What's New in Classrooms 

People are always asking the FDIC education staff and advisory board members, “What are you looking for when you pick the classes?” A lot of time, thought, and careful review go into whittling down more than 400 submissions into 166 classroom slots.

We ask ourselves many questions when we review the submissions: Is the topic innovative (or is it the 50th one we have received on an obscure subject when picking one submission on that topic would be more than adequate)? Does the instructor have knowledge of and experience with that particular topic (this is not the venue to “try out something” you’ve never done before—we want something that already works!)? Does it have broad appeal (we want the 166 classes that are going to be the “bestsellers”)? The list goes on and on.

The competition for speaking slots is stiff. But we feel the final selections cover a broad range of interests for the broad attendance base that FDIC attracts—volunteer and career personnel, small and large departments, fully and short-staffed companies, leaders, future leaders, people who never want to be leaders, basic and advanced, and the list goes on and on.

Our biggest complaint is a good complaint to hear: There are so many good classes that attendees don’t know what to pick. So pick well, and if you have trouble deciding, here are a few samples of what to expect in the classroom:

Response to Crash of Continental Flight 3407 

Chief David Case, Clarence Center (NY) Volunteer Fire Company

Exclusively at FDIC 2009, learn how the Clarence Center (NY) Volunteer Fire Company responded to the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407 in February into a residential dwelling in Clarence Center, New York. Chief David Case and Assistant to the Chief Tim Norris were the first officers on-scene. Hear how this well-trained, well-disciplined volunteer fire company handled a major event and the lessons they learned from this experience. Listen to the riveting story of how the department expertly managed a tragic plane crash on a snowy Buffalo night that claimed the lives of 49 passengers and crew members and one citizen in his home. This must-see presentation highlights the professionalism and the expertise of one of America's finest volunteer fire companies. 

DAVID CASE is the chief and a 16-year veteran of the Clarence Center (NY) Volunteer Fire Company. He has served 13 years as a company officer and four years as chief of department. Clarence Center (NY) Volunteer Fire Company has 72 active members and is located approximately 15 miles from Buffalo, New York.

Efficient Truck Work for Smaller Departments

Battalion Chief Mike Alder, San Bernardino City (CA) Fire Department

Smaller departments have to be creative to make up for a lack of resources to ensure efficient truck company operations on the fireground. This class describes that creative philosophy and introduces techniques for effective ground and aerial laddering, ventilation operations, and forcible entry as well as predesignated assignments and truck company priorities, building construction and fire behavior, and getting the most out of basic tools. INTERMEDIATE

MIKE ALDER is a battalion chief and 26-year veteran of the San Bernardino City (CA) Fire Department. He is an instructor in truck company and high-rise operations, building construction, command and control on the fireground, risk assessment, and leadership and communication. He has a B.S. degree in business administration as well as an A.S. degree in fire science. 

Garden Apartments, Townhouses, and Condos: Modern Day Row-Frame Building Fires

Lieutenant Thomas Donnelly, Fire Department of New York

Strategies and tactics for fighting today’s modern units are discussed, as are the challenges and problems that may be encountered. Basic engine and truck operations are explored. BASIC/INTERMEDIATE

TOM DONNELLY is a 24-year fire service veteran and a lieutenant assigned to FDNY Rescue Company 1. He served as a firefighter with Rescue Company 2 and Ladder 176. He is an instructor at the FDNY technical rescue school and has been an instructor with the Suffolk County Fire Academy for 16 years. He has a B.S. degree from Saint Joseph’s College, Brooklyn, NY. He is a member of FEMA USAR NY-TF-1.

Practical to Tactical: Combustible Metal Roof Decks

Incident Safety Officer Peter McBride, Ottawa (Can.) Fire Services

Significant fires in various jurisdictions have shown the difficulties, hazards, and potential for loss of life and property associated with structures with a combustible metal roof deck. These structural assemblies present serious tactical challenges when fire has propagated from building contents to the deck finishes. Two fires must be fought, and each fire requires specific coordinated actions to effect extinguishment and provide for safe operations. This class will review the practical elements of the construction and the tactical approaches for safe operations. BASIC

Peter McBride is an incident safety officer with the Ottawa (Can.) Fire Services. He is a co-developer of the Incident Safety Officer and Building Construction courses used by the Province of Ontario for its Company Officer Program. McBride currently sits as an NFPA 1521 Task Group member and has contributed to NFPA 1500 and 1584. He has been responsible for initiating many innovative partnerships and regularly presents safety-related programs to his department and to others in Canada and the United States.

Company Quick Drills

Deputy Chief Drew Smith, Prospect Heights (IL) Fire District 

Participants will observe a company (attendees) with officer (instructor) performing six company quick drills. Students will be able to implement these drills immediately on returning to their departments. Also, students will acquire the skills to create their own company quick drills. INTERMEDIATE

DREW SMITH, deputy chief, Prospect Heights (IL) Fire District, is a 31-year veteran of the fire service. He has a B.S. degree and multiple advanced certifications from the Illinois State Fire Marshal. He has presented multiple FDIC programs.

• See classroom times

• See all classrooms