Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is required for an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology and is transferable to some bachelor degree programs in Fire Service Administration.

Upon successful completion student should be able to:

1. Conduct basic fire investigations.
2. Determine fire cause and origin.
3. Conduct preliminary interviews at the fire scene.
4. Properly identify, collect, remove, and preserve evidence.
5. Identify factors which may indicate an incendiary fire.
6. Preserve the fire scene until the investigation is complete.

The material in this course will be presented in classroom lecture andor in an online format via the web. Other instructional methods including guest speakers, research papers, book and journal article reviews, written and oral reports, demonstrations, simulations, and presentations may be employed.

Each lesson will have written examination covering the appropriate material and include demonstrated skills when relevant. The methods of assessment may include one or more of the following: • Various scenario based problem solving activities, case studies, or other exercises geared toward critical analysis of course concepts. •Written assignments or oral reports designed to integrate course material into personal experience or experiences of others. •Quizzes and exam composed of objective questions and concepts. •Individual and/or team project/s which requires integration, application, and critical examination of course concepts, issues, and themes.

Examine Fire Officer responsibilities for the following procedures: Fire cause determination. Determining the point of origin of a fire. Identifying, collecting, removing and preserving evidence. Conducting preliminary witness interviews. Preserving the investigation scene.