Firefighter/Rescue Experience and Training In this paper I intend to prove that I have the classroom instruction and the practical experience which qualifies for six hours of credit in the fire science field as outlined in Central Missouri State University's course catalog. I will show that I understand the principles of fire protection and fire prevention, and also show that I understand the chemistry of fire, the different classifications of fire and the factors contributing to fires. I'll show that I can identify hazardous materials, and techniques of fire prevention and some techniques of fire protection.My introduction to fire science began when I became employed at Thomas Hill power plant in 1985. All employees had to participate in a miniature fire school conducted by our safety coordinator. It consisted of putting out fires with a hand-held fire extinguisher and using some fire retardant foam. This class was the extent of my fire-fighting training until 1998. In 1998 my company asked for volunteers to be on their interior/structural fire brigade at Thomas Hill power plant. This forty hour course, conducted by the University of Missouri’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute, consisted of classroom training as well as practical experience in the following areas: fire concepts and behavior, personal protective equipment, self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), portable fire extinguishers, firefighter safety, hose streams and ventilation, search and rescue techniques, flammable liquids and gases, the incident command system, hazard communications, salvage and overall, fire-fighting tactics, forcible entry, and fire fighting foam techniques. This course also met all of OSHA’s standards and regulations for CFR 1910.156.The first day of our training consisted of instructor introductions, opening remarks, and course registration. We then talked about emergency response duties and responsibilities as outlined in our...
