Instructed by Nick Ledin & Jeffrey Bryantof the Firefighter Rescue SurveyOctober 10, 2026 | 0800-1700 | Jackson, TNHosted by the Jackson Fire Department
The American fire service has never been able to determine if operations are actually saving more civilians from fire. The absence of operational direction provided by the traditional reporting mechanisms has never been called into questions because there has never been a comparison. The Firefighter Rescue Survey (FFRS) provides an online platform for the firefighters who performed a rescue to provide information on the operation and outcome. FFRS is a retrospective, meta-analysis of thousands of actual fireground rescues, collected by our brothers and sisters around the country. FFRS was created to highlight the most important aspect of our profession, saving lives. By recording the number and details of a rescue made on the fireground we will be able to tailor our training to methods and techniques that actually work. Improving our results to benefit the populations we serve.
Like everything else in the fire service, the devil is in the details; and when it comes to search, so is a successful rescue. We all know that “as the first line goes, so goes the fire”, although oftentimes more importantly, ‘as the primary goes, so goes the victim(s).’ This class will analyze data from over 5,000 actual fireground rescues and the ongoing fire dynamics research being done by UL FSRI, all while focusing on what is best for those trapped inside a burning building. This is the first time that the American fire service has tactical, actionable information on search and rescue. The overall goal of this class is to use both the experiential and the experimental evidence to help enhance our efficacy and efficiency on our future firegrounds…for THEM. Specifically, we will discuss search size-up, Firefighter Rescue Survey statistics, UL FSRI’s groundbreaking Search Study, how to coordinate search with attack and ventilation, decision-making on the fireground, and best practices for our search and rescue operations based on both, science AND the street.
For generations, the fire service has relied on traditional training and unknown information to guide search and rescue, often without knowing which methods truly improve civilian survivability. FFRS changes that by collecting and analyzing thousands of real-world rescues submitted by firefighters nationwide to show what actually works on the fireground. This four-hour course connects the data to the discipline. Students will examine how rescue outcomes, victim locations, building types, and operational decisions impact survivability, using FFRS findings to guide smarter training and tactics. A light demonstration will show drags, communication, assessment, orientation, and coordination, along with the decision making process.
Nick Ledin is a captain with Eau Claire (WI) Fire Department, currently assigned to Truck 8. Ledin has been a student of the job for nearly 20 years and is a contributor to ‘Firefighter Rescue Survey’, was the former president of the Northland FOOLS, and is a board member of FireNuggets. He’s a technical committee member for NFPA 1700, was a former technical panel member for UL FSRI’s PPA/PPV Study, and is a co-host of the FireNuggets Podcast and GRABS Podcast. Nick is also lucky enough to be a small part of UL FSRI’s Public Education Advisory Committee. He can also grow a pretty legit ‘stache. Most importantly, he is a husband to an amazing wife and father to two rad boys.
Jeff Bryant began his fire service career in as a third-generation firefighter on his hometown volunteer department (2007). After serving with several suburban departments, he was hired by the Aurora Fire Department (2014). He currently serves as the Lieutenant on Engine 5, 2nd Shift. Jeff is passionate about sharing his love for the fire service by training and developing the next generation of firefighters. He has helped lead multiple training events and conferences nationwide including Firemanship, West Coast Truck Conference, FireNuggets Search School, Midwest Area Fire Academy, and more. Other proud affiliations include founding Illinois FireNuggets (2018), becoming a Firefighter Rescue Survey Contributor (2019), joining the Brothers in Battle cadre (2022), and becoming President of FireNuggets, Inc. (2024). He also helps host the FireNuggets Podcast and GRABS Podcast. Above all, he is a true family man with a supportive wife and three amazing kids.
Lunch will be provided.For billing or PO requests, email [email protected]
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