This 2-day course is intended to expand on the current SFT RIC OPS course. Students will have an opportunity to work through simulated RIC activation's and be put in situations that will make them have to think outside the box. Day one is ground school, meant to build upon your current knowledge, skills, & abilities (KSA). Day-2 is all scenarios where you will utilize these KSA when deployed to rescue a down FF. In these scenarios you will utilize many of the following skills: breaking / breaching, shoring / cribbing, PAC CAN reports, air options, packaging, drags & carries, and FF out a window and down a ladder. Students will also be required to build and operated basic rope systems. Frank Nasca

Rescue is always the first priority for any fire department. To ensure an efficient search and effective rescue techniques, we must continually practice and train. This class will cover search techniques such as Oriented Search, Directed Search, civilian drags, carries, and removals from the building. Students will also leave with a renewed understanding of what is often a misunderstood and underutilized rescue practice: Vent, Enter, Isolate, and Search (VEIS). When understood and used properly, VEIS is an effective way of searching for and removing victims from a building. This class is designed to improve your skills and make you a more effective firefighter. Matt Barnes

This 5-day academy will provide hands-on commercial and residential ventilation operations, high density forcible entry, large area search procedures, RIC deployments, air management principles and so much more! Steve Reno

This course will allow participant to learn, apply, develop and coordinate effective fire suppression tactics in IDLH conditions. This will be facilitated under an ICS Command & Control structure while maintaining accountability and safety of all personnel on the fire ground. It is imperative that first responders train in like environments with multi-tasking coordination with effective communication while stabilizing an incident. This course is fluid and demanding with all firefighting skill sets. Tim Sandifer

Our -day course will consist of 2 components. We will begin with a classroom session covering the fundamentals of elevator rescues. The hands-on portion will provide attendees the opportunity to follow step-by-step procedures, LOTO, picking, poling, drifting, rescue methods, rope systems and Phase 1 & 2. This course will demonstrate how to execute elevator rescues safely and efficiently. Jason Watts

In this two day hands on training we will focus on the operations of the first in engine company. We will go over scene size up and considerations, hose pulls while overcoming obstacles, engineer responsibilities beyond the pump, single person forcible entry, forcible entry in smoked out conditions, and faster mask up times. Day 1 we will be instilling the basics while working on every skill. Day 2 will be more hands on, and all scenario based. We were all fortunate to become firefighters, now its our opportunity to live up to the Oath. Trevor Gordon

With an emphasis on the first line, this class focuses on the art of stretching, flowing, and moving a hoseline. A goal on every fire is for the first unit to arrive on scene and get a line to the seat of the fire as quickly and efficiently as possible. How we achieve that relies heavily on our ability to estimate the stretch, deploy the line, and manage it from point A to point B. In addition to advancing the line, students will also learn both the positive and negative effects an engine company can have on the fire, an introduction to stream selection, water mapping, air entrainment, and single person forcible entry. Students can look forward to a full day of discussion and hands-on, scenario-based training aimed at making your next stretch as efficient as possible. Rick Archuleta

Offering the new State Fire Training auto extrication curriculum, all participants will be educated on today’s vehicle anatomy and the process to work with and through the challenges that they bring to the accident scene. Real world vehicle accident scenarios will test all who attend as they are tasked to work through challenging stabilization and extrication operations. Students will learn how to size-up the scene and execute proper scene safety protocols. The use of primary and secondary stabilization and the use of stabilization struts, hand tools, electric and hydraulic extrication tools, and the proper use of air bags for extrication will be utilized. Students will also be expected to put together a plan for victim extraction and proper patient transfer to EMS personnel. Barton Pearson

This course provides the knowledge and skills to prepare an emergency responder to conduct tower rescue operations in a safe and effective manner in accordance with AHJ policies and procedures. Topics include tower construction; standards and regulations; incident size up and planning; victim management; rescue operation from ladders, elevated platforms, ground-based control systems, tower-based control systems, and multiple control systems; and incident termination. This course incorporates awareness, operations, and technician training based on NFPA 1006 (2021) Moore

Engineer Academy Fresno 2024 The Engineer Academy is a great opportunity to build real-world skills in a hands- on environment. With a heavy emphasis on drills and scenarios, the academy is geared toward the engine Driver/Operator. The Engineer Academy will help: -Firefighters looking to take their department’s Engineer exam -Firefighters who drive and operate and want to improve their skillset -Engineers looking for more experience Topics covered will include: -First-due pumping operations -Water supply operations -Multi-company scenarios -Pre-trip inspections -And more! The Engineer Academy is taught by instructors with real-world experience and is held over the course of the entire week in Fresno. The academy will include some classroom time to support the hands-on training. Students should have: completed DO 1A and 1B OR an equivalent amount of training and experience prior to the academy. Jeff Malinowski

Highrise Engine and Truck Operations in residential and commercial buildings. Freddie Goerend

Residential search, 90 minute lecture and 5-6 hour hands on training Jesse Horton, Micah Horton, Bryon Hunt

Residential Search Operations Bryce Beverage

This course is designed to help firefighters recognize and understand building construction as it pertains to the critical time factors and decisions made on today’s fireground. It helps firefighters have a general understanding of conventional building and roof construction as well as new construction methods and materials. The intent is to have firefighters look at a structure differently than they did at the start of the class enabling them to make good decisions based on the characteristics of the known building construction. This will allow firefighters to recognize building characteristics that help them and/or hurt them, thereby providing for a “safer” fireground. Barry Franchi

Returning again in 2025; Presenting the signature Reading the Buildings program taking the classroom to the streets with insights on building construction for today’s fire service, the primary objective of this program is to increase awareness and understandings and promote new skill sets in the fundamentals of building size-up and assessment, construction, architecture and engineering and that directly impact firefighting and command operations at structure fires. This unique program will consist of a walking tour on select Streets in downtown near the convention center of Fresno, Reading Buildings and Developing Size-up skills looking at a variety of building types, occupancies & risks and vintage and era of structures, discussing operations, risks and building hazards with curb side conversation. The program will start with a morning classroom lecture presentation incorporating the Buildingsonfire FACTS concept for First-Arriving Construction, Tactics and Safety looking at integrate tactical risks and key considerations for the First-Due Company, Company Officer and Commander affecting and influencing operational risk management, with benchmarks, tactical window protocols based upon occupancy risks, building reads/size-up and adaptive management principles. Residentials, Large Area Residentials (LAR), Mega-Mansions (MM2) Small foot-print Commercial-Business Occupancies will be discussed; followed by the afternoon facilitated walking tour and curb-side conversations on the Streets of Fresno looking at a variety of building types, occupancies & risks and vintage and era of structures, discussing operations, risks and building hazards with curb side conversation. The program will be offered twice on two separate days. Each Full-day Session – Maximum 30 Students. Christopher J. Naum

Today more than ever, understanding and comprehending the complexities of the built-environment and construction and the effects of fire dynamics on fire suppression operations is a must. With an evolving dynamic fireground, simple to complex buildings and varied occupancies they present increasing challenges that are redefined strategic and tactical fireground management and impact operations on an escalating and varied levels. Building construction, occupancy risks and the predictability of building performance under fire conditions have a profound influence on the management of operations, identification of tactical protocols and deployment of resources. Understanding key inherent building performance characteristics, insights from emerging fire research and their relationships and variables in command decision-making methodologies and practices is fundamental to firefighting and incident management on today’s evolving and demanding fireground. A broad look at trends, risk and emerging construction issues challenging today’s emerging and practicing company officers and commanders on a demanding and unforgiving fireground. • Rebooting the Importance of Building Construction for the Fire Service • The Influence of Building Construction on Fireground Decision-making and Operations • The Building FACTS Model; First Arriving Construction, Tactics, Safety • Insights on Size-Up, Benchmarks, Tactical Windows • Influence of Research Insights and Intell • Building Predictability of Performance Modeling • Emerging Trends: Methods, Materials of Construction with dialog on Hybrids, MUO Podium, CLT and Mass Timber, Adaptive Reutilization of Type IIIs and the Commercial-Retail Building Challenges and Mega-Mansion issues. Christopher J. Naum

In this comprehensive 4-hour presentation, participants will learn the causes of thermal runaway in lithium-ion battery fires. Attendees will witness firsthand the fire behavior and grasp the potential risks posed by these incidents, ranging from electric vehicles on the road to scenarios within the confines of a garage, as well as interior structure fires involving e-bikes, scooters, or other lithium products. The session aims to equip students with a profound understanding of the necessary steps to effectively manage such incidents, mitigating risks of injury and prevent extension to exposures. Finally, attendees will explore potential policy adjustments for their organization based on the information gathered throughout the course. Paul Shoemaker

Do you know what to do to keep you safe during an Improvised Nuclear Detonation? Our response culture may injure or kill those tasked with being first on scene. California on its own for up to 72 hours, our initial response actions will determine whether we survive or become an additional casualty. This four-hour presentation and discussion will introduce concepts that will give you the best chance at making life saving decisions for you and those we are sworn to protect. The course will provide instruction on self-preservation tactics in a radioactive atmosphere and how to create a common operating picture, incident triage, resource needs, and strategies and tactics to provide rescue and relocation of victims. Chuck Tobias

Providing a train-the-trainer for an operations level response to emergencies involving lithium-ion batteries. This course will have an outdoor demonstration of battery fire. Robert Rezende

This full day workshop is a combination of interactive Powerpoint, videos, and case studies. The types of commercial fires predominately covered in this program include, big box stores, strip malls, warehouses, taxpayers, mom and pop shops, and parking structures. We will discuss building construction, strategies and tactics for engine and truck companies as well as firefighter survival and RIT considerations regarding these types of structures. With the rise in lithium ion battery fires, the effects of micro-mobility devices, e-bike shops, and e-lawn equipment shops have been added to this course. Another aspect of this program includes considerations for the company officer and incident commander at commercial fires. Finally, I will share training considerations and drill ideas. Aaron Heller

To prepare company officers to make sound decisions on wildland calls. This class covers FIRESCOPE accepted WUI strategies and tactics and how to implement the PACE model for decision making. Live fire sand table is used to reinforce learning and apply command and control best practices. Bret A. Davidson

This 40 hour course will focus on learning the skills needed to be an effective company Officer. The class will cover leadership, management, Coaching and Counseling, Emergency response at both the tactical and strategic level. The lessons will be reinforced with simulations, group discussions and lecture. The target audience is any Company officer hoping to get more repetitions running simulators, or aspiring company officers that are learning the responsibilities they are hoping to assume. Anthony Vasconcellos & the California TO’s Training Cadre

Binaski

Drawing on real world examples and academic research into leadership models, students will explore how to be an effective leader in the unique environment of a fire station through an interactive classroom environment. The goal of the course is to provide students with a framework to organize their innate ability and learned tools to be effective both in their station and throughout their organization through the application of authentic leadership. Dave Winnacker

This session will assist fire service personnel specifically prepare for their upcoming promotional exam, for engineer all the way up to fire chief. Attendees will be exposed to and offered numerous tips and key points for the most common events within a fire service promotional process assessment center – the oral interview, the personnel counseling session, and the emergency scene simulation. A fire service promotional examination is a stressful process that virtually everyone dreads. Participants will learn valuable tips and suggestions so they can create their own game plan for success when they take their next promotional examination. It is critical that candidates understand that one point may make the difference between getting promoted and not getting promoted. The numerous tips and key points contained within this session will help increase your final score and may make the difference between getting promoted or not getting promoted and having to take the test the next time! Attendees are expected and encouraged to bring their questions to class so that they can be shared and discussed. There are no dumb questions, just questions that go unanswered that you may regret afterward for not asking! Steve Prziborowski

This session is intended for all ranks of fire service professionals, and especially current and aspiring fire officers (company and chief). If you’re a firefighter or engineer, you may think you are not a leader; however, nothing could be further from the truth. If you’re already an officer, you realize how challenging leadership can be, especially in today’s fire service. Do you have what it takes to be a great fire service professional of any rank in the year 2024 and more importantly beyond? Situations anyone in the fire service (firefighter up to fire chief) may face today can have severe consequences to the positive image of the fire service, their career, or the careers of those they lead or follow. If you are an officer, and you want to be everyone’s buddy, or never want to be “that person” when it comes to being the designated adult, then this session may not be for you. However, if you’re willing to be the follower and leader you took the oath for when accepting the position (even as a firefighter and engineer), you will find some value to the information being discussed. Some may say we have a leadership crisis in today’s fire service, not to mention the World. I feel that we also have a followership crisis. For an agency, organization, or fire department to be successful, leadership and followership are both required. As a fire service professional and especially as a leader in today's fire service, one must possess “Courage Under Fire” and continuously aspire to be the best you can be! Current topics affecting the fire service, events that have occurred to the fire service (good and not-so-good), as well as personal lessons learned (some the hard way), will be shared and discussed in a positive and productive manner. Steve Prziborowski

This course focuses on managing all types of incidents a member could expect for an upcoming promotional exam to Fire Officer and/or Battalion Chief. Instructors will use the latest simulation building software to create events and simulations. Emphasis will be placed on proper strategy and tactics, developing realistic objectives, proper use of ICS, risk analysis that support the incident priorities, and how to communicate leader's intent with command presence over the radio. Incidents will include structure and wildland fires, haz mat, MCI, and other all-hazard emergencies. The goal of this course in NOT to teach how to beat the exam, but rather to teach and prepare for the Fire Officer position. Student participation is welcomed and encouraged. Chuck Fedak

Chief Officer and Company Officer of a Firefighter who has strayed from the norm is one of the most challenging things a Fire Officer will encounter. Most aspiring and current fire officers struggle to deal with a troubled employee. Fire administration is required to keep the results of the investigation confidential. This makes it difficult for the aspiring fire officer to grasp the concept of employee counseling. This interactive workshop explores: The disciplinary process, determining the level of discipline, conducting a counseling session, and the Firefighter Bill of Rights from the supervisor's perspective. The culmination will include actual fire department case scenarios and practice. Chuck Fedak

BC position/exam prep Bret A Davidson

This program uses a minature table top city to perfect the participants fireground command skills and assign resources using ACT objectives. The table top simulator is divided into residential, commercial and industrial fires. It also focuses on specialty buildings such as center hallway and big box commercial buildings. It also works toward multiple rescues and incident within an incident. Jesse Quinalty

Most Fire Officers and Chiefs will fight more fires in the station than they will out in the streets. This program will utilize basic fireground terminology to break down and make sense of employee coaching, counseling, and disciplinary procedures. It will apply such firefighter knowledge as conducting a size up, which will include looking at the building construction (How the employee is built as well as the condition of the building), the extent and location of the fire (the problem) and doing a risk assessment. Once these observations are considered then a strategy can be determined, and tactics can be put in place. We will then utilize the acronym RECEO to determine what tactics to use when dealing with a problem employee. We will also focus on using Fire Prevention, Education, Pre-Planning and Fire Behavior Recognition Training (Reading Smoke) to prevent fires (problems) and keep them small. We will also compare hostile fire events such as rapid fire progression, flashover, backdraft and smoke explosions to the more difficult personnel issues. The course will end with conducting several “Fire Simulations” using video and role player scenarios for the students. This program also has a book available for purchase to accompany it. Jesse Quinalty

Firefighter strategies and tactics to safely mitigate a fire incident involving EV's, residential, commercial and industrial solar panel and battery storage installations. Richard Birt

The Command Philosophy provides an outline and description for expectations for incident command. Incident commanders are responsible for managing risk that drives the priorities and strategies of the incident. Students will be provided a consistent process for command that will be applied to all situations they respond to, a mechanism that puts decisions into actions, and allows for continuous reevaluation due to constantly changing conditions on the emergency scene. Adam Mitchell

Sit with some of the most experienced panel interviewers in California for a chance to share your resume and sit for a mock panel interview. The perfect opportunity for aspiring firefighters or an experienced firefighter who look to promote to get honest feedback about their interview style and skill. Chief Officers from through-out California will help candidates fine tune their message and delivery. The class will start out with some interview and resume basics and move directly into interview panels with feedback. Every student will get an opportunity to interview and talk with the panel(s). Brad Driscoll

This course is designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed to perform in the position of Strike Team/Task Force Leader. Topics include position overview; pre-deployment responsibilities; concept of the position; resource typing standards; pre-dispatch preparation; incident responsibilities; administration; supervision; response; assignment; demobilization; tactics and safety; risk management; entrapment avoidance; WUI; case studies; scenarios; appropriate action vs. freelancing and firing operations. Bill Bondshu

This course is designed to introduce fire behavior calculations by manual methods, using nomograms and the Fireline Handbook Appendix B: Fire Behavior, PMS 410-2. Students gain an understanding of the determinants of fire behavior though studying inputs (weather, slope, fuels, and fuel moisture). Students also learn how to interpret fire behavior outputs, documentation processes, and fire behavior briefing components. Todd McNeal

FEMA class for DIVS Joseph Reyes

All Hazard PIO Stephanie Bishop

This course is designed to meet the training needs of a Safety Officer Type 1 (SOF1), Safety Officer Type 2 (SOF2), and Line Safety Officer (SOFR) on an incident as outlined in the NIMS: Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1, and the position taskbook developed for the position. Kenny Harrison

This course is an all inclusive training that encompasses ICS 300 & 400 in 1 Academy style course. This starts off where ICS 200 leaves off. I use case scenario's to put the student into the hot seat of working with a team based approach to develop a plan to mitigate several different scenarios. Each student will help develop plans, maps, and presentation materials to have while meeting within the ICS planning Cycle. The student teams will present a detailed morning briefing on a scenario identified by the instructor and fill and ICS role during their presentations. Robert Barnett

This course provides the knowledge and skills needed to identify the value of ethical behavior in instructional settings, describe how ethical norms influence individual ethics, identify a personal ethical perspective and core values and how they impact communication and ethical decision making, and make an ethical decision using an ethical decision-making model, in order to assist in making ethical decisions when faced with an ethical dilemma in an instructional setting and carry out the roles and responsibilities of an SFT instructor in an ethical manner. Designed For: Individuals who wish to teach State Fire Training courses as a registered instructor and anyone interested in pursuing ethical behavior in an instructional setting. Jim Eastman

This course provides in-depth instruction on the registration requirements for Registered Lead Evaluators and Skills Evaluators, processes and procedures to request and successfully deliver both written and skills certification examinations, and information on making the transition from instructor to evaluator. Caryn Petty

This course is designed to provide instructors who will deliver SFT training programs with an overview of State Fire Training, CFSTES and FSTEP, instructor registration requirements, instructor responsibilities and accountability, how to schedule and return courses, and the SFT Procedures Manual. Caryn Petty

Human Resources Management for Chief Officers Kevin Diamond

This course provides the skills and knowledge needed for the intermediate level professional instructor to safely, effectively, and competently develop lesson plans and evaluation instruments, teach and deliver instruction, evaluate and coach other instructors, and analyze resources and formulate a program budget. Darren Hall

Firefighters, peer support and fitness teams are seeking strategies, ideas and routines that can enhance their ability to do their jobs effectively, increase the health and longevity of their bodies and to experience fulfilling careers. Evidence-based yoga, mindfulness and meditation practices can close the wellness and fulfillment gap for firefighters, their families and agencies. Learn practical, simple practices you can share with your team to reduce stress, increase resiliency, and reconnect with your mission. This training will demonstrate how to incorporate a more mindful outlook into fitness routines in the firehouse, academy and at home. This training will include a combination of interactive presentation and hands-on, experiential training. During the presentation portion, an overview of the science behind why and how yoga, mindfulness and meditation work will be covered. Case studies from firefighters who practice yoga will be explored. We will additionally explore the concept of mindfulness and break it down for clarity, with an eye for applicability to a life in the fire service. Additional topics to be covered during the presentation portion are discoveries from neuroscientists about how to utilize mindfulness practices to mitigate the impact of stress on the brain and behavior, and as well as research from psychologists who work with peak performers, to understand the role of interoception, our 6th sense to adapt, grow and recover from critical incidents. Trainers will learn how to approach mindfulness from a common-sense, evidence-based perspective. They will learn basic meditation techniques as well as common challenges and pitfalls to regular meditation practice. We will explore the concept of meditation as well as some of the neuroscientific and psychological research into it. During the experiential portion, participants will practice 3-part breathing and other tactical breathing exercises to balance body and mind, and to learn how to balance their breathing on the fire ground. They will experience the mechanics of standing and sitting postures to strengthen and protect knees, hips, backs and shoulders, and learn a 5-minute warm up and cool down routine to accompany more strenuous workouts as well as a meditation to use just before bedtime to promote good quality sleep. They will additionally learn about seated meditation conceptually and take part if they wish in a guided introduction to meditation, breath-counting meditation, and then objectless or just sitting meditation. Participants are encouraged to meditate as much or as little as they feel comfortable, the aim being to create an encouraging and enlightening experience for everyone in attendance. All participants attending the training will receive a copy of the powerpoint, step-by-step instructions of the practices shared and a link to an electronic toolkit that includes videos of yoga, breathing practices and meditation instruction; definitions of key terms; articles about cultivating resilience through mindfulness; and meditations for relaxation and sleep. Shannon C. McQuaide, MA