Hazardous Materials: A Community College Fire Science Course Triton College iis one of the new community colleges and technical institutions established under the Illinois Junior College Act of 1964. The division of our institution is three-fold; University Transfer Studies. Career Education, and Adult Education. Whenever possible, cooperative courses are established between divisions. Hazardous Materials is a course co-instructed by an organic chemist and the coordinator of Fire Science a t Triton College. Every 1%years "Hazardous Materials" a 3-credit, course is offered to the Chicago area fire fighters and Triton students earning an Associate Degree in Fire Sei&ce. At the first offering 40 students took the course while the second off& ing had 82 students. Both terms two sections were offered on consecutive nights to facilitate the 24 hours on and 48 hours off duty shifts that firemen must work. The course has several objectives. First, we teach firemen which materials need special handling during a fire or :o prevent a fire. Water-reactive material dangers are stressed. A second objective is to teach elementary inorganic and organic chemistry, common and IUC nomenclature. Structural and molecular organic formulas are stressed as well as the general flammability, reactivity, and toxicity by functional groups. A third objective is to analyze various classical examples of chemical fires and fire fighting techniques fmm both the fireman's and chemist's points of view to learn the lessons contained therein. Demonshations are given to show the hazardous nature of many chemicals. Fires, explosions and demonstrations are used to punctuate the need for safe procedures in the treatment and use of chemicals and their fires. The course is 3 hr weekly for 18 wk. The first half of each evening is conducted on various practical considerations of a particular topic. The second half is demonstrations and theoretical analysis by a chemist. At all times questions and interactions occur between students and instructors. Since professional fire fighters are always present in the student body, analysis from many viewpoints isoften the ease on a fire history. The one instructor has a masters degree in organic chemistry while the other is the Coordinator of Fire Science, a fanner fireman and fire inspector, holding a masters degree in liberal studies. In addition to formal lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and films, students are requested to present an optional oral or written report to add t o the groups' fund of knowledge. Over 90% did so! Typical of a demonstration was the use of static electricity to ignite ethanol, acetone, ether, and carbon disulfide. Recent fires in the news are treated very carefully in terms of similar chemical hazards found in the fire districts of the students. Plans are heing made to use video tape of Chicago area fires in the future. Television monitors are used to enlarge the picture when students cannot be present close enough to see well or when heing mare distant is safer. Recording of demonstrations and explosions were made for possible later use. Four examinations are given the students to determme their grade. Understanding and professionalism are stressed. The fact isobvious that a better respect for chemists and the chemical industry is present a t the end of this course.
Triton College River Grave, Illinois 60171
Edward M. Fashing Leo Flynn
Volume 51. Number 3, March 1974
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