Steve Robertson - Columbus Ohio Division of Fire

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These buildings are taking the United States by storm. While most all urban and suburban areas have them, how many of us genuinely have experienced fighting a fire in a mid-rise building? These four to eight-story buildings, known to some as podium construction or “5 over 1,” present unique challenges. This program covers multiple aspects of firefighting within the mid-rise building. Traditional and alternative attack methods will mainly focus on short-staffed stretching. Topics included in the program will consist of; well-hole stretches, offensive deck gun operations, 2.5" monitor deployment, extending attack lines, standpipe stretches, and making your own standpipe.

AB Turenne - South Fire District (CT)

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In this training presentation, AB discusses six (6) common factors that contribute to the activation of a MAYDAY and unfortunately, ultimately leading to a Line of Duty Death. Through lecture and interactive dialogue, "Operational Success & Personal Survivability" promotes work practices/procedures and human behaviors that can be adopted and implemented to eliminate the cumulative impact of these six (6) variables and factors during a tour or shift at the firehouse. Areas of focus with this lecture cover: delayed response, geographical ignorance, poor apparatus positioning, NO initial on-scene report, lack of a proper scene size-up, and short/sloppy stretches. The overall goal of this training is to eliminate the causes that lead to MAYDAYS and to initiate a culture of being proactive prior to the drop of the tones. 

Kevin Jutras - Providence Fire Department

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​This breakout session will examine the necessary disciplines beyond ICS that incident commanders must be proficient in for effective and successful incident command. Disciplines such as Organizational Culture, Standard Operating Procedures, Verbal and Radio Communications, Leadership, Command Presence, Unified Command and Training will be discussed. The discussion will examine how these disciplines are inter-related for successful incident command. This breakout is intended for firefighters, lieutenants, captains, and chiefs. 

Mickey Farrell - FDNY

 

This class is dedicated to imparting comprehensive knowledge and advanced skills necessary for proficient truck company operations.This course covers an extensive range of topics as well as the development and execution of fireground basics. 

 

Students will learn critical decision-making processes essential for tasks such as ventilation, search, and forcible entry techniques. 

 

Built around real world application and knowledge it prepares firefighters to meet demands of the job and improve the overall safety and efficiency of emergency and fire operations

 

This class is designed to ensure that firefighters can confidently and safely manage truck company responsibilities, ultimately improving the overall efficiency and safety of fire and emergency response operations. The course emphasizes practical applications and real-world scenarios to prepare firefighters for the complex challenges they will face in the field.

Clyde Gordon - Houston Fire Department

 

In today’s rapidly expanding urban and suburban environments, the fire service faces increasingly complex challenges with mid-rise structures, sprawling mega-apartment complexes, and new-construction townhomes. These buildings aren’t built like they used to, and materials and construction are much different. The ultimate goal of this course is to increase firefighter survivability, protect civilian lives, and preserve property by improving the understanding of the specific demands of mid-rise fires in today’s fire service.

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This course is comprehensive, scenario-driven, and designed to equip firefighters with the critical knowledge, situational awareness, and tactical strategies required to handle the unique hazards of these multi-story environments. From construction features and fire behavior to operational pitfalls and communication breakdowns, this class dives into what crews must know above the first floor—where the complexity and danger significantly increase. The target audience is for everyone, from the newest firefighter to the chief officer.

Matt Paglione - FDNY

Dan MacAuley - Boston Fire Department

 

Success on the fireground doesn’t come from luck — it comes from experience, preparation, and learning from both victories and mistakes. 20 Tips to Success on the Fireground is a no-nonsense, street-smart program that delivers hard-earned lessons drawn from years of operational fireground experience. This class will cover practical tips that can immediately make you a more effective firefighter, officer, or team member in dynamic, high-stress environments.

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Whether you’re new to the job or a seasoned veteran, these 20 tips are designed to sharpen your mindset, improve decision-making, and increase your impact at every fire. Each takeaway is grounded in real-world situations, honest reflection, and a commitment to continuous improvement