
CLASSROOM SESSIONS
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
REGISTRATION/VENDORS/BREAKFAST - 0700-0830
OPENING REMARKS - 0830-0900
MORNING KEYNOTE - 0900-1030
BREAK - 1030-1100
MORNING BREAKOUTS - 1100-1300
LUNCH/VENDORS - 1300-1400
AFTERNOON BREAKOUTS - 1400-1600
MID-RISE MAYHEM... ENGINE OPERATIONS IN MID-RISE BUILDINGS
Saturday Oct 18
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Steve Robertson - Columbus Ohio Division of Fire
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.
A NEAR MISS MAYDAY - HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Saturday Oct 18
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Justin Brigham - Auburn, MA Fire-Rescue Department
This lecture will give a first-hand description of a near miss with mayday during a mutual-aid building fire. Oxford, MA, firefighters responded to a fire in a mixed-use building with a commercial hair-styling business on the first floor and apartments above. Auburn Fire Department arrived per automatic mutual-aid agreement under the command of Capt. Justin Brigham. Companies began a fire attack and searches when conditions suddenly changed leading to a mayday. This class will provide the lessons learned and share how the experience may help your department from firefighter, to officer, and incident commander.
EFFECTIVE INCIDENT COMMAND IS MORE THAN ICS!
Saturday Oct 18
Time: 11:00am-1:00pm
Kevin Jutras - Providence Fire Department
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.
TRUCK COMPANY INTELLECT
Saturday Oct 18
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
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.
MID-RISE MAYHEM - ABOVE THE FIRST FLOOR: CONCERNS, PRIORITIES, AND PITFALLS OF FIRES IN MID-RISE, MEGA APARTMENT BUILDINGS, AND NEW CONSTRUCTION
Saturday Oct 18
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
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.
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.
20 TIPS TO SUCCESS ON THE FIREGROUND
Saturday Oct 18
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Matt Paglione - FDNY
Dan MacAuley - Boston Fire Departmenr
Have you ever had formal training with your camera? If not, this class is for you. Through class, practicals, and live burns, we show you the ins and outs of modern day TICs. Some of the topics that will be addressed: - Technology of TICs - The NFPA Standard - Smells and Bells (Low Heat Conditions) - Fire Attack - Finding the Fire - Search with the TIC - Shortcomings of TICs.