Course Introduction

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Welcome to Columbia College and my college web page. Following you will find a brief biography as well as information about the classes I teach at Columbia College.

About Don Ramos :

I retired from the San Jose Fire Department at the rank of Battalion Chief. I have been the Fire Chief in the Felton and Branciforte Fire Protection Districts in Santa Cruz County. I have an A.A. in Fire Science, a B.A. in Human Performance, and Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Public Administration. I have been teaching in the California Community College system for decades.

I live part-time in Aptos and part-time in the Sierra foothills where I have installed a vineyard. My wife Marilyn and I enjoy time with our 5 children and 13 grandchildren.

Contacting Your Instructor:

We will be using the course Message Board on a very limited basis. My main tool for interacting with you will be through e-mail. If you need to communicate with me ------ E-MAIL ME! If needed, I will talk to you by phone or face-to-face. My e-mail address is: ramosd@yosemite.edu

Don Ramos at the College:

I am an adjunct instructor in the Fire Technology program at the college. I primarily teach on-line classes. I have recently taught FT-2 (Fire Prevention Technology) and FT-4 (Building Construction) in an on-line format.

Textbooks I use:

For Fire Prevention Technology (FIRE 2):

FIRE INSPECTION AND CODE ENFORCEMENT

I.F.S.T.A.

7^th Edition

ISBN = 978-0-87939-348-9

For Building Construction (FIRE 4):

Building Construction for the Fire Service

Brannigan

Jones and Bartlett/NFPA

4^th Edition

ISBN: 13: 978-0-7637-4494-6

Hardware and Software Requirements:

You will need regular access to a computer with a CD drive and an appropriate browser .

Getting to your class:

Well now, you should be ready to start.

1. Go to the Columbia College web page

2. On the left you will see a link that says “Distance Learning” --- click it.

3. A menu will appear with 4 items…click “Blackboard”.

4. You will be sent to a log-in page. Enter your User Name and Password.

5. You will then reach the Blackboard Learning System page.

6. On the Blackboard Learning System page, click the class you are taking. Because classes for a number of semesters are listed, make sure you have the correct semester.

7. You have arrived.

Final Thought:

Lets have fun and learn a lot!

Mucho thanks!

Don Ramos

Fire Technology