FUNDAMENTALS OF THE FIRST DUE

2 DAY HOT *LIVE FIRE*

In our class we teach methods to enhance the basics and hammer down on the fundamental needs of any first arriving company to a working structure fire, be that an engine or a truck company. Our students spend day one working on skills and talking tactics, then on day two they will bring all the skills learned together with scenarios under live fire conditions.

CAN CONFIDENCE

1 DAY HOT *LIVE FIRE*

Gaining Can Confidence for fireground success by placing quick water between fire and victims; ahead of the hoseline. This enables the search team to slow the uncontrolled fire. Combined with isolating the fire room door, and we’ve taken back time to conduct a search. Can Confidence showcases the tactical effectiveness the 2 ½ gallon pressurized water extinguisher as a first in fire tool, reducing fire spread and enhancing the search safety for occupants and firefighters. The class reviews, in detail, how to effectively use the can and how it supports search with fire confinement. Attendees will learn the optimal way to apply water, how much fire an interior hollow core door will contain, how to coordinate with the Engine Companies, and how to properly fill and search with the can. Let’s start the lifesaving extinguishment process by applying what could be the fire’s first interaction with water.

THE TACTICAL TIC

1 DAY HOT *LIVE FIRE*

The thermal imaging camera is one of the most underutilized tools on the fireground—often left on the engine or carried without purpose. In this class, we show how the TIC can be a true force multiplier when used with intention. Students will learn how to apply the camera effectively during size-up, fire attack, and search operations. Backed by real-world examples and LODD data—where 38% of incidents noted the TIC was left behind—this course will give firefighters a deeper understanding of the tool and the confidence to make it part of their everyday decision-making. After this class, you won’t leave the rig without it.

THE DAGUM PROMISE

2 DAY HOT *LIVE FIRE*

Promises are meant to be upheld. As Firefighters we made a promise to the citizens that we will arrive prepared to rescue them on their worst day. The Dagum promise is an intensive, hands on training class that focuses on fulfilling our promise on the fireground, searching for the people we swore to protect.

This search class is a 2 day class that uses data and research to develop firefighters skill sets for residential search operations. Firefighters will increase their knowledge of why we search, how to search and where to search as well as increase their ability to gain access to a structure, safely and effectively search rooms as part of a crew, find and remove victims and effectively communicate during search operations. This class will include hands on skill sets (forcible entry, ladders, victim removals, search technique) and will build understanding and muscle memory before utilizing and testing skills in realistic scenarios. This class includes building skill sets for hoarder room search, VES and pressure based scenarios under live fire that will reinforce decision making and performing under pressure.

Firefighters will gain the confidence, skill and education to fulfill the promise that they made to the people they serve.

FROM BACKSTEP TO BOSS *LIVE FIRE*

2 DAY HOT *LIVE FIRE*

This program is about mastering basic skills and applying them to actual fire ground incidents. On day-1, students will be taken through a variety of teaching stations to include, hose, forcible entry, search/rescue, VES, fire attack, and size-up. Each station includes training in leading these mission critical elements on the fire ground and best practices for both the firefighter and officer. On day-2 students will participate in scenario driven evolutions, performing the skills taught, all under live fire conditions. Each scenario comes from actual incidents and are realistic, fast paced, and have been developed to challenge the students. After each evolution, students will take part in an open and honest after action review to learn from each aspect of the evolution. Additional skills developed during the live fire scenarios include; communication, leadership, basic skills, and team work.

COAST 2 COAST ROOFTOP WORKSHOP

1 DAY HOT

The Coast 2 Coast Rooftop Workshop is a vertical ventilation class that presents fireground roof operations from across the U.S. Harnessing the experience of instructors from the East Coast, West Coast, and in between, this class will present several common types of lightweight and conventional roof construction and the tactics that have been proven in the regions where those roofs exist. This class will dispel myths and misinformation while providing students with an increased confidence and ability to make the fireground safer for victims and firemen.

STREET SMART LADDER WORK: MASTERING THE VERTICAL ADVANTAGE

1 DAY LECTURE/HOT

“Street Smart Ladder Work: Mastering the Vertical Advantage” is a no-fluff, boots-on-the-ground training experience that breaks down the art and science of ground ladder operations. Built for today’s fireground realities—minimum manning, understaffed companies, and limited resources—this course focuses on real-world tactics for maximizing effectiveness with what you’ve got.

Taught by instructors who live and work in departments that reflect the majority of the American fire service—two- or three-person companies doing more with less—this class delivers hard-earned knowledge from the streets, not the classroom. These are real firefighters who know the grind, the urgency, and the mindset it takes to operate with speed, safety, and precision when you’re short-handed but the stakes are high.

This course gives fireground operators a clear, practical framework for efficient, safe, and purpose-driven ladder work. From single-operator throws to coordinated multi-ladder evolutions, you’ll walk away with tips, tricks, and mindset shifts that cut corners the right way—not the dangerous way.

BEYOND THE DOOR: DEVLOPING FIREGROUND IQ

2 DAY LECTURE WORKSHOP

The fireground is an active, fast paced, and rapidly evolving scene where decisions being made by IC, Company Officers, and the firefighters can directly affect the outcome of the incident. In today’s fire service we desperately need men and women who are confident to make the right call. We need thinkers, not robots. We need workers, not yard breathers.

Sgt Dave Nowacki has been working on some of the busiest companies in the Detroit Fire Dept for over 20 years. Join him as he talks about Aggressive Mindset, Fire Behavior, Building Construction, and developing Fireground IQ.

FIREGROUND READY FITNESS

SINGLE DAY FITNESS HOT

Firefighting is one of the most physically and mentally demanding jobs out there. Long shifts, relentless call volume, and chronic sleep deprivation take a toll, but the right training can mean the difference between thriving and breaking down. This workshop is built specifically for firefighters who want to stay strong, injury-free, and ready for the job for the long haul.

The eight-hour Fireground Ready workshop isn’t just talk, it’s hands-on, practical training designed specifically for the fire service. You’ll break down key concepts, then put them into action with movement-based breakout sessions. Expect to walk away with real, applicable strategies to improve your strength, endurance, and injury resistance on the job

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a battle-tested plan to stay strong and resilient in the fire service.

SQUAD BY DEFAULT

1 DAY LECTURE/HOT

They say innovation is the child of necessity.

Welcome to the delivery room.

On any street, in any town, the public’s expectation remains the same: sharp minds, strong bodies, and surgical precision. Squad by Default is an all-encompassing approach to mastering the craft. We’re building well-rounded, total firemen. Honing skills, refining strategies, and maximizing the capabilities of rural and low-staffed firefighting. Born in the Deep South, Squad by Default is designed to be practical for any department, regardless of size or staffing. Whether you’re working with limited resources or striving to be the complete fireman, Squad by Default delivers tools, tactics, and mindset shifts that work where it matters most—on the fireground.

Adapt. Overcome. Perform.

This is Squad by Default.

IF YOU CAN’T TRUCK YOU CAN’T RIT

1 DAY HOT

This HOT RIT Program will expose attendees to the undeniable connection between truck company operations and successful firefighter rescues during mayday events. This course will use real-world data, case studies, and statistical analysis to demonstrate that rapid intervention teams lacking strong truck-level skills are statistically less effective in saving downed firefighters. Through interactive discussion, scenario-based learning, and skill-specific tactics, students will learn how truck company proficiencies—such as forcible entry, search, ventilation, and victim removal—are the foundation of any truly effective RIT deployment. This course aims to redefine how the American fire service prepares for and executes firefighter rescue operations by shifting the focus from passive standby teams to aggressive, inside and outside truck-minded intervention crews ready to perform under extreme pressure.

LEFT SEAT TACTICS AND TIPS

1 DAY HOT

There is no doubt that the Engineer(driver/operator) is one of the most critical jobs in any fire company. This class is a fast-paced look at effective, time-tested techniques, tricks of the trade and tips for Engineers. This class will review tactical considerations on a variety of incidents uniquely from the perspective of the Engineer. The wide variety of incidents a fire company responds to requires the Engineer to be on his/her game at all times. The HOT class will impart several, real-world quick tips and will provide valuable practical training in areas such as booster back-up, relay, tandem and dual pumping operations, as well as diagnosing and correcting common (and some not-so-common) problems that Engineers may encounter on scene. Left Seat Tips and Tactics is geared towards current, newly promoted, and step-up engineers, as well as those firefighters seeking to promote and company officers looking to provide quality company level training to their crew.

THE RURAL REALITY OF SEARCH

2 DAY HOT

65% of fire departments in the U.S. are volunteer, and an even larger majority don’t meet minimum staffing, meaning you may not have adequate staffing to set up a true search crew. This course delves into immediate rescues, FFRS data driven decisions, 2nd arriving truck duties and all things search for this program!

THE MULTI FAMILY FRAMEWORK

2 DAY LECTURE/HOT

From large urban sprawls to small towns, wood frame apartment buildings are being built out from coast to coast across North America. Fires in these buildings are notoriously fast moving and can rapidly spread to the main path of travel, cutting off large numbers of civilians and extending exponentially faster with each minute. This class is focused on giving you a framework that allows you and your crews to act decisively and with precision to turn the ride, get ahead of, and ultimately make life saving stops on these challenging fires. We will discuss the tactical challenges, code implications, experience and research surrounding the different types of wood frame multi-family buildings, and will provide specific tasks and tactical plays that work from urban, suburban to rural environments. From larger buildings that span the block, to complexes, townhomes and more, the goal of this class is simple: we want you to leave with proven information that you can use immediately on your next fire of consequences in a wood frame apartment building. Not fluff or filler.

THE RELENTLESS ENGINE COMPANY

1 DAY HOT

This class is designed to enhance firefighter proficiency in engine company operations, focusing on first arriving command, fire attack, search-and-rescue, utilizing the pump operator, and maximizing the efficiency of the first arriving crews. This class will test your abilities, sharpen your skills, and prove how you can be extremely efficient with a small first arriving crew. Everything the first engine is capable of will be discussed in this class, including pump operations, the company officer/command, choosing the proper hose line, overcoming water supply issues, aggressive fire attack, search & rescue, reading smoke, and developing tactical priorities based on what is presented. Whether your big city, or a small town volunteer, this class is for everyone. This class will NOT disappoint.

THE MODERN FIREGROUND: STANDPIPE OPERATIONS

1 DAY HOT

In the modern era the fireground has increasingly become a more vertical space. Buildings with standpipe systems will continue to become a familiar construction feature we will encounter. With that brings new challenges to overcome and tactics to incorporate. 

This course is designed for every position on the fireground from the nozzle to the chauffeur. We will explore fundamentals such as standpipe connections, hose loads, deployment and advancement. We will also work to develop the ability to troubleshoot common issues that apply to standpipe systems. The goal is to make members more comfortable operating at standpipe operations and give them the ability to bring this training knowledge back to their department’s membership."

THE GRAB FACTORY

1 DAY HOT

“The Grab Factory” is a primary search driven class that will encompass all facets of truck work prior to and after making a search/grab. While primary search can produce many victims on a single search, having sharp and sound technique is a must! From pulling on scene, sizing up your building, finding or creating the best access, performing the search, then victim removal, just to name a few. This class will be a fast paced, skills worked into scenarios-type format. We have taught at multiple conferences in Florida including NCFFC, Ft Lauderdale fire expo, also MAFFC for multiple years in Atlanta, and LIFT in Louisiana. Our cadre has a wide variety and range of experience and knowledge.

DEGENERIT

2 DAY HOT

This course is a data-driven approach to firefighter rescue and survival, built around the findings of Project Mayday. Participants will examine real-world data to understand the “why” behind Mayday situations and the common factors that place firefighters in danger. Using this knowledge, the class blends research with hands-on application through realistic, scenario-based training. Students will be introduced to both proven methods and unconventional techniques, gaining a comprehensive perspective on rescue and survival strategies. The course culminates in high-intensity, victim-focused scenarios designed to challenge skills, decision-making, and teamwork under pressure.