ability test in the Firefighter I Academy. Emphasis is placed on lifetime fitness, principles of physical fitness, individual fitness programs, managing body composition, stress indicators and management, nutrition, development of muscular strength and cardiovascular efficiency. Students will undergo physical assessment at the onset and conclusion of the course. This course meets California State Fire Marshall certification requirements.
FSC 106 Firefighter I Academy
- Units
- 22
- Hours
- 255 hours lecture, 357 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Completion of Butte College Fire Academy orientation; proof of completion of a medical suitability examination; provide uniforms as per academy specifications; current EMT certification or AEMT (Advanced EMT) certification.
- Corequisite
- FSC 105, FSC 107
This course conforms to standards for certification established by the California State Board of Fire Services. Instruction includes basic psychomotor firefighter skills, fire behavior, personnel rules and regulations, professional organizations, fire control techniques and strategies, fireground operations, equipment operations, Incident Command System (ICS), Hazardous Materials (HazMat) operations, terrorism concepts, and loss control. Graded only.
FSC 107 Firefighter II Academy
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 17 hours lecture, 25.5 hours lab
- Corequisite
- FSC 105, FSC 106
This course provides the skills and knowledge needed for the firefighter to take on increased leadership roles and responsibilities pertaining to fire department communications, fire ground operations, rescue operations, and fire and life safety initiatives, preparedness, and maintenance. Graded only.