What's New in H.O.T. Evolutions 

Every year at FDIC, you will find a mix of old favorites and new evolutions. Whether you’re the person who takes the engine company class every year because there are always new tidbits to learn from instructors from across the country or you are looking for something new, the H.O.T. evolutions offer something for everyone. You may have noticed that this year, we eliminated 16-hour H.O.T. evolutions to give you more choices on how to spend your two preconference days.

Here are a few of the new offerings for 2009:

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

Lead instructor Paul J. DeBartolomeo has 18 years in the fire service, including 11 with FDNY, where he is assigned to Ladder Company 28 in Harlem. A nationally certified fire instructor, he delivers hands-on courses and lectures throughout the East Coast. He is a staff member of the CT Fire Academy and the Fairfield regional school.

Engine Company: uilding 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

Lead instructor RAY McCORMACK is a 27-year veteran of FDNY and a lieutenant with Ladder 28 in Harlem. He has written numerous articles for Fire Engineering and its Web site and is also a contributor to WNYF. He is an FDIC presenter and lead instructor for the “Building an Attack-Ready Engine” H.O.T. evolution. He is featured in Training Minutes on engine company operations on www.FireEngineering.com. He is the founder of liveburntraining.com, which provides firefighter training and benefit seminars. He lectures frequently on the role of the company officer and engine and ladder company tactical operations. He is also keynoting during the FDIC 2009 General Session on Thursday, April 23, at 8:30 a.m. in the Sagamore Ballroom in the Convention Center.

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

Lead instructor JEFF SIMPSON, a 26-year veteran of the fire service, is a battalion chief of operations with Hanover (VA) Fire-EMS. He has progressive degrees in engineering and management and is certified as a Virginia state fire instructor and officer. He has been teaching leadership, engineering, and strategy courses to businesses and departments for the past 20 years. He instructs at the Hanover County Fire Academy. He is the lead H.O.T. instructor in the Training for Railroad Emergencies at FDIC. He was a 2006 Governor’s Award Finalist for Excellence in the Virginia Fire Service.

•  See all H.O.T. evolutions