Truck Company Classes

[nmfiredawg]

Hello forum, first time onhere. I was wondering if anyone knows of a good truck company officer course, or truck company tactics course that is out there. I have recently been changed over to our new aerial and am looking for new courses, sogs, and inventory for this position. Any help would be great.

[efdtower1dr]

Just for starters...Check out the IFSTA catalog regarding Company Officers and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook.<br /> There are many other publishing companies who will mail you a catalog of fire training books, films and materials. <br /> Next contact your state fire academy. Here in PA, we have many local level courses to choose from: Aerial Apparatus Practices; Arial Apparatus Practices Extended; Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Extended; Forcible Entry; General Fire Service Rescue; High-Rise Firefighting; Store, Mall and Mercantile Firefighting; Structural Fire Rescue; Truck Company Operations I and II; and Ventilation Practices. <br /> Classes from the National Fire Academy include:<br />Building Construction: Non-Combustible and Fire Resistive; Building Construction: Wood and Ordinary; Incident Command Systems; Leadership I, II, and III; Managing Company Tactical Operations series (Preparation, Decision Making, Tactics and Simulations).<br /> Probably the best characteristics would be "the ability to think on your feet while the movie is playing at four times its normal speed."<br /> If you need to devise some checklists for use on the emergency scene, do it. <br /> Just remember the three priorities in the fire service: Life Safety (firefighters and civilians), Incident Stabilization and Property Conservation. This should be a start.<br /> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[nmfiredawg]

Thanks for the info, Our state does not offer any real classes for truck companies. It does offer some fire tactics classes, which I have been to and through aerial classes. I know riverside CA has a truck company course, and did not know if any other state offered a similiar one.

[111truck]

Hi Lieut. Methena,<br />You know, I dropped an answer here soon after you wrote. (Lost in the rear I guess)<br />Truck work is the most important; misunderstood; neglected; overlooked; unknown operations on the interior structural fire attack scene. The lack of it is most responsible for Smoke Explosions, increase in Flashover and a host of other explosive surprises on the fire ground while troops are within. <br />Lack of understanding and results of good to great truck work is the reason for reduced, insufficient, and criminal manning situations on our responding fire vehicles in the United States. <br />Lack of truck work is responsible for high pressure fog and immediate positive pressure of a fire buiding on arrival. <br />In my opinion it is responsible for the horrible record of civilian fire death in America especially in private dwellings.<br />More on this when you want it. <br />I also conduct truck awareness sessions.<br />Give us a call. <br />Tom Brennan

[John_Ford]

John Mittendorf LA City Retired is a good class. I believe he has a web site, Not sure. He is around though. Ray Hoff, Chicago Retired is also a good class. He is usually at FDIC and does a nice Truck presentation. I could try to get some PH # Numbers if you want.

PS Tom Brennan is the retired Captain of Truck 111 in Bed-Sty and A finer Gentleman you will never meet. I understand he went to work for a small fire department in CT somewhere before trying his hand at writing. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[ 01-09-2002: Message edited by: John_Ford ]</p>

[John_Ford]

LT, Check your e-mail. I got yours but lost it, sorry. Lemme know.

[e53NSB]

I sat down and read the reply from 111 truck, and before I finished reading the entire post I was thinking to myself, man, this Guy sounds like he just read an article on "firenuggets.com" or "Random Thoughts" by Tom Brennan. <br />Sure enough its from the man himself, welcome aboard Chief!!!!Your correct on everything you say and write.<br />Now to answer your question on where to find a good truck class, get with Brennan, I sat through a 2 day seminar with him on Truck Op's in Orlando Fl., Try to arrange a class with him and his company, I'm sure if you get with your Dept and some sorrounding agencies you should have enough people interested, If you don't have enough people interested, your in more trouble than you can ever imagine. <br />Hey Chief, ya need an agent?

FTM-PTB-EGH-RFB

[RFD220]

I have both read articles by and have had the opportunity to see John Mittendorf twice. He is an excellent instructor and has a very down to earth and back to basics approach to truck ops. He also has a very good guide that he passes out at his classes that shows all the tactics he teaches. Try to get him to come to your department if possible. Also ask him about the "face in the fire" pictures he has. Pretty spooky stuff. Welcome Chief Brennan!!

[1261Truckie]

To 111truck,

Oh my God, another truckie in the Forum. Welcome aboard !!!

Jim Boyle (aka 1261Truckie)

[resqcapt]

F.D.I.C. H.O.T. Truck Company Classes are a great start for training.

<br />Steve