
HOT CLASSES

2023 Approved H.O.T. Classes
#MAFFC2023 will be held May 17-20, headquartered in Marietta, GA. The classroom sessions will be located at the newly renovated Cobb County Fire Safety Training Center off Valor Drive. H.O.T. Classes will be located throughout the Metro Atlanta area.
Thursday (5/18/2023):
Developing High Performance- Ric Jorge (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
24 Hour class with a focus on mental resilience
VES For Success- Zachary Brown (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
This class was designed for the citizens. It will give you the knowledge and abilities to VES at and above grade quickly and efficiently. It will cover ladder throws, including many you may not have seen before. Victim drags and removal from windows. Plus an afternoon of realistic scenarios that will test your skills in live smoke conditions.
The Dark Side of Ladders - Magic City Truck Academy (Thursday and Friday)
Magic City Truck Academy believes that the American public has been let down by the publishers and administrators who have led the fire service away from the full capacity of ladder operations. In The Dark Side of Ladders, we start with simple ground ladder basics, and then we show students how to elevate their ladder game to its maximum potential. In addition to just throwing ladders, we work on climbing them and making transitions on and off of all manner of roof types with tools, saws, and other ladders. We coach success and build confidence and competence, then we delve into scaling, splicing, and aerial work. Techniques and problem-solving lessons are put to use in a series of final scenarios that increase in complexity, stress, and duration.
These are not show-off skills, taught for shock-value; they are proven ladder operations that have made the difference for victims for decades. We aim to bring these options from the darkness into the light.
Dominating The Pin In- Theron Woody
A dynamic extrication class covering the basics of extrication all the way up to advanced techniques and equipment.
Down and Dirty Forcible Entry - RJ James
Forcible entry tools and tactics have been around for ages. The need for keeping up with the ever-so-changing game of forcing our way through things on the street is changing fast, and we have to be prepared. This interactive, forcible entry program is designed to teach the firefighter no matter the level of experience the main, basic and advanced principles of street-smart forcible entry. This program focuses on new and older, but safe, street approved methods and techniques for conventional forcible entry tactics. During this time, we will discuss and show techniques for making entry through challenging locks, added security features, steel roll gates and different types of garage doors. Because this class is an interactive class, students will be faced with forcible entry skill stations as well as scenario based training to hone in on the tactics learned in the program in a stress induced environment.
Friday (5/19/2023):
FireFighter Rescue - Eric Allen
Firefighter rescue starts first with members being prepared to save themselves when things go bad. Next firefighters must be prepared to save their partner when they are in need. Then, and only then members must be trained and prepared to save THEM, the people we are sworn to protect. Solving the Firefighter Rescue Paradigm is a powerful reminder that firefighting will always be a dangerous profession. Students will learn firsthand that by being properly trained and prepared they can overcome many of the mental and physical obstacles which lead to death and injury on today's fireground. Using modern statistics, like Chief Don Abbott’s Project Mayday, students will see exactly where firefighter death and injury is statistically predictable and more avoidable with the correct awareness and preparation. Students will first learn how to train for the best chance to save themselves from many of the situations identified in Project Mayday. They will learn how to troubleshoot and escape some of the firefighting pitfalls. They learn that Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) are seldom fast enough and that statistics prove they’ll most likely solve their own MAYDAY event with the preparation and developed skills gained from this class. Once students have learned our self-rescue skills, they’ll learn how to save their partners when in need. Here students will learn necessary skills involving drags, carries and movement of down members. The student will become proficient in moving a down member using DRD, SCBA conversion, Webbing and Multi Loop Rescue Strap (MLRS). This section transitions into the horizontal and vertical movement of victims utilizing various Hasty Rescue Devices like the Stokes Basket, SKED and FAST Rescue Board. Students will become proficient in rescuing members from nationally recognized rescue scenarios such as Denver Drill, Nance Drill and Pittsburgh Drill to name a few. At class end students will participate in combined exercise designed to bring the learned knowledge, skills and abilities into play during a stress induced scenario designed to develop critical thinking and decision making while utilizing effective communications and team building. At day's end the students will participate in a tailboard critique and sharing of thoughts of the day.
Dynamic RIT & Advanced FF Survival Skills - Tony Tricarico
Managing our personnel's mayday's don't necessarily start when we get the bone chilling call for help...Managing the mayday starts with our training. In order to be well trained in how Rapid Intervention Teams deploy, we must first learn the types of incidents that have affected the fire service. Once we understand the backstory of these incidents, we must train to be able to extricate ourselves and our team members from these very situations. This program uses real fire service scenarios, case studies, and personal experiences from the instructors who were a part of real fire service tragedies. This class is very physically demanding, therefore students should be well hydrated, physically and mentally prepared.
Soup to Nuts - Michael Pickett (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
Be The Engineer: Rapid Identification of Water Supply Issues - Adam Hawkins
It’s three o’clock in the morning, the fire is growing and your crew is inside making a push. While you gaze enviously at the flames, that little gauge on the pump panel suddenly hits zero, but it goes unnoticed until the radio begins to crackle with cries for more pressure. Do you know what went wrong? Do you know where to begin figuring out how to correct the problem? Or do you freeze under the pressure?
The true difference between being the guy assigned to drive the fire truck and being a Driver/ Engineer is the ability to quickly resolve pump issues during the stress of an incident. In this fast paced hands-on class, you will develop and refine the skills needed to quickly identify common water supply issues, along with a systematic method of correcting them. This class is intended for firefighters who are already competent pump operators looking to increase their knowledge and abilities. After a short discussion, attendees will jump right into increasingly complex pump scenarios and evolutions, testing their skills and learning new tricks.
Forcing The Door Bro! - Jeffrey Mrwik
Fire ground forcible entry with Through-the-Lock. Getting in is important or nothing gets done. The interior is where we need to be and this class will get you there. Get in this class quickly and we will get you in the door quickly. This class will cover slow speed and comfortable operations in Forcible Entry to build the basics and progress into Fireground Speed Scenarios. Getting Shit Done!
Prioritize The Search - Chris Kessinger (Friday and Saturday) (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
Prioritize the Search is a realistic fire environment that promotes a mission first mentality to decrease civilian fire fatalities and maintain an aggressive mindset. We examine search statistics, forcible entry, search techniques, locating victims and making the grab. You cannot perform adequately if you do not prepare properly. We will spend the first half of the class building foundational knowledge and maximize reps for each student. You could say we are breaking down the basics and growing our abilities. The second half of the class is where the heat will be turned on. Literally. This portion will be real world scenarios that will challenge students to push themselves to their limits. The goal is to provide so much information, reps, skill, and knowledge that when returning to their departments, they can pass on the knowledge to make the difference in decreasing civilian fire fatalities. The whole purpose of our job, right? Students will perform forcible entry, the 10% search and primary searches locating/removing victims in zero visibility conditions. Students will encounter different size victims, different floor surfaces and techniques that will make them successful in each scenario. Only question left to ask. Are you ready to dive in?
Fundamentals of Rapid Intervention - Tyler Suddeth
This course is designed to teach fundamental skills and strategies associated with the rescue of down firefighters. The students will rotate through skill stations followed by scenarios to allow students the opportunity to deploy these skills in a realistic environment.
Truck Work: the basics and beyond - Chuck Mindel (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
The basics of truck work to include forcible entry, ladders, and search with intentions of getting mass reps on each discipline.
Firefighter Rescue and Survival- Richard Williams (Friday)(Live Fire and/or Smoke)
An 8 hour course designed to hone in the skills needed during highly stressful firefighter rescue situations. Training will start with pt., half mile jog and an O-course. During this class you will learn skills used to assist in rescuing a downed firefighter and self extrication. It will consist of teaching stations on the first day followed by scenarios of the combined skills on the second day. Stations will include bail outs, entanglement, FF. packaging, Denver drill, Nance Drill, window to door conversion, and removing a firefighter from a basement.
Advanced Fire Ground Operations – “Setting the Stage for Success” - Michael Hicks (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
The Henry County Fire Rescue is proud to present an 8-hour “Advanced Fire Ground Operations with Live Fire and All Hands Rescue Operations” class. This course is designed from the perspective of engine companies that are typically staffed with minimal personnel. If you want to take a class that will cover multiple techniques and put them into play with live fire, then this is your class. This course will challenge you both mentally and physically throughout the morning training sessions and the afternoon real-time live fire ground drills which will encompass: seat assignments and duties, size-up, V.E.S., forcible entry, hose stretch variations, fire attack techniques, ventilation practices, and search & rescue. All afternoon evolutions will incorporate safe, live fire drills, an active Incident Command system, as well as a designated safety officer. Each section will be taught by veteran members of the fire service with experience in performing in low-staffing response systems. Students will be provided with radios, thermal imagers, flashlights, and several fire apparatus to complete the real time drills.
The Tactical Engine -Nick Peppard ( Friday and Saturday) (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
The Tactical Engine is a down and dirty look at the blue-collar fundamentals of aggressive Engine work. This class will examine effective tactics for first-alarm assignment Engine companies. It will explore efficiently performing essential fireground tasks and will delve into tactical priorities. The class will address Truck work for Engines that don’t have the luxury of properly staffed truck companies arriving in a timely manner. Oftentimes in the non-urban environment, Engine Companies are required to be able to “do it all” and shift gears quickly on the fireground. The fast-paced, HOT class is scenario driven with participants getting practical training in size up, initial strategic and tactical prioritization and decision making, weapon selection, handline management, water supply options, search options, VES, basic forcible entry, ground ladders and outside vent duties. This class is geared toward those looking to maximize the performance of their Engine Company.
The class is built around functioning with two 3-FF Engine Companies arriving on scene in staggered times and having to make tactical decisions based on conditions, size up of needs and limited staffing. Each scenario will be run with 6 students operating at a time. Students will have to size up the situation, address fire attack, search, forcible entry and ventilation with limited personnel available. The class seeks to show the students best practices and options for hitting the fundamental tasks that must be accomplished on most every fire scene.
Advanced TIC; the complete guide to use and application - Jake Bower (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
Participants will learn advanced application for a critical piece of equipment nearly every apparatus has; the TIC. The TIC is often underutilized, misused, or not used for its full potential. We will discuss when and how to use TIC's, limitations, how to use it amongst a team, and some misunderstood features. We will go over the 360, fire attack, search, and VEIS. This will be a live fire class where participants will work in teams to complete tactical objectives.
Flashover Simulator (Friday AM/PM and Saturday AM/PM)-Keith Pertschi (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
Firefighters are able to observe the imminent signs of flashover from a safe vantage point within the flashover simulator. Students will participate in a short classroom session followed by "hands on'' instruction in the flashover simulator.
Critical Thinking VEIS (Fri AM) - Kevin Hamilton
VEIS in its truest form! What happens when you forget to sound floors on your way in a window? Or you can hear screams from a victim but you have spongy floors? That's the question we're going to answer.
Forcible Entry Symposium (Fri PM) - Jonathan Gottfried
Need time cutting metal and forcing doors then this is class for you! We take real world materials that you will find in your immediate area and you get to spend time with it. Forcing entry is an art and we plan on taking you there!
Saturday (5/20/2023):
Truck Ops - Chris Shore (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
Are you an engine guy who wants to unleash the beast with a halligan and force a door? Maybe you're a truckie who feels like your search technique never really evolved past the two man conga line? Ever wondered what it's like to search without having your partner smash your foot into the floor? Does the thought of having to drag out a ground ladder make you wish you had joined the thin blue line instead? We can help. Truck Ops covers first in truck duties including search, forcible entry and ground ladder work. The search portions of the class range from basic search (now with 100% less ankle grinding!), TIC assisted search, oriented man and VEIS. During forcible entry students will perform basic and advanced forcible entry on simulated residential and commercial doors. Ground ladder instruction will focus on one and two person ladder evolutions as well as rig to roof packages, working off ground ladders and victim removal techniques.Take the chance. Come find out how awesome truck life can be.
Defining The Search - Joe Yowler (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
The Defining the Search class is offered as a dynamic class.
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Topics covered include but are not limited too:
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Proven effective search techniques
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Victim removal drags
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Victim removal from windows
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Victim removal down ladders
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What to do after a victim is found?
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Providing a tenable space for victims
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VES Entry/Exit
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Searching with a can
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Going beyond the room of entry
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Converting windows to doors
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Hoarder Conditions
Defining the Search reinforces the mindset of prioritizing search, dispelling any myths associated with common and uncommon search techniques. Students will experience and gain confidence completing searches in realistic scenarios prepared by TFI cadre from past first-hand experiences. Students will gain experience and confidence forcing windows and sashes through the use of TFI VES Window Props. A victim first mentality will constantly be reinforced by all cadre members, the student will learn best/proven practice of victim management from; drags, removal, and after removal from the structure has been
Accomplished.
Force Skool - Herold
First Due Firemanship - Jay Hurley (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
A course designed to hone skills required in the initial stage of an incident. Students will rotate through 5 learning stations that encompass: Engine Company Operations, Search and Rescue, Forcible Entry, Ladders and Firefighter Rescue outside the traditional RIT model. This class is delivered in an 8 hour program and includes live fire scenarios for a realistic training experience
The Grab Factory - Tyler Whitefield
“The Grab Factory” is a primary search driven class that will encompass all facets of truck work prior to and after making a search/grab. While primary search can produce many victims on a single search, having sharp and sound technique is a must! From pulling on scene, sizing up your building, finding or creating the best access, performing the search, then victim removal, just to name a few. This class will be fast paced, skills worked into scenarios-type format. We believe in a need to be the best because at the end of the day no one else is coming, it’s up to us!
The Way of The Nozzle - LaFontant Dorival (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
Class/Lecture instruction on nozzle operations from the Rig to the Door. Basic to advanced nozzle discipline, tactical considerations pre/post deployments, different hose packages and other options. Also included in instruction is door Man operations.
Hook up and Stretch - Micah Raines
High-rise fires are a low-frequency/high-risk call that must be met with the same success as any other fire call. Without proactive training for these types of fires, the results could be disastrous. Realistic fire ground training is necessary to ensure proper training. This active, hands-on training is designed to develop the basics of high-rise firefighting operations and the role of the engine on a high-rise fire. Skills covered include: hooking to the standpipe, moving and flowing water, deploying the high-rise pack, building packs, making your own standpipe, commercial forcible entry, and tactical assignments.
Made the Grab, Now What?-Jared Robison (Live Fire and/or Smoke)
Patient care doesn't end after the victim is rescued. In fact, there are many times when appropriate support for patient care doesn't arrive quickly, at which point the Firefighter must begin performing life saving measures within their scope of practice. This response has a direct impact on patient outcomes and survival rates. By exposing Firefighters to simulations of real-life scenarios and providing training, we can improve patient care and decrease adverse outcomes. Personnel will provide a high level overview of victim locating and removal with a heavy focus on treatment of victims at the fire scene. Following this overview, the Firefighters will begin hands-on scenarios of search and rescue, locating and removing victims, and utilizing medical equipment to treat live victims and mannequins. Firefighters will receive eight hours of CEUs toward recertification hours.