Fire Technology
13 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
FTEC 044 Physical Fitness and Ability for the Firefighter
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
This course is designed to present in-service firefighters and interested students with information about conditioning and fire department physical ability test designs. The course includes manipulative drills needed to pass California physical abilities tests (PAT). This course will provide information on the most recently developed tests in Southern California, including the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) and the Biddle Physical Ability Test (PAT). Students learn about firefighter wellness programs and review basic nutrition as well as current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards pertaining to firefighter health and safety. Students must be able to perform basic firefighter activities including climbing, using sledge hammers, dragging 150-pound dummies, and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus.
FTEC 045 Firefighter Entrance Examination Techniques
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
This course is designed to prepare students to take a firefighter’s entrance examination. Topics covered include a review of firefighter duties, employment requirements in the fire service, and the hiring process. Resumes, written examinations, oral interviews, and related topics are discussed.
FTEC 101 Fire Protection Organization
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides students with an overview of fire protection issues. Topics include an introduction to the philosophy and history of fire protection and fire service; organization and function of public and private fire protection services; laws and regulations affecting fire service; and the role of fire departments as part of local government. Basic fire chemistry, fire protection systems, firefighting strategies, and possible career opportunities in fire-related fields are also presented.
FTEC 102 Principles of Fire & Emergency Services Safety & Survival
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces fire technology or other interested students to the basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives, focusing on the need for cultural and behavior changes throughout the emergency services. This course has been updated to meet the National Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education objectives as it pertains to firefighter safety and survival techniques used in today’s fire service.
FTEC 103 Fire Behavior and Combustion
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides fire technology or other interested students with an exploration of theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and how they are controlled. An in-depth study of fire chemistry and physics, fire characteristics of materials, extinguishing agents, and fire control techniques will be explored.
FTEC 104 Fire Prevention Technology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to provide fire technology or other interested students with fundamental information regarding the history and philosophy of fire prevention, organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau, use of fire codes, identification and correction of fire hazards, and the relationships of fire prevention with built-in fire protection systems, fire investigation, and fire and life-safety education.
FTEC 105 Building Construction for Fire Protection
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides fire technology or other interested students with an understanding of the essential components used in building construction that directly relates to fire safety. The elements of construction and design of structures, factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at fires will be discussed. The development and evolution of building and fire codes will be studied in relationship to past fires in residential, commercial, and industrial occupancies.
FTEC 106 Fire Protection Equipment and Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides the fire technology student with information pertaining to the design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems, heat and smoke control systems, special protection and sprinkler systems, water supply for fire protection and portable fire extinguishers.
FTEC 107 Hazardous Materials
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides fire technology or other interested students with information pertaining to the first responder role when dealing with hazardous materials operations. Hazardous materials decontamination procedures will also be discussed. Classification of hazardous materials (California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) Curriculum) and National Fire Protection Association standards (NFPA 472) will be addressed.
FTEC 111 Fire Hydraulics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and possess the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides the fire technology student with information applicable to fire service hydraulics, specifically pertaining to fire hose, friction loss and calculations for gallons per minute (GPM) on the fire ground. The student will study fire ground hydraulic formulas used to calculate needed fire flow for residential and commercial structures.
FTEC 150 Truck Academy Operations
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 27 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- FAC 118 or employed as a Firefighter by a Federal, State, County, or Municipal Fire Department
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is for In Service firefighters or other interested students that want to enhance their knowledge and ability as it pertains to the fire ground operations associated with truck company tactics and strategy. Basic roof construction, vertical and horizontal ventilation, forcible entry, positive and negative ventilation, search and rescue, thermal imaging technology, firefighter safety and survival, rapid intervention tactics, elevator rescue and related truck company operations will be discussed. Training provided will meet NFPA Standards and California State Fire Marshal Curriculum.
FTEC 290 Work Experience Education/Internship for Fire Technology-Related Fields
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 3 Lecture, 54-216 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course supports and reinforces on-the-job training in business and industrial establishments under the supervision of a college instructor. Training is informed by learning objectives. Students work in a skilled or professional-level assignment in their area of vocational interest, and meet performance objectives related to instruction that are above and beyond the conditions of regular employment. This course is intended for students whose job is related to the field of fire technology and have completed or enrolled in the appropriate coursework. The course may be taken once and repeated for a maximum of 16 units. Contact the Work Experience Education Office regarding re-enrollment procedures.
FTEC 299 Directed Study: Fire Technology
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 54-162 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/or appropriate projects. To enroll in an independent study/directed study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average, a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students will be expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress shall be evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies shall be the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title 5 regulations with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, six (6) hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress through the semester. Students may take directed study courses for a maximum of three (3) units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of nine (9) units college wide.