The fire service will is headed to Nashville Oct. 18-22 for Firehouse Expo.
This year's conference provides dozens of opportunities to get the latest on firefighting technolgy, leadership, training, rescue and much more. The following sessions are based around technology and equipment.
Preconference Sessions
Fire Studio Master Class
Ted Nee, Deputy Chief (ret.) Albuquerque (NM) FD
In this four-hour workshop, participants will create advanced incident simulations using the current version of the Fire Studio Instructor edition software. Participants will be given the backgrounds, clip art and custom layers needed to follow the instructor through building a multi-unit fire simulation and a stand-alone deliberate practice simulation.
Conference sessions
These 90-minute sessions take place Oct. 20-22.
Firefighting and Training with Technology
Brian Kazmierzak, Battalion Chief, Penn Twp., IN, FD
Understand how to adapt technology to your fire department to make you more effective. This course will look at all aspects of technology in the fire service, including fireground, training and management. Participants will also learn about future technology for the fire service and how it can be used in all aspects of your department.
ABCs of Fire Suppression: Communication, Coordination and Control
Sean DeCrane, Battalion Chief, IAFF Local #93
This presentation will use research and actual fire scene scenarios to explain the importance of the three Cs on the fireground: communication, coordination and control, and how to incorporate the four Ws of ventilation. We will also explain how one division has changed tactics to implement changes to standard operating procedures.
Smartphones, Poor Choices
Curt Varone, Director Fire Service/EMS Division, Legal and Liability Risk Management Institute
Smart-phones have become such an essential tool of daily life that the U.S. Supreme Court recently remarked “the proverbial visitor from Mars might conclude they were an important feature of human anatomy.” Smart-phones offer fire and EMS personnel unprecedented access to real time information and the ability to share critical incident details with other responders. New applications are developed each day to help improve responder safety, accountability, resource tracking, and provide invaluable information. With opportunity comes risk and smart-phones pose a risk that poor choices by firefighters can cost them their careers and lead to expensive lawsuits. This program examines the legal issues associated with smartphone usage by fire and EMS personnel offering concrete solutions to address the risks.
How to Make Training Videos
Jamie Markham, Technician, Denver (CO) FD
This class will move firefighters/investigators toward a safer, healthier career by helping them recognize that they may be relying on techniques that lead them to future health issues. We will also discuss the dangers of being exposed to trace levels of harmful chemicals and the synergistic effects of multiple chemicals, which may increase risks for cancer.
The Hokey Pokey of Personal Escape Systems
Jim Ogle, Firefighter, FDNY
This program will discuss the need for escape systems, how to choose one and some case studies on the topic. Several systems will be available during the presentation so participants can get an up-close look. This program will provide in-depth information so participants can make educated decisions when considering the safety of their members.
Fire Dynamics & Facepieces
Gavin Horn, Director of Research, Illinois Fire Service Institute
Recent firefighter fatality reports suggest that the SCBA lenses worn were incapable of withstanding the conditions encountered. This presentation will focus on fire dynamics research and fireground investigations, with an emphasis on projects done between the Illinois Fire Service Institute and the National Institute of Safety and Technology to characterize the fireground and its impact on SCBA facepiece damage/failure.
Flipping the Fire Officer Classroom
William Dempsey, Training Administrator, Delaware State Fire School
Fire officer training needs to be adaptable to fire service schedules and budgets. By using online learning and classroom discussion, students can make more efficient use of their time and tie the book material directly to their local needs. This session will provide a blueprint for blended learning and tactical training for officer development and certification.
Using Social Media Tools For Your Department
Peter Lamb, Instructor, petelamb.com
This interactive program will demonstrate the use of many social media technologies and explain how you can use them for internal departmental communication, as well as external communication to your citizens for public information or emergency notification. We will demonstrate Google Hangouts, Periscope, Blab and other apps.
