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Rio Hondo College logo
Rio Hondo College logo
Associate of Science Degree
Fire Technology

This curriculum was developed jointly by the Curriculum Committee of the California Fire Chiefs’ Association and the College Advisory Committee and is intended for firefighters, fire officers, and interested students.

Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.

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Sample Education Plan

This sample education plan for the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway through the program. Each university (UC, CSU, private, and others) has their own transfer requirements; please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. Additional course descriptions may be found in the College Catalog.
Select sample path/map:
CourseUnitsTypically Offered
1st Semester
FTEC 101 - Fire Protection OrganizationM3.0
FTEC 101 - Fire Protection Organization (3.0 units)

(Formerly FTECH 101, 001)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in college composition written 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 103 - Fire Behavior and CombustionM3.0
FTEC 103 - Fire Behavior and Combustion (3.0 units)

(Formerly FTECH 103, 003)

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.

ENGL C1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 101)GE3.5
ENGL C1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 101) (3.5 units)

(Formerly ENGL 001A, ENGL 101)

Prerequisite:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. This composition course enables students to generate logical, coherent essays that incorporate sources necessary for academic and professional success. Students become proficient in researching, evaluating, and incorporating sources, and in learning critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections before applying these skills to creating original documented essays. The writing workshop component of the course is designed to assist students with improving and refining their writing and language skills: Students complete writing workshop activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct citation styles. Students meet with composition instructors through individual or small group conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. 

RHC GE 7a - Fine ArtsGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
ARCH 103
ART 101, 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, 120, 130, 135, 140;
DANC 179, 179H, 199, 199H;
GDSN 110:
MUS 101, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136;
MUST 151, 152;
PHTO 110, 130;
THTR 101, 105, 105H, 110, 150

Total Semester Units:12.5 
2nd Semester
FTEC 102 - Fundamentals of Personal Fire Safety and Emergency ActionM3.0
FTEC 102 - Fundamentals of Personal Fire Safety and Emergency Action (3.0 units)

(Formerly FTECH 102, 002)

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 104 - Fire Prevention TechnologyM3.0
FTEC 104 - Fire Prevention Technology (3.0 units)

(Formerly FTECH 104, 004)

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.

EMT 100 - Emergency Medical ResponderM3.0
EMT 100 - Emergency Medical Responder (3.0 units)

(Formerly FTEC 121)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is intended for students who seek a better understanding of the role and responsibilities of a first responder. The course also meets the State of California Title 22 requirements pertinent to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and automatic external defibrillation (AED) training as related to being an emergency medical technician (EMT). This course also certifies students in CPR for the healthcare professional.

Select one: FIN 101 / MATH 150 / STAT C1000 / STAT C1000H / PSY 190 (RHC GE 2)GE3.0†
FIN 101 - Introduction to Financial Planning (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an elementary algebra course.
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of financial planning, and is designed to provide students with tools needed to achieve their personal financial goals. Students learn to make informed decisions related to spending, saving, borrowing, and investing by applying quantitative reasoning concepts. Course topics include the financial planning process, budgeting, cash flow, debt consolidation, investing, and retirement planning.

MATH 150 - Survey of Mathematics (3.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course.
Transfers to: CSU, UC

In this course students will learn to read and understand quantitative information, solve practical problems, and make sound decisions using numbers. Topics include consumer applications, logic, probability, statistics, algebra, and geometry. This course is for students who need a quantitative reasoning course for graduation or transfer.

STAT C1000 - Introduction to Statistics (formerly MATH 130) (4.0 units)

(Formerly MATH 012, MATH 130)

Advisory:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra. ENGL C1000, READ 101
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit),CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: STAT C1000, STAT C1000H)

This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines.

STAT C1000H - Introduction to Statistics - Honors (formerly MATH 130H) (4.0 units)

Advisory:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra. READ 101, ENGL C1000
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: STAT C1000, STAT C1000H)

This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This is an honors course. This course is recommended for students intending on participating in the Honors Transfer Program.

PSY 190 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory:ENGL 101 and the ability to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*The UC will grant credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H or PSY 190)

This course provides an overview of the types of statistics that are important in the behavioral sciences. It is designed to teach students majoring in psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology how to present and interpret experimental data. The course focuses on hypothesis testing and the statistics used to analyze assumptions, with topics including basic probability, measures of central tendency, measures of variance, sampling, and inferential statistics.

RHC GE 7b - HumanitiesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units. 

Select one:
ANTH 104;
ASL 101, 124, 201, 202;
CHIN 101, 102;
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H, 150;
EGSS 130;
ENGL 126, 131;
FR 101, 102, 201, 202;
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170;
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130, 140, 145;
JAPN 101, 102;
KIN 199
LIT 102, 102H, 112A, 112AH, 112B, 112BH, 114, 114H, 117, 117H, 130, 130H,140, 140H, 141, 141H, 142, 142H, 144A, 144AH, 144B, 144BH, 145, 145H, 146A, 146AH, 146B, 146BH, 147, 147H, 148, 148H, 149, 149H;
MSCM 128;
PHIL 101, 101H, 102, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 128H, 135, 140;
POLS 128, 128H, 150;
SPAN 101, 101S, 102, 102S, 201, 201H, 202;
SPCH 130, 132

RHC GE 6 - Social and Behavioral SciencesGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
AJ 101
ANTH 102, 102H, 103, 104, 110, 115, 125;
CD 106, 208;
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H, 150;
ECON 101, 101H, 102, 102H, 106, 135;
EGSS 110, 120, 130;
GEOG 102, 103;
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170;
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130;
KIN 170, 190, 195
MSCM 103, 128;
PHIL 128, 128H, 135;
POLS C1000, C1000H, 115, 125, 128, 128H, 130, 135,140,150;
PSY 112, 114, 180, 200;
PSYC C1000, C1000H;
SOC 101, 101H, 102, 105, 110, 114, 116, 120, 127, 130;
SPCH 150

Total Semester Units:18.0† 
Summer 1
EMT 093 - Emergency Medical TechnicianM9.0
EMT 093 - Emergency Medical Technician (9.0 units)

Prerequisite: EMT 100 with a grade of "B" or better

This course is designed to certify students as a National Registry and State of California emergency medical technician (EMT), and gain employment as an ambulance EMT, hospital emergency department EMT, or event staff EMT. After successful completion of this course, students will be approved to take the National Registry EMT cognitive examination and then request certification as an EMT through the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency or other local EMS accrediting agencies in California. Topics discussed include pre-hospital care terminology, cardiovascular emergencies, emergency childbirth, communicable disease transmission, extrication tools and equipment, tactical casualty care, automatic external defibrillation, and the EMS system. In order to participate in this course students must pass a background check, EMT medical physical that includes vaccination verification, and a 10-panel drug screen.

FTEC 105 - Building Construction for Fire ProtectionM3.0
FTEC 105 - Building Construction for Fire Protection (3.0 units)

(Formerly FTECH 105, 013)

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.

Total Semester Units:12.0 
3rd Semester
FTEC 106 - Fire Protection Equipment and SystemsM3.0
FTEC 106 - Fire Protection Equipment and Systems (3.0 units)

(Formerly FTECH 106, 006)

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.

RHC GE 5 - Natural Sciences with LabGE4.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one Natural Science with Lab:
ANTH 101, 101H & 101L;
ASTR 110, 110H & 112, 137;
BIOL 101, 105 & 105L, 111 & 111L, 112, 120 & 120L;
BIOT 100;
CHEM 110, 120, 130;
GEOG 101 & 101L;
GEOL 150 & 151, 152 & 152L;
PHY 120, 150, 160, 211, 212, 213

RHC GE 4 - American InstitutionsGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
POLS C1000, C1000H;
HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170

FTEC 044 - Physical Fitness and Ability for the FirefighterGE3.0
FTEC 044 - Physical Fitness and Ability for the Firefighter (3.0 units)

(Formerly FTECH 044)

Prerequisite: Student must be able to lift 75lbs., drag a 150 pound "drag dummy", and use a sledge hammer in completion of a physical abilities test.
Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in college composition written at a college level and read college-level texts.

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.

Total Semester Units:13.0 
4th Semester
FAC 118 - Firefighter I, Basic Fire AcademyM18.0
FAC 118 - Firefighter I, Basic Fire Academy (18.0 units)

(Formerly FTECH 018, 118)

Prerequisite:FTEC 044; FTEC 101; FTEC 102; FTEC 103; FTEC 104; FTEC 105; FTEC 106
Advisory:It is advised that students have knowledge of elementary algebra.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is designed for recently employed firefighters and other interested students. Topics covered include organization of the public and private fire service, characteristics and behavior of fire, fire hazards and firefighter safety, extinguishing agents and related extinguishing equipment, fire protection systems and water supply, incident command system, confined-space rescue awareness, building construction and assemblies, basic fire fighting tactics and strategy, fire prevention, hazardous materials, emergency care, wildland firefighting, rapid intervention, rescue systems, and physical fitness. This course meets the State Board of Fire Services (SBFS) requirements for designation as a “California Firefighter I Accredited Academy” (Accredited Regional Academy (ARA) by the California State Fire Marshal). Students who complete this course also receive California certification in Vehicle Extrication, Fire Control I, Fire Congrol II, Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational, Confined Space Rescue Awareness, Rescue Systems I, S-110, S-130, S-190, Rapid Intervention Crew Tactics, and ICS-200. This course requires completion of a medical physical examination and includes arduous physical activity.

Total Semester Units:18.0 
Total Units for Fire Technology AS program 73.5† 
Notes:
  • AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor.
  • Note: If you are interested in the Fire Academy, please select:
    Semester 2 - FTEC 121 and FTEC 044
    Summer 1 - EMT 093
Legend:
Some classes may have higher units
M Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement
GEGeneral Education course
ELElective Course
Advising Sheet:
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet.

Program Learning Outcomes

1

Students will identify minimum qualifications and entry- level skills for firefighter hiring; describe the following elements: application process, written exam process, physical agility exam, oral interview, chief’s interview, background investigation, and firefighter probationary process and identify fire service history, culture, and diversity.


2

Students will identify and comprehend laws, regulations, codes, and standards that influence fire department operations and identify regulatory and advisory organizations that create and mandate them, especially in the areas of fire prevention, building codes and ordinances, and firefighter health and safety.


3

Students will analyze the causes of fire, determine extinguishing agents and methods, differentiate the stages of the fire and fire development, and compare methods of heat transfer.


4

Students will calculate flow requirements for fire apparatus, diagram a pump and plumbing schematic for fire apparatus, and apply mathematic formulae to hydraulics problems.


5

Students will identify and describe the apparatus used in the fire service and the equipment and maintenance of fire apparatus and equipment.


6

Students will identify and describe common types of building construction and conditions associated with structural collapse and firefighter safety.


7

Students will differentiate between fire detection and fire suppression systems; design and diagram a wet and dry fire protection system; and identify alarm system components and their operations.


8

Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze, appraise, and evaluate fire and emergency incidents and identify components of emergency management and firefighter safety, including: size-up, report-on conditions, Incident Command System, RECEO, 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, 18 situations that shout “Watch Out,” and common factors associated with injuries and line-of-duty deaths.


About RHC

Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.

Contact

Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601

Phone: (562) 692-0921
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