MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY  (H-16) Friday 5/17/24

Gracie Landry

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How often does RIT actually make the grab? 11% of the time. How often should you be prepared to get yourself out of a bad situation? EVERY TIME. This class will briefly review and discuss MAYDAY statistics, fatalities, and procedures. The real work is going to be running drills where students must rescue themselves from a bad situation. This class is great for any rank or experience level; you never know when you’ll need to save yourself. 

 

Fundamentals of the first-due nozzleman (H-18)  Friday 5/17/24 and Saturday 5/18/24

Jason Fullmer

On day one of this comprehensive two day course, students will learn grips, flowing while moving, corner management, hose management, water mapping, stair pushes and hose deployment. Two day will incorporate all the skills from day one with added forcible entry components into real world scenarios.

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A Second is a Hell of a long time. (H-23) Saturday 5/18/24 

Barry Jacobs

 

Emergency and Critical Incident operations are dynamic and change rapidly. Incident commanders and individual first responders must be able to recognize rapidly changing conditions in order to adapt their operational performance to the incident scene. As neuroscience catches up with the performance of Olympic and top 1% athletes, more and more research has documented how these athletes are hacking neuroscience research to increase their performance, enhance their situational awareness, improve rapid pattern recognition, and increase critical decision making. Come follow these athletes who have made the impossible look easy. 

 

FIRE CONTROL WITH VEIS (H-21) Saturday PM 5/18/24

Kyle Williams 

 

Fire Control with VEIS and search with limited personnel 

 

RIT Without the Team (H-1) Thursday 5/16/24

Caleb Smith

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Having a dedicated RIT Team on the fireground is a God Send, but not always a guarantee. Maybe the RIT hasn't been assigned, or maybe they haven't arrived on scene, regardless- the MAYDAY drops. One of our own is hurt, lost, or trapped, and there is no RIT coming to get them. This class aims to give students the skills to locate, package, and remove one of our own with equipment most of us carry in our bunker gear.

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The Grab Factory (H-27) Saturday 5/18/24

Tyler Whitfield 

 

“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 a 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!

 

Wrecker Assisted Rescue (H-7) Saturday 5/18/24

Tim O'Connor

 

The number of big rigs driving up and down the interstate continues to increase every year. The general public continues to drive like they are driving a NASCAR on a super speedway, with no regard for other drivers. These two facts have the potential to collide in a substantial way. When they do collide, the destruction is incredible! Heavier vehicles and fast speeds lead to a twisted heap of metal that needs to be stabilized, lifted, and moved to reach the trapped occupant, most commonly found in the small car pinned beneath or between the big rigs. Having a wrecker available to assist in the rescue effort is a game changer! This class will present techniques on how to best utilize a wrecker to perform stabilization, lift and move vehicles, and possibly provide the inch you need to remove the trapped occupant. Traditional techniques for stabilization and extrication will still be a large part of the course, as the wrecker is not on scene immediately, yet we still need to work towards the goal of removal of the victim. Consideration will be given to how the fire department can assist the Tow driver with operations and setup of the wrecker once on scene. When done correctly, having the ability and skill to utilize a wrecker on the scene of an extrication can be the difference between life and death. 

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The Working Engine Company (H-30) Saturday 5/18/24

Dan Mishler

 

The class will break down the major functions of a working engine company. The engine company is the backbone of the American fire service, and in most departments, it is found doing more with less, or doing the work of both the engine and the truck. Whether you are a 2-, 3-, or 4-person engine crew you can be tasked with doing any or all these skills on your next fire. This class will cover most of the major functions on the fireground the first in engine company must be proficient at in order to set the scene up for success.

 

High Angle Rope Rescue: Pickoffs, Skate blocks and Highlines (H-10) Friday 5/17/24

NorthEast Squad Concepts

 

This 8-hour hands-on class focuses on keeping High Angle Rope Rescue as simple as possible without overcomplicating and over-engineering the systems. After a brief overview of the equipment being used, patient packaging, basic lowering and hauling systems, the students will be broken up into several groups depending on class size and rotate through learning stations including Fire Service Rope Rescue Pickoffs, Skate block set up and use and Highline set up and use. The class will wrap up with student-led scenarios that will challenge the thought process and rope skills taught throughout the day. A debrief session will round out the class before students are dismissed. 

 

The Professional Load (H-22) Saturday AM 5/18/24

Zach Bruhn

 

This 4-hour hands on class instructs students on the deployment, stretching and loading of one of the most modernized pre-connect hose loads available. The Professional Load (Pro load) or Metro Load as it is also known, can be utilized for rapid deployment of 1 ¾” and 2 ½” attack lines in both cross and rear hose lay positions. The Professional Load can be modified for 2 ½” and 3” supply or trunk line hose lays, which simplifies deployment of both non-plumbed and pre-plumbed hose bed lays. The class will demonstrate the Pro loads capability to rapidly deploy long attack line lays around obstacles, over obstacles, up stairwells and up ground ladders. Instruction also demonstrates the Pro Load’s ability to do so without the need for stopping to pull or lay addition flakes or sections of hose around said obstacles. In addition, the class will also demonstrate the Pro Load’s aptitude to eliminate the need for estimating the stretch and for creation of interior advancement bends or flakes in attack lines prior to commencing interior operations. The objective is for students to gain the importance of setting up your engine’s attack lines with this progressive hose load which can help crews to eliminate the need for estimating stretches and simplifying hose lays in a multitude of environments. The Pro Load is designed to maximize efficiency and remove wasted movements, such as those created by deployment of triple-lay, flat stack and minuteman loads. The Professional Load has proven to streamline an engine’s ability to get water to the fire as fast as possible. 

 

Making the Grab, Then What? (H-28) Saturday 5/18/24

Jared Robison

 

This class is a physically demanding search class with added patient care after the rescue is performed. By exposing Firefighters to simulations of real-life scenarios and providing training, we can improve patient care and decrease adverse outcomes. Personnel will provide 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.

 

Reported Occupants Trapped (H-5) Friday 5/17/24

Daniel "Chunk" Nelms

 

These words from the dispatcher change it all. The actions of first due companies at a structural fire can make or break an incident. Life safety concerns should always be our priority when first due fire ground tactics are being initiated. Until the structure is searched, there is no certainty that civilians aren’t present. Making split second decisions and performing critical tasks with low staffing could make the difference between life or death. This requires quick actions upon arrival to locate and eventually remove civilians from the structure. When push comes to shove, all the citizen really wants us to do is to save them and their loved ones. There is no room for error; there is only a short window of opportunity to save a life.

In this class, we will cover several skill stations and necessary fire ground functions for a successful operation. Tasks covered include forcible entry, hose line placement to protect the search, VES, aggressive primary search, booster back-up, and searching off the attack line. Participants will rotate through these skill stations, then spend the last part of class putting learned skills to work in real time scenarios under live fire and smoke conditions. 

The point of this course is to have firefighters occupying interior spaces where the highest percentages of victims are found within the first 5 minutes of arrival. This is often done when fire conditions are NOT favorable. Our jobs are dangerous, but that’s what we signed up for. You swore to put your life on the line for someone else, even people you’ve never met. This responsibility belongs to all of us, SO DON’T SCREW IT UP!

Topics Covered:
- Forcible Entry
- Splits Search
- VES
- Victim Removal
- Handline use to protect the search
- Water Can Operations

 

The Can Class (H-20) Saturday AM 5/18/24

Cody Long

 

One of the most under-utilized tools on the rig is the 2-1/2-gallon water extinguisher, aka The Water Can. With the right knowledge and application, firefighters can knock down a pre-flashover fire, reducing risk to victims, and stopping immediate flashover as well. In this class students will become very acquainted with proper filling and application techniques so that the can is ready as well how to set them up for easier carrying. Understanding that crews don't have hose lines, we'll show how to search with the water can in high heat, low visibility conditions. Helping with our mission, we'll go over how to isolate rooms with unconventional means using interior residential doors. Students will conduct live fire operations where they will be able to see what the water can do with actual fire. 

 

Darkside of Ladders (H-26) Saturday 5/18/24

OJ Kolodziej 

 

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 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 made the difference for victims for decades. We option from the darkness into 
the light.

 

Truck Work: The Basics and Beyond (H-11) Friday 5/17/24

Chuck Mindel

 

The Basics of truck work to include forcible entry, ladders, and search with reps on each discipline. The latter part of the day will include real life scenarios in live fire.

 

Down and Dirty RIT (H-3) Friday 5/17/24

Christopher Newman 

 

**Description**:
Join Engineer Chris Newman of Cobb County Fire and a team of experienced instructors for an intensive 8-hour session focused on rapid intervention techniques in high-stress scenarios. This hands-on class delves into the essential skills required when faced with the challenging task of rescuing a downed firefighter, especially in situations where the firefighter has no SCBA or mask on. Using the tools and techniques provided in a RIT bag, participants will actively learn the intricacies of packaging and extricating the firefighter safely, all while maintaining effective communication within the crew.

**Who should attend?**
Firefighters of all experience levels who wish to enhance their decision-making abilities in high-stakes situations. 

**What will you learn?**
- Techniques to safely package a firefighter without SCBA or mask.
- Effective utilization of a RIT bag.
- Crucial communication strategies in chaotic environments.
- Decision-making under pressure, based on real-life incidents.

**Key Takeaways**:
This class isn't just another training session. It's grounded in the real-life incident involving Firefighter Steve Solomon in Atlanta, providing participants with tangible insights into the importance of preparation, communication, and rapid decision-making in emergency settings.

 

Left Seat Tips and Tactics (H-4) Friday 5/17/24

Nick Peppard

 

Left Seat Tips and Tactics 
There is no doubt that the Engineer(driver/operator) is one of the most critical jobs in any fire company. This class is a fast-paced look at effective, time-tested techniques, tricks of the trade and tips for Engineers. This class will review tactical considerations on a variety of incidents uniquely from the perspective of the Engineer. The wide variety of incidents a fire company responds to requires the Engineer to be always on his/her game. The HOT class will impart several, real-world quick tips and will provide valuable practical training in areas such as booster back-up, relay, tandem and dual pumping operations, as well as diagnosing and correcting common (and some not-so-common) problems that Engineers may encounter on scene. Left Seat Tips and Tactics is geared towards current, newly promoted, and step-up engineers, as well as those firefighters seeking to promote and company officers looking to provide quality company level training to their crew. (Class Length: 8 or 16 hours) 
 

Aggressive Fireground Survival (H-14) Friday 5/17/24

Tyler Prater / Justin Yanosick of Take the Door Training

 

This class will test the abilities of experienced firefighters with realistic, high-stress, and physically demanding scenarios. Students will work in small groups rotated through multiple stations which include partner- and self-rescue, working in the flow path, civilian search and rescue, and other common fire ground tasks. Surviving the modern fire ground requires grit and initiative. Are you ready to challenge yourself? 
 

Saving you own "FAST" (H-24) Saturday 5/18/24

Eric Allen

 

This presentation is the next level in Rescue. It is highly likely that a firefighter working on the interior will start, and 
hopefully complete, the rescue of a downed firefighter. We will go over a systematic approach to some conventional
(and not-so-conventional) techniques to increase the chances of a quick and successful rescue. These will include 
techniques for:
- How to do a rapid assessment 
- Various drags and carries 
- Movements up and down stairs, and much more
These techniques will set up the transition of rescue by an interior crew member to the interception point where an HRD 
like the FAST Board comes into play. This session will then lead to the Basic FAST Board Operations (BFBO) training 
module (above). The instructor-to-student ratio is 10:1. Each student will receive a certificate of completion. 

 

Developing Tactical Performance (H-2) Thursday 5/16/24

Ric Jorge

 

Developing Tactical Performance (DTP):
This is a class designed to focus on thought processing, reaction, arousal control, and retention. Utilizing techniques developed by the sporting industry, adapted to the military and law enforcement agencies these techniques have been adapted specifically for the fire service. The class irons for 24 hrs. consecutively. Students should come PREPARED as if they are going on shift (pack as if you are going to a new station for a 24 hr shift). Bring FULL PPE, change of clothes, plenty of socks and undergarments, medications, and any special needs that you may have, leave your wubby at home you won’t be sleeping. The effects of the class will be felt into the next day. Do not make plans for 48 hour after the start of this class. It is recommended to pre-hydrate and get plenty of rest the day before class. Be prepared to go through technological withdrawal. The use of phones/computers/inspector gadget watches, etc. will be strongly regulated if not eliminated. In case of emergency a central contact number will be provided by the facility hosting the class and passed along to the students who may then pass it along to their significant others (family/wife/kids/etc.). This will be the only way to reach the student in case of emergency or urgency.

 

The First Line Engine OPS through MV Fire (H-13) Friday 5/17/24

Kevin Pfluger

 

The most decisive event at a fire is the initial process of deploying, charging, and advancing
“The First Line” to the heart of the fire. 

Our goal is to facilitate Engine companies’ proficiency in those crucial first moments through the understanding of modern fire environment data, Tactics with a civilian first “For Them” mindset. 

We believe for an effective attack to take place, the fundamental skills of deploying, charging and flowing the “The First Line” to the heart of the fire is one of the most captious events at a fire. 

We PUSH to facilitate Engine company proficiency in those crucial first moments through the understanding of modern fire environment data & Tactics with a civilian first “For Them” mindset. 

We MUST be efficient in our fundamental skills of deploying, charging and flowing the “The First Line” to the heart of the fire. 
We owe it to THEM! Now, Let’s Go! 

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Critical Thinking VES and Search (H-19) Thursday 5/16/24 and Friday 5/17/24

Kevin Hamilton

 

This class will expand on the need for critical thinking on the fireground. What happens when this best laid plan does not work or becomes ineffective? This will be a 16-hour class and a must attend both days to get the complete training. Day 1 will start with a lecture by Chief David Rhodes on Size-up for Search. Followed by teaching stations on ladder deployment and movement, Vent Enter Search / Elevated Search, and Breaching and Forcing Entry. Day 2 will be scenarios with live fire and smoke. Please bring in service PPE with SCBA for Structural Fire Fighting.

 

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Mayday Readiness (H-12) Friday 5/17/24 

Richard Williams

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This is a high intensity class that will test your limits through firefighter rescues, self-rescues, and situational awareness. The class will consist of Pt/ calisthenics, a 2-mile jog, followed by 4 hours of teaching stations in the am and 4 hours of real life scenarios in the afternoon. This class in designed to push you to the next level and test you will to survive. Students will learn FF packaging, Denver drill, Wall breaching, Firefighter up and down stairs, and the Nance Drill. 

 

Maximize your Extrication (H-17) Friday 5/17/24

Chris Kessinger

 

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.

 

Truck Ops 2.0 (H-25) Saturday 5/18/24

Chris Shore/Justin Mitchell

 

Are you a truckie or aspiring truckie looking to step things up? Ever wished you had some of that old school truck guy magic to get in somewhere? Are you still doing conga line searches because the TIC gives you feeling of a caveman trying to figure out how to make fire? Ready to expand your VEIS game beyond the threshold of the window? Do you want to fly the friendly skies from the tip of an aerial? Just how confident are you in your ability to fight fire with a water can?

Truck Ops 2.0 focuses on truck-centric skills and tasks that are a step beyond basics. Forcible entry is much more than smashing a Halligan with a flat head axe. We’ll cover non-destructive means of getting around locks as well as having some saw therapy to make sure you have a plan B when that won’t work. Oriented search with a TIC gives students the opportunity to learn how to best utilize a thermal imaging camera to ensure rapid, thorough, complete searches occur without the need for a hose line. Advanced VEIS provides attendees the skillset to expand the search beyond the initial point of entry and learn to clear larger areas of a structure in a more efficient timeframe. In the aerial portion of the class, firefighters will learn to operate from an aerial device. The station covers flying the aerial from the ground, working from the tip, as well as safely climbing on and off the aerial at height. Can confidence is just that; learning to squeeze all the use you can from a water can while better understanding its limitations. 

 

Thermal Imaging Tactics (H-15) Friday 5/17/24

SFD Instructor Cadre

 

Tactical thermal imaging has been taught by the Smyrna Fire training Cadre for many years. The class has been updated for 2019 with new instructors, curriculum, and cameras from Scott, Bullard, Avon, and Flir. The objectives that instructors will cover will include 360 size up, oriented search tactics, VEIS operations and operating in hostile environments. All objectives will be conducted under live fire conditions. The instructor cadre includes members ranging from the rank of Firefighter to Battalion Chief. They have trained locally, regionally, and nationally and bring over 100 years of combined experience.

Fundamentals of the first-due nozzleman

Jason Fullmer

 

Fundamentals of the first-due nozzleman.
On day one of this comprehensive two-day course, students will learn grips, flowing while moving, corner management, hose management, water mapping, stair pushes and hose deployment. Two days will incorporate all the skills from day one with added forcible entry components into real world scenarios. 

 

Man vs. Machine (H-6) Friday 5/17/24

Ryan Gates

 

In this course students will rotate though various skill stations with experienced instructors to prepare them for real world scenarios firefighters and EMS professionals face every day. From stuck wedding bands to small machinery entrapments, this course will give participants a solid base of both tool knowledge and patient care considerations to better respond to those interesting and sometimes difficult calls.

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Thermal Imaging: The Operational Environment - "The Intricacies" (H-29) Thursday 5/16/24

Chris Corso

 

THE PURPOSE:

Throughout a fire’s progression, the operational environment can change drastically, and conditions could be misread unless firefighters fully comprehend anticipated fire development in enclosure fires. Failure to diagnose the differences in enclosures based on size and its contents in addition to other critical fire ground factors can lead to responder injuries and fatalities. More importantly, fire service professionals’ comprehension and synthesis of all components affecting the behavior of fire within an enclosure are crucial to succeed at their primary mission of saving lives. Structure Fires are not the only imperilments that firefighters may encounter during their tour of duty. Hazardous Materials Incidents, Electrical Emergencies, Motor Vehicle Accidents as well as many other engagements pose a significant danger to the victim(s) and firefighters if every variable is not swiftly and comprehensively abated during the execution of tactics to achieve strategic goals.

What if there was a device that could offer rescuers a tactical advantage to carry out the mission? This device has been utilized for numerous years in many industries around the world. Specifically, there is one industry whose objectives have been transposed into the fire service in that efficiency and effectiveness are vital for hazard alleviation to reduce the threat to human life. Armed forces use this device in different forms for various applications that delivers a substantial tactical advantage over the enemy. Members are afforded comprehensive training in many practices ensuring optimal readiness, as combat situations can turn lethal in seconds. Their primary mission is saving lives as is ours. This device is the Thermal Imager (TI).

The Fire Service Thermal Imager is the most versatile tool on our apparatus and when this device is competently utilized it can significantly enhance our capabilities during hazardous operations. Deeper exploration reveals that the complexities which contribute to its versatility bring about a sense of apprehension that consequently enables it to be frequently misused and often misunderstood, leading to it often being forgotten. So why are there only embers found when seeking appropriate training for this device?

THE MISSION:

The inclusive mission of this segmented course is to afford all fire service members within any rank compendious classroom education and hands-on training to gain confidence and competency regarding the TI’s operation, use, and limitations. Its vision focuses on elemental principles for the development of aptitudes that permit optimal use of equipment, procedures, and crew members during hostile situations in addition to methods necessary for efficient and effective TI operations that positively influence fire ground activities. The plan of instruction has been created to assure the attainment of knowledge and abilities to a degree of accuracy that will meet and exceed the standards established for the participant’s scope of practice.

LESSON SUMMARY:

The objective of, “The Intricacies” (Segment One), is to enrich firefighters’ knowledge of the TI by providing enhanced training and education on the scientific principles, technical operations, use, limitations, functions, modes, and image interpretation/misinterpretations. 

A Practical Demonstration will allow the involved to evaluate various manufacturer TI for identification of intricacies, categorization for its intended use, recognition of image misinterpretations, and measure the applicability of each device’s functionality for hostile firefighting situations. 

Practical Evolutions will provide insight into techniques for recognition of fire dynamics within enclosures, proper usage of the device for initial/ongoing exterior and interior size-up as well as suitable Crew Resource Management procedures and communication. Participants will separate into pairs and will demonstrate skills during three separate training sections. A. “Enclosure Fire Dynamics” (***LIVE FIRE***) 
B. “Reconstructing the Size-Up” C. Evolving the Fundamentals” (***HOT/COLD SMOKE***).

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Flashover Simulator (H-31) Friday 5/17/24 AM  (H-32) Friday 5/17/24 PM  (H-33) Saturday 5/18/24 AM  (H-34) Saturday 5/18/24 PM

Keith Pertschi

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Firefighters are able to observe the immanent 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.

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Topside Vent, From Basic to Advanced (H-8) Friday 5/17/24

Zachary Brown, Christopher Pence

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This class will reiterate the basics of topside ventilation such as ventilation size up, flat roof ventilation, and pitched roof ventilation. As well as cover more advanced methods for steep roofs that require venting off a roof ladder or from an aerial.