ABCs of Air Bags

Firefighter Paul J. DeBartolomeo, Fire Department of New York

Learn the latest in pneumatic rescue equipment and then rotate through skill stations designed to help you improve your air bag techniques. Challenging rescue scenarios will test your newly developed skills. Learn how to set up air bags, determine the operating pressures, position the bags most effectively, and perform a safe lifting operation for routine (elevator calls, persons wedged against an object) to complex (vehicle and construction accidents) applications.

BASIC/INTERMEDIATE

Advanced Extrication Tactics (SOLD OUT)

Lead Instructor: Battalion Chief Leigh Hollins, Cedar Hammock (FL) Fire Department

Participants will receive hands-on instruction about the newest, most advanced techniques for stabilizing vehicles and extricating victims from cars and SUVs using a wide array of hand and power tools. A four-station rotation provides students with a fast-paced, diverse extrication experience and plenty of “tool time.”

ADVANCED



Engine Company: Building an Attack Ready Engine

Lead Instructor: Lieutenant Ray McCormack, Fire Department of New York

Obtaining a positive water source, pumping at the correct pressure, and choosing the best line to stretch lay the foundation for a successful fire attack. This evolution will cover several supply stretches including forward and reverse layouts, pump panel troubleshooting, understanding friction loss, and supplying the correct discharge pressures for various hose diameters and lengths. Learn how and when to stretch different hose loads including the triple layer, minuteman, static, preconnect, and bundle loads. You will put it all together as you respond in, get water, and stretch into the building. On completion, you will be able to analyze your current system of supply hose, pumping pressures, and hoseline stretches for speed and efficiency and know how the right mix makes for an attack ready engine.

BASIC



Engine Company: Combat Readiness

Lead Instructor: Battalion Chief (Ret.) Richard A. Fritz, High Point (NC) Fire Department

Prepare your engine company to be combat ready through safe and effective engine company management practices. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of various hose loads; techniques for using hose straps, chocks, and other forgotten tools; nozzle selection; nozzle techniques; and the importance of handline positions as well as assigned riding positions in the engine. The focus is on the overall importance of basic engine combat readiness and of getting the initial attack handline into proper position and applying the proper amount of water using the correct method of application. You will learn to be more effective engine company firefighters or fire officers and have a better understanding of the importance effective hose management plays in your safety and effectiveness on today’s complex fireground.

INTERMEDIATE



Engine Company: Firefighting Operations in Standpipe-Equipped Buildings

Lead Instructor: District Chief Dave McGrail, Denver (CO) Fire Department

This evolution is for big city firefighters and small town volunteers, especially line officers and firefighters who operate at high-rise or standpipe equipped buildings. Standpipe Operations Stairwell Stretch covers the fundamentals from the pumper to hookup on the floor below, to fire attack on the fire floor, to initiating fire attack from the safety of the stairwell. Standpipe Operations Apartment Stretch covers the pumper to hookup on the floor below, to fire attack on the fire floor, to initiating fire attack from the apartment door. In Master Stream Operations, from the deck gun to portable master streams, students will learn how to quickly place the most powerful of weapons supplied by a standpipe, on a fire floor or floor above, in service.

INTERMEDIATE



Firefighter Assist and Survival Training

Lead Instructor: Deputy Chief Curtis Birt, Lake Cities (TX) Fire Department

This program gets back to the basics of firefighter survival and rescue techniques—techniques that have proven effective and have saved firefighters’ lives! Featured evolutions include the John Nance Drill, Room Orientation, Second-Floor Window Rescue, Stairwell Rescue, and Denver Rescue.

BASIC



Flashover Simulator

Lead Instructor: Captain Joseph Berchtold, Teaneck (NJ) Fire Department

First learn about flashover and what to do to protect yourself. Then, experience a live flashover inside a training simulator. You will observe fire behavior and the signs that lead to flashover. Phase 1 training from Swede Survival Systems allows you to observe and experience in a controlled environment how fire develops and grows up to and through the flashover stage as well as how ventilation and hose streams can control a flashover. You will learn to recognize flashover conditions and when it is time to get out, the events that lead up to a flashover, and how firefighters are sometimes responsible for creating flashovers. You will leave with a better understanding of this deadly phenomenon.

INTERMEDIATE



Personal Safety System Bailout Training

Lead Instructor: Captain Michael C. Hayes, Fire Department of New York

In 2005, six trapped New York City firefighters had no other choice than to jump from the rear of an apartment building in the Bronx. Two of the six firefighters lost their lives; the remaining four still suffer from their injuries today. For many years, each New York City fire company adopted its own method of self-rescue, including body belaying and a host of other dangerous techniques. Products are being marketed without proper training in their use. This evolution teaches the proper anchoring techniques as well as a most effective bailout technique that might someday save your life no matter what system you choose.

INTERMEDIATE



Thermal Imaging for the Fire Service

Lead Instructor: Battalion Chief Steven Woodworth, Atlanta (GA) Fire Department; Instructor, SAFE-IR, Inc.

Using a variety of thermal imaging cameras (TICs) available to the fire service, learn how a TIC unit operates, the types of units available, considerations when purchasing a TIC, and safety precautions. In a live-fire scenario, learn how to move safely with a TIC, applications for use, and basic operations.

BASIC



Truck Company: Forcible Entry  (SOLD OUT)

Lead Instructor: Captain John Buckheit, Fire Department of New York

Learn techniques and refine skills to tackle common forcible entry problems. Access problems are grouped into five categories, and students will observe and then perform time-proven, state-of-the-art methods for gaining quick access on the fireground or emergency scene. Students rotate through five stations (challenges): simple wood doors inward and outward opening, one-firefighter approach; tough metal doors and frames inward and outward opening, also restricted space, two-firefighter approach; storefront narrow glass and metal doors, through the glass, through the lock, and forcing; small manual, large mechanical roll-down gates, through the lock or door; and padlocks, hasps, chains (light locks and heavy locks) with and without power tools. Topics include sizing up the access problem; selecting the best course of action; and tool selection, carrying, safety, and use.

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED



Truck Company: Ground Ladders

Lead Instructor: Lieutenant Michael Ciampo, Fire Department of New York

Here are the “street smarts” of portable ladder operations that you often do not find in textbooks or initial firefighting training. Each station allows full participation as students perform tasks in a pair or alone. The evolution reviews and critiques certain basic ladder tasks and presents new and improved techniques and methods of portable ladder operations. Techniques include ladder raises; drags; climbing with tools and operating off a ladder; leg and arm lock maneuvers; vent-enter-search techniques off of a ladder; ventilating a window with a ladder; working on and off of an aerial ladder; use of a folding ladder for firefighter removals; and performing simulated rescues with victim removal, rescue, and carries down a ladder.

BASIC/INTERMEDIATE



Truck Company: Search Procedures

Lead Instructor: Firefighter Joseph Alvarez, Maplewood (NJ) Fire Department

You will use a variety of techniques to conduct a primary search in a challenging private-dwelling environment. Station 1, Mask Confidence, tests your ability under the harshest environment you will encounter. In Station 2, Primary Search, you will conduct a rapid search without the presence of a hoseline. In Station 3, Vent-Enter-Search, learn how to conduct a search of the sleeping areas to locate and remove victims.

BASIC/INTERMEDIATE



Truck Company: Ventilation  (SOLD OUT)

Lead Instructor: Firefighter Matt Szpindor, Fire Department of New York

Ventilation is an important truck company function that you must perform at all structural fires. Learn the basics of ventilation and vent size-up, discuss how the type of structure and building construction affect ventilation, and get plenty of hands-on experience using hand and power tools. Instructors from the East Coast, Midwest, and West Coast will present different perspectives on ventilation as you rotate through a variety of challenging ventilation skill stations, including peaked-roof and flat-roof operations.

BASIC/INTERMEDIATE

Fire Investigation

Lead Instructor: Adrian Cales, Asset Protection Manager, Public Service Enterprise Group; Detective Sergeant (Ret.), Arson Investigation Unit, Bergen County (NJ) Prosecutor’s Office

Using NFPA 921, Guide for Fire & Explosion Investigations; NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigators; and NFPA 1037, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Marshals, as guides, this program is for the fire investigator, fire inspector, fire marshal, or company officer responsible for examining fire scenes and conducting fire scene origin and cause investigations. Students will enhance their origin and cause abilities by examining real fire scenes, from simple to complex. Knowledge of the processes used in conducting a fire scene examination is a prerequisite, and actual prior fire scene origin and cause investigation experience is necessary, as there will be no review of “the basics.” Students will conduct actual on-scene, hands-on origin and cause investigations in a group setting, with the objective of being able to properly identify the heat source responsible for the fire and the area or point of the fire’s origin using factual descriptions provided. Based on the size and scope of the acquired structure, the students may conduct a “dig out” of a complex fire scene. The program ends with a review of the fire scenes, where post-fire scene, ignition sequence, and prefire photos will be discussed. Each day’s students will have their own building, which will be set up and burned for their exclusive use. Students are required to bring a full set of bunker gear including coats, pant, boots, helmets, and gloves, as well as a pad with paper, small hand tools (screwdrivers, pliers), a tape measure, and a flashlight.

INTERMEDIATE



First-Due Engine and Truck Tactics  (SOLD OUT)

Lead Instructor: Lieutenant Jim McCormack, Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department; President, Fire Department Training Network

Whether you're on an engine or a truck, success on the fireground is based on how well you perform the basics. This live fire course covers initial engine and truck company tactics on the fireground. The first part of the day is spent reviewing basic fireground tactics (line placement, attack and backup lines, inside and outside truck operations) while working as individual engine and truck companies. The second part of the day is spent implementing the first-due engine and truck company tactics under realistic, live fire conditions.

BASIC



Handling Elevator Emergencies

Lead Instructor: Firefighter Michael Dragonetti, Stamford (CT) Fire-Rescue Department

Emergency personnel with inadequate training in responding to stalled elevators are exposed to an increased risk of injury and death to both the victims and themselves. Learn how to safely and effectively remove passengers from stalled elevators as well as basic elevator procedures. Topics include nomenclature, safety, how an elevator functions, construction, outside hoists, elevator safety devices, possible equipment needed, initial response steps, restarting a stalled elevator, lockout/tagout procedures, elevator doors, use of hoistway door keys/pick tools, poling, fireman service (phase 1/phase2), and manually lowering a hydraulic elevator.

BASIC



Live Fire Attack/Acquired Structure  (SOLD OUT)

Lead Instructor: Assistant Fire Education Specialist Gregory A. Fisher, Illinois Fire Service Institute

This evolution will take students through NFPA 1403, Compliant Live Fire Training Evolutions in an Acquired Structure. Students will observe the priorities of the lead instructor with a briefing and exercise on requirements for structure, student, and objective preparation. Participants will observe the safety officer’s responsibilities and checklist after preparation of an acquired structure as well as considerations prior to ignition, during the live fire evolution, and after fire extinguishment. All other positions within the standard such as ignition, rehab, and water supply will be filled, and students will observe their operations. A demonstration on compliant vs. noncompliant fuel will be presented to drive home the inherent dangers and potential liability to the fire service in providing live burn training. Students taking this evolution are encouraged to take the 1 hour 45-minute classroom session offered later in the week at FDIC to complete the training for enhancing safe, compliant live burn training in acquired structures. Students need NFPA-compliant structural turnout gear and should be qualified instructors according to the AHJ.

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED


Rapid Intervention Team Combat Drills  (SOLD OUT)

Lead Instructor: Assistant Chief James Crawford, Pittsburgh (PA) Bureau of Fire

Rapid intervention team (RIT) 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, physically and mentally. In this evolution, RIT members will be trained and evaluated 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 they must resolve 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, complete any extrication, package the victim, and initiate removal in a set time. Students will use specialized equipment, operate portable radios within the incident command system, work as a team under pressure, and practice RIT skills in a realistic environment.

INTERMEDIATE


Structural Collapse Rescue

Lead Instructor: Firefighter (Ret.) Mike Davis, Fire Department of New York Rescue Co. 3

It’s 2 a.m. You’ve arrived at 69 Main Street, an occupied building in the center of town. It has sustained extensive collapse from a gas explosion. A triage area is established amid the chaos, and removal of surface victims is underway. Reports to the command post indicate numerous residents are unaccounted for. The incident commander orders the operations officer to assemble teams and resources for rescue operations within the heavily damaged structure. You are assigned to one of these teams, and soon you will be crawling into the blackness. Learn and fine-tune the skills necessary to achieve safe and effective search and rescue of collapsed wood-frame and unreinforced masonry structures. Technical rescue gear and proper PPE are required. The use of knee pads and respiratory equipment is highly recommended. Full turnout gear can be substituted.

BASIC/INTERMEDIATE



Training for Railroad Emergencies—Advanced

Lead Instructor: Battalion Chief Jeff Simpson, Hanover (VA) Fire-EMS

Develop plans and train to manage complex emergencies involving railroad equipment or facilities. Working railroad equipment will be provided for practical training evolutions. Topics include safe job procedures in a railroad environment; differentiating between general service and high-pressure tank cars; various valves and safety relief devices; inspecting and replacing rail car valve seals, O-rings and relief devices on general service and pressurized tank cars; how to accurately read train consist information to identify potential hazardous materials involved and their location on the train; how to establish and identify tracks that have protection applied for the safety of emergency personnel; methods to minimize or stop rail car impingement by fire; locating, isolating, and mitigating rail tank car leaks and releases; performing an emergency shutdown of an operating locomotive; and safely removing railroad personnel from the cab of an operating locomotive. Class A personal protective equipment including safety glasses and helmets is required.

INTERMEDIATE



Truck Company: Aerial Ladder Operations

Lead Instructor: Battalion Chief John Riker, Newark (NJ) Fire Department

Become knowledgeable in aerial ladder operations and how aerial ladders are of value at a fire scene. Learn the differences between proper and improper operations as they pertain to ladder positioning for rescue, removal of victims, horizontal ventilation, roof operations, and elevated streams. The emphasis is on safety for all members operating with or supporting aerial operations. Learn to position and operate the apparatus under simulated fireground situations, including rescue of occupants, roof operations, and elevated master stream deployment; also learn to recognize the safety advantages of proper aerial operations, explain the difference between effective and ineffective aerial placement, and demonstrate how to safely and effectively conduct basic aerial ladder operations.

INTERMEDIATE



Truck Company: Rope Rescue for Truck Company Operations

Lead Instructor: Captain (Ret.) Eddie White, Rockdale County (GA) Fire Department

Many fire departments find their communities and rescue challenges growing faster than their ability to send specialized response teams to handle these response dynamics. In this evolution, students will learn basic to intermediate skills and techniques to conduct rope rescue operations when technical rescue teams are not available. Topics include basic rope rescue fundamentals and techniques, understanding safe rope operation practices and recognizing the dangers associated with rope rescue operations, choosing proper anchors and anchor systems, simple lowering and haul systems, patient assessment and packaging, and incorporating ladders and aerial devices into rope rescue operations.

BASIC/INTERMEDIATE



IMPORTANT NOTES FOR ALL H.O.T. EVOLUTION ATTENDEES


1. Students must bring their own bunker/rescue gear. FDIC will not supply it.

2. Bunker gear ensemble includes NFPA-compliant turnout coat and pants, helmet, hood, firefighting boots, and gloves.

3. Technical rescue gear ensemble includes jumpsuit or BDUs, compliant helmet, steel-toed boots, compliant eye protection, and gloves.

4. Bunker gear is required for all evolutions except Handling Elevator Emergencies, Structural Collapse Rescue, and Truck Company: Rope Rescue for Truck Company Operations. For these, technical rescue gear as listed above is appropriate.

5. FDIC will supply SCBA for students as required. Students must bring hoods for Live Fire Attack/Acquired Structure, First-Due Engine and Truck Tactics, Flashover Simulator, Live Fire Instructor: Getting the Most Out of Fixed Burn Buildings, Rapid Intervention Team Combat Drills, and Truck Company Operations: Search Procedures.

6. All firefighters who attend any of the above IDLH (immediate danger to life and health) classes shall complete the mandatory OSHA respiratory questionnaire and attend a brief SCBA orientation class before participation in the evolution.

7. Remember to submit Liability Waiver signed by chief of department.

8. 1,200 firefighters participate in evolutions on each of the H.O.T. days. Naturally, the logistical requirements are large. As a courtesy to your fellow attendees and to FDIC, we must insist that you arrive on time both Monday and Tuesday mornings. On time means 6:30 a.m. In the past, we have lost precious training time because latecomers delayed morning bus-loading operations. Please arrive at the convention center early and ready to go.