Course Descriptions

Engine Company Operations, First Due…….No Clue!
Instructor: DC Robert “Butch” Cobb, Jersey City Fire Department

Engine company operations on the fireground sounds simple enough; stretch some lines and aim a stream of water at the fire. This seminar examines the important tactical objectives of the engine company. Successful engine company operations begin with size up, not only for the officer but for all members of the crew. A method of assisting the 1st due engine company utilizing a simple “Information Gathering System” is discussed Are light weight truss construction, energy efficient windows and older buildings “yellow flags” in your size up? Find out why they should be. Correct size up will determine initial tactics and strategy and will set in motion the “incident game plan”. The engine company’s rescue plan will also be discussed. Chief Cobb’s Presentation will take you through the components and skills that make a successful engine company stand out on the fireground.

Rescuing Trapped Fire Fighters: Large Area Search & Search Rope Operations
Instructor: Robert "Butch" Cobb, Jersey City Fire Department - Jersey City, NJ

A recent NFPA Fire Analysis & Research report; Fire Service Fatalities in Structure Fires, indicated that "While the number of structure fires has dropped, the rate of firefighter deaths at structure fires has not". (1978-2000) The leading causes of these traumatic injuries inside buildings were lost inside, structural collapse and fire progress (flashover, back draft). The major cause of injuries and death was lost inside structures and ran out of air!

There's a simple tool available that every fire department should have and know how to use, the search rope. This simple tool can assist in our goal to eliminate, LOST INSIDE! The search rope is not just for the Rapid Intervention Crew but for all firefighters entering a smoke filled burning building. This course lets you experience search rope tactics that can be used by the RIC to rescue lost firefighters or for crews searching for occupants or location of fire.

First learn how to conduct several search operations inside a smoke filled building with and without a thermal imager. Practice search rope tactics; how to expand the search with tag lines; communicate using a knotted rope and searching off the hose line with a rope.

Part two will put you and your crew in command of a search & rescue mission. Experience how to manage the search; all of the "outside" tasks will be covered including, air-time management, search team accountability and managing the command post. The "Stop Watch Method" of tracking several search crews inside a building is discussed and performed.

This program is the complete search and command package for all firefighters and officers. The firefighter death rate in structure fires is rising, Do something about it!

Thermal Imaging and Live-Fire Operations
Instructor: Mark Gregory, FDNY, Ladder Co. 11

This course was developed by the Suffolk County, New York, Fire Academy in response to the needs of departments that have purchased thermal imaging cameras. During this course, students will learn about thermal imaging technology and the operational considerations when using a thermal imaging camera. Hands-on training and practical exercise will be conducted under live fire conditions using thermal imaging cameras provided by several manufacturers. TOG, SCBA, and spare cylinder required. Essentials of Fire Fighting or Fire Fighter I Certification required.

"Aspects of Technical Rescue" - Are You Up For The Challenge?
Instructor: Jack Glass, City of Pittsburgh EMS

During this 8 hour program, students will be physically and mentally challenged by participating in several "actual" hands-on scenarios that involve technical rescue. These scenarios require student familiarity with multiple rescue disciplines including anything from advanced vehicle, advanced rope, confined space or structural collapse rescue situations that may be applied during this program. This "obstacle" and "strategic" filled day is for the rescuer that has training in the following categories: Basic and Advanced Vehicle Rescue, Basic and Advanced Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, and Essentials of Firefighting or Firefighter I Certification. Full turnout gear along with S.C.B.A. with extra air cylinder required per each student. Following the scenarios, the student will have adequate time to critique their performance with other students and the Instructors.

Size-Up - When To Say No! / For Chief Officers - Commanding Bad Incidents!
Instructor: Mike Smith, District of Columbia FD (retired) - Washington, DC

Size-Up: Too many firefighters are killed each year making bad decisions for valid reasons. They are killed performing searches; they are killed advancing hose lines, or the building kills them because of its construction. This class will illustrate when victims will not be found alive, what size lines to use and how to stay out of harms way identifying building construction features as clues. This class is for all firefighters, company officers, and chiefs.

For Chief Officer: When Chiefs arrive on the fire ground they must be able to identify when firefighters and company officers have made bad decisions. What steps are next will be discussed during this class. How to use the NIMS system and case studies will also be used. If you are responsible for firefighters and company officers then come to this class.

Fire Fighter Self-Preservation And Mayday Training
Instructors: Nick Sohyda, Mt. Lebanon Fire Department

Students will be placed in several "real" scenarios where they will be required to take appropriate life-saving actions in both residential and commercial dwellings. Course content will include MAYDAY procedures, orientation, entanglement, emergency SCBA procedures, other potential life-saving skills for the lost and/or disoriented fire fighter.

Advanced Forcible Entry
Instructors: Matt Szpindor, FDNY, 37 Truck

This hands-on training session will provide the student with a variety of forcible entry challenges facing today's fire fighters utilizing the "tools of the trade." Students will utilize a variety of hand, hydraulic and power tools to gain access into buildings through different types of doors, locks, and padlocks. Students will have the opportunity to gain "realistic" experience on numerous doors.

Engine & Truck Operations
Instructors: Capt. Mike Dugan, FDNY, Ladder 123 & Lt. Mike Ciampo, FDNY, Ladder 44.

Students will spend the morning learning and reviewing Engine Company and then putting all of their skills to the test. Students will begin the fire attack, 1st due line, 2nd due above the fire and more! Truck Company Operations will stress all the street-smart skills needed to complete the company's important assignments: forcible entry; primary search on the fire floor and above the fire; and when and where to vent for life. The latest in thermal imaging equipment will be used as a part of the realistic scenarios. All students will need to work together and understand the importance of each other's functions to complete the "job".

RIT Advanced Skills Workshop
Instructors: Lt. James Crawford, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire & Lt. Mike Bates, Providence, R.I., Rescue 1

Rapid Intervention Team training should be realistic and to the point. When a RIT deploys into a burning building for a MAYDAY, each team member will be taxed to the limit, both physically and mentally. This hands-on program will train and evaluate RIT members at performing these RIT duties under realistic conditions. Students will be assembled into teams and "deployed" into a series of obstacle courses where they will encounter numerous problems that must be dealt with as a team. The aggressive "Pittsburgh Drill" obstacle course is designed to force you to work as a team and sharpen your skills. Each team must maneuver the obstacle course to a downed firefighter victim, perform a victim assessment/low profile maneuver, package the victim, and initiate removal. The team must remove the firefighter victim back through the obstacle course to safety. Realistic downed firefighter scenarios will also be incorporated into the program allowing the teams to perform firefighter rescue operations in smoke conditions while letting the students have the opportunity to: use specialized rescue equipment, operate portable radios within the Incident Command System, and work within a team under pressure. All teams will be timed for each competition drill placing pressure on the team. This program is designed for individuals who are proficient with basic firefighter rescue skills and in good physical condition.

Rescuing Trapped Fire Fighters: Large Area Search & Search Rope Operations
Instructor: Robert "Butch" Cobb, Jersey City Fire Department - Jersey City, NJ

A recent NFPA Fire Analysis & Research report; Fire Service Fatalities in Structure Fires, indicated that "While the number of structure fires has dropped, the rate of firefighter deaths at structure fires has not". (1978-2000) The leading causes of these traumatic injuries inside buildings were lost inside, structural collapse and fire progress (flashover, back draft). The major cause of injuries and death was lost inside structures and ran out of air!

There's a simple tool available that every fire department should have and know how to use, the search rope. This simple tool can assist in our goal to eliminate, LOST INSIDE! The search rope is not just for the Rapid Intervention Crew but for all firefighters entering a smoke filled burning building. This course lets you experience search rope tactics that can be used by the RIC to rescue lost firefighters or for crews searching for occupants or location of fire.

First learn how to conduct several search operations inside a smoke filled building with and without a thermal imager. Practice search rope tactics; how to expand the search with tag lines; communicate using a knotted rope and searching off the hose line with a rope.

Part two will put you and your crew in command of a search & rescue mission. Experience how to manage the search; all of the "outside" tasks will be covered including, air-time management, search team accountability and managing the command post. The "Stop Watch Method" of tracking several search crews inside a building is discussed and performed.

This program is the complete search and command package for all firefighters and officers. The firefighter death rate in structure fires is rising, Do something about it!

"Aspects of Technical Rescue" - Are You Up For The Challenge?
Instructor: Jack Glass, City of Pittsburgh EMS

During this 8 hour program, students will be physically and mentally challenged by participating in several "actual" hands-on scenarios that involve technical rescue. These scenarios require student familiarity with multiple rescue disciplines including anything from advanced vehicle, advanced rope, confined space or structural collapse rescue situations that may be applied during this program. This "obstacle" and "strategic" filled day is for the rescuer that has training in the following categories: Basic and Advanced Vehicle Rescue, Basic and Advanced Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, and Essentials of Firefighting or Firefighter I Certification. Full turnout gear along with S.C.B.A. with extra air cylinder required per each student. Following the scenarios, the student will have adequate time to critique their performance with other students and the Instructors.

Thermal Imaging and Live-Fire Operations
Instructor: Mark Gregory, FDNY, Ladder Co. 11

This course was developed by the Suffolk County, New York, Fire Academy in response to the needs of departments that have purchased thermal imaging cameras. During this course, students will learn about thermal imaging technology and the operational considerations when using a thermal imaging camera. Hands-on training and practical exercise will be conducted under live fire conditions using thermal imaging cameras provided by several manufacturers. TOG, SCBA, and spare cylinder required. Essentials of Fire Fighting or Fire Fighter I Certification required.

Fire Fighter Self-Preservation And Mayday Training
Instructors: Nick Sohyda, Mt. Lebanon Fire Department

Students will be placed in several "real" scenarios where they will be required to take appropriate life-saving actions in both residential and commercial dwellings. Course content will include MAYDAY procedures, orientation, entanglement, emergency SCBA procedures, other potential life-saving skills for the lost and/or disoriented fire fighter.

Advanced Forcible Entry
Instructors: Matt Szpindor, FDNY, 37 Truck

This hands-on training session will provide the student with a variety of forcible entry challenges facing today's fire fighters utilizing the "tools of the trade." Students will utilize a variety of hand, hydraulic and power tools to gain access into buildings through different types of doors, locks, and padlocks. Students will have the opportunity to gain "realistic" experience on numerous doors.

Engine & Truck Operations
Instructors: Capt. Mike Dugan, FDNY, Ladder 123 & Lt. Mike Ciampo, FDNY, Ladder 44.

Students will spend the morning learning and reviewing Engine Company and then putting all of their skills to the test. Students will begin the fire attack, 1st due line, 2nd due above the fire and more! Truck Company Operations will stress all the street-smart skills needed to complete the company's important assignments: forcible entry; primary search on the fire floor and above the fire; and when and where to vent for life. The latest in thermal imaging equipment will be used as a part of the realistic scenarios. All students will need to work together and understand the importance of each other's functions to complete the "job".

RIT Structural Collapse Rescue
Instructors: Lt. James Crawford, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire & Lt. Mike Bates, Providence, R.I., Rescue 1

This program is designed for advanced level Rapid Intervention Team students desiring to develop skills in fireground collapse rescue operations. Rapid Intervention Teams must know how to safely operate within a structural collapse/confined space environment in a burning building to successfully extricate and remove trapped firefighters that would be in the path of a collapse. This course will allow students to practice extrication skills in pre-made props rotating through 4 skill stations. These skill stations will include shoring, rigging, cutting, and lifting operations. The second part of the program will include a realistic class scenario simulating a significant roof collapse into the top floor of a burning building trapping multiple firefighters. Students will work in teams to rescue these trapped firefighters utilizing skills learned in the first portion of the program. Students will have to maneuver through a large collapse area negotiating several hazards to reach the trapped firefighters. Students will then extricate and remove the firefighter victim's back through the collapse area and out of the building utilizing advanced removal techniques. This program is a must for current members of a Rapid Intervention Team looking to advance their skills in the area of structural collapse firefighter rescue operations.