Intelligent Firefighting "Be Aggressive...Don't Be Stupid"
365 N. Kuhn Rd.
Carol Stream, IL 60188
United States
Intelligent Firefighting "Be Aggressive...Don't Be Stupid"
Presented by Captain Bill Gustin, Miami-Dade Fire/Rescue
Date: April 13, 2011
Time: 8am - 5pm
Location: Carol Stream Fire District Station 1
365 N. Kuhn Road
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Cost: $95.00 prior to March 25th, $125 after.
Intelligent firefighters place the value of their lives over the value of property. Intelligent firefighting doesn't have to be defensive. Students attending this 8 hour class will learn how an awareness of building construction and fire conditions can reduce the risk to firefighters. We've seen the bar graphs and pie charts illustrating firefighter death and injury statistics; we know that they indicate that while the numbers of fires nationwide are down, the rate of firefighter deaths and injuries remains fairly constant. This class looks beyond the statistics to examine why fires may not be as frequent as in the past but are often more difficult and dangerous for today's firefighters. Students will learn why experienced, professional firefighters do not operate at every fire and every occupancy with the same strategy, tactics or level of risk. Similarly, they will examine why fire operations in modern "engineered" construction require more cautious tactics than those traditionally used in older buildings. The class will examine hazards of fighting fires in non-residential buildings to learn why fires in commercial occupancies result in a disproportionately high number of firefighter deaths, considering that residential fires far out number non-residential fires. Several fire case histories will be studied to teach students to identify and avoid the most common "mayday" situations. Students will also learn factors that must be considered in an on-going size up that continually evaluates the risk to firefighters against the intended benefits.
Bill Gustin - a 34-year veteran of the fire service, is a captain with Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue and lead instructor in his department’s officer training program. He began his fire service career with the City of Wheaton, IL Fire Department and teaches fire training programs in Florida and other states. He is a marine firefighting instructor and has taught fire tactics to ship crews and firefighters in Caribbean countries. He also teaches forcible entry tactics to fire departments and SWAT teams of local and federal law enforcement agencies. Gustin is an editorial advisory board member of Fire Engineering.
