MAFFC 2026
H.O.T. Class Schedule

Have you ever had the person stuck in an elevator call and the doors just seemed to not want to open? This class will not only go over types of tools needed, but also how the doors function so that you understand what has to happen for the door mechanism to disengage. We will go over different elevator types and how the cars operate. Then, we will build rescue systems and do hands on rescues from an 8th floor elevator shaft. A victim will have to be removed from the elevator car utilizing a Paratech Elevator Kit and Arizona Vortex with rope rescue equipment. This scenario will be ran for every student to get the opportunity to be on the rope and perform the rescue of the victim.  After taking this class, you will gain some real-world tips and tricks on how to get into even the most stubborn elevator cars. Rope Technician is not required but is helpful.

Brian is with the Sandy Springs Fire Department and has over 25 years in the Fire Service. The last ten years have been spent in Sandy Springs, and he is currently a FAE on Squad 52. Squad 52 is the Technical Rescue for the city and has a high-rise district that provides numerous elevator rescue calls. Brian is a State of Georgia Adjunct Instructor for Technical Rescue Classes at the State Fire Academy and has taught multiple Rope and Swiftwater rescue classes in the Metro Atlanta area. After experiencing different types of elevator cars in Sandy Springs, Brian has built a class to share the knowledge learned with these cars and incorporating rope rescue in the elevator shaft that may have to happen to remove occupants. 

The course will provide necessary information to responders to safely free a passenger from elevator entrapments which occur in elevators of various types and will provide the means to utilize elevators for firefighting operations from a minimum staffing approach.  This class includes:

Awareness content  (Class room) - 

•        Elevator Introduction and overview

•        Elevator history, elevator types (Hydraulic and Traction), elevator components (doors, safety mechanisms, lock out tag out), equipment room overview, lock out tag out, safety considerations, etc.

•        Elevator manufacturer emergency response recommendations

•        Emergency response Phase 1 and Phase 2

•        Elevator use in firefighting operations

•        Review of current ASME guide A17.1 & ASME guide A17.4

•        Elevator entrapment emergency special considerations

Operations & Technician content (walk through and hands on) - 

•        Elevator car overview

•        Elevator equipment room overview (Traction & Hydraulic)

•        Elevator manufacturer emergency response recommendations/procedures 

•        Phase 1 and Phase 2 fire operations

•        Elevator door entry (manual operations)

•        Control room operations

•        Lock out / Tag out

•        Entrapment mitigation scenarios involving ambulatory and non-ambulatory occupant removalThe Elevator Emergency operations course covers a comprehensive awareness and operations level for personnel responding to elevator emergencies and fire ground elevator operations at highrise emergencies.  This will consist of both class room and operational portions to include:

Classroom - Elevator Introduction and overview Elevator history, elevator types (Hydraulic and Traction), elevator components (doors, safety mechanisms, lock out tag out), equipment room overview, lock out tag out, etc Elevator manufacturer emergency response recommendations Emergency response Phase 1 and Phase 2 - Fire Ground ops and Rescue ops Emergency rescue operations - review of ASME guide A17.4-2015 Special considerations

Walk through - Elevator car overview to include control room overview Elevator manufacturer emergency response recommendations/procedures Phase 1 and Phase 2 hands on fire operations, hydraulic and traction elevator overview to include lock out/tag out.

Jason R. Jones is a Battalion Chief on Battalion 2 serving with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, Cobb CO. Ga.  A 30-year veteran of the fire service, he teaches a variety of areas with focuses in; high-rise firefighting operations, elevator rescue operations, hazardous materials response, and truck company operations.  He instructs nationally and internationally on various high-rise firefighting operations.  He holds an associate’s degree in fire science and a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health.  He is a veteran having served in the United States Airforce.  

We’re taking the old-school “Through the Lock” mindset and cranking it up for today’s fireground. If you ride the truck, you know the deal: access is everything—and smashing isn’t always the answer.

In this class, we’ll break down every door system you’ll face, from basic residential to high- security commercial setups. You’ll learn:

🔥 Size-Up Like a Pro – Read the door, the lock, and the situation before you commit 

🔥 Functional Behavior – Know how it works so you can make it work for you

🔥 Respectful Entry – Get in clean when the job demands it

We’re bringing real-world props, cutting-edge tools, and street-smart techniques so you can train like you fight. When you walk out, you’ll have:

• Advanced truck skills

• Confidence under pressure

• The ability to make entry without making a mess

Truck work is about options. This class gives you more. Bring your gloves. Bring your grit. Let’s get to work.

Brian brings more than 30 years of fire service experience, beginning his career in California before relocating to Seattle. He served 28 years with the Seattle Fire Department, he was a Truckman and A/O with the last 11 years as the A/O on Ladder 11. With over 25 years as an instructor, Brian specializes in Truck Company Operations with a focus on vertical ventilation, forcible entry, and ladder work. He began his instructional career with Firetown Training Specialists and now serves as a Lead Instructor with Brass Shamrock Training.

Matt began his fire service career in 2006 with King County Fire District 2 (Burien, WA). He currently serves as the department’s lead for Ladder Truck Operations, specializing in ventilation, access, and truckcompany decisionmaking. Since 2013, he has been an instructor with the Regional South King County Truck Academy, focusing on vertical ventilation, forcible entry, and lock bypass/passive entry. In 2024, Matt joined the Brass Shamrock Training cadre and now teaches truck operations nationally.

The Grab Factory is a dynamic class based on students skill/experience level. There will be a refresher on residential primary search both through a door or window with removal techniques for both. We will cover truck functions that go along with primary search(ladders, forcible entry, etc) and then go straight into scenarios for the duration of the class.

Tyler Whitfield is a Fire Lieutenant with over 12 years in the fire service. Currently work for Clearwater Fire Rescue in Florida and assigned to E49 B shift. I am a member of the Pinellas County Technical Rescue Team, Fire Instructor for the department and our county TRT Program. Have experience teaching at NCFFC(Ocala, FL), MAFFC(Atlanta, GA), LIFT(Baton Rouge, LA), March Mayhem Fire Conference(Boise, ID), Ft Lauderdale Fire Expo(Ft. Lauderdale, FL), and Orlando Fire Conference(Orlando, FL).

This intensive, data driven training course will emphasize the importance of developing a strong and successful search mindset focusing on the why not just the how. Participants will engage in 8 hours of hands-on, real-world search training, focusing on practical scenarios. There will be no searching in empty rooms or wide-open spaces. Instead, the class will simulate real-life conditions in a building designed to mimic a lived-in structure, complete with furniture and clutter.

Key topics will include search mindset, the split vs. oriented search method, victim removal, VEIS, searching with a can, and handling hoarder conditions. Scenarios will be conducted under fire and smoke conditions to create realistic and challenging environments for students.

Captain, Douglas County Fire – 19 years in the fire service.
Member of DCFD’s training cadre, instructing both recruits and field personnel. Focuses on realistic, scenario-driven training that sharpens fundamentals, decision-making under pressure, and crew accountability during operations.

Real world forcible, passive, and respectful entry.  This 8 Hour hands on class will challenge students conventional mindset and tactics for gaining entry into locked buildings.  Conventional irons work is the tried and true option, but many times entry can made into building faster with the use of passive and respectful entry techniques.  Additionally so of these tactics can prove to be ideal during automatic fire alarms or service calls.  

During the 8 hours of hands on training, the class will be broken down into two sections; conventional irons work, and then passive & respectful entry techniques.  Students will have the opportunity to perform conventional irons work, hinge removal, through the lock skills, commercial store front lock bypass, padlock bypass, defeat security pins, overcome commercial magnetic locks, bypass hotel latches and more.

PPE required will be helmet, glove & eye protection. (full structural PPE recommended)

DYLAN BRIGGS is a Captain with the Morrisville (NC) Fire/Rescue Department where he is currently assigned to Rescue Company 21. He is also a member of the Northwest Harnett Vol. Fire Department.  Dylan is a lover of the fire service and prides himself on being a student of the craft.  He is and NC Fire Instructor Level-3, SPRAT Instructor, serves as a Fire Academy Instructor, as well as national speaker at many fire conferences.  Dylan is also the Owner and Operator of GSF Training & Equipment Solutions.  In addition, Dylan has a passion for firefighter mental/physical wellness; since 2018 Dylan has been a member of the North Carolina Peer Support Team (NCPS) where he currently serves as the Central Regional Coordinator.  Dylan is also an instructor for FRCE (First Responder Center for Excellence).  In his time away from the firehouse Dylan enjoys spending time with his wife Carla and daughter Kensley.

The number of midrise and highrise buildings continues to sprawl into areas as growth drives demand.  Many fire departments are now faced with responding to incidents in these buildings, warehouses that are increasing in size, as well as legacy buildings already in place.   This course will provide hose package options, operational considerations, and evolutions to build a foundation for your department's response resources.

Firefighter for 28 years, assigned as an Engine Lieutenant and HAZMAT Training Officer. Actively teaches HAZMAT, Leadership, and training development classes around the country. David sits on NFPA 1020 Fire Officer/Fire Instructor, was on NFPA's working group on responding to fires in modern warehouses, and the US FIre Administrator's Advisory Committee on Lithium Ion Batteries. In addition, is Past President of the Georgia State Firefighters Association, State Director for National Volunteer Fire Council, and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Firefighters Pension Fund .

Saving Your Own FAST

This course takes firefighter rescue training to the next level. There is a strong likelihood that a firefighter working on the interior will need to initiate—and ideally complete—the rescue of a downed colleague. To ensure a quick and successful rescue, we will present a systematic approach to both conventional and unconventional rescue techniques.

The training will focus on key skills, including:  
- Conducting a rapid assessment  
- Performing various drags and carries  
- Safely navigating stairs, and more  

These techniques will prepare firefighters to effectively transition a rescue from an interior crew member to an interception point, where specialized tools like the FAST Board can be utilized. This session will also provide an introduction to Basic FAST Board Operations (BFBO), further enhancing your ability to manage firefighter rescues in real-time.

Eric is the creator of the FAST Board and Co-founder of FAST Rescue Solutions, LLC. Eric began his career in firefighting in the United States Navy. In 1996, after an honorable discharge, he joined the Philadelphia Fire Department. In 2004 Eric joined Philadelphia’s Special Operations and was assigned to Squad 47. . Other accomplishments include being a member of PATF 1 as a Rescue Specialist, Technical Search Specialist and Technical Search Manager Specialist. He has also spent many years as a USDoD Contractor (Ret.)

This course provides the students with Engine Company skills and tactics for commercial building fires. This class will cover 2 1/2” hose loads, deployments, advancements and flows. Through the lock and saw work for commercial store front doors, forcible entry for the difficult Charlie side doors, and top side operations.

Daniel Mishler is the Division Chief of Training with the Canon City Area Fire Protection District in Canon City, Colorado.  He has over 18 years in the fire service and has conducted numerous recruit academies, has taught at fire schools and fire conferences nationwide. He is a member of the logistics team for County Fire Tactics and an Instructor with Rural Fire Tactics, multiple community colleges, 719 FOOLS and the FOOLS of Oz.

Designed to address today’s fireground maydays, this program is based directly on statistical data & case studies of near miss or Line of Duty Death incidents in the last 8 years. Our best resource to quickly resolve a MAYDAY incident lies within the companies already operating on the interior. This course presents students with the difficult tactical transition between operating on the fireground to becoming a distressed firefighter’s best chance at survival.

Conor Wright began in the fire service in 2012 as a volunteer firefighter in Leesburg, Virginia. In 2015, Conor began his career in the rural communities of Warren County, Virginia. Appointed to Engine 6 in the Shenandoah Farms neighborhood, eventually becoming the driver of Rescue Engine 4 in the Linden community. In 2019, Conor left the rural environment for the Nation’s Capital. Graduating Recruit Class 389, Conor was appointed to Truck Company No. 17 in the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood. In one of the busiest firehouses in the nation, Conor served 5 years on the side of 17 Truck, before moving to Rescue Squad No. 3 in the Anacostia neighborhood in 2024. Conor is an adjunct instructor in the Recruit Training Division in the District of Columbia, as well as an instructor with GRIT Fire training.

In the modern fire environment, first-arriving crews are increasingly required to do more with less. “Access Under Pressure” is an immersive 8-hour hands-on course designed to develop and sharpen forcible entry tactics under the most demanding conditions—limited staffing, reduced visibility, and high-risk situations.

This class trains firefighters to rapidly gain entry into locked or fortified structures, enabling aggressive fire attack, targeted search, and control of the fire environment. Evolutions emphasize tool selection, mechanical advantage, and movement through zero-visibility environments to simulate real-world stress and obstacles.

Students will be challenged to make quick size-up decisions, force doors in smoke-charged conditions, and work seamlessly with minimal crew resources—all while maintaining situational awareness and driving meaningful fireground outcomes.

Jordan Hempker an 18 year member of the fire service. A background in rural to suburban departments that operates multiple pieces of equipment and would respond if deemed appropriate for the call type. Jordan is a Captain and acts as the shift commander for an organization that protects 127 square miles with 9 firefighters a shift. The dynamic staffing and run district allows for critical decision making and aggressive tactics while providing service to the community.  

Captain Jordan Hempker is an 18-year veteran of the fire service with a broad background spanning rural and suburban operations. He currently serves as a Captain and shift commander for a fire department responsible for protecting 127 square miles, operating with a dynamic crew of 9 firefighters per shift.

Throughout his career, Jordan has worked in departments that utilize a cross-staffing model—responding with the most appropriate apparatus for the call, including engines, ladders, and specialty units. This operational diversity has sharpened his ability to make rapid, informed decisions under pressure and lead crews in executing aggressive, outcome-driven tactics.
Jordan brings a strong instructional focus on adapting engine company operations to meet the real-world challenges of limited staffing, variable resources, and wide-ranging incident types. His approach emphasizes tactical clarity, thoughtful leadership, and building capabilities that truly serve the needs of the community.

Class Description coming soon

Instructor Bio coming soon

Class Description coming soon

Instructor Bio coming soon

This course is designed to maximize the capabilities with the limited staffing operations we are facing across the country. With tool selection, tactics and placement we teach the rescuer to be able to accomplish rapid extrication of any victim they will face. The training and scenarios are based on twenty years of rescue experience and real world application. Students from all levels of experience will be able to take the knowledge learned back to their departments and help save lives.

Chris Kessinger has been a student of the craft for 21 years. Chris serves as the lead instructor and owner of Citizens First Fire Training in addition to the role of training officer/instructor for numerous schools, training facilities, advisory panels and departments. Chris has a deep passion for this job and making sure that the blue-collar traditions of our foundation stay alive and well. As an active member for the Central Ohio F.O.O.L.S. chapter, Chris is able to continually spread those traditions and keep our service headed in the right direction. His passion, that one thing on the job that drives his soul will always be with truck company operations. Be aggressive in the search, aggressive in throwing ladders, aggressive in ventilation but most of all be aggressive in LOVING the job! Those core values are what Chris lives by. Chris is a nobody from nowhere that just loves the job and spreading the passion everywhere he goes. Our citizens are our absolute number 1 priority, anything other than that is simply unacceptable.

It’s 0300 hours. Your crew is deep inside, chasing the seat of the fire. You’re at the panel, focused, calm until that pressure gauge nosedives to zero. The radio erupts with shouts for more water. Do you know what just happened? More importantly, do you know how to fix it before things go bad? The difference between someone who drives the rig and a true Driver/Engineer is the ability to quickly diagnose and solve water supply issues under pressure. This fast-paced, hands-on class is built for firefighters who already understand pump operations and want to level up. You’ll develop a structured, methodical approach to identifying and correcting real-world water supply and pump problems—no guessing, no panic, just performance. After a short briefing, we hit the ground running. Students will cycle through a series of increasingly complex pump scenarios designed to push their critical thinking, speed, and accuracy. By the end, you won’t just be moving levers, you’ll be managing the entire system with confidence, precision, and command presence.

Blake Mattison is passionate about bridging the gap between “driving the truck” and true pump mastery. He has spent years developing and refining hands-on training that pushes firefighters beyond basic pump operations into real-world problem solving. His instruction emphasizes composure, situational awareness, and systematic troubleshooting—skills that separate competent operators from confident engineers.

We’re taking the old-school “Through the Lock” mindset and cranking it up for today’s fireground. If you ride the truck, you know the deal: access is everything—and smashing isn’t always the answer.

In this class, we’ll break down every door system you’ll face, from basic residential to high- security commercial setups. You’ll learn:

🔥 Size-Up Like a Pro – Read the door, the lock, and the situation before you commit 

🔥 Functional Behavior – Know how it works so you can make it work for you

🔥 Respectful Entry – Get in clean when the job demands it

We’re bringing real-world props, cutting-edge tools, and street-smart techniques so you can train like you fight. When you walk out, you’ll have:

• Advanced truck skills

• Confidence under pressure

• The ability to make entry without making a mess

Truck work is about options. This class gives you more. Bring your gloves. Bring your grit. Let’s get to work.

Brian brings more than 30 years of fire service experience, beginning his career in California before relocating to Seattle. He served 28 years with the Seattle Fire Department, he was a Truckman and A/O with the last 11 years as the A/O on Ladder 11. With over 25 years as an instructor, Brian specializes in Truck Company Operations with a focus on vertical ventilation, forcible entry, and ladder work. He began his instructional career with Firetown Training Specialists and now serves as a Lead Instructor with Brass Shamrock Training.

Matt began his fire service career in 2006 with King County Fire District 2 (Burien, WA). He currently serves as the department’s lead for Ladder Truck Operations, specializing in ventilation, access, and truckcompany decisionmaking. Since 2013, he has been an instructor with the Regional South King County Truck Academy, focusing on vertical ventilation, forcible entry, and lock bypass/passive entry. In 2024, Matt joined the Brass Shamrock Training cadre and now teaches truck operations nationally.