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

This Degree program will provide the student with training in hand crew formation, fire line construction, and the use of wild land equipment. The behavior of fires, protective clothing, and wildland fire tools will also be addressed. The Wildland Fire Technology Associate Degree program is for those students who desire to gain an understanding of Wildland fire investigation, fire prevention and support operations. This program also meets the requirements for the U.S. Forest Service to be hired as an entry-level Wildland firefighter. This degree pro- gram will also aid currently employed municipal firefighters with the learning domains and knowledge base to respond to and mitigate a Wildland conflagration.

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

Apply Now!


Sample Education Plan

This sample education plan for the 2023-2024 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
WFT 101 - Wildland Fire BehaviorM3.0
WFT 101 - Wildland Fire Behavior (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, perform mathematical operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages, and read college level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is part of a series of core courses required for the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. This course provides students with information necessary to understand basic wildland fire behavior, wildland fire predictions, and wildland fire operation safety. Wildland fire environmental factors and the tools required to monitor weather and fire behavior are discussed as related to wildland fire predictions. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

WFT 102 - Wildland Firefighter Safety and SurvivalM3.0
WFT 102 - Wildland Firefighter Safety and Survival (3.0 units)

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

This course is part of a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. The course provides students with information necessary to understand occupational safety and hazards associated with wildland firefighting operations. Emphasis is placed on situational awareness, protective measures, accident avoidance procedures, and the risk management process. Students also review fire ground near misses, entrapments, and fatalities. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (RHC GE 1b and 8a)GE3.5
ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (3.5 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or eligibility for college composition.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

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. This course is designed for students who wish to fulfill the General Education requirement for Written Communication.

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

Total Semester Units:12.5 
2nd Semester
WFT 103 - Wildland Fire OperationsM3.0
WFT 103 - Wildland Fire Operations (3.0 units)

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

This course is one in a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science Degree programs. This course provides students with information necessary to understand ground and air operations associated with wildland firefighting operations. Emphasis is placed on incident command system use, strategy, tactics, hazards, resource typing, management, and safety procedures during wildland fire incidents. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

WFT 104 - Wildland Fire Investigation, Prevention, and Public InformationM3.0
WFT 104 - Wildland Fire Investigation, Prevention, and Public Information (3.0 units)

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

This course is part of a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. This course provides students with information and skills necessary to understand the roles and functions of a public information officer (PIO, S-203), fire prevention education team member (PETM, P-101), and the wildland fire investigator (INVF, FI-110). Various wildland fire-associated class projects engage students' public speaking, report writing, and presentation skills. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

Select one: FIN 101 / MATH 130 / MATH 130H / MATH 150 / MATH 160 / MATH 175 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 will 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 130 - Statistics (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; READ 101
Transfers to: UC (*crdit limit),CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests.

MATH 130H - Statistics Honors (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. ENGL 101
Advisory: READ 101
Transfers to: UC (8credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests. This course is intended for students who meet Honors Program requirements.

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.

MATH 160 - College Algebra (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course.
Transfers to: UC, (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 160 or MATH 165 or MATH 180)

This course covers linear, quadratic, polynomial, power, exponential, and logarithmic functions and their applications from a graphical, numerical, and analytical point of view. The course also covers systems of equations and inequalities and sequences and series. This course serves as preparation for students planning to take Elements of Calculus (MATH 170).

MATH 175 - Plane Trigonometry (3.0 units)

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

This course is for students majoring in mathematics, science, and engineering. The course equips students with the skills necessary for success in precalculus, presenting the concepts of plane trigonometry using a functions approach. The course also includes a study of trigonometric functions including their inverses and graphs, identities and proofs related to trigonometric expressions, trigonometric equations, solving right triangles, solving triangles using the law of cosines and the law of sines, polar coordinates, and an introduction to vectors.

RHC GE 6 - Social and Behavioral ScienceGE3.0

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 128;
PHIL 128, 128H, 135;
POLS 110, 110H, 115, 125, 128, 128H, 130, 135,140,150;
PSY 101, 101H, 112, 114, 180, 200;
SOC 101, 101H, 102, 105, 110, 114, 116, 120, 127, 130;
SPCH 150

Total Semester Units:12.0† 
Summer 1
FTEC 044 - Physical Fitness and Ability for the FirefighterM3.0
FTEC 044 - Physical Fitness and Ability for the Firefighter (3.0 units)

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.

RHC GE 8b - Communication/Analytical ThinkingGE3.0†

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

Select one:
CIT 101, 125, 135;
ENGL 125, 201, 201H;
FIN 101;
GIS 120;
LIB 101;
MATH 130, 130H, 140, 150, 160, 170, 175, 180, 190, 190H, 191, 250, 251, 260, 270;
PHIL 110, 110H, 112, 112H, 115;
PSY 190;
SPCH 100, 101, 101H, 120, 140;
READ 101;
VOCB 101

ElectiveEL1.0

Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Total Semester Units:7.0† 
3rd Semester
WFT 105 - Wildland Fire Logistics, Finance, and PlanningM3.0
WFT 105 - Wildland Fire Logistics, Finance, and Planning (3.0 units)

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

This course is part of a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. The course provides students with information necessary to understand the responsibilities and functions of the logistics, finance, and planning sections. Emphasis is placed on how the different incident command system sections are organized and utilized during wildland fire incidents. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

RHC GE 4 - American InstitutionsGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
POLS 110, 110H;
HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170

RHC GE 5 - Natural Science 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 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;
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, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 128H, 135, 140;
POLS 128, 128H, 150;
SPAN 101, 101S, 102, 102S, 201, 201H, 202;
SPCH 130, 132

Total Semester Units:13.0† 
4th Semester
WFT 077 - Wildland Fire AcademyM16.0
WFT 077 - Wildland Fire Academy (16.0 units)

Prerequisite:FTEC 044
Advisory:WFT 101, WFT 102, WFT 103

This course is designed for students who want to gain certification as a wildland firefighter through the National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG). This course provides training in hand crew formation, fireline construction, and the use of wildland fire equipment. Certification is included in Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (NWCG L-180), Firefighter Training (NWCG S-130), Firefighter Type 1 (NWCG S-131), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (NWCG S-190), Portable Pumps and Water Use (NWCG S-211), Firing Operations (NWCG S-219), Basic Air Operations (NWCG S-270), American Heart Association (AHA) First Aid/CPR/AED Certification, California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness (FRA) and Hazardous Material Operations (FRO), and California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations (LARRO). Students learn about wildland fire crews (engine crews, hand crews, hotshot crews, helitak crews, and smokejumpers), wildland fire behavior, wildland firefighter personal protective equipment, wildland firefighter safety, helicopter safety, dozer safety, wildland fire pumps, and wildland fire tools and firing devices. This course includes arduous physical conditioning including hiking with up to 45 pounds of weight and other strenuous outdoor activities. The academy exceeds the United States Forest Service (USFS) minimum training requirements for an entry-level wildland firefighter for certification purposes.

Total Semester Units:16.0 
Total Units for Wildland Fire Technology AS program 60.5† 
Notes:
AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor.
Legend:
Some classes may have higher units
M Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement
GEGeneral Education course
ELElective Course
CourseUnitsTypically Offered
1st Semester
WFT 101 - Wildland Fire BehaviorM3.0
WFT 101 - Wildland Fire Behavior (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, perform mathematical operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages, and read college level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is part of a series of core courses required for the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. This course provides students with information necessary to understand basic wildland fire behavior, wildland fire predictions, and wildland fire operation safety. Wildland fire environmental factors and the tools required to monitor weather and fire behavior are discussed as related to wildland fire predictions. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

WFT 102 - Wildland Firefighter Safety and SurvivalM3.0
WFT 102 - Wildland Firefighter Safety and Survival (3.0 units)

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

This course is part of a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. The course provides students with information necessary to understand occupational safety and hazards associated with wildland firefighting operations. Emphasis is placed on situational awareness, protective measures, accident avoidance procedures, and the risk management process. Students also review fire ground near misses, entrapments, and fatalities. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (CSU GE A2)GE3.5
ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (3.5 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or eligibility for college composition.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

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. This course is designed for students who wish to fulfill the General Education requirement for Written Communication.

CSU GE C1 - ArtsGE3.0†

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

Select one:
ARCH 103
ART 101, 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, 120, 121, 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
WFT 103 - Wildland Fire OperationsM3.0
WFT 103 - Wildland Fire Operations (3.0 units)

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

This course is one in a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science Degree programs. This course provides students with information necessary to understand ground and air operations associated with wildland firefighting operations. Emphasis is placed on incident command system use, strategy, tactics, hazards, resource typing, management, and safety procedures during wildland fire incidents. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

WFT 104 - Wildland Fire Investigation, Prevention, and Public InformationM3.0
WFT 104 - Wildland Fire Investigation, Prevention, and Public Information (3.0 units)

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

This course is part of a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. This course provides students with information and skills necessary to understand the roles and functions of a public information officer (PIO, S-203), fire prevention education team member (PETM, P-101), and the wildland fire investigator (INVF, FI-110). Various wildland fire-associated class projects engage students' public speaking, report writing, and presentation skills. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

Select one: MATH 130 / MATH 130H / MATH 150 / MATH 160 / FIN 101 GE3.0†
MATH 130 - Statistics (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; READ 101
Transfers to: UC (*crdit limit),CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests.

MATH 130H - Statistics Honors (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. ENGL 101
Advisory: READ 101
Transfers to: UC (8credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests. This course is intended for students who meet Honors Program requirements.

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.

MATH 160 - College Algebra (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course.
Transfers to: UC, (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 160 or MATH 165 or MATH 180)

This course covers linear, quadratic, polynomial, power, exponential, and logarithmic functions and their applications from a graphical, numerical, and analytical point of view. The course also covers systems of equations and inequalities and sequences and series. This course serves as preparation for students planning to take Elements of Calculus (MATH 170).

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 will 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.

Select one: POLS 110 / POLS 110H (CSU GE D)GE3.0
POLS 110 - Government of the United States (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: POLS 110 or POLS 110H)

This course surveys and analyzes the origins, principles, institutions, policies, and politics of U.S. National and California State Governments, including their constitutions. Emphasis is placed on the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and an understanding of the political processes and issues involved in the workings of government. This course fulfills the American Institutions requirement for the Associate Degree. It also is suitable for students wishing to expand their knowledge of local, state and national governments.

POLS 110H - Government of the United States Honors (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: ENGL 101
Advisory:It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: POLS 110 or POLS 110H)

This course surveys and analyzes the origins, principles, institutions, policies, and politics of U.S. National and California State Governments, including their constitutions. Emphasis is placed on the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and an understanding of the political processes and issues involved in the workings of government. This course fulfills the American Institutions requirement for the Associate Degree. It also is suitable for students wishing to expand their knowledge of local, state and national governments. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.

Total Semester Units:12.0† 
Summer 1
FTEC 044 - Physical Fitness and Ability for the FirefighterM3.0
FTEC 044 - Physical Fitness and Ability for the Firefighter (3.0 units)

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.

US HISTORY (CSU GE C2)GE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

All CSU campuses have a graduation requirement in American Institutions. Students may choose one of the following US History courses to partially fulfill this requirement: HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170.

CSU ElectiveEL3.0

Select a course that transfers to CSU. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Total Semester Units:9.0 
3rd Semester
WFT 105 - Wildland Fire Logistics, Finance, and PlanningM3.0
WFT 105 - Wildland Fire Logistics, Finance, and Planning (3.0 units)

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

This course is part of a series of core courses required by the Wildland Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science degree programs. The course provides students with information necessary to understand the responsibilities and functions of the logistics, finance, and planning sections. Emphasis is placed on how the different incident command system sections are organized and utilized during wildland fire incidents. This course meets or exceeds National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements.

CSU GE C1 or C2 - Arts or HumanitiesGE3.0†

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

Arts
Select one:
ARCH 103
ART 101, 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, 120, 121, 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

Humanities
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
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
PHIL 101, 101H, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 128H, 135, 140
POLS 128, 128H, 150
SPAN 101, 101S, 102, 102S, 201, 201H, 202
SPCH 130, 132

CSU GE B1 - Physical SciencesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units. 
All labs or courses with labs are indicated by an '*'.

Select one:
ASTR 110, 110H, 112*, 137*
CHEM 110*, 120*,130*, 140*, 230*, 231*
GEOG 101, 101L*
GEOL 150, 151*, 152, 152L*
PHY 120*, 150*, 160*, 211*, 212*, 213*
CHEM 110*, 120*,130*, 140*, 230*, 231*
GEOG 101, 101L*
GEOL 150,151*
PHY 120*, 150*, 160*, 211*, 212*, 213*

CSU GE B3 - Lab ScienceGE1.0

Select one if lab has not been completed in CSU B1 or B2.
All labs or courses with labs are indicated by an '*'

CSU GE D - Social SciencesGE3.0

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
Select one:
AJ 101
ANTH 101, 101H, 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 128
PHIL 128, 128H, 135
POLS 110, 110H, 115, 125, 128, 128H, 130, 135, 140, 150
PSY 101, 101H, 112, 114, 180, 200
SOC 101, 101H, 102, 105, 110, 114, 116, 120, 127, 130
SPCH 150

Total Semester Units:13.0† 
4th Semester
WFT 077 - Wildland Fire AcademyM16.0
WFT 077 - Wildland Fire Academy (16.0 units)

Prerequisite:FTEC 044
Advisory:WFT 101, WFT 102, WFT 103

This course is designed for students who want to gain certification as a wildland firefighter through the National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG). This course provides training in hand crew formation, fireline construction, and the use of wildland fire equipment. Certification is included in Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (NWCG L-180), Firefighter Training (NWCG S-130), Firefighter Type 1 (NWCG S-131), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (NWCG S-190), Portable Pumps and Water Use (NWCG S-211), Firing Operations (NWCG S-219), Basic Air Operations (NWCG S-270), American Heart Association (AHA) First Aid/CPR/AED Certification, California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness (FRA) and Hazardous Material Operations (FRO), and California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations (LARRO). Students learn about wildland fire crews (engine crews, hand crews, hotshot crews, helitak crews, and smokejumpers), wildland fire behavior, wildland firefighter personal protective equipment, wildland firefighter safety, helicopter safety, dozer safety, wildland fire pumps, and wildland fire tools and firing devices. This course includes arduous physical conditioning including hiking with up to 45 pounds of weight and other strenuous outdoor activities. The academy exceeds the United States Forest Service (USFS) minimum training requirements for an entry-level wildland firefighter for certification purposes.

Total Semester Units:16.0 
Summer 2
CSU GE A1 - Oral CommunicationGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one: SPCH 100, 101, 101H, 120, 140

CSU GE A3 - Critical ThinkingGE3.0†

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

Select one:
ENGL 201, 201H; PHIL 110, 110H, 112, 112H, 115; READ 101; SPCH 140

Total Semester Units:6.0† 
5th Semester
CSU GE B2 - Biological SciencesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units. 
All labs or courses with labs are indicated by an '*'.

Select one:
ANTH 101, 101H, 101L*
BIOL 101*, 105, 105L*, 111, 111L*, 112*, 120, 120L*, 200*, 201*, 206, 222*, 226*
BIOT 100*; PSY 210, 210H
BIOL 101*, 105, 105L*, 111, 111L*, 112*, 120, 120L*, 200*, 201*, 206, 222*, 226*
BIOT 100; PSY 210, 210H

CSU GE F - Ethnic StudiesGE3.0

Notes:
Students who started at Rio Hondo College beginning in Fall 2021 or later and returning students who have not maintained continuous enrollment will be required to complete a course in Area F. Students who started at Rio Hondo College prior to Fall 2021 and have maintained continuous enrollment will not be required to complete a course in Area F (instead, they will complete 9 units from at least two disciplines in Area D). Please see a counselor for details.

Select one:
CHST 101
EGSS 110

CSU GE E - Lifelong Learning/Self DevelopmentGE3.0

Select one:
ANTH 110
HUSR 123
CD 106
EGSS 130
KIN 159 (F'21), 170 (F'21), 190 (F'21), 191, 192, 196
COUN 101 (F’11), 104, 151 (F’98)
NUTR 110
DD 214 (see counselor for details)
PHIL 122
PSY 112, 121
EDEV 101 (F’15), 151
SOC 105, 110

CSU ElectiveEL3.0

Select a course that transfers to CSU. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Total Semester Units:12.0† 
Total Units for Wildland Fire Technology AS program (Transfer to CSU)80.5† 
Notes:
AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor.
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 assess impacts of fuel, weather, and topography on wildland fire behavior.


2

Students will recognize and avoid the four common denominators of wildland fire fatalities.


3

Given a wildland fire scenario, students will prepare an incident briefing based on factors of fuel, weather, topography, and man-made hazards.


4

Students will demonstrate the three components of wildland fire prevention, including education, engineering, and enforcement.


5

Students will make an operation shift plan that includes the following information: people in charge, operational objectives, resources, supplies necessary to meet the objectives, area map, weather forecasting, and safety briefing using standardized ICS forms.


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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