Cottleville Fire Department (MO)

This is a "hybrid" type course with most of the course work beginning on March 8, 2024 and ending on April 26/30, 2024. Participants will complete the work on their own and at their own pace, under the following guidelines:

1. The chapter quizzes and tests for chapters 1 through 5 must be completed by 08:00 on April 1.

2. The chapter quizzes and tests for chapters 6 through 10 must be completed by 08:00 on April 26.

3. Participants must score a 70 percent or higher on each quiz and test to move on to the next chapter quiz or test. Participants have 2 chances to successfully complete each quiz or test.

4. Chapter quizzes are not timed, so participants are encouraged to use their textbook if they are unsure of an answer while completing the quizzes.

5. Chapter tests are timed, with the time allowed for each test proportional to the number of questions in the test. For chapter tests, the total time allowed accounts for an average of 90 seconds per question. 

6. There will be activities assigned during the course, which the participants will submit to the instructor on or before the last day of the course. Plenty of notice will be given to participants

7. Half of the class will meet at 09:00 on Friday, April 26 to complete the last activities. The other half will meet on Tuesday, April 30 to complete the last activities.

8. On the two days listed in item number 7, participants will each present on a topic to the other participants there in that session. Details of that activity will be distributed by March 29th.   

This course is going to be run like an adult learning course in which each participant is responsible for setting aside time to work through the course materials. As listed above, the first five chapters must be completed by April 1. That is so that you don’t procrastinate too long. My suggestion for you is to set a goal of completing two chapters per week, so that you have all ten completed by the weekend of April 12th. That would give you two weeks of cushion time.

Once the course activities have been completed and everyone has successfully completed required course testing, a date will be set up for MO Division of Fire Safety certification testing. That will likely take place at the Cottleville FPD in our training room. The state’s certification test for Instructor 1 certification consists of 100 multiple choice questions from their testing bank. 

Note: Anything and everything listed in chapters 1 through 10 in the IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Instructor 9th Edition textbook is fair game for their test. So, taking the time to read the chapters, reviewing the lesson outlines, and reviewing the powerpoint presentations on the IFSTA ResourceOne site is all highly suggested.     

In addition to the DFS certification test, once the course has been successfully completed, participants will receive a "task book" from the Division of Fire Safety that they will have to complete within 365 days. We will review that packet on the first day of class, and again on the last day of class as needed.

Throughout this class or course, participants are welcome and encouraged to reach out to the instructor for guidance or clarification on course work. I want all of you to be successful, so please reach out to me if you need assistance.