Fire Science
17 courses · Merritt College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
FISCI 201 Principles of Fire and Emergency Services
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- C-ID
- FIRE 100 X
Introduction to fire service organization and careers in the fire protection field: Fire technology and history of fire service, organization and function of public and private protection services, fire department as part of local government, laws and regulations affecting fire service, fire service nomenclature, specific fire protection, fire loss analysis, basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire strategy and tactics, and Incident Command System.
FISCI 202 Fire Prevention
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- C-ID
- FIRE 110 X
Fundamentals of fire prevention: History and philosophy of fire prevention, organization and operation of fire prevention of a fire prevention bureau; use of application of codes and standards; plans review; fire inspections; fire and life safety education; and fire investigation.
FISCI 203 Building Construction for the Fire Service
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- C-ID
- FIRE 130 X
Fundamentals of building construction that relate to fire and life safety: Elements of construction and design of structures as key factors in building inspections, preplanning of fire operations, and operations at fire and building-collapse emergencies; development and evolution of building and fire codes and study of past fires and building collapses in residential, commercial, and industrial occupancies.
FISCI 204 Fire Behavior and Combustion
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- C-ID
- FIRE 140 X
Theory and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and are controlled: In-depth study of fire chemistry and physics, fire characteristics of materials, extinguishing agents, and fire-control techniques.
FISCI 205 Fire Protection Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- C-ID
- FIRE 120 X
Fundamentals of design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems: Heat and smoke control systems, special protection and sprinkler systems, water supply for fire protection, portable fire extinguishers, and design and installation requirements.
FISCI 206 Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- C-ID
- FIRE 150 X
Fundamentals of assessing the basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives: Cultural and behavior change throughout the emergency services.
FISCI 211 Firefighter Academy
- Units
- 10
- Hours
- 7 hours lecture, 9 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- EMT 211or EMT certification and FISCI 201 and FISCI 204 and FISCI 206.
- Advisory
- KIN 153A and KIN 153B.
Meets Firefighter I, Rescue Systems, Confined Space, and HAZ MAT FRO, certification requirements. Manipulative and technical training in the use of firefighting equipment; fire attack procedures, and rescue operations: Hose and ladder evolutions, fire protection systems, basic salvage and overhaul techniques; forcible entry; wildland, interior, house and flammable liquid fire-attack procedures; and fire control, ventilation, and extinguishment techniques for various situations.
FISCI 230 Company Officer 2A--Human Resource Management
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 2.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Employment with fire service organization..
- C-ID
- FIRE 200 X
Fundamentals of human resources for fire company officers: Evaluating member performance; supervising personnel; and integrating health and safety plans, policies, and procedures into daily activities as well as the emergency scene. Intended for employed firefighters seeking advancement to the company officer level in a fire service organization.
FISCI 231 Company Officer 2B--General Administrative Functions
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Employment with fire service organization.
- C-ID
- FIRE 210 X
Fundamentals of general administration for fire company officers: Implementation of department policies and procedures as well as conveying the fire department's role, image, and mission to the public. Intended for employed firefighters seeking advancement to the company officer level in a fire service organization.
FISCI 232 Company Officer 2C--Fire Inspection and Investigation
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 2.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Employment with fire service organization.
- C-ID
- FIRE 220 X
Fundamentals of inspections and investigations for fire company officers: Identifying hazards and addressing violations; performing a fire investigation to determine preliminary cause; and securing the incident scene and preserving evidence. Intended for employed firefighters seeking advancement to the company officer level in a fire service organization.
FISCI 233 Company Officer 2D--All Risk Command Operations
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 2.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Employment with fire service organization.
- C-ID
- FIRE 230X
Fundamentals of command operations in the hazard zone for company officers: Incident size up; initial plans of action involving single and multi-unit operations for various types of emergency incidents; situation mitigation utilizing agency safety procedures; conducting pre-incident planning; and developing and conducting a post-incident analysis.
FISCI 234 Company Officer 2E--Wildland Incident Operations
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 2.5 hours lecture
- C-ID
- FIRE 240X
Fundamentals of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) command operations for company officers: Evaluation and reporting incident operations; analyzing incident needs; developing and implementing a plan of action to deploy incident resources; suppressing a wildland fire; establishing an incident command post; creating an Incident Action Plan (IAP); and completing incident records and reports. Intended for employed firefighters seeking advancement to the company officer level in a fire service organization.
FISCI 235 Instructor I: Instructional Methodology
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 2.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Employment with a fire service organization.
- C-ID
- FIRE 250 X
Fundamentals and techniques of instruction with an emphasis on applied instruction in the fire service: Course outline and lesson plan development; instructional aids; classroom environment management; legal and ethical issues; and instructor accountability and liability. Intended for employed firefighters seeking advancement to the company officer level in a fire service organization.
FISCI 236 Chief Officer 3A--Human Resource Management
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Employment with fire service organization.
Fundamentals of human resource applications for chief fire officers: Develop plans for employee accommodations; develop hiring procedures; establishing personnel assignments; and developing a measurable accident and injury program. Intended for current company officers seeking a promotion to chief officer.
FISCI 237 Chief Officer 3B--Budget and Fiscal Responsibilities
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture
- Prerequisite
- Employment with fire service organization.
Fundamentals of fiscal responsibilities and budgeting roles for chief fire officers: Developing a budget management system; developing a division or departmental budget and describing the process for ensuring competitive bidding. Intended for current company officers seeking a promotion to chief officer.
FISCI 238 Chief Officer 3C--General Administrative Functions
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Employment with fire service organization.
Fundamentals of administrative requirements for chief fire officers: Directing department record management systems; analyzing and interpreting records and data; developing a model plan for continuous organizational improvement; developing a plan to facilitate approval; preparing community awareness programs; and evaluating the inspection program of the fire department. Intended for current company officers seeking a promotion to chief officer.
FISCI 239 Chief Officer 3D--Emergency Services Delivery Responsibilities
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Employment with fire service organization.
Fundamentals of emergency service requirements for chief fire officers: Developing a plan for integration of fire service resources; developing an agency resource contingency plan; evaluating incident facilities; supervising multiple resources; developing and utilizing an incident action plan; obtaining incident information to facilitate transfer of command; developing and conducting post incident analysis; and maintaining incident reports. Intended for current company officers seeking a promotion to chief officer.