The New Company Officer: Winning on the Fireground and in the Firehouse (39MA)

The company officer is the most important position in the fire department, and one of the least prepared for. Being a great firefighter doesn't automatically make someone a great officer, and leadership alone won't compensate for weak fireground decision-making. Today's company officers must be able to lead people, manage risk, and make sound tactical decisions when the pressure is on.

This four-hour workshop is designed specifically for newly promoted company officers and firefighters preparing for promotion who want to successfully navigate the transition from firefighter to officer.

The first half focuses on the fireground: the strategies, tactics, and decision-making processes required of successful company officers. Participants will examine how officers must think differently than firefighters when evaluating building construction, fire behavior, risk versus reward, crew deployment, and incident priorities. Using real-world incidents and tactical case studies, including lessons drawn from line-of-duty death investigations and near-miss events, attendees will develop situational awareness, learn to anticipate changing conditions, and build a framework for making better decisions under pressure.

The second half shifts to the firehouse, where participants will explore the leadership challenges of supervising former peers, building crew accountability, establishing credibility, and creating a high-performing company culture. Participants will also examine the evolving role of the company officer in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing fire service.

Participants will leave with the knowledge, perspective, and leadership tools necessary to become the next generation of company officers their firefighters, departments, and communities deserve.