114-200, 201 Matic - Milwaukee Area Technical College

MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Spring 2013
Course: Fire Department Employability Skills Credits: 3
Subject Abbreviation: Fire Course Number:114 Section Number:200,
201,
Class Meets: 200: Wednesday from 8:30 to11:25
201: Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:55
Instructor: Tom Matic
Office: B-154 Office Hours: W 7:30-8:30, 12-1
Phone number: 414-442-6485 E-mail: tmatic@wi.rr.com
Cell 414-704-0698
Course Description: this class will address the skills and knowledge required to
successfully compete for Fire Service employment. The application process,
written examinations, oral examinations and physical ability tests will be
examined. The student will also participate in the Candidate Physical Ability
Test. There is an additional fee of $50:00 for the CPAT Test.
Prerequisites: F-100, F-108, ENG 152
ADA Statement:
If you have a disability that impacts your classroom performance and wish to request
an accommodation, contact the Center for Special Needs at (414) 297-6838. They
may require documentation regarding your disability to enable them to comply with
your request. Admission of a disability is voluntary and will be handled in a
confidential manner. MATC does not discriminate against individuals with
disabilities and fully complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
To ensure your academic success in this program, you are strongly encouraged to
provide your instructor with a copy of the Instructor Notification Form from the
Center for Special Needs.
Emergency/Evacuation Statement: All classrooms are equipped with an
Emergency Response Guide which provides guidelines for dealing with
emergencies. An electronic version of the guide is available at:
http://matc.edu/public safety/pdf/Emergency Procedures Guide.pdf
Students are encouraged to review these guidelines to familiarize themselves with
emergency procedures.
Textbook: Fire Department Interview Tactics
Supplies: $50 CPAT Fee
Course Competencies: See Attached
Course Calendar: See Attached
Course Requirements and Grading: See Attached
Attendance Policy: 4 hours of missed class time allowed, see attached

Optional References/Bibliography:
Student Complaint Procedure:
Student Signature: on card
MATC Core Abilities
The Core Abilities are skills that allow students to continually adapt and learn. They have been called “employability skills,”
soft skills, and professional attributes. You may not be tested for all of the Core Abilities directly, but you will demonstrate or
apply them to complete lessons or to improve skills. The Core Abilities and indicators are listed below, and the ones you will
be focusing on in this course are checked.
Core Ability
Applies to
Course ()
Communicate Effectively
a. Use effective oral communication skills X
b. Use effective written communication skills X
c. Apply standard rules of language structure, including grammar and spelling
d. Listen actively to others
e. Derive meaning from text
f. Communicate in a bias-free manner
g. Support viewpoints with evidence
Collaborate with Others
a. Demonstrate respect in relating to people X
b. Cooperate and resolve conflicts effectively
c. Participate in shared problem solving X
Respect Diversity
a. Acknowledge personal prejudices and biases
b. Appreciate perspectives of people outside own background/culture
c. Work collaboratively with persons from other backgrounds/cultures X
d. Demonstrate sensitivity to global issues
Demonstrate Responsibility
a. Attend classes as scheduled X
b. Turn in quality work X
c. Adhere to safety rules and regulations X
d. Act professionally to fulfill job duties within chosen field
e. Demonstrate flexibility and self-directedness in learning
f. Acknowledge a responsibility to the global community (cultural, economic,
environmental, political)
g. Practice environmental sensitivity in profession
Think Critically
a. Differentiate between fact and fiction
b. Consider other viewpoints and perspectives
c. Present logical arguments
d. Evaluate sources of information to solve problems

Utilize Technology
a. Use technology to communicate
b. Solve problems using technology
c. Use appropriate technology to manage information
d. Recognize the impacts of technology
Apply Math and Science
a. Apply math concepts and principles appropriately
b. Apply scientific concepts and principles appropriately
c. Interpret meaning from quantitative data
d. Interpret meaning from scientific data
Course Calendar
January 23 Course Introduction
Mini Assessment
Syllabus Review
Have a Plan
January 30
Overview: Application Process
Written Exams
Interview Techniques Chapter 1,2,3
February 6
Finish Written Exams
Resumes/Portfolios
Personal Inventory Exercise
Practice Written (Take home)
Interview Techniques 40-43, 47-58
February 13
Fitness and Nutrition
Handouts
February 20
Fitness Evaluation
Station Visits, Ride Year Plan: 29-38
Interview Techniques: 34-39
February 27

Fitness Action Plan
Overview: Oral exams
Practice Techniques
Opening Questions
Interview Techniques: Chapter 4,5,6,10, P 40-43
March 6
Problem Solving/Situational Questions
Personnel Problems
Firefighting Questions
Interview Techniques: Chapter 7,8,9
March 13
Mid Term Exam
Chiefs Interview
CPAT Orientation (Video)/Physical Ability Tests (handout)
March 20
Fire Department Investigative Reports Due
Investigation Presentations
March 27
CPAT Orientation, West Allis Fire Department
April 3
Spring Break
April 10
Interview lab
Resume Due
April 17
B-PAD Discussion
B-PAD lab
April 24
Oral Interviews

Scheduled Times
Portfolios Due
May 1
BPAD Assessments
Scheduled Times
May 8
CPAT Test West Allis Fire Department: Station 2
Scheduled Day/Times, 0900, 1300
May 15
Psychological Exams
Final Exam
May 22
Make ups
Grading
Exit Interviews
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. The student will be allowed to miss 2 class periods or a total of 6 class hours. Missing
more than 6 class hours will result in the student being dropped from the course. Late time will be included in the
calculation of missed time. In the case of extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control, this can be modified
at the discretion of the instructor. Students are allowed to attend class in other sections on a limited basis. All students
MUST attend their registered section at least 60 % of the time (10 class sessions). These must include the CPAT
Orientation at West Allis (3/28) the Interview (April24) and BPAD (May 1) assessments. In the case of extenuating
circumstances, beyond the student’s control, this can be modified at the discretion of the instructors involved.
The 200 point Class Participation Grade is based on a weekly 14 point assessment from week 2-16. This will be based
on attendance, participation, preparedness, attitude, promptness, and attentiveness. As in the hiring process everything
you do in and for class will be evaluated. At the end of the semester you will be evaluated not only for grading
purposes, but also as if you were applying for a Firefighter position. Several eligibility lists will be generated using
different methods to show the student how he/she would have fared had the class been an actual hiring process and
your class mates the competition. The use of different methods will help to identify student strengths and weaknesses
within the framework of the Fire Service hiring process.
Grading

Midterm……………..100
Final…………………100
FD Report…………...100
Resume………………100
Portfolio……………..100
CPAT………………..100
BPAD………………..100
Interview…………….100
Class Participation….200
Total………………..1000
A………..940
A-………930
B+………920
B………..860
B-……….850
C+………840
C………..780
C-……….770
D+………760
D………..710
D-……….700
U………..699 or less
All assignments, exams, and evaluations must be completed in order to receive a passing
grade. Failure to complete any of the above will result in a failing grade, even if enough points
have been scored to pass. Late assignments will be assigned a beginning score of 70, and
graded from there. Assignments more than one week late earn a ZERO.