November 28, 2011
TO: Spring 2012 Firefighter I Academy Students
FROM: John Binaski, Fire Technology Coordinator
RE: Instructions for Firefighter I Academy Students
Welcome to College of the Sequoia’s Fire Fighter I Academy. The Firefighter I Academy is an intense 387 hour class, which concentrates on the subjects of rescue, fire prevention, fire protection engineering, fire investigation and fire fighting tactics and strategy. This course has been a great success in the past and we hope to continue with this tradition. This success has been a direct result of good student participation and the quality of instructors we have put together for this course.
Upon successful completion of this course you will receive a certificate of completion from COS, along with California State Fire Marshals Division of Training certificates for Fire Control 3A, Fire Control 4, I-200, Auto Extrication, S-130, S-190, and Confined Space Awareness certificate. You will also receive Hazardous Materials First responder and Decontamination certificates form CSTI. The material fees you paid at registration cover the fees from the California State Fire Marshals Division of Training
You will need to report for the first day of class at 1745 hours on January 4, 2012, Room PS-21. The first class session will be held at the new COS Education Center, located at 925 13th, Hanford, CA. Turn on Learning center and park in the second parking lot on the right. A COS parking permit is required and will be provided on the first day. Please pull head first into each parking stall. The class will meet on the days noted on the attached schedule. Please be aware that you will be required to meet at locations other than Hanford so reliable transportation is necessary.
Please review the attached information and bring with you on the first day. You are not required to have your physical, PPE, or uniforms by the first day. It is helpful, but not a requirement. We will discuss time frames and requirements in further detail on the first night.
California State Fire Marshal’s (SFM) policies allow you to be absent for a maximum of 10% of this class which is 38 hours. Absences for longer periods of time will result in your being dropped from the class. SFM policies also require that you achieve a minimum of 80% for a passing grade in this class. You may still pass the class for college credit with less that 80%.
Be prepared for a lot of hard work, a great educational experience and making new friendships that will last a lifetime.
Sincerely,
John P. Binaski, M.S., CFO
COS Fire Technology Coordinator
Have fun and be safe out there!