Overwhelmed to Overcoming, Managing First Alarm Overload
In the emergency service, we often respond to a variety of incidents. Some of these situations push us to our limit upon arrival. What do you do when you are overwhelmed by the situation? In this class, we will review a variety of issues that first alarm companies can encounter on arrival or at an escalating incident. On scene video footage will put you into the action where preparation, decision making, determination, and solid firemanship make the difference. Firsthand accounts and information from each situation will enhance learning and give attendees more tools for their toolbox.
Heavy Chiefin’
The challenges for a chief officer take daily twists and turns. Dealing with policy, politics, and people are a far cry from managing an incident. How do you navigate these waters while doing right by your people and the community you serve, all while maintaining some level of self-respect? Carrying this weight (and others) is not for everyone. This classroom session will look at the challenges faced by todays chief officers and how decisions made can significantly influence not only individuals, but the organization we represent and the communities we serve.
Wins, Worries, and War Stories
The Fire Officer is one of the most influential positions on the job. There are ups and downs that have a variety of effects on our crews, our families, and those we serve. How do you prepare for the rollercoaster of good and bad, because they can happen to you? This class will focus on real life situations where choices and actions brought a variety of emotional results. Come get a dose of reality and learn from 30 years of successes and failures.
Fighting Fires in Multiple Dwellings
Fires in multiple dwellings present many issues that cause us to operate differently than we do at our bread-and-butter fires. These occupancies provide a unique set of challenges for the strategic and tactical levels.
Every aspect of the response to these fires should be built around operating with an aggressive mindset at maximum efficiency. Variables like imminent rescues, potential long stretches to upper floors, congested stairwells and hallways, pushes with zero visibility, lack of water supply, and more complicate these incidents.
This class will address the challenges and tactics for fire companies to be successful at fires in multiple dwellings. This class covers sound tactical decision making that will lead to a successful outcome for the occupants. We will present proven methods to combat and simplify the multiple- dwelling fire. Topics include common building construction and features, first due tactics for engine companies, the inside/outside team concept for trucks, water supply options, and the uses of division and group supervisors.
Our tempo on the fire ground must speed up to keep pace with the rapid fire spread, diminishing searchable spaces, and uncertainty of building construction. Engine companies must be proficient at selecting, stretching, and advancing the initial attack line, as well as holding the means of egress for the Truck crews. Truck Companies need to be able to quickly make access to these buildings and search for life and fire. Join us as we take a deep dive into the working fire in multiple dwellings.
Mid2High Rise Operations
Fighting fires in high rise buildings can present several challenges to every fire department. Less frequent than the “bread and butter” incidents we respond to daily, the intricacies presented by these structures and their systems make the event an even greater challenge. Engine and Truck Companies will both face major but different challenges in these buildings. In this program, we will focus on best practices for these companies at High-Rise fires.
We will discuss the support of the sprinkler and standpipe systems, high rise hose packs, nozzle selection, fire flow and best practices for line deployment. We will also look at the search within these large buildings, RIT Operations, and the Incident Command System. A review of several case studies will ensure students leave the class with a better working knowledge of high rise firefighting and the details included in the responses. We will put these skills to work by building, deploying, and flowing our handlines and making connections to building systems, as well as work on searches in the hallways, specific rooms, and elevators. An incident in a private dwelling differs greatly from one in a high rise. More resources are needed, and the event can last for hours. Students will walk away with a better understanding of box alarm card set-ups, arrival assignments, strategy and tactics, and working together to operate in a coordinated fire attack in these high-risk/low frequency events.
MAYDAY: Mitigating and Managing the Most Undesirable Situation
As many communities’ experience growth and change, the opportunity for firefighter emergencies can increase. Several recent LODDs and significant injuries seen across the country make this a well-known fact. Decreased levels of experience at all ranks within our departments contributes to vulnerability. Do we have the preparation, professionalism, and ability to performance in these worst case scenarios?
This class focuses on the mental, physical, and emotional mindset that everyone on the fireground must bring to increase our potential for success. When seconds count and decisions are made, you must rise to the occasion and fill your responsibility, knowing we have to live with the results. If you stay ready you don’t have to get ready!