This lecture will cover many topics related to search. It will keep the focus on our primary mission of the fire service....LIFE! With our modern fire environment time is not a luxury we have and it is imperative that we have a system in place designed for quick decision making. We will discuss the importance of sizing up the search upon our 360 and utilizing the manpower we have wisely to occupy the spaces where our victims are most likely to be found. We should be locating and removing victims in the most efficient manner and using the data we have collected from research, coupled with real world experiences to choose the proper tactics for us to succeed in our efforts of putting our civilians first. This class is about being intelligently aggressive and focusing our efforts on where we can do the greatest good at the moment. Searching is about predictable behavior patterns as well as prioritizing spaces that our victims are most likely to be found, when we are able to do so. There is no singular mode, rather multiple methods to enhance the survivability for the unprotected occupant. We must break free from the standard approach of this is how we have always done it and concentrate our efforts on what is best for our civilians trapped by fire.

Today’s structure fires are more dangerous than ever before. Lightweight construction, low-mass synthetics, and open space floorplans have created a perfect storm for rapid, prolific fire growth and extreme behavior. It is imperative for firefighters of all ranks and experience levels to be prepared for this new battle. The Art of Reading Smoke, developed by Dave Dodson and continued by Rob Backer, provides the knowledge necessary for first-arriving firefighters, officers, and chief officers to determine the fire’s location, progression, and future “from the seat” before seeing any flame. This knowledge ensures that the correct tactics are implemented for the best possible outcome. Through the extensive use of actual fireground videos, first-time students will develop, and return students will refine their knowledge and skills to become INTELLECTUALLY aggressive firefighters, rather than ARBITRARILY aggressive. The next generation of Reading Smoke brings new research, a new library of videos, and discussion on cancer prevention, tactics and strategies to develop the next generation of aggressive interior firefighting!

Anatomy Of A Push is a journey through the layers that make for a great fire attack from an engine companies perspective. We dissect fireground philosophy, how we view risk and how to optimize decision making before breaking down fire behavior and size up's into easy to use systems regardless of rank that allow you to read and react quickly and with conviction. We then delve into the specific fire attack principles that a skilled engine company uses to provide a search-centric firefight using thermal imaging footage in fire environments, as well as data to help any engine company develop a fireground framework that is simple and effective, allowing for rapid decisions and execution.

There is a starvation in the American fire service for our people to be able to deal with confrontation. So many people are put into leadership positions without the tools needed to handle difficult situations. This class is crammed with tried and proven techniques for handling conflict, discipline, poor attitudes and bad behavior. The goal of the class is to give understanding as to why these situations occur, but also give systems and tools for handling them in an efficient manner.

Topics covered:

• Establishing clarity of mission, vision and values

• Setting expectations

• What happens when expectations are not met

• Understanding where accountability starts at each level

• When to address issues

• Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation

• Organizational Standards Vs. Personal Standards

• Three step process to prepare for Confrontation

• Three step process to have the confrontation

• Six key concepts of effective Discipline

• Understanding and addressing bad attitudes

• … and so much more