Online Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Management (BS)

Effective emergency planning is the key to surviving natural and man-made disasters. Risk analysis and the formulation of a comprehensive plan, followed by a vigorous and continuing testing program, are essential elements to surviving an emergency. Topics covered include threat assessment, risk analysis, the formulation of a plan, emergency operations center (EOC) staffing, coordination with supporting agencies, the importance of liaison continuity, actual incident management, and effective follow-up analysis. Various actual case studies are discussed. Students build upon their knowledge and use the Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) developed in EDMG101. If they have not taken the course, a generic completed HVA will be provided to develop a section of an Emergency Operation Plan. Students will also have the ability to work through a self-paced optional “refresher” module on the creation of the HVA.

This course is a study of the theory and practice of incident command, the various methods of incident command, and specific focus on the Incident Command System (ICS) used in crises, disasters, and emergency management response systems. The roles and responsibilities of the ICS system are identified. The different agencies and incidents in which the ICS system is used are discussed. Cases are studied in order to assist students in understanding the management and leadership complexity associated with modern emergencies and disasters. The student will participate in a 2D/3D simulation and take on a new role within an incident command scenario shifting from being an information producer, to an information consumer, and decision-maker. The scenario will feature a terrorist event at a university graduation where students will be required to activate their incident command system, working the scenario to its conclusion using decision-making points throughout.

This course covers managerial issues in hazardous materials. The impact hazardous materials have on humans, wildlife, and the environment will be covered. The major laws that are applicable to hazardous materials at the Federal, State, and local levels will be discussed. The student will learn about writing an effective contingency plan and the importance of coordination and collaboration across multiple agencies when dealing with a hazardous material response. This course examines all facets of hazardous materials including regulatory issues, hazard analysis, multi-agency contingency planning, response personnel, multi-agency response resources, agency policies, procedures and implementation, public education and emergency information systems, health and safety, command post dynamics, strategic and tactical considerations, recovery and termination procedures, and program evaluation.

This course explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and are controlled. The student can expect to identify physical properties of the three states of matter; categorize the components of fire; recall the physical and chemical properties of fire; describe and apply the process of burning; define and use basic terms and concepts associated with the chemistry and dynamics of fire; discuss the various materials and their relationship to fires as fuel; demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water as a fire suppression agent; articulate other suppression agents and strategies; and compare other methods and techniques of fire extinguishments.

This course examines the history, principles, and evolving landscape of fire prevention. Students will explore the origins of fire prevention practices through the work of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the cutting-edge 1973 America Burning report on fire prevention. These works will guide students into the world of modern fire prevention initiatives. Through the material presented in this class, participants will gain a deep understanding of fire prevention techniques, regulations, and emerging technologies shaping the field today.

This course provides an in-depth study of fire protection systems and the critical safety measures that support them. Emphasizing the essential role of these systems in modern fire protection and life safety, students will explore the design, installation, and operation of a broad range of fire suppression technologies. Key topics include fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, fire pumps, smoke control systems, and special hazards suppression systems. Students will gain practical understanding of inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures as defined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and industry standards. The course also examines portable fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and other fire protection equipment, preparing students to evaluate how these systems contribute to reducing risk, preventing property damage, and protecting lives. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to recognize, differentiate, and assess commonly used systems encountered by firefighters and facility managers.

This course is an overview of fire protection and its related fields. It also covers the philosophy and history of fire protection/service, fire loss analysis, organization and function of public and private fire protection services, fire departments as part of local government, laws and regulations affecting the fire service, fire service nomenclature, specific fire protection functions, basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems, and introduction to fire strategy and tactics. Students can expect to describe and discuss components of the history and philosophy of the modern fire service; analyze the basic components of fire as a chemical reaction, examine the major fire phases, and examine the main factors that influence fire spread and behavior; list and describe major emergency response services and illustrate how they interrelate; synthesize roles of national, state, and local support organizations in fire and emergency services; describe the scope of fire and emergency services organization; describe the common fire facilities, equipment, and apparatus; analyze management concepts for emergency situations; and explain fire prevention including code enforcement, public information, and public and private fire protection systems.

This course introduces the basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives. The course focuses on the need for cultural and behavior change throughout the emergency services.

This Emergency Medical Services (EMS) course explores the role EMS plays in public safety as well as how it is staffed, funded, and delivered. Students will learn about the future of EMS education, the four different levels of EMS certification, and the four EMS domains according to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model. In addition, students will develop the ability to describe emerging trends in EMS; how those trends align with EMS Agenda 2050; and identify medical, legal, and ethical issues associated with the EMS profession. In addition, students will also learn how to explain the role of an EMS leader in relation to patient care, experience, training, education, and credentialing and to discuss a culture of health and safety in EMS. Other topics included in this class are the role of an EMS director in providing out-of-hospital care in a community and the preparedness of EMS personnel in dealing with mass casualty incidents.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of building construction and its critical connection to fire protection and life safety, with a strong emphasis on firefighter safety. Students will study the elements of structural design and building materials—particularly fire-resistant and combustible materials—and examine how these factors influence fire prevention, building inspections, fire department pre-planning, and emergency response strategies. Topics include the classification of major types of building construction, an analysis of potential fire hazards, and tactical considerations involving flammable materials, fire suppression systems, and property damage risk. Students will assess various loads and stresses that impact structural integrity and evaluate fire protection systems such as fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and fire doors. The course also addresses fire safety measures, flame spread versus fire resistance, and occupancy classifications outlined in local fire codes and national standards. Students will learn to recognize indicators of structural failure and apply fire safety protocols, risk assessment methods, and code enforcement strategies to help safeguard occupants, building owners, and fire department personnel during high-risk situations.

This course provides a theoretical framework for the understanding of the ethical, sociological, organizational, political, and legal components of community risk reduction, and a methodology for the development of a comprehensive community risk reduction plan.

This course is a theoretical study to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection and to apply hydraulic principles to analyze and solve water supply problems. The student can expect to apply the application of math and physics to the movement of water in fire suppression activities; comprehend the design principles of fire service pumping apparatus; analyze the community fire flow demand criteria; and demonstrate understanding of hydraulics, water characteristics, fluid pressure, hydrokinetics, Bernoulli’s formula, nozzle reaction, friction loss in water conductors, nozzle pressure equation, water distribution systems, Hazen-Williams equation, fire flow tests, determination of required fire flow, fire service pump design and testing, friction loss calculations, engine and nozzle pressure, Underwriter’s formula, parallel lines, Wyed lines, aerial stream calculations, relay pumping, mobile water supply, fire streams, four hydraulic laws of friction loss, and firefighting foams and foam systems.

This course focuses on fire behavior and includes topics such as fire chemistry, science, interaction with the environment, and reaction to chemical and/or natural elements involved in a response. The student will be able to understand the fundamental principles related to structural fire protection, building furnishings, and fire protection systems. physical properties of the three states of matter. The components and dynamics of fire, the process of burning, suppression agents and strategies, and the methods and techniques of fire extinguishment will be covered in the course.

This course examines design principles involved in structural fire protection and automatic suppression systems, including fire resistance and endurance, flame spread evaluation, smoke control, alarm systems, sprinkler innovations, evaluation of sprinkler system designs, and specialized suppression systems. Advanced fire suppression systems must be properly designed and the occupants must be properly trained to react in concert with the life safety systems and the fire department. Knowing how the different design systems function and how they protect a space or process aids in the interaction with owners, engineers, architects, and contractors. The importance of a good relationship between the authority having jurisdiction and those charged with the enforcement of the code is considered.

This course is a study of the leading theory and practice associated with community fire mitigation, planning, protection, response, and recovery. Topics of the course include fire-community relations, community outreach, volunteerism and fire protection, strategic community planning, inter-organizational responses, and other issues. Concepts in Code enforcement, investigations, and the historical, social, and cultural influences on fire prevention are discussed. The students will look at the economic, and governmental and departmental influences on fire prevention. Fire prevention programs will be evaluated and prepared.

This course is designed to meet the levels of mastery established by the National Fire Academy, NFPA 1021 and NFPA 1033. These standards are agreed upon by professionals across the fire service community as the foundational benchmarks that all individuals should know at the completion of this course. This course examines technical, investigative, legal, and managerial approaches to the arson problem, including principles of incendiary fire analysis and detection, environmental and psychological factors of arson, gang-related arson, legal considerations and trial preparations, managing the fire investigation unit, intervention and mitigation strategies, and shaping the future.

This course examines the relationship of fire administration and the role of executive fire administrators in the administration of complex issues in a dynamic environment. The course covers political, legal, financial, and ethical issues faced by fire administrators within the context of public administration. Topics include examination of the effects, influences, challenges, and opportunities of public and private fire functions and roles.

This course establishes the foundation of history, knowledge, and processes to assist the Risk Manager or Fire Department Safety Officer achieve their goal in preventing firefighter injury and death. The Safety Officer is a position mandated in Hazmat and Terrorism/Homeland Defense responses and it is a good idea for all responses to keep the safety of responders in first place as well as the community. The course includes a study of the leading theories and practices associated with risk management and emergency scene safety. This course focuses on citizen and responder fire safety and risk reduction through prevention, response, and recovery phases of fire operations. Topics include risk reduction planning, equipment, communications, and procedure, among others.

This course introduces the student to many areas of fire laws and regulations. The main purpose of this course is to introduce you to the laws and regulations that will impact your work. This course enables the student to acquire a basic knowledge of the law in each of the specified subject areas that directly or indirectly affect fire services by providing a basic knowledge of the methodology through which to locate, read and comprehend the various statutes and regulations surrounding fires. This course focuses on public policy, law, and regulation concerning fire mitigation, response, and recovery. Legal issues and risk are addressed as topics in the course, as are general and specific national, state, and local fire regulations and public law.

This course focuses on the rationale for conducting fire research, various fire protection research activities, and research applications, including fire test standards and codes structural fire safety, automatic detection and suppression, life safety, and fire fighter health and safety. This course examines tools and techniques of rational decision making in fire departments, including databases, statistics, probability, decision analysis, utility modeling, resource allocation, cost-benefit analysis, and linear programming. This course involves selecting a fire-related topic, developing research objectives, a proposal, and a plan using a quantitative or qualitative research design for the completion of a final research paper.

This course provides an overview of concepts, skills, theories and techniques involving human resource management(i.e. recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisals, reward systems, and benefit programs). Students will have the opportunity to review scenarios involving innovative HR practices in the workplace.

This course focuses on the psychological and physiological human response to natural and man-made disasters. Using clinical research and case histories, students will examine normal and abnormal psychological reactions, the recovery process and principles of mental health care for victims of mass disasters. Differences between natural and man-made disasters are examined and factors that mitigate post-traumatic effects are reviewed. Psychological aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) disasters are also considered.

This course provides basic research methods skills for addressing problems and issues specific to the programs within the School of Security and Global Studies. The course covers four basic approaches to social research including experimentation, survey research, field research, and the use of available data. Students will gain foundational knowledge in research planning, design, methodology, data collection, and analysis. This course prepares students to carry out research at the undergraduate level.