Engine Company Operations

Successfully getting water onto the fire is what saves lives and property more than any other fireground operation. A variety of obstacles can complicate your ability to get water to the fire: long distances, obstacles, building configurations, etc. Your members must have a variety of practiced skills and ideas to get water on the fire, especially in complicated buildings or situations.

This class will consist of 16-hour of street-proven hoseline tips that will help you at your next fire. We will cover a variety of hose-load options and emphasize team-work and problem-solving to overcome these challenges. This 16-hour class will have your members covering distances of up to 600 feet, QUICKLY, using the equipment you already have on your engine.

Topics include:

• Engine Company Riding Assignments
• Setting Up an Efficient & Effective Engine Company
• Capabilities of Hoselines & Nozzles
• Extending Handlines Over Long Distances
• Fire-to-Hydrant and Hydrant-to-Fire Hose Lays
• Standpipe/High-Rise Operations
• Engine Company Teamwork
• Engine Company Strategy & Tactics
• And more...

Truck Company Operations

Truck companies are tasked with a wide number and variety of tasks at a structural fire, all of which are essential to a successful outcome. Yet at many firegrounds there are a limited number of truck companies – or none at all… “Truck work” is about the skills, not the vehicle. Even if you operate with no “ladder truck”, the truck-related tasks still must be performed. This 16-hour class is appropriate for departments with or without aerial apparatus.

This course is designed to provide firefighters with the knowledge and skills to operate as effectively as a possible during ladder company operations. This includes accomplishing multiple tasks, in multiple locations, simultaneously and safely. Firefighters of all experience-levels will benefit because the material is based upon “street-proven” best practices.

• Capabilities of Aerial Apparatus
• Apparatus Positioning & Placement
• The “Two-Team” Ladder Company
• Ladder Company Riding Positions & Assignments
• Basic & Advanced Forcible Entry
• Rooftop & Horizontal Ventilation
• Street-Smart Portable Ladders
• Search & Victim Removal Techniques
• Techniques & Indications for “Vent-Enter-Search”

Initial RIT Operations

This class is designed to be an introduction to modern theories and techniques regarding rapid intervention teams (RIT) at fireground operations. The content of this class is based on collected “best practices” and the real-world experiences of the instructors during actual RIT incidents. At the completion of the class, students will be able to:

• Understand the need for RIT
• Effectively organize personnel and equipment into a RIT
• Conduct “pre-deployment” size-up and safety measures
• Transmit a MAYDAY and recognize when to call one
• Function as a team-member in difficult situations
• Utilize a tag-line and various techniques to locate a downed firefighter
• Utilize various techniques to package and remove a downed firefighter from various situations

Class will consist of 16-hours of instruction, of which approximately four (4) hours are classroom and the remaining twelve (12) hours are “hands-on”. The first two practical sessions are designed to give the students the knowledge and skills that will be required for the final practical session. This last session will consist of several mock “RIT incidents” of increasing difficulty. During these scenarios the students will have to use their existing and newly acquired skills to overcome the situation and rescue the downed firefighter.

Our RIT classes are known for being both emotionally & physically demanding. We challenge our students to put their skills, tools, and knowledge together in ingenious ways. Problem-solving and teamwork are the cornerstones of any RIT operation, and of this class.

Topics Include:

• The Need for Rapid Intervention, Case Studies
• Constructing the RIT Team: Equipment and Personnel Needs
• Pre-Deployment Responsibilities
• Use of Personnel & Equipment during a RIT Deployment
• Locating, Packaging, Removal of the Downed Firefighter
• Overview of “Firefighter Down”, RIT, and Mayday Procedures
• Wall Breaching & Entanglement (depends on structure configuration)
• RIT Construction & Deployment Exercise (Scenario)
• Removal Techniques for the Downed Firefighter
• Creative Practical Scenarios...

Advanced Level Rapid Intervention

This 16-hour class is designed for firefighters with “moderate” level experience in rapid intervention techniques and firefighter survival. The goal is to update the student on issues and techniques related to rapid intervention. The first day is designed to provide the student with some “street-smart” theories and techniques on rapid intervention and to prepare the students for day two. The second day is dedicated entirely to rapid intervention scenarios of increasing difficulty. These are designed to challenge the student’s mind, teamwork, and skills.

To insure that students are successful and prepared for this class, it is recommended that prior to this class, students have “operational-level” RIT training or experience including knowledge of:

• History of & Need for RIT
• RIT-Related Equipment
• Basic RIT deployment skills
• Basic Skills for Moving & Rescuing the Downed Firefighter

During practical exercises there will be a minimum of one instructor for every ten (10) students. Students will work in rotating groups of approximately ten (10) each. Class will include approximately four (4) hours of classroom and twelve (12) hours of practical training. The practical training is designed to occur in an acquired structure to facilitate the creation of challenging, “real-world” scenarios.

Firefighter Self-Survival **NEW CURRICULUM**

This class is designed as an introductory program in firefighter survival and self-rescue. Students will attain knowledge and techniques that will enhance their ability to “self-rescue” in response to a variety of fireground emergency situations. Emphasis will be on recognition and prevention of dangerous situations. Students will have the opportunity to practice a variety of survival and self-rescue techniques under simulated conditions. At the completion of the class, students will be able to:

• Recognize warning signs of various hazardous situations and take preventative measures.
• Utilize built in features of the department’s SCBA as well as additional techniques to overcome air-related emergencies.
• Evacuate untenable conditions using various techniques.
• Take emergency shelter measures.
• Transmit a MAYDAY and recognize when to call one.
• Function as a team-member in difficult situations.

Class will consist of 16-hours of instruction, of which approximately four (4) hours are classroom and the remaining twelve (12) hours are “hands-on”. Classroom discussion will focus on several case studies as well as the recognition and prevention of hazardous situations. During the practical evolutions, students will receive instruction in various “self-rescue” techniques and have ample opportunity to practice those skills.

"Combat Ready" Firefighting

This unique seminar will cover a variety of topics affecting today’s firefighters. We will cover operational issues with an emphasis on real-world firefighting tricks and techniques. Some of the topics discussed will include:

• "Going the Distance" - Extended length attack lines and getting water to the fire, quickly. Discussion on the “how” and the “why” these techniques can improve the operations of any engine company.
• "Hydraulics vs. Halligans" - A discussion on the appropriate use and selection of forcible entry tools, as well as discussion on "street-smart" tool modifications and creations.
• "Tradition & Morale in the Firehouse" - An interactive discussion on firehouse life & morale as well as the mindset of today’s firefighter.
• "Two-Team Trucks" - During the attack phase of a fire, there are many jobs that the truck company must accomplish. We will discuss how to use your resources to accomplish this efficiently and quickly.
• "The Combat-Ready Firefighter" - Getting your mind and equipment "in the zone" to be as effective and efficient as possible.

Fighting Fires in Residential Buildings

For most firefighters, fires in a detached residential building are one of the most common incidents. Still, as routine as these fires may be, often times they do not go as we have planned and trained for. Limited manpower, construction challenges, and other issues present challenges that we must think "out of the box" about before the fire, if we are to be successful. In addition, yearly statistics show that the greatest numbers of injuries and deaths to firefighters occur in these residential dwellings.

This 8-hour interactive discussion will focus on operations and tactics at these incidents. We will focus on "street smart tactics and tips" and apply universal principals that have been proven on the fireground around the country. Our down to earth, experienced and dynamic instructors will deliver "beyond the book" information that will improve your effectiveness, efficiency, and safety on the fire ground.

We will discuss the concerns, tactics, and operations of three unique perspectives:

• Firefighters
• Company Officers
• Chief Officers

Topics to be discussed include:

• Construction Features of Residences: Cape Cod's to McMansion's and the effect of the building on your tactics.
• "Combat-Ready" Firefighting: Preparing yourself and your equipment for efficient, street-smart firefighting.
• Engine & Truck Work at Residential Fires: Positioning, deployment strategy, equipment selection and more.
• Real-World Incident Command: Creating a manageable incident, the “Down-to-Earth” IC, resource assignment, objective based firefighting, and tactical considerations for residential fires.
• Much more...

This program is designed with fireground-tested universal principals that will improve the effectiveness of the modern-day suburban firefighter and fire department. The diverse experience and backgrounds of our instructors and our dynamic presentation style will send you home with fresh, exciting ideas that you can put to work at your next fire.

Command & Company Officer Training / NIMS

After September 11, 2001, the federal government implemented a new National Incident Management System (NIMS). This class will help companies adapt their current incident management system to be compliant. Classes can also include material on setting up an effective command structure, expanding/demobilizing/terminating the incident, etc.

This is designed for both current and aspiring company-level and chief officer. Classes will include presentations from experienced fire department officers as well as "hands-on" scenarios.

Material can also include:

• Basics of Incident Command
• Establishing your "command presence"
• Effective use & supervision of groups and divisions
• Accountability practices
• Transitioning from firefighter to officer to chief