FIRETC-102 - Fire Prevention - Foster McLean

Introduction

Welcome to Fire Technology 102: “Fire Prevention.  My name is Foster McLean, and I am the Instructor for this 5-week fully-online course. 

Take the time to review this entire Orientation Letter to determine if this course format will work for you, your learning style, and your schedule. Feel free to contact me via email at foster.mclean@canyons.edu with any questions.

Please note that this section of FIRETC-102 is an ACCELERATED CLASS that is 5-WEEKS in length.  (We will be covering all the material of a normal 16-week course condensed into about a third of the time.)  Everything in this class will be at an extremely fast pace.

This class is 100% online.  So there are not any required face-to-face meetings, and no “live” lectures. This means that you will not have to come to campus for any portion of this class, and do not have to be online at a specific time each day. The class will be available to you at any time, from anywhere you have internet access and a computer. 

Although there are no live meetings, you will be required to watch the recorded videos in each module that help explain the course material.  Links to the recorded videos will be available to watch on your computer, tablet, or smartphone once the course starts.

To successfully complete this course, you MUST have…

• Access to a computer
• Internet access and a web browser
• A valid College of the Canyons (COC) log in for Canvas. 
• Applicable Software to watch video clips, read electronic documents, and visit internet websites.  Also, make sure you have all necessary software (Adobe Acrobat Reader, and a word processing program like Microsoft Word) to complete the assignments.

Our online course is accessible electronically through Canvas. Canvas is the College’s electronic learning platform that we use in this class for all Announcements, Lessons, Handouts, Discussions, Assignment submittals, Communication, and taking Quizzes/Exams.  Once logged into Canvas, you are entering into our electronic classroom.

The link to access “Canvas” can be found on the College of the Canyons homepage: www.canyons.edu

Course Description

This course provides fundamental knowledge relating to the field 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.

By the end of the semester you will have an understanding of the following areas:

1. Identify laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations as they relate to fire prevention.
2. Understand code enforcement as it impacts life and property loss.
3. Define the national fire problem and role of fire prevention.
4. Identify and describe fire prevention organizations and associations.
5. Define laws, rules, regulations, and codes, and identify those relevant to fire prevention of the authority having jurisdiction.
6. Define the functions of a fire prevention bureau.
7. Describe the functions of a fire prevention bureau.
8. Describe inspection practices and procedures.
9. Identify and describe the standards for professional qualifications for Fire Marshal, Plans Examiner, Fire Inspector, Fire and Life Safety Educator, and Fire Investigator.
10. List opportunities in professional development for fire prevention personnel.
11. Describe the history and philosophy of fire prevention.

The syllabus will have additional information and can be viewed once the class starts. 

What to Expect in this Course

Make note that this class is an ultra-accelerated 5-week course.  (FIRETC-102 is normally offered over a full 16-week semester.) 

Our 5-Week time frame means that we will be covering all of the material (16 weeks of content) in less than one-third of the time. You must be prepared for an extremely fast-paced course.  You will have at least three times the amount of coursework each week, compared to the regular 16-week version. 

To be successful in this course, you are expected to keep up with a workload that includes approximately three chapters of coursework each week.  Each Chapter may include (but is not limited to) reading the textbook chapter, working your way through our “Chapter Outlines,” watching video clips, reviewing websites and handouts, completing assignments and discussion boards, and taking the associated Quizzes.

Even though this is a fully online course, you are still required to regularly participate in class through Canvas interactions.  Participation is accomplished through:

• Log into our course through Canvas at least three times a week.
• Participate in discussions.
• Complete the coursework.
• Have regular communication with me.

Failure to participate in the class at any point can result in you being dropped from the course.

Just as in an in-person class, all students are required to demonstrate that they can work co-operatively, behave ethically, and to provide helpful, constructive feedback to one another.

Types of Assessments

The types of assessments will include:

• Quizzes and Exams
• Assignments
• Projects
• Discussion participation

All assessments will be completed and turned in through Canvas.

Textbook Information

The textbook is required and will be necessary to have by the first day of our On-line class. 

Title: “Principles of Fire Prevention” Fourth Edition

Authors:  A. Diamantes and A. M. Jones, Jr.

Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Learning

ISBN: 9781284180237

Other Relevant Course Information

Students that fail to log into Canvas and complete the introduction discussion by 11:59pm on the first day of the course, will be dropped from the course without notice, unless contact is made to me before the end of the first day.

Students that wish to add the class after the semester has begun must contact me for approval at: foster.mclean@canyons.edu

Please note that this is an accelerated class, and if you are added to the class after it starts, you are already behind in the workload and must therefore work very fast to catch up to the rest of the class.

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 12/16/2024 Sub#: 1870