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EVOLUTIONS

Rural Water Movement OperationsCaptain Bill Adkins, Loveland‑Symmes (OH) Fire Department

The focus is on multiple strategies and tactics for rural water movement including nurse tankers, vacuum tankers, the rural hitch, portable filling stations, drafting operations, alternate water sources, and jet syphoning. The advantages and disadvantages of these strategies are discussed, as is training your department for the rural water operation that best suits your needs. Maximum flows using these strategies and times for loss of water in the different strategies are reviewed.ALL LEVELS

Preventing Emergency Responder SuicideCaptain Dena Ali, Raleigh (NC) Fire Department

The focus is on methods for preventing suicide and learning its traceable causes on the individual, company, and departmental methods. Suicide tragically results when the decedent incorrectly concludes that his/her death could be a service to others. Some of the common risk factors that can be identified early to help with intervention are discussed, including social isolation and withdrawing from others. The model for explaining suicidal behavior developed by Dr. Thomas Joiner is introduced and analyzed. The causes that lead to fire service suicide are varied and can be work-related, personal, or a combination. Resources like peer support and treatment to prevent maladapitve coping are explained.ALL LEVELS

Real-World HydraulicsChief Kirk Allen, Kansas (IL) Fire Protection District

Are you tired of being told something, taught something, or sold something with certain claims of performance, only to find out after the fact the claims were less than promoted and, in some cases, completely erroneous? This class reflects the instructor’s more than 25 years of flow testing experience and presents major issues that few are aware of—from the water main in the ground to the fire hose in your hands—and simple solutions for these issues. Knowing the problem is only half the battle!ALL LEVELS

Where Rescue Meets Hazmat: The Gray AreaCaptain Phil Ambrose, Glendale, CA/HazMatNation.com

In late 2015, law enforcement and EMS responded to a routine “welfare check” of an individual based on early morning concerns by family. On arrival, the law enforcement officers were overwhelmed by noxious fumes and backed out of the doorway. EMS was staged pending hazardous materials response. Because of the quick decision making of fire personnel, the victim was removed from the structure and lived to tell his story. The gray area discusses victim survivability, the rescue decision, personal protective equipment, and critical first-in actions to aid first responders while increasing the chance of victim survival. Case studies are analyzed, and prehospital decon is addressed.ALL LEVELS

Straightforward Coordinated FirefightingCaptain Gabriel Angemi, Camden (NJ) Fire Department

Fostering an aggressive firefighting culture is the hallmark of a winning firefighting organization. Positive “can-do” attitudes and resource adaptability from firefighters and fire officers are at the root of every successful fire company. The focus is on factors that contribute to successful fire companies, successful fire attack, and coordination of fireground operations. Emphasis is on solid fundamentals, operational goals, communication, and coordination. The civilians we serve as well as the other members of our organization rely on initial arriving units’ ability to mitigate any situation they are confronted with. Accountability and the organization’s mission statement are discussed.ALL LEVELS

Truck Company Operations Without the TruckCaptain Arthur Ashley, Lexington (KY) Fire Department

Truck companies are tasked with a wide variety of duties, all of which are essential for a successful outcome. However, during many fireground operations, there are a limited number of truck companies or none! Truck work is about the skill, not the “Truck.” Even if you operate without a ladder truck, the tasks of a truck company must still be performed. Truck company operations take place at every working fire, from basic to advanced. This class is designed to provide firefighters with the knowledge and skills to operate effectively while performing truck company operations. This includes accomplishing multiple tasks in multiple locations simultaneously and safely. From forcible entry to ladders, search, ventilation, and beyond, basic skills with some street-smart tips and tricks will be passed on.ALL LEVELS

Augmented Reality for Firefighters CEO Yohan Baillot, ARCortex, San Francisco, CA

Using augmented and virtual reality, ARCortex has delivered for more than 20 years prototype visualization solutions for the first responders on foot and in vehicles to provide unambiguous and quickly exploitable heads-up information about an event, enabling unsurpassed situation awareness and training capabilities. Some of the latest opportunities to leverage commercial offerings to accelerate the deployment of such solutions at a cost that is viable for most departments are presented. Some of the challenges to promoting interoperability and allowing incremental acquisition and customization to specific needs are discussed.ALL LEVELS

105 Real-World Extrication TipsEngineer Les Baker, Charleston (SC) Fire Department

More than 100 tactical and task-level tips based on the instructor’s years of experience, more than 80 published articles, and teaching throughout the world are presented. Each street-level tip is accompanied by case studies with photos and videos that provide information that you can directly apply to your next extrication incident. This presentation covers the entire extrication process from preparation to termination. Any department can apply the simple, cost-effective tips.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSPreplanning for a Wildland Event: A Technology-Based Community ApproachCaptain/Training Officer Seth Barker, Big Sky (MT) Fire Department

The focus is on preplanning your community for a wildland fire: identifying target hazards, accurately creating an incident action plan, and creating an overall strategy for the local fire department and responding agencies to follow. Involving citizens in hazard mitigation techniques; formulating good, solid public education using modern technology and flipped classroom techniques; and developing a strategy for structure protection teams based on the community or subdivision hazard mitigation; and crew tracking, preplanning, and structure triage are covered.ALL LEVELS

New Science and Technology for Drone Leader DevelopmentCEO Matt Barney, LeaderAmp, Vacaville, CA

Drones represent the next disruptive technology for the fire/safety service, and this requires transformational leadership to influence full adoption. Fortunately, there is new science and technology for developing firefighters, pilots, and leaders to help them accelerate the needed changes and fully leverage the opportunity that drones represent. The presentation outlines the latest science of persuasion and change management along with a new cloud/mobile coaching technology that the Menlo Park Fire Protection District uses to develop its leaders.ALL LEVELS

FirstNet Wireless for Public Safety for the Fire Service: Now and in the FutureJeb Benson, Engineering Manager, Department of Defense; and Mike Worrell, Fire Service Advisor, FirstNet

FirstNet is now reality and being deployed in all 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. What does this mean to the responders on the street? How will this technology be integrated into day-to-day operations without being intrusive and burdensome? Imagine if you saw a presentation on a smartphone concept 20 years ago. It would have been overwhelming. Over time, technology has creeped into our everyday lives, and we demand the convenience it provides. The focus is on how FirstNet over time will change and advance the way emergency services are delivered and increase safety by the introduction of advanced capabilities.ALL LEVELS

NFPA Standards Update: Controlling Exposure to Fireground Toxic ContaminantsBattalion Chief David Bernzweig, Columbus (OH) Division of Fire

Exposure to fireground toxic contaminants is a leading cause of firefighter occupational cancer. While many departments have made great strides to adopt best practices to prevent and mitigate firefighter exposures, many still lag behind. Over the past several years, several National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) technical committees have been working on developing the next generation of safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) standards to help reduce the risk of exposure and contamination to firefighters. Many of these standards have recently released their latest revisions. This presentation reviews the PPE use and exposure control changes in the relevant NFPA standards, including NFPA 1500, where a new chapter dedicated solely to this important issue was added. It also covers work on a major revision to NFPA 1984 (Rehabilitation) that aims to include post-fire exposure control and hygiene. A review of cancer-screening criteria in NFPA 1582 (Medical) is also covered.ALL LEVELS

Responding to Motorsports IncidentsFirefighter/EMT Andre Biron, Manchester (NH) Fire Department

“There is nothing stock about a stock car.” The movie “Days of Thunder” says it best. Every Saturday night in North America, short-track auto racing takes place on about 900 tracks throughout the country. The drivers are of varying ages and ambitions. Drivers are sometimes seriously injured and require the attention of a speedway safety team. Track owners say they do not have the financial means to enact rigorous safety protocols. Other track owners have stopped providing professional safety personnel altogether, leaving the responsibility to the local fire department. The few safety rules that do exist are routinely ignored. Drivers commonly race without fireproof gloves, fire extinguishers are often not present in cars, and fans stand in restricted areas. This can all lead to a very dangerous and life-threatening situation the local first responders will have to respond to and mitigate.ALL LEVELS

The Yin and Yang of Robot-Assisted Emergency ResponseDr. John G. Blitch, Senior Research Professor, U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership

Learn the history of the rescue robot evolution with an emphasis on the recent proliferation of “drone” technology across the globe and the lessons learned from a plethora of personal and professional mistakes made within that arena. Operational shortfalls are covered first, followed by a number of promising approaches to leverage unmanned systems technology (the “yang” or sunny side) against the daunting challenges associated with firefighting and emergency response in dynamic, unstructured environments. Lessons learned and proposed design imperatives are covered next as a means to avoid potentially catastrophic pitfalls (the “yin” or shady side) derived from overreliance on technology for risk mitigation. The class concludes with a review of development trends in the unmanned system/robotics realm and an optimistic fusion of technology with human resilience in the face of future calamity and disaster response. ALL LEVELS

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EVOLUTIONS

Special Operations in Small DepartmentsCaptain Art Bloomer, Kearny (NJ) Fire Department

Few fire departments worldwide have a dedicated Special Operations Division that can handle technical rescue incidents. Most departments have limited to no capabilities. Nevertheless, building collapses, trench incidents, confined space incidents, rope rescues, and water rescues seem to make the news on a regular basis worldwide. Learn about these types of incidents and the dangers associated with them. Your fire department will be called to these kinds of incidents whether you are trained and equipped to handle them or not. The “Duty to Act” has claimed many firefighters’ lives. Learn what you you can do and, more importantly, what you cannot do at these responses. Training, equipment, and the motivation to develop technical rescue capabilities in your department are covered. Several case studies of incidents in which firefighters lost their lives are reviewed.ALL LEVELS

Strategic and Tactical Principles for Aerial Device OperationsFirefighter G. Howard Blythe, Fire Department of New York

A wholistic approach to the standard positioning, uses, and deployment of aerial devices at most standard structural type fires most fire departments encounter is the focus. Included are manufacturer recommendations and industry best practices. New and experienced firefighters and officers gain insights into incorporating aerial fireground operations into an extremely easy-to-use system that can be applied to all structural responses and help to build muscle memory and elevate the operational tempo of the fireground crucial for gaining the initiative at fires.ALL LEVELS

Optimizing Human Performance at Fires and EmergenciesMajor Jason Brezler, USMC/Fire Department of New York

Fires and emergencies create complex problem sets in which leaders and personnel function in a time-competitive environment where uncertainty, friction, and risk are pervasive. The fire service has made great strides in advancing its understanding of the physical sciences but has largely neglected the scientific disciplines that inform leaders on human performance. This presentation explores critical mental performance concepts, many of which are the product of research efforts in the military; professional sports; and, more recently, the fire service. Learn best practices in optimizing human performance through a cycle of command that includes preparation, execution, reflection, and learning. Strategic human performance initiatives actively underway in the Fire Department of New York and other fire departments where leaders are proactively seeking to optimize individual and organizational performance are highlighted.INTERMEDIATE

Bruno and Norman “Unplugged”Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) John Norman, Fire Department of New York; and Editor in Chief/Education Director Bobby Halton, Fire Engineering/FDIC

Join with Chief John Norman and Chief Bobby Halton and special guests in a completely unplugged discussion on today’s fire service issues. Special guests will be on hand to share their thoughts and insights and respond to questions and thoughts from the audience.ALL LEVELS

The Exponential Engine: A Progressive Fire Attack Plan for the First-Arriving EngineFirefighter Brian Brush, Edmond (OK) Fire Department

Use this comprehensive, yet simple, approach to planning for the first-arriving engine fire attack, apparatus setup, and spec. Faced with exponential fire growth, limited staffing, and rapidly changing fire conditions, all departments should be evaluating their fire stream systems from the source to the nozzle. The foundation of this concept consists of our three most common tools: the 1¾-inch attack line, the 2½-inch attack line, and the deck gun.ALL LEVELS

Slicing and Dicing Fire Dynamics ResearchAssistant Chief Eddie Buchanan, Hanover (VA) Fire & EMS; and Lieutenant Ray McCormack, Fire Department of New York

You’ve heard the discussions and debates on the various ways fire departments have implemented the latest fire dynamics research. In this session, the creators of the S.L.I.C.E.-R.S. and D.I.C.E.R.S. acronyms present their concepts and discuss the similarities and differences of the various approaches. The session is sure to be a lively discussion on research and tactics!ALL LEVELS

Retaining and Recruiting VolunteersIndiana State Fire Training Director John Buckman, Fire and Public Safety Academy Training System

What strategy and tactics are necessary to retain and recruit today? The retention programs that have been most successful in retaining active volunteers are discussed, as is the best way to ensure that volunteers maintain motivation. Factors that affect your fire department’s attractiveness to potential volunteers are also covered. Students learn how to prepare their department to ensure that its internal management is ready to handle additional volunteers.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSStrategies to Reduce Emergency Service Vehicle CrashesDavid Bui, Ph.D. Candidate in Epidemiology, University of Arizona, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health

Emergency service vehicle crashes (ESVCs) are a leading cause of death in the U.S. fire service, and the incidence of crash-related injuries and fatalities among fire personnel has failed to improve over time. Given the unique driving environments and operating conditions at each department, innovative and tailored approaches are necessary to effectively reduce ESVCs. A summary overview of a FEMA-sponsored research program to reduce ESVCs is presented. The focus is on the essential requirements for implementing a successful proactive risk management approach to reducing ESVCs in fire departments. Also covered are the fundamental components of an effective emergency vehicle operator training program and the kinds of data and metrics important for monitoring driver safety and best practices for nonpunitive driver safety improvement.ALL LEVELS

Eight Things Fire Officers Say to Our PeopleChief Gregory Bulanow, North Charleston (SC) Fire Department

This class provides a conceptual framework for regular communication with highly practical application at the company, battalion, shift, or organizational level. It is based on formal study and more than 20 years of experience with what works and what does not work when communicating with firefighters. The eight-point model literally starts the dialogues that must occur on a shift-to-shift basis in the firehouse or the department. Benefits include improved work performance, improved employee engagement, and a reduction in the need for punitive disciplinary action.INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Rethinking Rural Water SuppliesDeputy Chief/Training Officer James Burnham, Shelburne (MA) Fire District

Is it time to rethink your rural water supply operations? Are you putting more effort into shuttling water to a fire than putting out the fire? Do you find that you are running out of water at the most inopportune times at your fires? Perhaps it is time to look more closely at your rural water delivery system. Most often, it involves water shuttles, which were developed in the 1970s and have since evolved considerably, mostly through innovations in apparatus design and the ingenuity of the fire service personnel operating them. The innovations that have occurred over the years are discussed and may be what you need to streamline your operations. ALL LEVELS

Command and Control of Large-Vehicle FiresCaptain/Fire Prevention Officer Robert Callahan, Bossier Parish (LA) Fire District 1

Much like today’s structure fires, fires involving large highway vehicles have undergone a radical change in behavior and intensity over the past several years. Learn to make the critical command decisions required at these low-frequency/high-risk incidents. Developing or revising response policies, procedures, and tactics; anatomical changes in today’s large vehicles that have transformed them into rolling structure fires; size-up and safety issues; the need for increased fire flows; tactical considerations; increased personnel needs; and training challenges are covered.INTERMEDIATE

The Accelerating Power of Technology in Emergency ResponseThomas Calvert, Battalion Chief, UAS/Drone Program Manager, Menlo Park (CA) Fire Protection District

The focus is on technology in emergency response—past, present, and future—with an emphasis on UAS/UAV/drones. The challenges of adopting technology in your organization and overcoming these challenges are discussed. Visuals, audio, live display items, case histories, and examples supplement discussions.ALL LEVELS

Seeking Out Higher Reliability EmployeesBattalion Chief Dane Carley, Fargo (ND) Fire Department

The fire service has used the same basic testing process for decades. The typical process includes a written test and an interview for hiring and promotion. Although there may be other components such as a physical agility test, these components are used to measure a candidate’s knowledge and personality. The process has produced great candidates, but could tweaks help us find even better candidates? Since leadership potential can be measured in a valid and reliable written test, should this be part of a written exam? Should a psychological assessment specifically tailored to the fire service be used for incoming candidates? Can an assessment center give us a better measure of a person’s ability to succeed if promoted? How do we instill our department’s values into these processes? How do we incorporate these types of assessments into our processes? This class addresses these ideas and presents ways to make them part of a hiring and promotion process that will deliver more highly reliable employees.INTERMEDIATE

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Initial Size-Up Reports for First-Due Company OfficersDeputy Chief of Operations (Ret.) Leonard Carmichael, Trenton (NJ) Fire Department

The focus is on the initial on-scene size-up for the first-arriving officer at incidents. Goals 3 and 4 of the United States Fire Administration’s Emergency Services Leader Strategic Plan are addressed. The framework for the entire fireground experience from assessing the incident scene arrival information to setting up an incident management system is developed. Students use a systematic mental checklist using the CASH acronym (Command, Actions, Size-Up, and Help) for on-scene size-up reports. Covered are establishing command, the 13-point size-up factors, actions of the first-due companies, and additional resources that will be needed—a plus for promotional exams.ALL LEVELS

Tips and Training for Firefighter SurvivalCaptain Tony Carroll, District of Columbia Fire Department

This class is based on the popular “Mayday Monday” Firefighter Survival social media campaign championed by the District of Columbia Fire Department. Each month, the campaign provides a firefighter survival or rescue tip or technique to the reader. The tip/technique is related to a firefighter line-of-duty death; the link to the fatality report is included. Several of these Mayday Monday posts are discussed, and the Lessons Learned tips/techniques are covered in more detail.ALL LEVELS

Problem SolvingHarry Carter, Chairman, Board of Fire Commissioners, Fire Dist #2, Howell Township, NJ

The focus is on recognizing problems and addressing them in a timely manner when they are easier to resolve. This fast-paced class reviews a step-by-step plan for problem solving. Students then become engaged in solving some examples of problems presented.ALL LEVELS

Fighting High-Rise Fires: A Big City PerspectiveCaptain John Ceriello, Fire Department of New York

An in-depth look at high-rise firefighting from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) perspective. The FDNY has been tracking high-rise fires closely for many years. Attendees journey through a history of FDNY’s evolution of high-rise firefighting, including lessons learned from some of the iconic fires and ground-breaking concepts learned from the Governor’s Island wind-impact study. In the wake of the recent London high-rise tragedy, attendees will come away with a better understanding of the challenges of and strategies for managing and protecting the world’s high-rise capital of the world.ALL LEVELS

The Secrets for Successful Fire Service LeadershipDeputy District Chief (Ret.) Steve Chikerotis, Chicago (IL) Fire Department

Leadership development, critical incident decision making, fireground tactics, achieving your goals, and motivating your team are among the topics covered from the perspectives of case studies and powerful lessons learned by the instructor during his 36-year career on the Chicago Fire Department. And, the instructor shares his “four secrets for success.” Modern fireground tactics are compared with traditional tactics from the aspect of why changes occurred. Audiovisuals reinforce the lessons learned. Mentoring is also covered.ALL LEVELS

Smart Instructors + Smart Tech = Smarter StudentsFirefighter/EMT Shea Chwialkowski, Richfield (MN) Fire Department

Do you want to expand your toolbox of instructional techniques? Do you want the information you are conveying to be retained? Do you want your message to be engaging, interactive, and cool? Do you want your delivery to pop and sizzle with energy? I know you do, and so does your audience. Instructors have grown complacent. This presentation explores refreshing instructional tools that grab your students’ attention and keep them engaged. Mobile apps, virtual reality, simulations, software, and more will take you beyond the traditional lecture and slideshow methodology. The highlighted resources synchronize with how today’s students interact with information, increasing their retention and enthusiasm for learning. You will leave with an arsenal of ready-to-use, low-cost options for maximizing your training efficacy in today’s digital information age.ALL LEVELS

Tower Ladder Operations: Tactics and TipsLieutenant Michael Ciampo, Fire Department of New York

A review of tower ladder operations: positioning; setting up; operating from the pedestal and bucket; and many proven tactical street smarts in master stream operations, roof ventilation from the bucket, and bucket positioning at fire escapes and windows. Numerous tips provide students with street-proven experience that illustrates the value of this most versatile piece of firefighting apparatus.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSLessons Learned from the LPG Explosion in Jackson Hole, WyomingBattalion Chief/Fire Marshal Kathy Clay, Jackson Hole (WY) Fire/EMS

The focus is on a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) explosion at an LPG bulk tank facility in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Students learn the general and technical information on LPG properties and transportation, view surveillance camera video and radio traffic transmissions from the first several minutes of response, analyze lessons learned, and review the factors that contributed to the successful mitigation of this incident. In addition, carbon monoxide is discussed in detail, including general, technical, operational, and code material coupled with lessons learned from this event.ALL LEVELS

Apparatus Preplan: The Key to an Operator’s SuccessFirefighter/EMT Edward Collet, Canal Fulton (OH) Fire Department

Learn the key elements in a preplan for the apparatus operator: progressive attack lines, calculating the engine pressure for developing the desired fire flows, knowing if the tank water can support an attack, and establishing relay pumping operations. Friction loss is discussed: its causes, how it affects the flow, and how to calculate it. Other factors impacting relay operations and when large-diameter hose should and should not be used are also covered.ALL LEVELS

Get Fired Up!Lieutenant Paul Combs, Bryan (OH) Fire Department

Explore your desire to make a difference. You will be encouraged in a positive environment to seek out your unique voice to influence and lead the people around you. This energetic and inspiring class will engage and motivate you to set these skills in motion. Combs shares the cartoons that have evoked the strongest reactions. However, there’s much more to this presentation than a showcase of cartoons. Use the instructor’s “12 Recipes for Success” to achieve your leadership goals.ALL LEVELS

Fire Service Court: Burning Legal IssuesChief David Comstock, Western Reserve (OH) Joint Fire District

What are the hot legal issues affecting fire and EMS organizations daily? Topics include the legal use of drones, guns, and bulletproof vests in firehouses and vehicles; social media rants and raves and retaliation; Fair Labor Standards Act requirements for volunteer fire departments; the use of National Fire Protection Association 1583 medical examinations; and federal law restrictions on background checks. The format combines lecture and question-and-answer periods. Student participation is encouraged.ALL LEVELS

Zero to Hero: Proven Leadership Habits Outside the EmergencyCaptain Larry Conley, Leadership Development Concepts, St. Louis, MO

The focus is on developing principled leaders in the fire safety arena. The EMPOWER model is introduced; this model imbues participants with tools engineered to maximize their ability to balance personal efficiency and effectiveness. Participants apply the model in prearranged high-energy, deep-impact scenarios against specially trained improvisational actors.ALL LEVELS

The Identification Chief: “Americanizing” National Rescue Unit’s Population Behavior OfficerTechnical Information Specialist Stephen Coover, Indiana Task Force 1

The identification chief is an Americanized version of the Israeli Home Front Command, National Rescue Unit (NRU) Population Behavior Officer (PBO) for Disasters Home Front Command, a volunteer-based extension of the Israeli Military operating with the sole purpose of assisting in disasters. The NRU has evolved into an efficient search and rescue team that operates with limited resources. The PBO obtains information in various ways to assist with the search and rescue efforts. Additionally, the PBO is responsible for the care and well-being of the civilians affected by the disaster as well as the members of the rescue unit. This presentation begins to introduce the methods of the PBO, which need to be “Americanized” to fit within our emergency management culture.ALL LEVELS

How Our Building and Fire Codes Can Get You Killed on the FiregroundAssociate Professor Glenn Corbett, John Jay College/CUNY, Technical Editor, Fire Engineering

While most firefighters believe building and fire codes should be working in our favor, the reality is that in some cases they work against us. This class explores a variety of code provisions that can prove deadly on the fireground, including the role of antiquated laboratory fire tests, dangerous area/height allowances, bad suggested firefighting protocols, and the codes’ inability to keep up with the real world. Specific suggestions on how to deal with these identified problems are offered.INTERMEDIATE

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How the Grateful Dead’s Business Practices Improved Organizational PerformanceParamedic/Firefighter Anthony Correia, Bucks County Rescue Squad/Burlington Twp. (NJ) Fire Department

This interactive discussion details how the business practices used by the Grateful Dead band can improve fire department performance. The class is based on “Everything I Know about Business I Learned from the Grateful Dead” by Barry Barnes, Ph.D. The band was a very successful business organization. Students are presented with an outline of the connection between the fire service and the band’s business practices and examples of what the fire service can learn from the band’s effective practices. Students are challenged to identify lessons learned by the fire service from the proven business practices of an unlikely example. Recovering from tragedy and adversity to continue to provide high-quality services is also discussed. ALL LEVELS

Exploring Innovation at Intersections: Volcanoes, Neuroscience, and the Future of FirefightingSam Cossman, Co‑Founder, Quake Technologies and Adventurer

Similar to how evolutionary adaptation occurs in the natural world when living creatures are exposed to external forces over long periods of time, extreme environments have the potential to create similar but accelerated sets of conditions to facilitate innovation. The constraints of harsh environments often trigger a natural reaction in which we are forced to rely on one of our most universally human characteristics—trust in each other. And is it here wherein lies the secret to innovation. When humans come together around a common goal out of necessity, it triggers a cascading chain reaction of sharing ideas more openly, cross pollinating expertise across disparate fields, and challenge existing ideologies—a recipe that has the potential to unleash a collective genius. After discovering this insight at the depths of an active volcano, a diverse team united to create C-THRU, a next-generation computer vision platform. Beyond the value of openly sharing ideas to drive innovation, the instructor will present how the intersection of neuroscience, the emergence of self-driving cars, and augmented reality are forging the future of firefighting, as well as ways in which computer vision and computational image processing can save lives by freeing up mental capacity and time to focus on mission-critical tasks. ALL LEVELS

The Operational Effects on the Fire Service of Legalizing Marijuana Deputy Chief Chris Costamagna, Sacramento (CA) Fire Department

The focus is on the immediate effects on the fire service of illegal marijuana cultivation operations. With the legalization of marijuana in several states, we are seeing a relatively new and unregulated business in backyards and vacant warehouses. The legal cultivation operations are planned for and must be inspected prior to commencing operations. Large grow operations in residential occupancies are different from the illegal grow operations of the past. Commercial cultivations in residences present many hazards to contend with, including illegally constructed or walled-off rooms, carbon dioxide generators, and pesticides and fertilizers in a confined space. Agencies are exposing their personnel to highly toxic atmospheres without having them don adequate protective equipment.ALL LEVELS

Emergency Response Is Community Risk ReductionFire Marshal (Ret.) Jim Crawford, Vancouver (WA) Fire Department

Learn how emergency response forms the foundation of a broader strategy for community risk reduction: how we use all of our available public safety tools in an integrated fashion. Case studies of successful community risk reduction programs from across the United States are analyzed, and students engage in discussions related to the open-ended questions posed by the instructor.ALL LEVELS

The Art and Science of Spacemaking in Vehicle RescueEducator David Dalrymple, RoadwayRescue LLC, Annandale, NJ

With the advent of the change in mindset to “vehicle rescue” from “vehicle extrication,” this class revisits the concept of creating space within the mindset of vehicle rescue. Although there is a science behind the tool evolutions we perform, there is also an unmistakable art to these same evolutions. Today, it is more than simply moving or removing a door. Many times, that space from which we have become accustomed to removing a casualty is no longer adequate. Today, occupants of vehicles appear to follow two tracks: They are out of the vehicle and appear to be okay, or they are still in the vehicle and are “trapped” be it physically, medically, or both. Physical entrapment today often means the dash/footwell area because of the vehicle construction method. We need to factor this into our training and education so we are better prepared, and we must revisit our tool selections as well.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSDrive to Survive: The Art of Wheeling the RigFirefighter/EMT (Ret.) Christopher Daly, Goshen Fire Department, West Chester, PA

The “Drive to Survive” training program is designed to teach members that no matter how long they have been driving or how “good” they think they are, there are limits to the safe operation of an emergency apparatus or personal vehicle. Using the same techniques used by crash investigators, “Drive to Survive” addresses advanced topics that are not normally covered in basic driver training programs, especially those that relate directly to vehicle dynamics, crash causation, and common driver errors. Using easy-to-understand terminology, videos, and a dynamic teaching style, the class drives home multiple teaching points essential for safe driving. Topics include vehicle dynamics, air brakes, brake fade, roadway friction coefficients, stopping distances, critical curve speed, rollover thresholds, g-force, anti-lock brakes, hydroplaning, tire blowouts, drunk driving, and seat belt use.ALL LEVELS

The Case for Effective Small Unit Leadership in the Fire ServiceLieutenant Marc Davidson, Fairfax County (VA) Fire & Rescue Department

Effective small unit leadership is the focus of this class. The military model is compared and contrasted with that of the fire service model. Leadership traits, styles, and skills; the concepts of “ultimate responsibility” and “glidepath” to leadership are presented; and effective firehouse leadership is defined.ALL LEVELS

Managing Industrial Fire Emergencies: Know Your Enemy and SurviveStaff Officer Bradley Davidson, HudBay Fire Department, Manitoba, Canada

Students gain exposure to various types of industrial emergencies. Sea can containers, often overlooked in emergencies, can act like pressure vessels in the right circumstances. A fatal fire case study involving a Sea Can is discussed. Other hazards include electrical, high-power energy sources; pressure vessels; chemicals; liquid petroleum gas tanks and leaks; superheated high-pressure steam mains; displaced oxygen in tanks; oxygen-enriched atmospheres; explosions and explosives; unconventional medical responses; and molten metal emergencies, sulphur dust, and combustible dust with high sulphur content.ALL LEVELS

Tall Wood/Mass-Timber Buildings: Fire Service ConcernsBattalion Chief (Ret.) Sean DeCrane, Cleveland (OH) Fire Department

Currently, heavy timber buildings are limited to six stories in height in Canada. A number of designers are beginning to challenge the height and area limits. One project completed in Vancouver is constructed of wood, steel, and concrete and is 18 stories! Presently, the tallest hybrid mass-timber structure is 18 stories, and the tallest wood structure is nine stories. There is a proposal for an 80-story all-wood structure in Chicago. This class focuses on the results of individual projects of mass-timber construction. The various aspects of this type of construction are reviewed, including fire performance, adhesive and protection considerations, current code allowances, and firefighting tactical considerations for fires in these structures. This concept has gained support with Canadian and U.S. governments, which have contributed millions of dollars for the research.ALL LEVELS

Firefighter Behavioral/Emotional HealthBattalion Chief Daniel DeGryse, Chicago (IL) Fire Department

The body’s response to stressors and the effects of repeated and prolonged episodes of stress are the focus. Students learn how to substitute more optimal skills to lessen the negative effects of potentially harmful coping behaviors. Substance use/abuse; self-medication; and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are discussed. Students learn of an action plan their department can implement to address behavioral/emotional health issues and of resources department members can turn to for assistance.ALL LEVELS

Strategic Planning for a Successful Training ProgramBattalion Chief David DeStefano, North Providence (RI) Fire Department

The strategy behind a successful departmentwide training program is explained. The process includes a wagon-wheel model for achieving training goals, which includes gathering data from chief and company officers, as well as firefighters; “organizational buy-in” to the program; and remaining “on-message” within the Training Division. Students become acquainted with a training action plan for all skills-based training and a standardized guide they can use in their jurisdiction.INTERMEDIATE

Saving Those Who Save OthersCaptain (Ret.) Jeff Dill, Palatine (IL) Rural Fire Protection District

This presentation involves a careful examination of firefighter suicides within the fire service. Emphasis is on the educational role the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance plays nationally through the use of data and statistics it collects. Topics include understanding emotional and physical stressors, signs and symptoms, suicide data, communication skills, creating relationships with internal and external group resources, and establishing a behavioral health program.ALL LEVELS

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The Value of the 360Captain Daniel DiRenzo, Cherry Hill (NJ) Fire Department

The 360 size-up on the fireground is a critical component for fireground strategic and tactical success. Having a set of eyes along with a credible report from all sides of the structure has proven to be extremely beneficial for positive outcomes, whereas the lack of completing the 360 has led to detrimental fireground decisions with poor deployment of resources, further jeopardizing the lives of civilians and firefighters. This program covers all facets of the 360, from the aspects of firefighters to the command officers.ALL LEVELS

How to Overcome ComplacencyCaptain John Dixon, Teaneck (NJ) Fire Department

The focus is being aware of and guarding against a phenomenon known as the “Normalization of Deviance” (complacency). This topic is similar to situational awareness, but it also highlights all aspects of complacency on and off the fireground. Emphasis is on organizational learning and leadership as well as strengthening personal leadership qualities to navigate through the “Drift into Failure” process. This discussion goes beyond theory and highlights the “how to” as students gain self-awareness in recognizing what the drift looks like and learn how to avoid, overcome, and battle it. We hear about how situational awareness is associated with numerous line-of-duty deaths and injuries. The point of this class is that that loss of situational awareness is a symptom, not the cause, of these tragedies!ALL LEVELS

How Smart Cities Affect Firefighting President and CEO Paul Doherty, The Digit Group (TDG), Collierville, TN

Firefighting solutions that can decrease risk and increase the likelihood of survival during an emergency event are critical in the growth of Smart Cities. OrbiFire is one of these critical solutions. This session explores how innovations like OrbiFire can protect the safety and reduce the risk of first responders. By using a 3D gaming browser, OrbiFire puts together various sources of authenticated data from municipalities to create an on-demand, real-time 3D environment where critical data about an emergency event can be displayed to each firefighter, before, during, and after the event. As an example, OrbiFire provides a Check-In/Check-Out geo-fencing feature that informs incident managers at every event the who, what, and where of each firefighter.ALL LEVELS

Ladder ObjectivesLieutenant Shawn Donovan, Boston (MA) Fire Department

Laddering a building is a “check the box” action on the fireground. Ladders can be used for more than mindlessly decorating a building in preparation for a bailout. Laddering for fire attack and creating access is the focus. Students will learn of tips, tricks, and drills that will enhance smart laddering at incidents. Fireground ladders are not just for egress; they can be used as a tool for offensive tactics.ALL LEVELS

The House on the HillLieutenant Danny Doyle, Pittsburgh (PA) Bureau of Fire

The focus is on the tactical challenges associated with structures built on hillsides. Arriving to find a two-story single family on side A that transverses to five stories on side C can dramatically affect your operation and firefighter safety. Fireground-proven solutions and innovative recommendations ranging from the importance of size-up and detecting above- or below-grade divisions to apparatus positioning for access and tactical advantage and twists on basement fire tactics when multiple floors are below grade are presented. In addition, share in street-smart tips for company operations and the reasons situational awareness, survival skills, and escape systems are crucial on the fireground.ALL LEVELS

Bus Accident Response: What You Need To KnowCaptain/Paramedic Rommie Duckworth, Ridgefield (CT) Fire Department

Every day in your community, vehicles travel the road carrying large numbers of potential victims—some children, some elderly, some with special medical issues—and all are your responsibility. Every year 63,000 intercity, transit, and school bus crashes result in more than 14,000 injuries and hundreds of fatalities. This program helps prepare you for when such an accident happens in your area. Lesson learned from around the world are presented and discussed. Learn the three key steps to managing major (and minor) motor coach collisions.ALL LEVELS

Firehouse Excellence: This House RocksCaptain (Ret.) Michael Dugan, Fire Department of New York; and Captain Mike Gagliano, Seattle (WA) Fire Department

The focus is on the interaction of company officers and leaders inside a firehouse and making your firehouse a much more pleasant place to work or volunteer. The skills essential for building interpersonal relationships are reviewed. The firehouse can be a great place to work, or it can be a tour in hell. This depends on the members, the leaders, and the organizational values of the firehouse.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSEnsure Your Preplans Reflect the Hazards Inside the StructuresSenior Fire Investigator/NE Regional Director Robert Duval, National Fire Protection Association

A fully protected industrial warehouse in Kentucky burned to the ground in April 2015. Investigators found that over the years, fire hazards inside the building had changed and basic fire protection equipment such as fire pumps and hydrants were not maintained; however, the fire protection features of the building did not change. Consequently, neither did the fire department’s preplan. These factors led to a large-loss fire that challenged the fire department. This situation occurs in many locations and often leads insurance companies to recommend upgrades in fire protection features and in the fire department prefire plans. Students analyze this case study, noting how each seemingly minor change contributed to the major property loss and how to prevent these types of situations in their districts.INTERMEDIATE

First-Due Tactics for the Urban Engine BossLieutenant Sean Eagen, Buffalo (NY) Fire Department

Assigning resources, managing crews, and adapting to understaffed engine companies during emergency incidents are addressed. The discussion includes also methods for deploying various experience levels within the ranks to successfully mitigate various types of incidents.ALL LEVELS

Operational Concerns in Abandoned Building FiresCaptain Bryan Emenecker, Camden City (NJ) Fire Department

This focus in on the common and uncommon hazards to consider when fighting fires in abandoned buildings. In recent years, this problem that once plagued only the urban firefighter now is confronting suburban and rural firefighters as well. Many areas are covered, from the typical types of construction to hazmat concerns and possible occupant dwellers.ALL LEVELS

Fire Attack: Theory, Application, and Jargon Firefighter Aaron Fields, Seattle (WA) Fire Department

This class examines fire behavior as it relates to fire attack. It connects the intellectual dots and identifies skills that every engine company should possess. In addition, it connects our history and experience to the lab-testing environment of today. It points out that the major disconnect within our industry is the lack of a jargon (a language designed for a trade). Without a common jargon, there is no way to imbue experience; language creates a mental roadmap for skills. Our industry has multiple working definitions for a single term, often with huge semantic variation. This creates a disconnect among generations of firefighters because of their speaking of dialects. The class also examines the secondary meanings of statements used within our industry.ALL LEVELS

Firefighter Training: Do the Skill or Do the DrillLieutenant Robert Finger Jr., Manlius (NY) Fire Department

This National Fire Protection Association-compliant program, developed by a combination fire department in a suburban setting, demonstrates one department’s real-life approach to training its firefighters. Now in its third year, the program has already proved successful from the standpoints of improving paid and volunteer members’ skills and abilities, retaining volunteer members, improving delivery of service, and progressing from competency-based training to full proficiency-based training. Students share in the department’s program development process, pitfalls, lessons learned, and strategies for overcoming obstacles. Topics include how to maximize members’ time and efforts in the department and moving from a training-hours-only approach to a skills-plus-hours approach and from competency-based training to full proficiency-based training.INTERMEDIATE

Quint and Ladder Considerations for the Single-Truck Suburban DepartmentCaptain Rob Fisher, Snohomish County (WA) Fire District #7

The focus is on a response to a fire where the only responding apparatus is a quint ladder or a nontraditional ladder truck (i.e., aerial apparatus with stored compressed-air foam system). Many U.S. fire departments of varying sizes use nontraditional ladder trucks on the fireground. Smaller suburban fire departments are often challenged to undertake traditional truck functions with a nontraditional truck. How a department uses this apparatus depends on its resources and culture. The focus is on truck work from a nontraditional truck capable of stretching a hoseline. The big question is, When do you stretch the line and work as an engine and when do you decide to position and work as a truck? The pros and cons of operating a quint or a nontraditional truck, lessons learned by others who have worked on these apparatus, and operating guidelines are also discussed.INTERMEDIATE

Lessons Learned: A Firefighter’s BlueprintProgram Manager/Training Technician Kim Fitzsimmons, Division of Fire Safety, Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office

The focus is on past fires that have laid a foundation of information, a “blueprint,” from which we can build and grow so that we do not repeat these tragedies. Students are guided into how to read this blueprint so the fire service can move forward in the direction of continuous improvement and greater safety.ALL LEVELS

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Full Contact LeadershipChief of Department (Ret.) Edward Flood and Deputy Chief (Ret.) Anthony Avillo, North Hudson (NJ) Regional Fire and Rescue

Are you looking to enhance your A+1 game? This might be just what you are looking for. In the fire service, on the fireground, or in the firehouse, the most powerful resource is always the full contact leader. A variety of fireground situations created to connect soft environment, nonemergency leadership to hard environment success or failure are analyzed and dissected. This course reinforces the following concept: Leadership on the fireground doesn’t just show up out of nowhere. It comes out of the firehouse just as all of the skills necessary to deal with “whatever it is.” When you pull out of that door, you had better bring your A+1 game. If you don’t run an A+1 operation in the firehouse, the chances of your having an A+1 fireground presence is a fantasy. Leadership is like a self-contained breathing apparatus: You can go in without it, but you aren’t going to get far and you have a good chance of getting burned.ALL LEVELS

The Company Officer as an InstructorLieutenant Brad French, Dayton (OH) Fire Department

The company officer is the most critical position in the fire service training hierarchy, and making positive changes in your organization begins with officer development. This class examines ways to enhance the many roles of the company officer, including strategies for meaningful company-level drills, effective prefire planning, and creating an overall environment of elevated crew performance for efficiency on the fire scene. Emphasis is placed on innovative ways to maximize crew competence through company-level training activities and daily drills.ALL LEVELS

Public Information Officer: Maximizing Your Message and ImageBattalion Chief/Public Information Officer Michael Fronimos, Williston (ND) Fire/EMS

The public information officer (PIO) assists the chief, staff officers, and incident commanders in providing correct and factual information to the general public, other government agencies and departments, and the news media. This course focuses on proper interview techniques, writing press releases, media relations, relationship building, preplanning the news media, responding to terrorism incidents, and marketing the message. Criteria for selecting the PIO are also discussed.ALL LEVELS

Synthetic Drugs: What Will We Encounter Next?Captain Tobias Frost, Lafayette (IN) Fire Department

The ante has been raised! White powder calls have changed once again! Bath salts, spice, synthetics, fentanyl .... What are the hazards of these unknown mixtures? History, components, chemistry, current trends are included in this presentation. The alphabet soup of chemicals is discussed: what they are, how to identify them, their hazards, personal protective equipment, protecting against these highly toxic chemicals, decontamination, and what’s coming next are among the topics covered. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

The Art of Go/No-GoCaptain Mike Gagliano, Seattle (WA) Fire Department

The toughest and most critical decisions you make in your career typically revolve around committing to an interior attack or choosing another route. Seasoned officers know the difference between “We can get it” and “It’s lost.” You should, too. Using a simple framework that allows you to build on your experiences and those of others, you can develop an intuitive approach that grows with you throughout your career. This is not a magic class; no one becomes a great decision maker by attending a few classes and watching a few videos. The goal is to create a framework of three varying profiles: Rescue, Building, and Fire. These profiles allow you to keep focused on your decisions and give you the ability to draw on what you’ve learned and to react to changes in the dynamic fire environment. Students will leave with tools with which to drill their troops and continue to enhance their ability to make great decisions.ALL LEVELS

The Challenges of Firefighter MarriageAnne Gagliano, Saved from the Flame, Stanwood, WA; and Captain Mike Gagliano, Seattle (WA) Fire Department

Marriage to a firefighter should be an amazing journey. As most firefighters and their spouses know, it isn’t always that simple. It can either be a passionate, intimate love affair that lasts a lifetime or a toxic, contentious experience that ends in utter heartbreak. The divorce rate is on the rise for all professions, but for the firefighter, the rate is through the roof. In this class, real-life husband and wife team Mike and Anne Gagliano take an honest, hard-hitting look at what is happening to firefighter marriages and why. They examine what makes this profession different from any other and how those differences impact marriage. They will share what they have learned in their 30-year marriage that has helped their marriage stand the test of time and defy the odds.ALL LEVELS

The Art of the Third Due on Today’s FiregroundLieutenant (Ret.) David Gallagher, Huber Heights (OH) Fire Department

This class breaks new ground in addressing a common, but rarely discussed or examined, aspect of the working incident response: the responsibilities and actions of additional companies in a substantial operation. As budgets are cut and staffing is reduced in call and career departments, the usual response may be affected and perhaps delayed. Additional resources from other agencies that were not options before may be enlisted. Risk assessment and continual size-up, planning and strategies for alternative methods, equipping for success, task-based actions at the company level, and “re-engineered” structures or adjusted scenes to prepare crews when they are not arriving first due at a significant working incident are covered.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSEveryone Is a Truckie Even If They Won’t Admit ItCaptain/EMT Christopher Garniewicz, Bluffton Township (SC) Fire District

Not every department has a dedicated truck or support company. The problem is that every fire requires that those functions be performed. Departments should embrace the opportunity to bring together a group of personnel to provide these skills. With a little coordination and perseverance, you will find that the necessary skills are being performed even without an apparatus that has a ladder on top.ALL LEVELS

Flawed Situational Awareness Lightning RoundChief Scientist Richard B. Gasaway, Situational Awareness Matters, St. Paul, MN

Most first responders understand, at the fundamental level, that it is important to develop and maintain situational awareness at emergency scenes. Following near-miss and casualty events, responders and investigators often cite flawed situational awareness as a contributing factor. Yet, most first responders lack a basic understanding of how situational awareness is developed and maintained. Even worse, very few understand how barriers can create challenges with developing and maintaining situational awareness. Flawed situational awareness is never the root cause of a first responder near-miss or casualty. It is a symptom. The barriers that flaw situational awareness are the root causes. The presenter shares his research findings of the more than 100 barriers that can destroy situational awareness.ALL LEVELS

Solid Iron WorkCaptain Christopher Gay, North Charleston (SC) Fire Department

The focus is on the “not so basic” methods of forcible entry using the most basic tools (ax and halligan). Forcible entry is covered so briefly in recruit schools but is paramount to fireground operations. Without it, we cannot make entry for extinguishment, rescue, or egress for rapid intervention situations. Scenarios presented may not suggest the “irons” as the first option, but they may be the only option when you have limited personnel or equipment. Basic inward- and outward-swinging doors, window bars, rear commercial doors, and glass storefront doors are discussed. The P.A.C.E. method (adapted from the U.S. Army and reinforced in Ranger school), a guide for decision making and supplying options for forcible entry, is introduced. It can easily be applied to any fire service scenario.ALL LEVELS

Simple, Complex Fire Officer and Firefighter Leadership 2018 Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, Loveland‑Symmes (OH) Fire Department; Gordon Graham, Research Consultant; and Bobby Halton, Education Director, FDIC/Editor in Chief, Fire Engineering

The three instructors will discuss (and not always agree on) the challenges facing current and future fire officers. From the Internet to the fireground, personnel size-up to hiring changes, interior vs. exterior fire operations to the “freedom of speech,” what firefighters should “look” like to the international fire service’s future, and more, they will help you understand the situations that have resulted in negative outcomes with career-altering or -ending events. They will leave you with measurable and usable insight and opinion to minimize your exposure.ALL LEVELS

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Stan Wilson’s Last AlarmAssistant Chief Stuart Grant, Grapevine (TX) Fire Department

All aspects of the fire at the Hearthwood Condominiums from the initial dispatch to the recovery operations are covered. There were many good things that happened at this fire, including the rescues made, the tactics instituted, and the rapid intervention team’s actions. But, there were also bad things that happened that night including the confusion at the command post and the ugly things that happened that took Stan’s life. This class looks at the good and the bad. The session concludes with lessons learned and the actions the department has taken to help prevent this type of event from happening again.ALL LEVELS

Attack from the Burned SideLieutenant Sean Gray, Cobb County (GA) Fire and Emergency Services

There are many tactics for attacking structure fires. For years, the fire service has been preaching to attack from the unburned side. This isn’t always the best tactic. The modern fireground is evolving more than ever before. Introducing research that enhances the procedures, students will see how different tasks and tactics can be used to extinguish fires from all angles. Case studies are paired with practical experience as the fallacies of the fireground are examined. Recent firefighter safety research and data are discussed in detail, and the students are shown how to apply evidence-based tactics to achieve a safer, smarter, and more efficient fireground. This class is against the grain of traditional firefighting and has an innovative approach to fighting the fires that we face today.ALL LEVELS

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A Collaborative Approach to High-Voltage ResponsesCaptain/Vault Fire Response Group Supervisor Chris Greene, Seattle (WA) Fire Department

The benefits of fire departments and electrical energy providers working together to address emergencies involving energized spaces is the focus. Although electrical vault fires are emphasized, the class also covers incidents involving aboveground transformers, rectifiers, and overhead hazards. Topics include manhole vs. vault fires, secondary events, A/C vs. D/C hazards, detection equipment, extinguishing agents, offensive and defensive tactics, personal protective equipment, National Fire Protection Association Standards 70E and 12, and scripted responses to high-voltage electrical emergencies. Students gain a better understanding of electrical emergencies, where they are likely to occur, and how to create sound standard operating procedures in cooperation with their energy provider.ALL LEVELS

How to Get More Volunteer Firefighters at Your Fire ScenesDeputy Chief David Greene, Colleton County (SC) Fire‑Rescue

If your department uses volunteers, you no doubt wish you had more of them. This presentation is based on empirical research wherein the unit of analysis is the volunteer firefighter. Discussion includes the naivete of motives for joining, how to transform these motives into fully informed expectations to continue serving, and the satisfaction levels among volunteer firefighters. Learn what is important and what is unimportant to volunteer firefighters and what factors affect the volunteer’s length of service.INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Man vs. Machinery: Are You Prepared?Captain Mark Gregory, Fire Department of New York

Machinery entrapments occur all across the United States and Canada. Is your department capable of handling one? This program prepares responders to help manage incidents involving extrication of patients from various types of machinery—common machinery and machinery specific to locations within your response area. This is a highly specialized skill set, and caring for victims/patients entrapped in machinery necessitates that providers be trained in specific treatment modalities and the possible complications that may arise. Tool selection, patient-stabilization techniques, and crush injury syndrome are discussed; case studies are analyzed.ALL LEVELS

Turn PTSD into Post-Traumatic Growth: It Will Change Your LifeCaptain David Griffin, Charleston (SC) Fire Department

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects firefighters all over the world. Many times, firefighters don’t want to discuss incidents that may have had lasting effects on them. This is unhealthy physically and mentally not only for firefighters but for their family and friends as well. How do we mitigate this ever-growing problem? We turn PTSD into post-traumatic growth (PTG). PTG is defined as a phenomenon where a person becomes stronger and creates a more meaningful life in the wake of tragedy or trauma. The instructor suffered from PTSD after his involvement as the first-due engineer on June 18, 2007, when nine firefighters of his department perished in one incident. He was able to overcome PTSD with PTG. Learn how to do this from a firefighter who experienced a traumatic event, was diagnosed with PTSD, and overcame it with PTG.ALL LEVELS

Standpipe OperationsCaptain Bill Gustin, Miami‑Dade (FL) Fire Rescue

Standpipe firefighting tactics and strategy are the focus. Types of standpipe systems and components, supplying fire department connections, and methods of stretching and advancing hoselines from standpipe outlets are among the topics covered.ALL LEVELS

Hazards of Marijuana Grow Operations and Butane Hash Oil ExtractionsAssistant Chief, Shift Commander C.J. Haberkorn, Denver (CO) Fire Department

Marijuana grows are developed and implemented to maximize the space used to produce higher harvests, thus producing greater profits. This poses new and increased entanglement hazards for interior fire attack crews and police officers executing a warrant. Heavy high-voltage lighting is installed to simulate sunlight so the plants will grow, creating increased overhead fall hazards. An unrealized consequence of the madness that marijuana has created is the increased use of butane hash oil and the many applications that go with it. The processes, hazards, and case studies covered in this class will add to the students’ situational awareness. This class is based on the experience of the state of Colorado.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSMitigating New Vehicle Technology Rescue ChallengesDeputy Chief (Ret.) Carl Haddon, North Fork (ID) Fire Department

New vehicle technology presents ever-changing challenges for rescuers. The focus is on how the changes in vehicles increase challenges and dangers for responders during rescue operations. Metallurgy, construction, new glass standards, and safety system changes are addressed. Hybrid challenges and lithium ion battery fires are discussed; and reevaluating traditional methods, tactics, and equipment will be ongoing throughout the class. Changes, advances, and limitations in current rescue tool technology are also addressed. This program is based on a first-hand, ongoing relationship between the instructor and auto engineers from Ford, Volvo, and Mercedes Benz. Visual aids are from actual tough new vehicles donated for the purposes of preparing this program.ALL LEVELS

Issues and Challenges in Today’s Fire ServiceChief (Ret.) Rick Lasky, Lewisville (TX) Fire Department; Battalion Chief (Ret.) John Salka, Fire Department of New York; and Chief (Ret.) Bobby Halton, FDIC Education Director/Fire Engineering Editor in Chief

The fire service is faced with a vast array of issues and challenges. FDIC has always been the place where honest discussions have led to workable solutions to these issues and challenges. This session features three of North America’s most outspoken and informed practitioners. Join them as they tackle the most critical issues facing the fire service today in a no-holds-barred session. From pike poles to pensions, from VES (vent-enter-search) to VSP (victim survivability profiling), and from staffing to science, join the chiefs as they discuss the biggest issues in frank, open, and straightforward language. ALL LEVELS

Quick Drills for the Driver/OperatorCaptain Eric Hankins, Yuba City (CA) Fire Department

The role of the driver/operator is arguably one of the most important functions on the fireground. From safe transportation to and from the emergency scene to operating an engine or ladder truck at the scene of a multialarm fire, a competent and proficient driver/operator is critical to the overall success of the operation. This interactive class includes several quick drills that can be done at the firehouse or in the response district. They range from 10-minute fireground hydraulic drills to complex troubleshooting of a fire pump and how and when to short-jack a tower ladder or position aerial master streams without personnel in the bucket. Students can take these drills back to their fire departments to share with their personnel.BASIC

Building Construction and Fire BehaviorDeputy Chief (Ret.) Gregory Havel, Burlington (WI) Fire Department

Our firefighter training taught us that the types of building construction and fire codes are based on the amount of combustible materials used in the structure. Today, these types are no longer clearly defined because of the use of lightweight and manufactured lumber materials and materials not traditionally found in specific structure types. Building officials consider these buildings “hybrids” and classify them according to the most combustible components in the structure. The focus is on how these construction features affect fire behavior.ALL LEVELS

The Privilege of Leadership: Lessons from HistoryChief Program Officer Billy D. Hayes, National Center for Fire and Life Safety

This class explores a number of leadership lessons from history that illustrate how when those in charge were faced with difficult circumstances, they responded with the ability to face those circumstances with confidence, competence, and effective decision-making skills. The objective is to instill in the students a positive outlook about leadership and an appreciation of its critical role and to view leadership as a privilege to be embraced, not as a role to fear.ALL LEVELS

Fire Operations in Fire Resistive Residential BuildingsDeputy Chief George Healy, Fire Department of New York

The hazards and challenges in combating fires in fire resistive residential buildings and how building features affect fire operations is the focus. Attendees “respond” to the alarm, size up, and participate in the selection of tactical considerations for fire attack. Engine and truck operations, coordinated ventilation, flow path control, elevator operations, search, command and control, stairwell pressurization, and alternate strategies for wind-impacted fires are covered.ALL LEVELS

Big Box Stores and Commercial Fireground Strategies and TacticsCaptain Aaron Heller, Hamilton Township (NJ) Fire Department

The focus is on strategies and tactics for responding to fires in big box stores and commercial buildings, including taxpayers and office buildings. These structures are becoming increasingly common in all types of communities, whether served by career, volunteer, or combination departments. Unfortunately, many departments have never adjusted their operations when encountering these structures. As history has shown, misjudging the risks involved in these buildings can be tragic. This is not a rehashing of past incidents but a springboard for preventing injuries or line-of-duty deaths.INTERMEDIATE

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Grant Writing for Emergency ServicesDavid Hesselmeyer, Owner, On Target Preparedness

Funding for public agencies is hard to come by. The current economy is not much help as taxes are not being paid, bills for services are not being paid, some elected officials want to decrease taxes, and so on. Grants can be a good option to help achieve projects that may not otherwise be funded. However, a major issue with grants is that people are not aware of the process and often follow myths vs. facts. Thus, this presentation will focus on the art of the grant writing process and how to be successful. The presentation will further aim to dispel myths, explain the overall process, and give helpful hints as to how to increase your chances of obtaining grant funding.ALL LEVELS

Forcible Entry Wins Are in the DetailsLieutenant Samuel Hittle, Wichita (KS) Fire Department

Why are some forcible entry attempts efficient while others are embarrassing? The answer is in the details. Setting forks, running a saw, and merely striking are not enough to ensure a win. Success requires knowledge of the system being defeated, familiarity with tool potential, and understanding basic physics concepts (levers, force multipliers, torque, impulse, inertia, vectors). This class demonstrates nonevasive and evasive methods for windows, residential and commercial doors, overhead doors, hinges, padlocks, magnetic locks, high-density commercial systems, window bars, glass block, shearing, boarded openings, and more. Techniques are shown in varying circumstances, including hand tools only, saw capabilities, and single firefighter or company. Numerical evidence and video justify why details like body positioning, tool placement and alignment, striking techniques, and exploiting system flaws matter.INTERMEDIATE

Leadership: Tips for the New Company OfficerBattalion Chief Jason Hoevelmann, Florissant Valley (MO) Fire Protection District

For officers in the fire service, the basics of leadership are just as important as the basics of operational responsibilities. The impact we have on our members and crews affects their success now and later in their career. It is critical that leaders be a positive influence in molding members’ careers. This class focuses on the basics and development of company officer leadership from preparing yourselves as future officers to discipline and to be “first due” in all aspects of your daily activities. Among the topics covered are setting expectations; dealing with discipline and difficult members; drilling; the Be Attitudes for the company officer to follow at all times; and the importance of being the example, not just communicating it.INTERMEDIATE

Digital Lights and Sirens: Avoiding Collisions and Reducing Traffic CEO and President Cory Hohs, HAAS Alert, Chicago, IL

A review of the new technology involving digital lights and sirens (sending data alerts directly from lights and sirens to civilians and other first responders) and an overview of the ease of access of these technologies and how to look for the right solutions. Digital lights and sirens allow departments to send notifications directly to civilian mobile apps and connected vehicle in-dashes and to navigation apps like Google Maps/Waze. Students learn how to install and follow the guidelines for setting up a digital light and sirens solution and how civilian drivers, automotive in-dash, navigation apps, and smart city solutions work with this technology. In addition, equipment will be demonstrated and students will be able to participate.ALL LEVELS

The Drill Ground Instructor: Getting Your Assignment RightCaptain William Hopson, Beachwood (NJ) Fire Department

This highly interactive presentation, designed for the active, experienced, and engaged fire service instructor, is traditional instructor development. The focus is on the direct responsibilities of a drill ground instructor. Emphasis is on integrity, ethics, and competency as they relate to observing, evaluating, and certifying firefighters.INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Be Your Own HeroCaptain Angela Hughes, Baltimore County (MD) Fire Department; President, International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services

What does it take to be your own hero? Who is the person you wish to be, and what steps are necessary to become your future hero? Self-assessment is the first and most important step in career development. This class provides you with tools you can use to assess your strengths and discover areas for improvement. Moral integrity, work ethic, and making wise choices are among those topics covered that can help you to create your own legacy and be your own hero.ALL LEVELS

Engine Company Operations: Gallons per SecondBattalion Chief Curt Isakson, Ecambia County (FL) Fire Rescue

The focus is on exceeding fire flow needs and still managing water during the crucial initial hoseline advancement in an interior offensive attack. Learn why it is necessary to think in terms of gallons per second at this time. Strategies are presented for managing the booster tank supply until a sustainable water supply has been established. The class is especially relevant for engine companies that commonly engage with the booster tank and deploy fast attack tactics.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSLine-of-Duty Death: Recover, Restore, and RebuildAssistant Chief Paul Jockimo, Somers (NY) Fire District

A line-of-duty death (LODD) presents many significant challenges for those involved: operationally, logistically, administratively, and emotionally. The period from the time of loss through the day of the funeral is often a whirlwind. However, after the ceremony is over and all of those who came to help have gone, the real work begins. This interactive program explores many of the short-term and long-term difficulties agencies often encounter following LODDs. Building on the lessons learned, participants will be able to develop strategies to help their agencies, members, and families recover from these tragic events. This class shows how this can be done; participants are encouraged to share ideas and experiences.ALL LEVELS

Effective Training for Real-World FirefightersDeputy Chief Jeffrey Johnson, Kansas City (MO) Fire Department

The focus is on realistic training that ensures firefighters are prepared for a variety of hostile events they will encounter daily. Various types of training are evaluated from the perspective of whether they set firefighters up for failure or prepare them for today’s fireground and emergency scenarios.ALL LEVELS

What’s Hiding Behind the Walls?Firefighter James Johnson, Vancouver (BC, Canada) Fire and Rescue Services

With today’s modern building materials and the growing use of hybrid construction methods, the crucial task of recognizing and identifying the structures we are responding to is becoming increasingly difficult. This class takes a modern spin on identifying these structures. Through the use of photographs and 360-degree video footage of buildings under various stages of construction, the attendees will have the opportunity to test their existing skills of building identification and learn about some of the challenges we face with modern construction.ALL LEVELS

The Art of Reading SmokeDeputy Chief Phil Jose, Seattle (WA) Fire Department

The reading smoke curriculum is a must for anyone looking to master the craft of firefighting. First-in video combined with dynamic teaching helps you develop the ability to see the volume, velocity, density, and color of smoke. Learning to read smoke improves your ability to understand and predict fire behavior by providing the information necessary for excellent tactical decisions and enables you to answer three questions: Where is the fire? How big is it? What rate of change should you expect? Whether choosing a tactic at the command level or performing the tactic at the company level, learning to collect information quickly improves decision making for firefighter safety and better service to the citizens.ALL LEVELS

Initial High-Rise Fire Operations for Departments with Limited StaffingDeputy Chief Stephen Kalman, Hackensack (NJ) Fire Department

This class addresses tactical and operational objectives at residential high-rise fires focusing on smaller departments with limited companies and staffing. Having a strong and solid standard operating procedure and initiating it on every high-rise response are key factors in having a positive outcome. Not every high-rise fire is a major event, and having a solid plan can prevent the one-room fire from becoming one. Command operations, engine company/standpipe operations, and wind-driven fires are also covered.ALL LEVELS

Succession Planning and Leadership for the Next GenerationBattalion Chief Anthony Kastros, Sacramento Metro (CA) Fire District

This highly interactive, fun, and humorous class focuses on the tools necessary for succession planning in today’s fire service. Leadership is a vast topic and is talked about throughout the fire service, but building modern leaders in-house who are ready to fill the gap left by their predecessors remains an elusive accomplishment. Students learn how to build leaders from the next generation for the next generation and about the Millennials, Generation X, Generation Y, and Baby Boomers and learning methods for each. In addition, students are introduced to tools they can employ in their departments to develop future company and chief officers including task books, officer academies, professional development series, mentoring, simulations, role plays, and strategic planning teams. These tools have been used to develop countless new officers who hit the street ready to lead.ALL LEVELS

The Combat-Ready Engine CompanyLieutenant Tony Kelleher, District of Columbia Fire Department

For far too long, engine company work has been viewed by many as “routine” or the most basic of firefighting tactics. With fire behavior in mind, the fact remains that fires are reaching the flashover stage quicker and the contents are burning hotter. Knowing this, it is imperative that the fire service return the art of engine company firefighting to its most efficient state and get back to mastering the core basic skills of an efficient engine company firefighter. This multimedia, interactive class focuses on what it takes to improve daily operations on and off the fireground. This includes teaching attendees how to manage themselves and their counterparts, combat complacency, overcome obstacles, think outside the box, set up engine company apparatus, perform a variety of hoseline options/stretches, and handle building construction challenges. Attendees will leave this session as a motivated force to be reckoned with!ALL LEVELS

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Surviving a Mayday: A Company Officer’s PerspectiveBattalion Chief Micah Kiger, Loudoun County (VA) Fire and Rescue

On May 25, 2008, four firefighters from Loudoun County (VA) Fire and Rescue became trapped on the second floor while performing interior operations on a house fire in Leesburg, Virginia, after conditions rapidly deteriorated secondary to a flashover occurring on the first floor. Four firefighters were burned and required hospitalization for their injuries. A full investigative report was completed on this incident. The instructor (the company officer at the incident) presents incident operations, video footage of the incident with respective radio transmissions, the departmental changes/recommendations, and the lessons learned from his first-hand perspective. This presentation also covers how training yourself and your crew the right way becomes second nature and can be relied on when it truly counts.ALL LEVELS

Community Collaboration: Fire and Industry PartnershipsChief Joseph Kitchen, Bath Twp. (OH) Fire Department

Most fire departments are prepared to respond to routine house fires, medical emergencies, and motor vehicle crashes. But, how prepared is your department to handle a fire at your local steel mill, an explosion at your local power plant, a major fire at a warehouse, or a mass-casualty incident at an oil refinery? If you plan to respond to these calls in the same way you handle your day-to-day emergencies, you could be putting your personnel at serious risk. Planning and preparing for industrial emergencies are much different. This class focuses on the value of cooperating and collaborating with local industry when developing plans for emergencies in industrial sites.ALL LEVELS

An International Comparison: Training Standards and Fireground SafetyDivision Chief Susanne Klatt, Essen Fire Department, Germany

The United States leads many countries in the number of firefighter line-of-duty-deaths and injuries. This class compares training standards of the United States and Germany to see if there are variances in best practices and standards that can account for the number of deaths and injuries. Each country’s current training processes will be outlined; students will then determine if there are areas in their departments where improvements can be made so that everyone goes home.ALL LEVELS

The Engine Company Officer: From the Firehouse to the Fire FloorLieutenant Tim Klett, Fire Department of New York

This class covers the many key decisions made before, during, and after a fire incident. These decisions can ultimately make or break the operation and put lives at risk. Knowing your firefighters’ strengths and weaknesses will make your decisions more effective and productive. The size, placement, and operation of the first line have a direct impact on the success of the operation. All of these decisions fall on the shoulders of the first-due engine officer, making him a key player on the fireground.ALL LEVELS

Fit to Fight: Improving Performance Through Better Self-CarePresident Elaine Kluttz, Coachlight Connections

How to identify and manage common stressors is the focus. The class will also illustrate ways these stressors adversely affect individual health and performance, as well as team efficiency. Participants learn techniques to improve mental and emotional fitness. Better mental and emotional fitness result in better individual and team effectiveness.ALL LEVELS

Tactical Response to Natural Gas LeaksTraining Officer Jerry Knapp, Rockland County Fire Training Center, Pomona, New York

This class has three objectives: to develop an understanding of critical background information necessary for effective response to natural gas emergencies; to review lessons learned from case histories; and to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) based on fire department/gas industry best practices that can be modified for use in the students’ departments. The scenarios discussed include a common call that went bad, a natural gas main struck by a contractor, and a house explosion that seriously injured four firefighters. Students will learn of the research that resulted in an SOP for common gas leak scenarios; cost-effective training methods and props attendees can build/use in their departments; and the partnership of the utility, gas company’s regulating agency (Public Service Commission) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration that offers assistance in developing SOPs and funding self-sustaining training sites and programs.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSFighting Fires in Fast-Food RestaurantsChief Joseph Knitter, South Milwaukee (WI) Fire Department

Inspired by the tragic loss of two firefighters in an intentionally set fire at a McDonald’s Restaurant in Houston, Texas, on Valentine’s Day, 2000, this class takes the audience “behind the counter” and “above the ceiling tiles” for a first-hand look at the building construction and design characteristics and the associated hazards that pose a deadly threat to fire suppression personnel. The focus is on raising the awareness of company officers and firefighters of the dangers of this common form of free-standing construction found in nearly every response area. Topics covered include the causes of fires in these structures, common construction features and engineered lumber products, and operational considerations and tactical tidbits for fighting fires in these occupancies.ALL LEVELS

Maximizing Human Performance and Preventing Injury: The O2X Program Adam La Reau, Co‑Founder, O2X Human Performance

According to National Fire Protection Association reports, 53% of fireground injuries and 60% of nonfireground injuries are attributed to strains, sprains, and muscular pain. Nearly 44% of job-related injuries result in loss of work time, and many of these incidents can be prevented with proper prehabilitation and preparation. The focus of this class is on extending the operational life, health, and efficiency of firefighters. The O2X Human Performance program takes a comprehensive approach to maximizing an individual’s performance, combining physical conditioning, injury prevention, nutrition, sleep, and stress management as well as resilience. This presentation presents and teaches techniques for preventing injury specific to a firefighter’s operational lifestyle. The session covers developing sustainable injury prevention and prehabilitation routines to enhance readiness and optimize performance through superior training and education.ALL LEVELS

Fighting Fire in the Age of Plastics and FoamCaptain Clark Lamping, Clark County (NV) Fire Department

Because of the quest for energy-efficient, lighter weight, and lower cost building materials, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of plastics and polystyrene products in building construction. These products can be found in the walls, roofs, attic spaces, and decorative exterior portions of all types of buildings. Unfortunately, these products burn much hotter and spread fire more rapidly than traditional natural building products. In addition, they release several toxic gases when they break down. This class will examine these products in detail and discuss extinguishment tactics for all of the building types, using examples and case studies from around the country.ALL LEVELS

Trauma, Substance Abuse, and the Fire ServiceCaptain (Ret.) Mark Lamplugh, Lower Chichester (PA) Fire Company

Life as a firefighter is often filled with traumatic experiences. We see on a regular basis things the average citizen will never experience. This program provides an overview of the causes and effects of single incident and cumulative traumatic events on the first responder professional. It highlights signs and symptoms traumatized individuals typically display.ALL LEVELS

The First-Arriving Engine at Externally Ignited Apartment Building FiresCaptain Christopher Langlois, Omaha (NE) Fire Department

In any department, large fires in large buildings eventually bring lots of resources. However, in every one of those fires, a single crew, usually an engine, arrived first. Often, the ability of this first-arriving crew to attack the fire effectively is downplayed because it is all alone against a much larger enemy. What can it realistically do? This course looks at the first five minutes of fires that start on the exterior of apartment buildings (i.e., balconies) and the arrival of the first engine. These fires move quickly; on arrival, they are either threatening to enter the attic or are already in the attic. To stop the forward progress of the fire early in the incident, the first engine must act quickly and decisively because the fire can be in control of the attic and the incident will be in a defensive mode by the time additional resources arrive. That first engine has the potential to be, and must be, a powerful and decisive force.ALL LEVELS

Agricultural Rescue: Is Your Department Prepared?Instructor Scott Larson, Stateline Farm Rescue, Belleville, WI

The focus is on farm and agricultural emergencies and the specialized knowledge and skill responders need to effectively and safely respond to and manage these varied emergencies. The course familiarizes students with the special techniques for successfully coordinating and executing an agricultural rescue. Topics include grain bin engulfment and rescue, tractor rollover, power takeoff, and auger entanglement.ALL LEVELS

Surviving the Fire ServiceAssistant Chief Todd LeDuc, Broward Sheriff (FL) Fire Rescue

This energetic and high-impact presentation is modeled on the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Safety Health and Survival Section’s highly successful Rules of Engagement for Firefighter Survival. The focus is on health/wellness rules of engagement for firefighters. Among the key topics are medical physicals and firefighter health challenges such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, behavioral health, obesity, and injuries. The original Rules of Engagement for Firefighter Survival addresses challenges related to structural firefighting. This presentation applies the tactical concepts therein, such as ongoing risk assessments, to health and wellness.ALL LEVELS

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Selecting the Proper Handline Hose for Your DepartmentDennis LeGear, Lead Consultant, LeGear Engineering Fire Department Consulting

How does having a very mixed hose fleet impact fire stream development and performance, nozzle selection, weight, and nozzle pressure/target flow? This class answers these questions and more. Among the topics addressed are handline construction and how it affects function and materials such as nylon, nylon 66, polyester, rubber/nitrile, thermoplastic polyurethane, and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer rubber. The construction aspects include how these materials are joined to form hose, the weave in warp and weft, pick count, weight, twill vs. square vs. reverse twill; vulcanized vs. adhesive bonded liner; thickness of rubber; weave construction; and coatings to improve the durability of the final product. These physical materials combine to form the handlines you use at structure fires.ALL LEVELS

Reading the FiregroundDistrict Chief Walter Lewis, Orlando (FL) Fire Department

This is advancing to the next step after Reading Smoke: Students apply the reading smoke information while observing the actions of the crews on scene. Every unit that arrives after the first-arriving unit finds the scene being set and notes which issues are being overlooked and which functions are being performed although command may not realize it. Students, from the nozzle firefighter to the chief officer, are guided in how to observe the actions being taken, fill in the gaps of tasks not being done, and overcome fireground problems highlighted in the class so that their fireground perception is heightened.INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Flipped Fire Training: Meeting the Demands of Today’s Fire ServiceCaptain Frank Lipski, Florissant Valley (MO) Fire Protection District

Share in the success story of a training division that has transformed a failing program into an amazingly successful program that is now the model for many agencies across the country. Flipped training allows you to meet the learning needs of all generations and see improved learning and retention of information. The techniques can be used by departments of any size or type. Fire instructors, training officers, and staff members see firsthand the impact a flipped training program can have on their departments. Attendees are presented with the tools and information to implement a flipped training program in their departments quickly and easily.ALL LEVELS

Adding Strength and Conditioning Programs to Basic TrainingTechnician II Brice Long, Stafford County (VA) Fire and Rescue Department

Here is a successful strength and conditioning program that can be implemented at the basic training level. Gone are the days of generic physical training with few practical objectives beyond making life tough for recruits! As the fire service has begun to prioritize physical fitness, we need to take a more systematic approach to developing new members and equipping them for a long, successful, and healthy career. See how using proven methods of strength and conditioning from the world of sports can help reduce injuries and build strong, mobile, and healthy firefighters.ALL LEVELS

Trauma Care: The Challenges of Penetrating WoundsChief Gary Ludwig, Champaign (IL) Fire Department

Shootings, stabbings, and other penetrating trauma wounds are among the most challenging calls firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics face. This interactive and sometimes graphic session discusses the challenges and difficulties you’ll face from the time you get dispatched until the time you arrive in the trauma room at the hospital.ALL LEVELS

Science in the Fire ServiceDan Madrzykowski and Robin Zevotek, Underwriters Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute; Gavin Horn and Denise Smith, Illinois Fire Service Institute; and Fire Service Representatives directly involved in the research

This class shares the latest firefighter research and its implications for the fire service. Three very important and high visibility research projects will be discussed by the lead researchers and members of the fire service technical panels. The latest results from the ISFSI/UL FSRI Basement Fires Study, UL FSRI Fire Attack Study, and IFSI/UL FSRI/NIOSH PPE Cleaning study will be shared and discussed with the audience in a panel/open mic session.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSSurvivability Profiling; A Proven, Life-Saving Process for FirefightersBattalion Chief Stephen Marsar, Fire Department of New York

The focus is on the disparity between firefighter and civilian deaths in the same fires. Survivability profiling is the educated art of examining a situation and making an informed, intelligent decision of whether to commit firefighters to life-saving or interior operations. It differs from the basic risk vs. reward and goes beyond the tendency to justify risk whenever we respond to occupied buildings. Size-up, situational awareness, and calculating if civilians are savable before committing firefighters to an interior attack are discussed, as are the 16 Life Safety Initiatives, Rules of Engagement, and Duty To Die Syndrome; limited survival times; and application of appropriate firefighting strategies. Students engage in an open discussion on where/when interior fire operations should focus on firefighting first and rescue/recovery operations second.ALL LEVELS

Intoxicated Leadership: Avoid Leading Under the Influence of EmotionsLieutenant Benjamin Martin, Henrico County (VA) Division of Fire

Too often when faced with conflict, leaders succumb to social pressures to remain popular. Dealing with difficult employees can be incredibly frustrating and discouraging. It can be tempting for leaders to quote policy and respond, “Because I said so.” When disagreements inevitably present themselves and employees start to spread rumors of their side of the story, leadership must avoid becoming emotional, especially angry and defensive. Traditional leadership classes often trick us into thinking that we can resolve conflict in a 10-minute conversation. In reality, leaders may never be able to secure a buy-in from the employee.This class illustrates why the body responds to conflict the way it does, whether it be on the fireground or in the firehouse. Tips for creating more favorable circumstances to assist in constructing and engaging in a difficult conversation are discussed at length.ALL LEVELS

Aggressive Command Supports Agressive TacticsBattalion Chief Nicholas Martin, Columbia (SC) Fire Department

Our overall goal is to put out the fire and save lives; most often, these tasks are in the hands of firefighters operating at the task level. However, in the most successful operations, the skills of talented firefighters are enabled, supported, and best deployed by talented chief officers who run a well-organized and well-managed incident. They are incident commanders who understand what firefighters can and should do, who understand tactics, and who know how to build an incident that puts things together the right way to crush the problem. This class discusses (from before the alarm to through the incident) the habits, practices, and attitudes that must exist at the strategic and tactical levels to put out the fire in the most effective manner. Preincident investment and preparation, street-smart fireground command practices, incident organization, and management of tactical objectives that support our firefighters in their ability to do their job are discussed.INTERMEDIATE

In the Realm of Risk: The Strategic and Tactical FirefightLieutenant Michael Mason, Downers Grove (IL) Fire Department

This class enlightens while providing a detailed, realistic agenda that pertains to surviving the fireground. Defining and committing to interior operations, fireground situational awareness, fireground survival policies, preventing and surviving Maydays, staffing and fireground survival, fighting fires in conventional and lightweight construction, fuel loads and turbulent smoke behaviors, interior operations relating to room orientation, tactical air management, and practices in interior firefighting are among the topics covered.ALL LEVELS

Advanced High-Rise Operations Training Founder Curtis Massey, Massey Emergency Management

Chief officers, company officers, and firefighters can gain invaluable knowledge about fighting fires in high-rises. Such low-frequency, high-impact events can immediately affect thousands of lives within minutes. This combination classroom/hands-on training session enables students to gain a thorough understanding of building features and systems from instructors with a combined 90 years of experience. Students learn how to gain a strategic edge in those first few minutes on scene when the most critical decisions are made. Attendees rotate between stations at an actual high-rise and extract key nuggets of expertise from a veteran major city chief and an instructor who has been training big city departments for more than 20 years. Among the topics covered are fire department connection pump operations, lobby control, stairwell/fire attack operations, use of large-diameter hoselines, elevator operations, understanding “air balancing,” and more. Attend and rewrite your standard operating procedures.ALL LEVELS

30 Tips That Help You Win When You Go InLieutenant Ray McCormack, Fire Department of New York

The focus is on actions to take when you are confronted with an interior fire operation. The “tips” format allows for a full explanation of how each one will improve operational function and safety.ALL LEVELS

Building a Training Network That WorksTraining Chief David McGlynn, West Point (NY) Fire Department

Here’s how to build a training network when resources and funding are not available. By networking, we tap into resources that can help us to develop training plans that are broader and more versatile.ALL LEVELS

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Next-Generation SMART TechnologyCaptain Kirk McKinzie, Cosumnes (CA) Fire Department

First responders need every advantage during fleeting life critical moments, and SMART cyber-physical systems (CPS) provide critical information for time-sensitive events. The focus is on what is available in SMART technology and where it can assist in your jurisdiction. Wireless real-time convergence of building information modeling, interfacing of 3D data through machine-to-machine and machine-to-human data exchange, and bio-telemetry monitoring of victims and responders will save lives. Auto-populated, legacy, and real-time-sensed 3D environments will allow responders and their commanders to intelligently and visually communicate during response. Computational fluid dynamic programs allow for predictive outputs in structure and wildland fires, hazardous materials releases, and other natural and human-initiated events. Technical rescues and high life hazards will benefit from SMART cities; IOT; remote sensing; and virtual, augmented, and mixed realities. Responders will view emergencies through computer vision in immersive HUD lenses before, during, and after calls.ALL LEVELS

Wildland Structure TriageChief Todd McNeal, Twain Harte (CA) Fire Department

The class provides company officers and firefighters with the current tactical information necessary to accurately assess the fire’s potential impact on the threatened structure and the safety of the engine company. Among the topics covered are critical fire behavior and the safest and most efficient initial tactical actions for the first-arriving responder or the company officer. The primary focus is on rapid recognition of fire threats and correctly selecting from a variety of tactical actions the most appropriate one for managing the incident.ALL LEVELS

Disaster Wide-Area SearchMajor Greg Merrell, Oklahoma City (OK) Fire Department

Tactics and techniques for conducting a wide-area search during a disaster are presented from the perspectives of fire department personnel first on scene and US&R Task Force operations. The initial response and setup of rescue and EMS personnel, lessons learned, and alternative actions are discussed. Content is based on actual experiences from responses to multiple US&R deployments. Attendees will also explore procedures that will help to sustain efficient operations and use all emergency responders efficiently and safely.ALL LEVELS

Proficiency-Driven Training ProgramsAssistant Chief Kevin Milan, South Metro (CO) Fire Rescue Authority

Training with an eye toward proficiency at all levels is the goal. The bottom line is performance on the emergency scene. Using task books along with company manuals provides the foundation for proficiency. The building of knowledge, skills, and abilities begins in recruit school and continues through every rank in the department. Standard evolutions, often grounded in National Fire Protection Association 1410, provide building blocks for competence. Assembling these building blocks into multicompany evolutions spreads competency upward through your organization. Templates that can be tailored to the needs of any fire service organization are provided. Examples of task book qualification programs for recruits, firefighters, company officers, and battalion chiefs are also provided.INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Volunteer Academies: Changing Outcomes by Challenging New MembersBattalion Chief Daniel Miller, Omaha (NE) Fire Department

The focus is on training, orienting, and indoctrinating new volunteer members into the fire service in a manner that results in higher success rates. By providing a challenging academy-style experience, the pace, intensity, and expectations are ramped up significantly. Covered are tips for turning your department’s probationary year into a team-building experience that will remain with the new recruits for their entire career and how to infuse discipline, pride in the uniform, and respect for officers in the experience. Being a volunteer firefighter doesn’t mean you should have to wait two to three years to become certified to National Fire Protection Association standards, nor does it mean that recruits should have to wait long periods between formative training events.INTERMEDIATE

First-Due! Residential Fire Concepts for Engine and Truck CompaniesBattalion Chief Dan Shaw, Fairfax County (VA) Fire & Rescue Department; and Captain Doug Mitchell, Fire Department of New York

The mission-critical incident actions for engine and truck companies at residential fires is the focus. The “must-have” roles and responsibilities for each unit are highlighted, and the elements that are imperative to employ an efficient and effective fire attack are honed. Successful fire attack dictates a deliberate balance of coordination and communication among all members. This dynamic multimedia lecture hits preincident readiness, radio reports, and tactical resource deployments for “both sides of the floor.” Although the application of water still extinguishes fire and searches still locate trapped civilians, the art and science behind “how, when, and why” to mount the attack are being questioned. The initial company-level actions can make or break the operation. Are you and your team best prepared to operate mentally, physically, and tactically in your residential environment? Don’t think so. Know so.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSUsing Big Data Analytics to Enhance Fire Response CapabilityAssistant to the General President Lori Moore‑Merrell, International Association of Fire Fighters

The focus is on the Fire-Community Assessment/Response Evaluation System (FireCARES), which uses big data analytics to provide a basic understanding of how changes in the levels of emergency resources deployed affect outcomes of emergencies. Fire chiefs often interact with public officials (decision makers) who must work to balance community expectations and finite budget resources without a solid technical foundation for evaluating community risks and the impact of staffing and deployment decisions on the safety of the public and firefighters. Hasty decisions by leaders can leave a community without sufficient resources to respond to emergency calls safely, efficiently, and effectively, which can leave individuals, fire departments, and communities vulnerable to unacceptable consequences.ALL LEVELS

Fire Training Injuries: Case Studies for InstructorsTraining Program Manager Walter Morris, Maine Fire Service Institute

In this interactive session, the contributing factors of several firefighter training injuries and the lessons we can learn from them are examined. Near-miss reports, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports, video clips from YouTube, and other tools for analyzing incidents in which firefighters are injured or worse are discussed from the perspective of preventing firefighter injuries during training.ALL LEVELS

10 Steps to Creating a Culture of Firefighter FitnessLieutenant Jim Moss, Metro West (MO) Fire Protection District

Decade after decade, more than 50% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths are due to cardiac causes. With more than 70% of the American fire service classified as “overweight” and 34% classified as “obese,” poor fitness and poor cardiac health have reached epidemic proportions. Now more than ever, creating a culture of firefighter fitness at the fire department level is critical to mitigating the fire service health crisis. This interactive presentation shares 10 key elements of successful fire department fitness programs. From medical and fitness evaluations to creating fitness standard operating guidelines and purchasing the right fitness equipment (and more), attendees acquire the tools they need to create a culture of fitness in their department. Tackling the broad topic of firefighter fitness and health may at first seem daunting, but it is absolutely within reach for every firefighter and fire department. ALL LEVELS

Firefighter Fatality Case Study: 2012 Mill Building Fire, PhiladelphiaDeputy Chief Vincent Mulray, Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department

This presentation will chronicle the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s report on the incident that resulted in the deaths of Lieutenant Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney. It will review and identify the factors that are identified in NIOSH Report #F2012-13 and analyze the critical factors that had a positive or negative effect on this fire. It will include still photos, video from the scene, and a first-hand account of the factors involved. The methodology will be from an investigation mode with a systematic approach into the critical factors that impacted operations.ALL LEVELS

Firefighter Behavioral Health: Helping Yourself and Your Firehouse FamilyClinical Psychologist/Firefighter (Ret.) Beth Murphy, Integrative Mental Health and Wellness

Behavioral health issues in the fire service continue to be an area that needs focus. Year to year, firefighting is identified in the top 5 most stressful jobs. These stressors are complex and the result of the intersection of work demands, personal demands, and the ability to cope. When the demands on the firefighter overwhelm the ability to cope, a variety of health issues emerge that affect the physical and psychological well-being of the individual and those around him or her. Untreated, these issues can lead to a loss of career or, worse, suicide. Despite the results of research and anecdotal evidence of the impact of behavioral health issues in the fire service, there continues to be a stigma that is difficult to overcome. This class provides an overview of health issues. Through discussion, demonstration, and role-play, students learn the necessary skills to recognize and help themselves and others struggling with stress and stress-related issues.ALL LEVELS

Proactive Safety: Know Before You Go for the FiregroundFire Marshal (Ret.)/Fmr. Deputy Chief Jack J. Murphy, Leonia (NJ) Fire Department

Learn the get-out-in-front approach to the “know before you go” military tactic before engaging our enemy, the fire building. The system involves 30- to 60-second manageable fireground intelligence levels in the form of site-specific Quick Access Plans to support initial operations as the incident is unfolding. This approach instills more confidence in the fire officer to give the building size-up of construction methods and interior building features to incoming fire units. New building components and technologies have been running ahead of fire and building codes for new and existing structures. The fire service can no longer depend on the guess-based building knowledge of the incident commander on arrival at the scene.INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

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Beyond the 360: Fireground Size-Up ConsiderationsCaptain William Murray, Virginia Beach (VA) Fire Department

This class addresses the question: “What kind of size-up do we perform for task-specific assignments?” The focus is on scene size-up from a task level assignment: tasks that must be performed on the fireground like hose stretches, ladders, search, and others and what the size-up for each should contain to help ensure the success of the task and the safety of the companies.ALL LEVELS

Pump Panel Pointers for Training and OperationsSafety Officer Jerry Naylis, Bergenfield (NJ) Fire Department

This class prepares pump operators to use a variety of techniques including tools, job aids, and pointers to ensure the proper flow and pressure while operating a pump during fireground operations. Successful delivery of water is stressed. The class examines fire operations in urban, suburban, and rural settings. The case studies show how one or two simple changes would alter the water supply and enhance the operation from the pump panel. Practical training session setups demonstrate how to conduct pump training exercises using readily available apparatus, equipment, and appliances.ALL LEVELS

Managing Risk in the Volunteer Fire ServiceFirefighter (Ret.) Joe Nedder, Uxbridge (MA) Fire Department

What does “risk” mean today? How does it differ from, say, 20 years ago? These are among the questions addressed. Managing risk in the volunteer fire service is important yet a frequently ignored fireground management skill. Volunteers put a lot on the line every time they respond to a structure fire, brush fire, or vehicle accident. Students are challenged to accept that the risks have never been higher and that volunteers are injured or killed every year. Risk management processes along with specific actions volunteers must take to reduce and manage these risks are discussed.ALL LEVELS

Fireground Commander’s Intent: Coordinated Actions for Mission SuccessBattalion Chief Sid Newby, Wichita (KS) Fire Department

The focus is on the importance of a commander’s expectations on emergency scenes and the thought process that helps fireground commanders to communicate their intent and establish a presence for the companies under their command. Fire companies are the linchpins to a successful emergency scene operation. The importance of synchronized small unit tactics following the commander’s intent is critical to a successful mission. The key to success is having each small tactical unit (engine and truck companies) perform in a predictable way.ALL LEVELS

Volunteer Fire Officer: A Point of ViewOperations Deputy Chief Christopher Niebling, Mantoloking (NJ) Fire Company

What does it take to be a volunteer fire officer? Climbing up into the right seat of the apparatus, you are taking the leadership role. That role contends with issues and problems both out on scene as well as in the station. How you choose to deal with each situation depends on your point of view. This class looks at videos of real scenarios that can confront the volunteer officer at any time on any day when you may be asked, “How would you handle this situation; what is your point of view?” Students share in the discussions of these issues and the possible responses.ALL LEVELS

The Evolving Fireground: Evidence-Based TacticsDeputy Chief/Training Officer P.J. Norwood, East Haven (CT) Fire Department

This interactive class discusses the relationship between fire dynamics and the fireground. Among the topics covered are fire dynamics and their impact on tactical decisions, the relationship between traditional tactics and fire behavior, and the effects of your decisions and tasks on operations. We have all been taught the fireground tasks, but few of us have been taught the good and bad results of those tasks on the fire and incident operations. This class bridges the gap between the science and streets and helps guide you through the tried and true tasks that must occur on the fireground.ALL LEVELS

Foam: There Is a Better Way to Do the JobChief Shawn Oke, Albemarle (NC) Fire Department

There is a better way to do the job: Deliver a proven foam concentrate with your water. Foams, especially those for Class A fires, are becoming more popular but yet are often misunderstood. This class addresses the basics you should know about purchasing, delivering, and using a proven foam solution. The benefits of using Class A foam and wetting agents are discussed. Videos illustrate the benefits of using a proven foam concentrate with your water.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSCreating a Firefighter Peer Support TeamLieutenant Matt Olson, Bolingbrook (IL) Fire Department

Illinois Fire Fighter Peer Support (ILFFPS) was created in 2012 in the basement of a Bolingbrook, Illinois, fire station. A motivated firefighter/paramedic and a licensed clinician took their ideas about what was missing in the everyday interactions between fire service personnel and developed curriculum to teach communication skills to existing, upcoming, and retired fire service personnel. Thus, the Peer Support Team was developed. Peer support is not a new idea, but firefighters taking care of each other in ways that feel more “emotional” is. The objective is to allow fellow fire service personnel the opportunity to care for one another in a way that previously was counter to the larger fire service culture of “rubbing some dirt in it” or “drinking it away.” It also is meant to lessen the impact of the everyday stress and help the brotherhood/sisterhood to feel real again. Share in the history of the evolution of the ILFFPS and how you and your department can learn from our experience.ALL LEVELS

Sports Injuries in Pediatric PatientsEmergency Operations Manager Karen Owens, Virginia Office of EMS

In the United States, about 30 million children and teens participate in some form of organized sports, and more than 3.5 million injuries occur each year. Almost one-third of all injuries incurred in childhood are sports-related injuries. Understanding the protective equipment, the mechanism of injuries, the treatments, and other special considerations increases the understanding of the EMS providers who respond to these incidents. This program offers participants the opportunities to review videos and photos, discuss treatments, and put their hands on protective equipment associated with various sports injuries.ALL LEVELS

Aluminum Composite Panel: It’s What’s Inside That CountsStation Officer Philip Paff, Queensland (Australia) Fire and Rescue

This class will discuss the many forms of External Insulated Finishing Systems (EIFS) with a concentrated focus on Aluminum Composite Panel (ACP) cladding, its composition, applications, and the challenges that firefighters face in managing its use and in dealing with fires occurring in buildings clad with it. Students will see video evidence of product testing, structural fire events, and the challenges faced by on-scene crews. A discussion of code implications from a U.S. perspective will follow. Importantly, in lessons learned from incidents abroad, the instructor will discuss size-up and tactical considerations to help provide solutions for combating fires such as this. Students will have access to a handout as a reference tool post- conference.ALL LEVELS

Aircraft Down and You Are First Due: Strategies and TacticsManager Nick Palmer, Carrol L. Herring Fire & Emergency Training Institute

An emergency involving hundreds of victims; 50,000 gallons of burning jet fuel; unexploded ordnance; jagged metal; and a pinch of structure fire mixed in for good measure is a recipe for chaos and confusion. At any given time, your district is at risk of experiencing an emergency involving a down aircraft. As first due, are you ready to handle the complications of such an incident? Do you know the hazards associated with this incident and how to mitigate them? This class offers an in-depth look at the hazards associated with aircraft crashes and the life-saving strategies and tactics needed to mitigate them. Case studies involving municipal responses to aircraft crashes involving commercial airliners, general aviation aircraft, and military aircraft are presented. This class brings high risk, low frequency to a new level.ALL LEVELS

Tactical Ventilation: Bridging the Gap Between Research and RealityLieutenant Nicholas Papa, New Britain (CT) Fire Department

Ventilation is a vital function that, when executed appropriately, enhances tenability and facilitates firefighting operations. No other single action/event, however, has the capacity to negatively impact the fireground. The evolution of the fire environment has exacerbated this fact by reducing the fire’s reaction time to ventilation and, subsequently, its window of effectiveness and our margin for error. An even greater emphasis must be placed on maintaining operational discipline, necessitating a tactical approach. This program examines ventilation and its relationship to fire dynamics to explain how it impacts the fireground. The common pitfalls are identified and the associated misconceptions addressed. A set of guiding principles and parameters, “The Four Tenets and Seven Commandments of Tactical Ventilation,” are provided to establish a universal framework that will enhance the likelihood of success when operating on the fireground.ALL LEVELS

Applicant Guide for Assistance to Firefighters GrantsBranch Chief Catherine Patterson, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Since 2001, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $6.9 billion in federal grants to fire departments, state fire training academies, and nonaffiliated EMS organizations. This class walks through the funding availability, eligibility requirements, funding priorities, and competition. Members of fire departments interested in preparing competitive applications for federal funding of equipment, personal protective equipment, training, vehicles, wellness and fitness, or modifications to facilities should attend.BASIC

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Hoarder Homes: Using Offensive Tactics on Traditionally Defensive FiresTraining Officer Ryan Pennington, Charleston (WV) Fire Department

Compulsive hoarding disorder is a growing problem facing firefighters worldwide. The number of people afflicted with this disorder has been steadily climbing over the past years. Very little research has been done from a fire attack perspective. Traditionally, many firefighters use the mentality of “we won’t go in.” While this can be a solid choice, it is not the only option. Before entering the hoarded environment, we must be able to identify the presence of extreme clutter, adjust for ventilation-limited conditions, and attack with caution. Hoarding fires are not always defensive-only fires. During this updated session, attendees are introduced to the cues and clues that can be found when hoarding is present, are made aware of the ventilation-limited principles caused by hoarding, and are introduced to the use of pathways for search and fire control.ALL LEVELS

Your Personal Protective Equipment: Beginning to EndPast Chief Tim Pillsworth, Winona Lake (NY) Fire Department

Our personal protective equipment (PPE) is our first line, but it cannot be used as our only line of defense as we are called to duty. Most firefighters do not think much of their PPE, but it needs to receive the same attention as our apparatus and tools. This presentation takes attendees through PPE history up to the modern PPE we don today and reviews the basic National Fire Protection Association requirements and tests on PPE all firefighters should be aware of and understand. The class will also review a proven specification and purchasing method for PPE that can be scaled for other fire department purchases, care and maintenance, and how PPE can protect from the negative health effects of the fire environment. ALL LEVELS

Mobile Homes: Small House, Big ChallengeBattalion Chief Joseph Polenzani, Franklin (TN) Fire Department

Manufactured housing accounts for about 10% of the new homes built each year. Learn what makes trailers different from “regular” wood-frame structures and how to safely operate within this challenging environment. Tactics for suppression and ventilation, as well as strategies for operating in high-density mobile home communities, are also presented. Although often overshadowed by larger residences, mobile homes are found in communities of all sizes. In fact, 24% of all mobile homes are in cities with a population of more than two million. In rural areas with long response times, a trailer fire is often a defensive operation. However, in urban or suburban communities, interior fire attacks are feasible, especially in larger double- and triple-wide modular homes. In these structures, ultra-lightweight construction, tight hallways, and unusual floor plans all combine to make an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous environment for firefighters accustomed to operating in site-built houses.ALL LEVELS

EMS Drills for the Engine CompanyTraining Officer Brian Pond, Standish (ME) Fire/EMS

This is a different approach to proficient medical care by first-arriving engine companies at emergency scenes. Students are given methods to increase resourcefulness, thus improving comfort levels on medical emergencies. The focus is on how to challenge your engine company with patient assessment drills, CPR drills, and patient packaging drills. The presentation provides evidence that the more we can challenge the minds of our crews, the more willing they will be to participate on real-life medical emergency calls.ALL LEVELS

The Ups and Downs of Elevators: Emergencies and FamiliarizationOperations Training Captain (Ret.) Michael Posner, Miami‑Dade (FL) Fire Rescue

This class begins with a discussion of the dangers posed by elevators and the importance of having a thorough working knowledge of all facets of elevators. It is an in-depth presentation of the ins and outs of traction and hydraulic elevators as well as all safety features on them (i.e., interlocks, brakes, and restrictors). Case studies are reviewed for lessons learned. Elevator pits, car tops, and machine rooms are discussed as well as phase 1 and phase 2 elevators in fireman service. ALL LEVELS

How to Develop a Just Culture in Your Fire DepartmentResearch Coordinator/Lecturer Shawn Pruchnicki, The Ohio State University

At first examination, firefighters may appear to make choices that in hindsight may either not make sense or might appear to be dangerous. Sometimes, they may be casually noticed while on the fireground or after an incident or an accident. The accident rate in our business is not dramatically getting better because the culture remains pervasive to change. This class, led by an aviation expert and former firefighter, walks you through a more productive way to view these choices from within a just culture so that you will become more proactive in dealing with problems facing your department.ALL LEVELS

The 2018 Company Officer: Are You Up for the Challenge?Deputy Chief Steve Prziborowski, Santa Clara County (CA) Fire Department

Updated for 2018 with some key events that have happened since the last FDIC, this session will help future/current company officers and chief officers focus on the important things they need to do to set themselves up for success. Regardless of what your department calls a company officer (lieutenant, captain) or some other term, going from “one of the guys or gals” to the role of the designated adult is not easy, especially if you want to be an excellent, top-notch fire officer. For some, going from firefighter to company officer is the hardest transition in the fire service. Areas covered include key nuggets for success, establishing expectations, building confidence and respect, what to expect as a company officer, and lessons learned from around the country.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSWeekly Skill Drills: A Training Template for Fireground SuccessChief Forest Reeder, Tinley Park (IL) Fire Department

Can you improve your fireground success by training on a single topic or skill? This back-to-basics training program provides simple-to-use templates and subjects to help you develop a year-long calendar of skills that can enhance and become the backbone of your training program. These skill drills have been featured on the Firefighter Close Calls and fireengineering.com Web sites for more than a decade and have proven to be effective in passing along and reinforcing basic skills, one at a time. All levels of job descriptions, from firefighter to chief officer, can use this concept. The class features examples of every job skill level. Attendees will receive access to hundreds of completed drills and can build their own templates for presenting them in their departments. Come see how to improve skill retention and your department’s effectiveness on the fireground.ALL LEVELS

Culture, Cancer, and Firefighting PPE in 2018Lieutenant Jim Reidy, San Antonio (TX) Fire Department

This class provides an overview of cancer-causing carcinogen contamination of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) and firefighters. It provides discussion and up-to-date data on realistic protection expectations. It explains, identifies, and justifies the increasing risks of cancer that firefighers face, along with established proven strategies and practices for reducing contamination. It starts with a recap of how firefighter PPE works and the protection it renders to firefighters. It evolves into a discussion of the chemicals and carcinogens generated as by-products of the fire. Routes of contamination are presented along with current data on justification. The hood interface and its unintended effect on contamination along with new products and updating of National Fire Protection Association standards are included.ALL LEVELS

Fireground Communications: From Size-Up to MaydayCaptain Jaime Reyes, Plano (TX) Fire Rescue

Having reliable communications on the fireground is critical to the safety of all firefighters on scene. Dependable communications start when your shift starts. It begins with the daily check of your radio and progresses throughout the shift. This presentation addresses all aspects of fireground communications—everything from knowing the capabilities and limitations of your department’s radio system to understanding each person’s role in achieving reliable fireground communications and getting dispatch involved in your training. This presentation introduces skills that can immediately improve communications as well as provides a plan for developing and implementing a communications model for your department. How should fire departments handle the Mayday? One channel or two? The class explores different options and shows how radio programming could help departments make that decision.ALL LEVELS

Air-Supported Structure EmergenciesLieutenant Stephen Rhine, Fire Department of New York

Air-supported structures have been becoming more prevalent from large cities to rural areas. These structures are one-third less the cost of conventional brick and mortar construction and are cheaper to maintain. This class presents and discusses the history of this type of structure, case studies, written codes, building construction, preplanning strategies, research studies, hazards, and proper techniques for operating in an inflated or deflated air-supported structure. Tactics for mass-casualty incidents and fires within the structure are also covered.ALL LEVELS

Leading Expert, or Leader of Experts? Running a High-Performance TeamAllan Rice, City Administrator, Hoover, Alabama

The fire service has shifted from a skilled trade to a high-stakes profession that attracts people with substantial inner drive and a commitment to excellence. As beneficial as this is, it also brings challenges when shaping the efforts of this newer breed of firefighters. It is easy to lead a group with one or two star performers and a supporting cast; the real challenge is in coordinating the energy of several high-impact people. This presentation focuses on the leadership skills necessary to manage a group of high-performance individuals; the personality type and psychology behind today’s firefighters; the collaborative and confrontational aspects of their makeup; and the most effective ways to corral their energy into a cohesive, focused effort. ALL LEVELS

Thermal Imaging Training: Does Your Program Measure Up?Major/Division Chief of Training & Safety Mike Richardson, St. Matthews (KY) Fire Department

Here’s how firefighters can develop an effective thermal imaging training program. The class covers applicable National Fire Protection Association standards for thermal imaging; key components of an effective thermal imaging training program; thermal imaging technology, features, and concepts; potential sources of key resources for use in the program; and measurement methods for determining program success. Students are given an overview of how to build a successful program and an opportunity to discuss what is or is not working in their current programs.ALL LEVELS

Size-Up for Small Commercial StructuresBattalion Chief (Ret.) Katherine Ridenhour, Aurora (CO) Fire Department

Fighting fire in a commercial occupancy is different from fighting fire in a single-family dwelling. Whether you are the incident commander, the first-due officer, or a firefighter, you need to understand the differences in construction, fire behavior, and resource needs. Size-up basics and common issues inherent to these types of commercial buildings are reviewed as are the size-up factors you may not be familiar with and the risk vs. benefit considerations for small commercial occupancies. Learn to combat these fires safely by understanding the size-up factors you need to know prior to deciding your strategy and tactics. ALL LEVELS

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Flashover: Case Study of a Near Miss During Vent-Enter-Isolate-SearchCaptain Jonathan Rigolo, Virginia Beach (VA) Fire Department

This flashover occurred at a rapidly advancing dwelling fire. Conditions at this dwelling fire changed, and the signs of a pending flashover were not easily seen during vent-enter-isolate-search. Transitional attack, bailout, situational awareness, and firefighter physical fitness are among the topics covered. This class is designed for all levels of firefighters and has important take-away points that firefighters can use every day. ALL LEVELS

Firefighting Done Right: The Combat Ready WayCaptain Richard Riley, Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Prince George’s County, MD

This class discusses the presence and effects of complacency in the fire service and how and why we must combat it. Tips on the readiness of attitude and equipment are offered for the engine and truck company, rapid intervention team, and incident commander. Many factors have served to increase complacency in today’s firefighters. A complacent attitude is the first step in a tragic calamity of errors that results in a fire extending beyond where it should have been controlled or preventable civilian or firefighter injuries and deaths. Firefighting is a “team sport” where we all count on each other to be ready when the moment comes. Firefighters often think that they are “ready.” The scenarios discussed focus on the instructor’s personal experiences at several near-miss fireground incidents and show how the presence or absence of a “combat ready” mindset influenced the outcome.ALL LEVELS

Overcoming Common Engine Company Mistakes and Fireground ProblemsFirefighter Jason Rivera, New Haven (CT) Fire Department

A look at the most common mistakes and problems the instructor has experienced and seen on the fireground in his 24 years in the fire service. A distinction is made between a mistake and a problem. A mistake is a human error typically caused by a lack of experience or training, lack of familiarity, or by rushing in the heat of the moment. A problem is an unforeseen issue that must be overcome on the fireground. A good firefighter or fire officer always has a plan B in mind. Discussion includes the most common mistakes firefighters make on the fireground, the most common problems encountered, and ways to overcome them. The presentation wraps up with a question-and-answer session.ALL LEVELS

The Engine Company’s Guide to Winning: Stretching for SuccessLieutenant Steve Robertson, Columbus (OH) Division of Fire

What puts out fires? It’s still water. This class is about engine company priorities and tactics. Topics covered are selecting and placing the first handline in service properly (a priority); apparatus placement, line selection, matching the proper nozzle to the proper line, and line placement. Overcoming difficult stretches, vertical stretches, and short-staffed stretching are also covered. In this ever-evolving modern fire environment, special emphasis must be on selecting and placing the first line correctly. We must put ourselves in a position to stretch for success.ALL LEVELS

The Battalion Chief: Operations, Policy, and VoicesBattalion Chief Erich Roden, Milwaukee (WI) Fire Department

The battalion chief, or a field chief officer, is the first-line administrative officer position in a fire department. While many focus on common leadership principles and practices in this position, those who become capable managers end up being viewed as leaders. This class discusses the difference between leadership and management in the field; realistic fireground and firehouse management; and navigating and administering department policy among myriad voices you will find in the battalion.ALL LEVELS

The First Five Minutes: Size-Up, Initial Incident Action Planning, and Effective Fireground CommunicationsAssistant Chief Charles Ryan, Fairfax County (VA) Fire & Rescue

This presentation first engages attendees in a multimedia review of the 13 key elements of effective scene size-up. Although fire incidents form the basis of the comparison, they apply to a much broader spectrum of hazards. The audience identifies hazards seen in photos and videos.The next segment brings a quick review of the human decision-making process, which then flows into a discussion of how the company officer and first-arriving chief officer can structure their thoughts quickly to formulate an initial incident action plan that is easily understood, easily communicated, and effective. The final portion of the discussion is a review of effective communication practices, emphasizing the criticality of brevity and detail (aka “painting the picture”) in fireground communications.INTERMEDIATE

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSThe Three Degrees of MaydayBattalion Chief (Ret.) John Salka, Fire Department of New York; and Chief (Ret.) Rick Lasky, Lewisville (TX) Fire Department

This program is a discussion about three categories or situations that firefighters can find themselves in that could result in a Mayday operation. Not every Mayday is the same; and as a result, not every rapid intervention team (RIT) operation will be the same. Rapid intervention teams need to prepare for various urgent and dangerous situations of increasing difficulty. A single firefighter lost in a house fire may be handled adequately by a four-person RIT with little other assistance. A three-person engine company crew that experiences a loss of water or a sudden flashover will require a larger and more robust RIT operation along with additional logistical support. The collapse of a burning building that traps six firefighters in a two-story burning pile of debris will require an even more complex response. Learn how you can prepare your firefighters to handle any Mayday situation with confidence.ALL LEVELS

Extrication Zone: Large Trucks/Trailers/Buses/Cable BarriersLieutenant Randy Schmitz, Calgary (Alberta, Canada) Fire Department

This class covers large truck and trailer incident response (big truck anatomy, arrival, setup procedures and hazard control, sustained stabilization, patient access, overcoming height, side wall openings, roof operations, disentanglement, patient removal, and scene termination considerations); bus extrication (response issues and social media, command, triage applications, construction and anatomy, metal relocation procedures, entrance and egress, and patient removal); livestock trailer incident response (dealing with livestock, tailer construction, metal relocation, containment options, and euthanasia); and high-tension cable barrier systems (function and purpose, design and construction, emergency response, disentanglement, and cutting the cable).ALL LEVELS

Engine Company First Strike: MCIParamedic Captain Justin Schorr, San Francisco (CA) Fire Department

We know that the first five minutes dictate the next five hours at a multiple-casualty incident (MCI). Forget the tarps, tags, and bags, and let’s focus on the first company rapidly gathering information, counting the wounded, and relaying the information to incoming units. The actions of the first-arriving unit are crucial in determining conditions, hazards, and the overall scope of the incident. Learn simple techniques for rapidly deploying a triage team at any level of the incident to ensure maximum information gathering; successfully designing drills that mimic a real MCI event; and focusing on the company-level tasks that must be completed, focusing on engine company-specific staffing, roles, and expectations.ALL LEVELS

Establishing an Aggressive Search CultureLieutenant Grant Schwalbe, Estero (FL) Fire Rescue

Approximately 95% of civilian fire deaths occur in the residential setting. This should be our bread and butter. Yet many departments are plagued with a passive search culture because of poor standard operating guidelines, overcautious safety concerns, and poor training. This class makes a case that our goal should be to complete a primary search of all structures within the first 10 minutes. Through case studies, class discussion, and videos, this course covers search skills, executing the search; and victim removal. ALL LEVELS

Aerial Operations 101 and Training Tips for the Truck CrewDistrict Chief (Ret.) Louis Sclafani, Pinellas Park (FL) Fire Department

The class features a review of the types of aerials available today: ladders, platforms, tractor-drawn aerials, and water towers. Not all types of aerials operate the same, and there are differences between brands of the same type. The class will review some of the most common misunderstood concepts of aerial operations: tip loads vs. distributed load, stabilization issues, override and emergency lowering procedures. In addition, 10-minute training drills students can take home to practice with their crews and with their truck will be introduced. These drills emphasize teamwork and operator skills.ALL LEVELS

Fire Service Mortar: The Critical Role of the Company OfficerCaptain Jarrod Sergi, Norfolk (VA) Fire Rescue

This course provides the essential tools to lead from the front as a company officer and build an effective group of performers. It targets newly promoted company officers as well as those who may assume the role in the future; it will benefit anyone who has the desire to make changes and take ownership at the company level. Values-driven leadership is stressed. Key concepts discussed are preparation, credibility, training, team building, values, conflict resolution, and time management. This class is meant to inspire action and produce results in your company, your station, and your department. You will obtain the tools today to make immediate change tomorrow!ALL LEVELS

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Urban Conflagrations in the Wildland InterfaceEngineer (Ret.) Paul Shapiro, Las Vegas (NV) Fire Department

The anchor and hold tactics in the wildland urban interface are a water delivery evolution that requires an engine company or companies to establish a sustained water supply, most likely from a hydrant, and deliver fire streams to achieve a quick knockdown on structures and vegetation. This class analyzes the anchor and hold operations in detail to show how they can have a safe and effective outcome. The presentation explains the concept and the equipment needed for a successful operation. The following topics are covered: safety, establishing the water supply from hydrants and tenders, proper hose evolution to include large-diameter hose relay and pumping with manifolds, fire stream management to include high-flow handlines and master streams, hose retrieval, and the water management officer.ALL LEVELS

Suburban Fire Tactics from the Right SeatChief Jim Silvernail, Kirkwood (MO) Fire Department

This class identifies the fireground factors that affect decision making and creates challenges through a variety of situations. These scenarios include challenges at residential structure fires, rescue profiling, mode determination, multifamily structures, and commercial occupancies. In addition to the scenarios, the participants will be presented with circumstances unique to the suburban setting, such as staffing constraints, limited resources, and response area challenges. Company officers will then be tasked to implement actions based on safety, effectiveness, and efficiency. The program will thoroughly describe the elements of an accurate scene size-up and depict critical components of situational awareness and future event anticipation. INTERMEDIATE

Solar Energy and the Fire ServicePast Chief and Regional Emergency Management Training Chairperson Jeff Simpson, Central Virginia All Hazards Incident Management Team

This class is designed to shift the paradigm in thinking toward a more proactive strategic approach to managing highly complex and dangerous solar energy emergencies not routinely faced by everyday emergency response personnel. Many hidden dangers such as hazmat battery storage units and excessive building construction weight are supplemented with the addition of solar energy systems. This course provides the answers needed to be more effective in dealing with these dangers. ALL LEVELS

Putting the “Company” in Company DrillsChief Drew Smith, Prospect Heights (IL) Fire District

Company drills are a crucial function in any department. Current Instructor I courses teach delivery of a lesson with a lesson plan someone else prepared. Most company drills are not lessons but a segment of a lesson, a specific skill or evolution, or isolated knowledge that then enables a larger operation. Company drills conducted by a single company officer with a few company members need a simple plan. That plan should address the who, what, where, when, why, and how of using a SMART objective or two. Doing this makes a company drill meaningful, useful, beneficial, and productive. It’s all in the preparation and delivery and less about being a subject matter expert.ALL LEVELS

Department of Defense (DoD) Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Certification Program Town HallJohn P. Smith III, Program Manager, DoD F&ES Training and Certification

The DoD F&ES Certification Program is hosting a Town Hall including several specialized presentations. The intent of the event is to educate DoD F&ES training chiefs, officers, and trainers on the intricacies of the DoD program. Additionally, presentations from the Service Component Training Chiefs will discuss special interest items. The presentations also provide an opportunity for users of the program to voice their opinions and concerns as well as recommendations for improvement. The target audience for this Town Hall is DoD F&ES personnel already in attendance at FDIC International but is not limited to DoD personnel. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about the DoD’s program is welcome to attend.ALL LEVELS

Professional Credentialing: Roadmap to Your FutureDeputy Director Debbie Sobotka, Center for Public Safety Excellence

Are you looking for that next promotion but you don’t know how to get there? Through the fire officer credentialing self-assessment process, you will be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop your road map to the future. This class helps you to identify your strengths and weakness in preparation for developing a strategy for your professional development.ALL LEVELS

Fighting Fire in Sprinklered BuildingsMichael Spaziani, Assistant Vice President‑Manager Fire Service Programs, FM Global

Automatic sprinklers are an important line of defense when fighting a fire. Yet, even with sprinklers, fires can still burn out of control, causing excessive damage. This class increases attendees’ understanding of how automatic sprinklers work and guides them in developing a sound preincident plan that will improve the effectiveness of firefighters operating at protected properties.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSReality in Virtual Reality: Training for the FuturePaul Speight, Leicestershire (England) Fire and Rescue Service

You will embark on a virtual journey through the fire service, led by Leicestershire (England) Fire and Rescue Service, in partnership with RiVR, to see what they have achieved over the past three years and how they did it.  You will be looking ahead to the training environments of the not-so-distant future that were created and designed through virtual and augmented reality and the methods and practices of these two forward-thinking organizations. You will also be looking at how virtual reality is set to change the way humans learn!ALL LEVELS

The Impact of Using Interior and Exterior StreamsResearch Engineer Keith Stakes, Underwriters Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute

The UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute has just completed a project on the impact of using interior and exterior fire streams on firefighter safety and occupant survival. This class discusses the tactical considerations involved and describes the cold flow experiments conducted to determine how the type of hose stream and its method of application moves air within a structure given various ventilation openings and interior vs. exterior deployment. Flow experiments were conducted to determine water distribution within compartments based on the type of tactic chosen, and a series of live-fire experiments were conducted to determine the interaction of the hose streams with the modern fire environment and the potential impact on firefighter safety and occupant survival. This first of its kind study is fully discussed.ALL LEVELS

Tactical TIC Usage for Fireground EffectivenessCaptain Andrew Starnes, Charlotte (NC) Fire Department

In the world of high heat release rate fuels and ever-evolving lightweight construction with increasing amounts of synthetic components, fire growth is happening at an exponential rate. With the thermal protective performance of turnout gear at such high levels and zero-visibility, ventilation-limited conditions, firefighters do not have the luxury of relying on feeling the heat as an indicator of severity. Nor can they clearly see the indicators of rapid fire progression (signs of rollover, flashover, and so on) as they were shown in the training environment where ventilation was controlled. Therefore, the thermal perspective, or the ability to see heat and the location and severity of the fire, has never been more critical. The focus is on assimilating thermal data into the company officer’s strategies and tactics to allow them to enhance their fundamentals and be more effective on the fireground. Common tasks will now be completed with marksman efficiency because of the understanding of the thermal severity. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

SCBA Bootcamp: A Firefighter’s Survival SchoolChief Trevor Steedman, Palm Beach Shores (FL) Fire Department

Instructors from the United States and Canada have combined their best practices of contemporary air management with the “Lost Art of SCBA Survival Techniques.” This course encompasses a variety of principles and practices for use by all experience levels of firefighters. Fire does not discriminate; it will kill an unprepared firefighter in an instant. The SCBA “Continuum of Survival” taught in this program illustrates the training needs of firefighters and provides multiple skills, maximizing the potential to keep them alive! Students are challenged, through a series of intense, real-world practical drills, to evaluate their personal capabilities and limitations with SCBAs while practicing good air management techniques and learning the “Lost Art of SCBA Survival Techniques!” INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

FDNY Black SundayFirefighter Eugene Stolowski, Fire Department of New York

A presentation of the events of January 23, 2005, in the Bronx, New York, in which six firefighters were trapped and forced to jump out of a four-story tenement.The instructor, one of those firefighters, gives a step-by-step description of the operations that day and what led up to this tragic event. ALL LEVELS

Respiratory Protection Programs: A 2018 NFPA Standards UpdateBattalion Chief Hugh Stott, West Chicago (IL) Fire District

The emphasis is on a respiratory protection program that should be of interest to attendees of all experience levels. This program is of critical value and will protect the interests and safety of firefighters, limit the liability of the departments, protect the investment in self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and involve all members in the safety value of a sound respiratory protection program. The class will review historical incidents involving SCBA, discuss federal and state regulations, outline updated National Fire Protection Association standards, and offer some practices attendees can use. All attendees will come away with a flash drive that includes checklists, contacts, and a PDF version of the presentation. The class is especially valuable to those who want to evaluate their current respiratory program or develop a new effective respiratory protection program.ALL LEVELS

Danger! Hazards at Highway OperationsDirector of Training Jack Sullivan, Responder Safety Institute

Distracted, drowsy, drunk, drugged, and disgruntled drivers are striking firefighters and emergency vehicles at roadway incidents with increasing frequency. We can’t change their “D” behavior, but we can change how we protect our personnel. All firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are exposed to moving traffic on almost every emergency run. Roads and highways are the most common immediately dangerous area of operation, and it is critical that personnel safeguard themselves during roadway operations. This session offers easy-to-implement strategies for safe roadway incident scene management. Participants will walk away with the essential steps and actions every fire department should be taking to protect their personnel from being struck on the roadway.ALL LEVELS

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Tactics in the Fire Service: The International PerspectiveAssociate Professor/Crew Commander Stefan Svensson, Lund University, Sweden

Access to what is going on in the international fire service community has grown over the years. We see videos from all over the world daily, and the amount of international literature has grown over the years. Comparing fire services from around the world, one can say that there are more similarities than differences. However, for a fair comparison, there are still some differences in culture, training, tactics, building construction, and a few other areas that we should be aware of and understand. The class addresses some of these areas, discusses differences, and provides a deeper understanding of why these differences exist. The objective is to provide attendees with knowledge for developing the fire service based on international perspectives.INTERMEDIATE

Saw TimeCaptain Seth Taylor, Lewisville (TX) Fire Department

This class takes attendees through all things associated with fire service saws. Learn industry best practices when it comes to proper maintenance of these expensive tools. Discussion includes the pros and cons of saw and blade combinations and proper safe application when working on the fireground, including proper breaking in; morning checks; troubleshooting; and starting procedures that help gain longevity in the life of the saw. Video shows techniques in saw applications when performing ventilation and forcible entry on the fireground, as well as when specialty cutting. In addition, you will leave with information on how to start and maintain a saw program in your department.ALL LEVELS

Fire Department Safety: The New ViewCaptain/Safety Officer (Ret.) Michael Teague, Sacramento Metropolitan (CA) Fire District

The program looks at two views of safety and work and provides attendees with information to move their department to the newer view. The discussion covers human error, organizational learning, and safety culture. Over the past two decades, safety science has progressed from this “bad apple theory” to a new view of safety. In the new view, safety is not an outcome to be managed but more of a capability to be nurtured. The new view understands that many catastrophic events occur when normal people are doing normal work in a normal organization. Operators in safety critical operations are forced to work in a dynamic environment where the margins of safety are constantly changing. Safety is defined as the presence of positive capacities to make things go right. Safety is guided by insight and context. ALL LEVELS

Building Collapse: First DueFirefighter (Ret.) John Tew, Fire Department of New York

The focus is on responding to, operating at, and returning from a building collapse incident. This interactive class will enable attendees to share their company policies and procedures. Audiovisuals augment the discussion. Attendees are guided in how to develop policies and procedures, including accomplishing tasks with minimal personnel and equipment, that will work best for their departments.ALL LEVELS

Learning from Others’ ExperiencesFire Training Instructor David Traiforos, NIPSTA Training Academy, Glenview, IL

This class focuses on viewing dramatic videos and photos depicting moments captured on the fireground that illustrate how firefighters’ aggressive actions can lead to danger and interfere with the task at hand, leaving firefighters at risk for injury or death. Scene command, accountability, incident safety, department polices and procedures, standard operating procedures, vehicle placement and operations, hoseline placement, the use of portable ground ladders, company officer development, building construction, water supply, search and rescue, firefighter Maydays, and strategy and tactics are among the topics addressed. ALL LEVELS

The Impact of Smoke in Large Structure FiresChief (Ret.) Mario Trevino, Las Vegas (NV) Fire Department

Large structure fires occur every year across the United States and around the world. In response to past disasters and life loss, the fire service has made many improvements in technology, strategy, tactics, and firefighter safety. However, despite these changes, dozens of firefighters still find themselves in low-air or no-air emergencies and unable to safely exit the immediately dangerous to life or health environment. Firefighters still die every year in incidents like this. Many past incidents can be used to illustrate the circumstances leading up to these deadly situations. The recent high-rise fire in London (June, 2017) is only the most visible example. Some of these incidents are presented and analyzed from the perspective of what attendees need to know to avoid these hazards. Also, safety and building protection technologies that help ensure responder safety are discussed.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSTraining Firefighters to Avoid Social Media NightmaresDeputy Chief Curt Varone, Exeter (RI) Fire Department

Social media has been a blessing and a curse for the fire service. The challenge of getting firefighters to understand the boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable online conduct without violating their rights remains. This class discusses how to draw the line within the limits of the law and how best to train firefighters on where the boundaries are. No topic in the fire service creates the potential for public relations nightmares and disciplinary disasters as social media. Career, volunteer, and combination departments have all been impacted. Almost without exception, the firefighters involved were oblivious to the potential repercussions of their postings. Well-intentioned admonishments to “use common sense” must be replaced with concrete guidance. This program focuses on how to train firefighters to avoid social media nightmares. Cases from the past three years are used to explain the basic concepts with an emphasis on how to simplify the training points.INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Step Up and LeadDeputy Chief Frank Viscuso, Kearny (NJ) Fire Department

Officers and fire service leaders are introduced to some of the most important skills necessary for leaders in today’s fire service. Those skills include goal setting, mentoring, succession planning, critiquing others, delegating, preventing freelancing, technical report writing, tackling administrative tasks, dealing with subordinate issues, conducting a post-incident analysis, building morale, and the reasons it’s important to Step Up and Lead in the fire station as well as on the fireground. The class ends with a discussion on creating the right culture within your organization, with emphasis on customer service.ALL LEVELS

Street Fire Science: Fun Fire Dynamics, Tactical Curves, and Firefighting OperationsChief Benjamin Walker, Ignis Global Fire Rescue

An entertaining look at fire behavior and how scientific approaches can be applied on the fireground for maximum effect. This is a fully interactive session with fun fire science experiments using everyday household items. This year—exclusive to FDIC International—the instructor introduces the “tactical curves” model of selecting appropriate tactics for maximum effect and firefighting success. Using a host of everyday items, fire science experiments are carried out in the classroom, supported with video footage from actual incidents, and attendees get to apply their own department’s resources to a simulated exercise using the “tactical curves” model to select tactics.ALL LEVELS

Three Similar Basement Fires, Three Dissimilar ResultsAssistant Chief‑Operations Allen Walls, Colerain Township (OH) Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services

The Colerain Township (OH) Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services has responded to three similar basement fires in 13 years that have had dissimilar results. On March 21, 2003, units responded to the report of a structure fire and suffered a close call when a lieutenant and a firefighter fell into the basement. On April 4, 2008, units responded to a similar basement fire and suffered a double line-of-duty death. A subsequent investigation and internal report produced key recommendations for preventing similar occurrences in the future. On November 19, 2016, units responded to a basement fire that had a successful outcome because the department had adopted and applied recommendations from the fatality report “Investigation Analysis of the Squirrelsnest Lane Firefighter Line-of-Duty Deaths.” The focus is on what went wrong in the first two incidents and the actions taken by the department that provided a successful conclusion for the third fire.ALL LEVELS

Intelligently Aggressive Truck FunctionsDivision Chief Jimm Walsh, Winter Park (FL) Fire Department

Many people associate the term “aggressive” with unsafe, particularly when it comes to truck company functions. The fireground can be made safer through the intelligent execution of truck functions. This presentation stresses the importance of intelligently aggressive truck functions and their positive impact on fireground safety. As a result of limited staffing situations, we must improve our efficiency on the fireground. Aggressive truck functions applied in an intelligent manner will allow everyone to work in a safer and more efficient manner. This presentation expands on and gives valuable insight into the understanding of aggressive, yet safe, truck company skills. Class participants obtain valuable tips on how to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their truck functions and gain a better understanding of the necessity of truck functions on every fire. Most importantly, participants will understand how intelligent aggressive truck functions can create a safer fireground.ALL LEVELS

Tough Firefighters Need Help SometimesFirefighter (Ret.) John Walters, Fire Department of New York

The message of this class is, Tough guys and girls sometimes do need help, and it’s time we all came to that realization. Attendees share in real-life experiences and how the use of counseling affected the firefighters, their families, and the firefighters’ ability to do their job. The focus is on the importance of having a counseling program within the department or in the local region and the positive effects such a program has on the members and the department. There is a question-and-answer period.ALL LEVELS

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Developing High-Performance TeamsChief of Emergency Operations Brian Ward, Georgia Pacific‑Madison, GA

This program explores the methods of developing high-performance teams such as Seal Team 6 that rescued two Americans held hostage in Somalia. This team trained for upwards of 18 months for scenarios that might not ever have occurred, but they had to be prepared to adapt to any situation. This same philosophy can be applied in the firehouse through behavior modeling and applying the overlearning theory of not performing just until we get it right but to the point where we cannot get it wrong. Team building, leveraging strengths, and developing weaknesses are discussed. This presentation is for the individual who considers mastery the minimum standard for team development.ALL LEVELS

RV Fires: The Hidden Dangers for FirefightersCaptain/Training Coordinator Mark Watters, Sunrise (FL) Fire Rescue

RV industry sales records are being broken every year, with 2016 shipments climbing to 430,961 units. Baby boomers account for most of these sales. In the past, the average fire department had a low chance of running this type of fire in its district. Now, with more recreational vehicles on the road, your likelihood of encountering this complicated fire is much higher. Have you thought about what dangers lie behind the classy exterior walls? Is your fire department prepared to handle the tactical requirements this type of vehicle presents? This class raises awareness of the systems these recreational vehicles present firefighters. Among the topics discussed are how the vehicle is made, electronics, refrigeration systems, waste disposal, National Fire Protection Association 1192, tactics, and how to prepare to mitigate possible hazardous materials that may be involved.ALL LEVELS

Rural Fire Officer: Leading Your Agency to SuccessFirst Vice President Devon Wells, International Society of Fire Service Instructors

Being a rural fire officer comes with unique requirements for leadership and knowledge, skills, and abilities pertinent to running your volunteer or combination department. This presentation focuses on the leadership needs and differing strategies and tactics needed by small, combination departments. Is your organization’s philosophy designed to achieve the results you need? Are you able to execute actions that gain the results you intend? For your agency to know what is expected, where you are going, and how you should act, you need to establish an organizational philosophy. Otherwise, the agency will lack direction. Establishing an organizational philosophy and applying national programs to small-scale departments are discussed. ALL LEVELS

Buddy to Boss: Learning to Lead with Integrity and RespectFire/EMS Captain II (Station Commander) Tiffanye Wesley, Arlington County (VA) Fire Department

This class addresses the needs of anyone who is new to managing and supervising others or has a goal to one day become a manager/supervisor. The techniques are powerful and interactive and give a foundation for overcoming the many challenges that often arise in this new position. Buddy to boss goes beyond your everyday technical duties of fighting fires and saving lives. The objective is to shift the mental focus from team player to supervisor. Attendees are shown how to make the necessary changes effectively and successfully. The ultimate goal is to walk away with the respect of your subordinates. Attendees will walk away with powerful tools to add to their toolbox to effectively deal with managing friends. The powerful tools are in the form of real life scenarios you can take back to each prospective work group. The scenarios will cause you to dig deeper in your thought processes and ponder, What would I do or what is the right thing to do?ALL LEVELS

Large Truck ExtricationBattalion Chief Steve White, Fishers (IN) Fire Department

This class emphasizes that rescuers should not take a passenger vehicle approach to a large truck extrication. Students gain a working knowledge of large truck construction including air, electrical, and suspension systems. Options are discussed for using electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic tools to stabilize, gain access, and perform disentanglement from semi tractors, large straight trucks, and cars trapped under trailers.INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Training Tips: Presentation Skills to Enhance LearningAssistant Chief of Training and Prevention Becki White, Eden Prairie (MN) Fire Department

A poorly crafted presentation or weak presentation skills can ruin the presenter’s credibility and affect the participant’s ability to retain the information that has been presented, which means students will not be able to access the information in emergency situations. This course provides a solid base of knowledge that will give participants more confidence the next time they have to develop and deliver a presentation. Topics covered include audience needs based on learning styles and brain research; how to use new and traditional instructional methods to enhance retention, including which visual elements to use and which to avoid; and how to effectively deliver a message that makes a lasting impression. This presentation goes beyond pointing out bad examples; it dives into why making those changes benefits the retention rate of those in the audience.ALL LEVELS

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CLASSROOM SESSIONSHow to Manage a Fire Department FleetLieutenant (Ret.) Michael Wilbur, Fire Department of New York

This presentation focuses on fleet management strategies and apparatus acquisition. New apparatus purchases vs. apparatus refurbishment vs. buying used apparatus is reviewed. Consideration is given to the ever-evolving national standards. The following topics are also covered: positives and negatives of competitive bidding, requests for proposals, leasing or lease purchasing, buying off of the H.G.A.C. state contract, and tag-on orders. The role of short-term needs is assessed in conjunction with fleet replacement, long-term planning, and fleet management. A common sense approach is coupled with everyday experience when discussing fleet management planning.ALL LEVELS

Flashover Life and Death Decisions on the FiregroundLieutenant Bryan Winzer, Fire Department of New York

Flashover causes injuries and in many cases the deaths of firefighters. The devastating scars left behind after a flashover last a lifetime—not only the physical scars but the mental ones as well. This class presents two case studies of incidents where flashover occurred. In one incident, a firefighter was severely burned while battling a private-dwelling fire. In the other incident, one firefighter was severely burned while fighting a fire in a garden apartment, and his partner later succumbed to injuries. This class provides an in-depth look at both of the incidents: the firefighting operations and the outcomes.ALL LEVELS

How We Can Save the Volunteer Fire ServiceCaptain Erik Wood, Shawnee County (KS) Fire District #2

Volunteer fire departments provide a crucial service to millions of Americans. But, the volunteer fire service is slowly dying. It is experiencing many difficult challenges: lack of membership, lack of leadership, and the lack of a road forward to provide excellent public safety services in an ever-changing environment. This class provides resources and a mindset to foster cultural change, increase membership, provide effective leadership, and move forward. Understanding how to get and keep members and increasing the participation of current members through solid leadership are key elements in saving the volunteer fire service.ALL LEVELS

SCBA/Breathing Air Maintenance ProgramCaptain, SCBA Program Coordinator Scott Zelhart, Fishers (IN) Fire Department

This class outlines the pros and cons of in-house self-contained breathing apparatus program management. The topics covered are the break-even point to do this within the department and what it takes to be successful. The discussions include an overview of a program, what it takes to get into business, and how to maintain the service level. Attendees are given information that helps them determine if they are truly committed to implementing such a program or whether contemplating doing so is a passing fad for their department.ALL LEVELS

Top 20 Tactical Considerations from Firefighter ResearchResearch Engineer Robin Zevotek, Underwriters Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute

Over the past several years, the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Firefighter Safety Research Institute has been working with the fire service to examine fire dynamics and firefighting tactics. More than two hundred experiments have examined the changes in the fire environment over time, the impact of ventilating ventilation-limited fires, and the implications of flow control and effectiveness in suppression tactics. These experiments were conducted with firefighters from across the country from departments of different types with varying levels of staffing, resources, and operating procedures. The UL studies have produced tactical considerations that have become common themes over several studies that may change the way you view your standard operating guidelines. This year’s Top 20 includes considerations from the latest positive pressure attack and fire attack studies.ALL LEVELS

What About the Victim? Using Fire Research for Victim SurvivabilityResearch Engineer Robin Zevotek, Underwriters Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute

This class reviews the considerations for search and rescue that can be gained from the latest firefighter research. More than 84% of the fatal home fire injuries occur in one- or two-family dwellings. Statistics such as this underscore the need for search and rescue to be a major incident priority during residential fires. Research over the past 10 years has shown occupants now have less than three minutes to escape the room of origin and only slightly longer for the structure as a whole. Survivability in structure fires is a complex topic. A combination of thermal exposure, toxic gas exposure, limited oxygen, and irritant gas exposure make it difficult to determine the chance of fatalities in given spaces. Over the past five years, the Underwriters Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute has conducted research on firefighting tactics in residential structures. During those experiments, data were acquired on thermal exposure, toxic gas exposure, and oxygen limits. These data can be used to evaluate victim survivability. ALL LEVELS

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