FT-110 - Wildland Fire Behavior - Randall C Osborne

Introduction

My name is Randall Osborne (L.A. Co. F. D. retired) and I am your instructor for this course. I have a video introduction inside the course, but just a few facts about myself: I started with L. A. County in 1986 and worked as wildland firefighter, truckee, paramedic and patrolman while at the firefighter rank. I promoted to engineer and drove a truck, then was on the hazmat team and later again served as an engineer on a wildland crew, then I closed my career as a fire inspector. I have been teaching for over 10 years at College of the Canyons and Oxnard College and now Mt. SAC as well. 

A short welcome to the class from Mr. Osborne

Course Description

Course Description:

Introduces topics related to wildland fire behavior including weather, fuel, topography, and how fire behavior affects risks to firefighters.

Student Learning Objectives:

The student will evaluate and analyze the combining influences that affect wildland fire behavior. This will be evaluated by doing an analysis of an assigned wildland fatality fire and doing a PowerPoint Project with an explanation of the fire and the factors leading up to the firefighter fatalities. The report will also contain a summation of lessons learned in the course.

Course Learning Objectives:

By the end of the semester the student should have an understanding in the following areas:

1. Analyze how weather can impact wildland fire behavior.
2. Explain how topography can impact wildland fire behavior.
3. Apply the concepts of fire chemistry to the behavior of wildland fires.
4. Explain the different wildland firefighting strategies.
5. Delineate the factors that influence wildland firefighter safety.
6. Explain the basic terminology in wildland fire.

What to Expect in this Course

What to Expect in this Course
Every week we will discuss a new chapter from the textbook. There will be both recorded videos and Zoom meetings for discussing the material. Almost every week there is a short quiz and usually a discussion or short assignment like a 6 slide PowerPoint presentation on that week's subject matter.

1. It is essential that you log in before or on the first day of the course to orient yourself to the course and see the initial assignments for our first week. You must attend the first Zoom to show attendance on the first day. Those who fail to show up are subject to being dropped.

2. On the first day we will go through the class and clarify how the class works. I will run through the syllabus and welcome letter. However, you should also read through the syllabus and I recommend printing the schedule portion of the syllabus, so you can use it to keep up to date. We will cover approximately a chapter every week, though there are a few subjects that will take longer or be even shorter. Taking this class online will require the students to schedule themselves and be involved in the various discussion groups, assignments and reports associated with the course. Taking an online course, will often require a greater commitment to discipline and scheduling, then taking a face-to-face course. For every unit, students can expect to spend approximately 1-3 hours completing course activities.  Therefore, for a full online 3-unit course, students should expect to commit 3-6 hours per chapter completing course-related activities. Please check your course regularly and pay attention to the calendar to make sure you are able to keep up with the pace of this course.

Types of Assessments

Required Reading: 

The class will cover approximately one chapter each week. Study guide/quizzes will be placed on Canvas for you to use to prepare for your quizzes and the midterm and final exams. Quizzes will be placed on Canvas that will cover 2 chapters at a time and will be available to you for at least a week to take online. It is your responsibility to take the quizzes during the allotted time. There will be no make-up quizzes since the quizzes will be available online for the allotted time. Be sure you are ready to complete the quiz when you start it. You only get one attempt at the quiz. If you start but then decide to take it later that counts as an attempt and you are locked out! Those quizzes will be your study guides for the mid-term and final exams. All questions on the quizzes come from the study guides that you will find in the chapter modules.

Supplemental Reading/Canvas: 

Supplemental Reading will be placed on Canvas. We are going to cover some subjects that are not in the textbook, so from time to time the instructor may provide supplemental reading material for which the students will be responsible. Supplemental reading can also be assigned for extra credit for those who need it. You will also need to go on Canvas every week for study guides and any other additional materials.

TESTING, DISCUSSIONS AND PROJECTS:

There will be 6 quizzes, one mid-term, and a final exam. All exams are posted in the class schedule. There will also be multiple pop-quizzes. There are a few discussions and course projects that will be done in a PowerPoint format.

Textbook Information

Very Important textbook info:

You need to purchase or rent your textbook A.S.A.P. The school bookstore through Barnes and Noble will have it or you can buy it from Amazon!

Firefighter’s Handbook For Wildland Firefighting 4th Ed.

ISBN: 978-0-87939-676-3

There is also an E-Version available from IFSTA

Other Relevant Course Information

Essential Information on How to Navigate in this course

1. This class flows in a step-by-step process. If you try and skip forward it will not allow you to do that. Do not be that person who tries to just jump forward to the assignments and then learns absolutely nothing from this class.
2. Every Module starts with instructions! If you read them, it will help you succeed and get your work done for that module. One of the most essential skills for firefighters is paying attention to instructions!
3. In this online course, modules will open on Mondays. Most Mondays, I will send out an announcement of what is coming up for that week. it is important that you get a chance to read the instructions for that week right away, so you can plan out how you will get the work and assignments done on time. Late work is allowed, but you lose 2% of your grade for every day late. In this first week, we will focus on class orientation and getting to know each other, however I have opened module 1 for those who want to get started on course material right away. Module 1 has two weeks of videos, reading material and assignments. This is because it is foundational to the class and there is a lot to cover. This is the only module that will work that way. All other modules will be one weeks worth of material and one chapter from our book.
4. Most pages/assignments in the modules require them to be marked as done or that you turn in the assignment or take the quiz. Canvas will not let you move forward until you do this! Watch for the mark as done image:    And then click next    
5. I welcome you contacting me via the Inbox for Canvas, but please read the instructions first, then if you do not understand or need clarification, please feel free to contact me. I am here not only to teach and instruct you in this course, but to also help guide you through it. I will do my best to check in every weekday, so please contact me if you do not understand the instructions.
6. Every once in a while, I have something out of order. If you are trying to turn something in and you are sure you have done all the prerequisites, but it will not let you proceed, then please contact me. I might need to fix something.
7. If you have not had a course that uses this method it takes a little getting used to, but once you do it, I believe you will find it very helpful to keep you organized and on task.

The most important tasks you need to address this first week is to:

1. Check in by replying to the welcome announcement. Just reply and type, "Here."
2. Watch my video introduction and motivational talk (be sure to watch the whole thing) and then reply to the discussion assignment. Be sure to follow the instructions. There are 2 parts to it.
3. Read the 152 welcome letter and the Syllabus, then take the short quiz that is due on Friday of the first week. 
4. Start working on module 1 by watching the lectures and then do the assignments. Module 1 has 2 videos to watch, but this will rarely happen in this class. Module 1 has an extra week, because of the amount of material. The due dates will give you some extra time since you have the introduction discussion as well.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: What should I do first?

Answer: Read this “Orientation Letter” to determine if this particular online course is a good fit for you. If so, then I encourage you to enroll in the class. Click on the various links in this “Orientation letter” to better familiarize yourself with various aspects of the course and our college.

Question: Is an online course for me?

Answer: I encourage you to check out COC’s Distance Learning website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student. The Distance Learning website provides information on exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. You need to be comfortable with navigating the Internet, using a word processing program (like Microsoft Word), using your College of the Canyons student email, and other basic computer functions. In addition, you must familiarize yourself with “MyCanyons” (COC’s online portal), COC Student Email, and Canvas (our online “learning platform,” through which you’ll participate in the class). If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your current “online skill level.”

Questions: How do I log in to Canvas?

Answer: The course can be accessed via Canvas at MyCanyons beginning at 12:01am on Wednesday, 01/02/2019. Once you navigate to cv.canyons.edu, follow the on-screen instructions to log in. Links at the bottom of this webpage provide helpful tips for navigating and using Canvas.

Question: What if I experience technical problems with Canvas?

Answer: For any Canvas-related issues, please call the Canvas Student Support line at (661) 362-3344 during college business hours, or (877) 889-9052 for 24/7 support. You can also send an email to COC Student Tech Support at cvsupport@canyons.edu, however it may take up to 24 hours to receive an email response.

Question: How do I get a College of the Canyons student email address?

Answer: Set up your “COC student email address” through MyCanyons. COC “student” email addresses are automatically created by COC, and are comprised of a combination of your name. Example: jdoe@my.canyons.edu.

Question: How do I take TESTS for this online class?

Answer: All exams for this class are taken online through Canvas from wherever you have Internet access. Exams are timed, and each exam have a specific due date (as noted on the forthcoming course syllabus). You must complete each exam in the time given, and before the exam’s deadline.

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: 08/13/2024 Sub#: 1797