The Butte College Public Safety Education & Training Center educates and trains students to serve and protect the public in a highly competent and professional manner.
The Firefighter 1 Academy, certified by the State Fire Marshall and the State Board of Fire Services as an Accredited Regional Fire Academy, received re-accreditation in 2017, and is offered twice annually in an intensive format, once each semester. Consistent with Fire Science classes, it starts near the end of August to accommodate the fire season and allow working students the opportunity to end their seasonal firefighting responsibilities as late as possible in order to attend Butte College. The program has earned a reputation for being among the finest firefighter academies in the western states and attracts students from throughout the area, and our graduates have secured positions in agencies from coast to coast. The Firefighter 1 Academy equates to approximately 100 FTE. Upon successful completion of the Fire Academy, students earn the following: 1. California Emergency Medical Technician training certificate of completion, which qualifies students to be eligible to complete the National EMT Registry Exam. 2. Certificates of completion for California Firefighter, as follows: ICS 100; ICS 200; Automobile Extrication; Confined Space Rescue Awareness; Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations; Cal Fire Basic Firefighter; Rapid Intervention Crew Operations; Firefighter Survival; First responder Operations Haz-Mat; Terrorism Consequences Management 3. Graduates are academically eligible for advancement to earning the California State Fire Marshall Firefighter I certificate. All pedagogical caps have been reviewed and are appropriate.
Funding from the Perkins Grant provided for the purchase of the following equipment items:
The California State Fire Marshall's Office and the State Board of Fire Services have oversight of all training of California firefighters, including the Butte College Fire Academy Program. SFM controls course content, with special emphasis on manipulative skills training and testing. Basic firefighter equipment is used in the academy to provide realistic contemporary training. As with all equipment, items used for training purposes have definitive useful life limitations. The purchased equipment was used to replace and augment equipment that had reached the end of its useful life.
Although SLOs are not evaluated in the same manner as other disciplines, the degree to which all objectives have been met is formally evaluated with written and skills testing during each and every presentation of the course. The standards for training are established by the State Fire Marshall's Office and California Title 22. Butte's courses presented under this authority and guidelines strictly comply with the required standards.
| 2012SU | 88.24% | |
| 2013SU | 100.0% | |
| 2014SU | 100.0% | |
1.b. The Fire Academy program is a natural draw for junior high and high school students considering careers in public safety after graduation. Field trips and community outreach occurs frequently throughout the year as a way of informing the students of the nature and required commitment for success in the program. The Public Safety Education and Training Center also works closely with the college Counselling and Advising Department to ensure that interested students are provided consistent and accurate information regarding the fire program.
1.e. Throughout the 20-week Fire Academy program, instructors and staff provide counselling to students regarding employment opporunities following graduation. Fire Academy instructors and staff are all active or retired members of the fire service and, therefore, have natural connections to employment possibilities. Continuing association with the Butte County Fire Chiefs' Association and the Fire Training Officers' Association also serves to meet this need.
6.2 The process allowing access into the Fire Academy program is open to all individuals, equally. Although entrance criteria has been established based strictly on probability for success in the program, that criteria applies equally to everyone.
Recommendations implemented: 1) Fund and construct a new live fire building; 2) Update antiquated equipment (partially implemented); 3) Obtain approval for Fire Academy Certificate of Achievement from Chancellor's Office; 4) Restore PT secretary position to FT.
Recommendations to be implemented:
1) Fund and construct engine pump drafting facility;
2) Purchase a modern fire engine (we have actually eliminated one of our 40+ year old engines and purchased a 30ish year old engine, but still have a need for one that is a bit newer);
3) Purchase modern training videos;
4) Implement a 3rd academy annually (extended format);
5) Add a FT faculty position to help coordinate a 3rd academy;
6) Fund and construct a Scenario Village
Item #1 is currently not a priority. Item #2 we have acquired two used fire engines and instead of utilizing 45 year old equipment, we are able to teach students with engines that are only 20-25 years old. Item #3 is currently in progress and is being done incrementally based on available funding. Item #4 is not currently a priority, but it is tied directly with Item #5 and may be pursued further if progress is made on Item #5. Item #6 is tied to a pending bond proposal.
Foolowing are the goals designated for the 2018/19 Fiscal Year:
1. Continue to comply with all applicable State Fire Marshall and Title 22 regulations to ensure continued accredidation.
2. Begin the planning and construction of the scenario village.
3. Continue acquisition of equipment to meet training needs.
4. Clarify delineation of Fire Science vs. Fire Academy programs.
Strategy 1 - Strategic Partnership With CAL Fire
For several years, serious discussions involving the College and Butte County/Cal Fire have occurred with a focus on placement of a Butte County Fire Facility, including classroom suitable for College use, at Butte College. The placement of such a facility in proximity to our Fire Training area at the Public Safety Training Grounds and the operation of our Fire Fighter 1 Academies will have a significant positive impact on CAL Fire/Butte County Fire and Butte College Fire Programs.
An ongoing partnership with Cal Fire has been integral and essential to the fire training program at Butte College.
Strategy 2 - Maintaining Serviceable Resources
The ability to maintain quality in the presentation of the Fire Academy depends in a large part on the ability to have modern and servicable tools, equipment and adjuncts available for use by the students. It will be a priority to maintain equipment, replace worn out equipment and acquire new equipment as circumstances and funding warrant in the future.
Historically, the Firefighter I Academy has obtained much of its equipment from area fire agencies, who have been very generous in donating their surplus items. As communities struggle with their own fiscal conditions, they have made efforts to increase the service lives of their safety equipment. As a result, the equipment that has been available for donation to this program the last few years has not only reached the end of its service life, in many cases it is obsolete. The critical and dangerous nature of firefighter training is such that the students must have servicable equipment just for their safety, and there is obvious benefit to training with equipment that is not antiquated.
Strategy 3 - Maintain Currency with Standards
The California State Fire Marshall's Office implemented updated Firefighter I curriculum which has been integrated into the Fire Academy program. Ongoing input from the Fire Academy Advisory Boards, as well as industry changes, mandate that the academy program continue to stay abreast of contemporary industry standards.
Effective student learning must reflect the knowledge and skills needed for future employment in the fire career field. The duties and responsibilities constantly change with the times, and it is critical that the fire program maintain currency and applicable regulatory standards.
Strategy 4 - Strategic PSETC Facility Needs
Historically, the public safety training programs have been core components of the college since its beginning. The addition of the AHPS building and the various facilities at the Public Safety Training Grounds allowed the PSETC to place its programs in a modern, permanent building but did not take into account potential future growth. It has now become clear that to fully realize the potential of the public safety training programs a new dedicated building with features and facilities unique to public safety training is needed. As future financing opportunities are sought by the District, serious consideration should be given to prioritizing a new building that will reasonably meet the needs of PSETC in perpetuity. Oddly, there was no mention of the PSETC facility needs in the last iteration of the District's Facilities Master Plan. In order to clarify the specific needs of the Department in the future, it is suggested that a comprehensive, consultant supported study be conducted to determine the specific PSETC needs.
PSETC is essentially land locked in its current location and there is no room available for department or program growth.
Strategy 5 - Department Administrative Support
Create new half time (.5) Secretary I position to provide administrative/clerical support to the PSETC.
The workload in the PSETC has reached a point where the two existing full time Administrative Secretaries are each responsible for three academies a year, plus an academic discipline (either AJ or FSC). The department has come to rely heavily on Student Assistants to perform functions that far exceed what is normally expected of Student Assistants in other departments. For example, in addition to the traditional receptionist/counter coverage, there are a myriad confidential records related to academy students that must be handled, processed, and filed. Also, critical student time keeping records must be maintained for accurate attendance reporting. These unusual duties require significant time and training to ensure competency, and the turnover of Student Assistants is frequent. The addition of the requested secretarial position would ensure that there is receptionist/counter coverage during peak hours and reduce the challenge of trying to find students who can keep up with the pace of the office.
Strategy 6 - Scenario Village
Several years ago, development of a "Scenario Village" in the center of the EVOC track was initiated. A master plan was prepared, and significant preliminary work was completed. This strategy proposes that the plan be revisited and updated, and that the project be completed. The previous plans notwithstanding, other options which may better suit the needs of the PSETC are currently being examined and considered. Ulitmately, that which best meets the needs of the Department for the funding available is the plan that will be implemented.
Much of the training in the public safety academies is based upon mock scenarios or manipulative skills that are trained in very realistic environments. With space for scenarios and manipulative skills at a premium on campus, and with six different public safety academies per year, it has become increasingly difficult to find space for required activities or testing. Establishment of a dedicated, on-campus venue for academy scenario training will allow nearly 300 public safety students per year to conduct their training and testing in environments which more closely resemble the real-life locations they will encounter in the field. In addition to the obvious benefit for public safety academies, the scenario village could support learning activities for many other campus CTE programs.
None
The Fire Academy is supported primarily by the General Fund, with some additional support coming from student material fees. Additionally, Perkins Funds have been utilized to rectify safety issues and replace critically important equipment.
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | PSETC - FSCA - Fire Academy | Operating Expenses | 11-000-511-1-213350 | $0.00 | $30,000.00 | |
| Consumable Equipment, Materials, and Supplies | The Butte College Fire Academy is held in the highest regard throughout the State because of the exceptional standards and quality of its program. The success of the program relies heavily on hands-on manipulative skills training to provide real-world experiences for the students. As a result, realistic equipment, materials, and supplies are needed throughout the presentation. These items are consumable, needing constant replacement. Equipment wears out and becomes obsolete over time. Examples are hydraulic cutters and spreaders, pumps, ladder repairs, compressors, and hoses. Consumable materials and supplies include Oriented Strand Board, saw blades, re-bar, pallets, hay, foam and fire extinguishers. |
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| 2 | PSETC - FSCA - Fire Academy | Equipment | 11-000-511-1-213350 | $50,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Burn and Rescue Prop | The Butte College Fire Academy program has always been known for its high standards in curriculum and training. Manipulative skills hands-on training is a critical and required instructional element of the Fire Academy program. As such, training in a simulated burning enclosed structure addresses the heart of fire training. This proposal is to expand the existing burn prop that is currently being used for this purpose, and would include the following: 1. Additional 800 square feet of usable fire and rescue training space. 2. Addition of a vertical ventilation space over the fire prop. 3. Insulation to extend the life of existing and proposed structures. 4. Include fall protection for students and instructors. |
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| 3 | PSETC - FSCA - Fire Academy | Equipment | 11-000-511-1-213350 | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Roof Props | Roof props are used in academy training to simulate roof venting and entry into a burning building. The existing props are constructed of wood, and have been exposed to the elements for a number of years, rendering them potentially dangerous to the students and in need of a total rebuild. |
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| 4 | PSETC - FSCA - Fire Academy | Equipment | 11-000-511-1-213350 | $80,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Used Fire Engine | For many years the Fire Academy has had the use of several fire engines that were long term donated/loaned to the College. All were early 1970s vintage. Two of them have died, and have been returned to the agencies from which they have come, and the remaining two (circa 1975) are on their last legs. Significant time and energy is spent each time there is a need to even start the engine, and the required water pumping equipment is only sporadically working. A local business owner recently donated another used engine (circa 1981), and although it seems to run slighter better than the older ones, it is still inconsistent with contemporary fire equipment. Agencies that would previously donate their used equipment for our use are holding the engines longer these days, and the consequence for us is that we have not been the recipient of a "new" engine for over 20 years. The time has come where, if we are to expose our students to contemporary fire engines, we will need to buy our own. The projected cost is for a used engine, which could easily last us another 15-20 years if maintained. UPDATE: Two of the three 40+ year old engines have been replaced with used 30ish year old engines. There is still a need for a newer engine. |
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| 5 | PSETC - FSCA - Fire Academy | Facilities | 11-000-511-1-213350 | $23,500.00 | $30,000.00 | |
| Materials, Supplies and Equipment | Following is a listing of facility projects that are in need of completion on the Public Safety Center Training Grounds: 1. Existing asphalt replacement/repair 2. Existing drainage ditch covered and surfaced 3. Existing gravel area surfacing 4. Existing fire tower roof sealed 5. Existing cinder block burn prop maintenance |
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| 6 | PSETC - FSCA - Fire Academy | Personnel | 11-000-511-1-213350 | $0.00 | $37,000.00 | |
| .5 Secretary I | The workload in the PSETC has reached a point where the two existing full time Administrative Secretaries are each responsible for three academies a year, plus an academic discipline (either AJ or FSC). The department has come to rely heavily on Student Assistants to perform functions that far exceed what is normally expected of Student Assistants in other departments. For example, in addition to the traditional receptionist/counter coverage, there are a myriad confidential records related to academy students that must be handled, processed, and filed. Also, critical student time keeping records must be maintained for accurate attendance reporting. These unusual duties require significant time and training to ensure competency, and the turnover of Student Assistants is frequent. The addition of the requested secretarial position would ensure that there is receptionist/counter coverage during peak hours and reduce the challenge of trying to find students who can keep up with the pace of the office. |
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