Course Descriptions

Morning Breakout Sessions

10:30-NOON    

The Fire Goes as the 1st Line Goes

Robert T. LaGrow, FDNY and Mike Healy, NY Fire Academy

“The Fire Goes as the First Line Goes” says it all.  This program examines the importance of placing the first hand line into operation and the relationship of the first line to effective fire ground operations.  This presentation will discuss the importance team integrity, line positioning, water supply, size-up, line advancement and how these elements are integrated into the incident command system. Apparatus design and line deployment from an engine company will also be discussed.  Students are encouraged to participate and will find this program engaging and insightful.

 

The Cocoanut Grove Fire: What really happened?

Casey C. Grant, P.E., National Fire Protection Association

The Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire in Boston Massachusetts ranks today as the worst loss of life nightclub fire in U.S. history.  This tragic fire took the lives of nearly 500 people on Saturday evening, November 28, 1942 ,with a fast moving fire that started just after 10:00 pm and in minutes flashed throughout the entire facility. 

This presentation will provide an overview of the fire, and high-light the significant impact that it had on society.  The lessons learned will be reviewed, with a focus on the improvements that have occurred in our knowledge and understanding of medicine, case law, fire codes and standards, and disaster preparedness.  The cause of this fire is indicated in the official Boston Fire Department report as “unknown”, and noteworthy fanfare in the media about how the fire started will be used as backdrop to discuss theories relating to the fire’s cause and origin, as well as how the fire spread as rapidly as it did.

COMPREHENSIVE AIR  MANAGEMENT

Lieutenant Kevin Jutras

What is comprehensive air management?  Why do we need it, and who’s responsible for it? Air management in the fire service has historically been a matter of personal responsibility.  Folks on the national level are saying that this has to change.  This informative and timely session will examine the historical facts pointing toward the need for better air management, and the interrelationship with crew rotation and accountability.  Learn how the research into the hazards posed by cyanide in fire smoke will impact air management in the future, and see what changes at strategic, tactical and task levels are on the horizon.  This cutting edge program will also examine what the most progressive departments in the country are presently doing for air management training, policies and procedures.

 

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

3:30-5:00

Engine Company Chauffeur Class

Robert T. LaGrow, FDNY and Mike Healy, NY Fire Academy

One of the most important firefighters on any fireground and the one who gets the least amount of credit is the engine company chauffeur.  This firefighter is presented with the task of getting members to and from emergencies safely along with performing complex operations alone on a chaotic fireground.  This presentation will discuss driving procedures, water supply, pumping operations and the basic dos and don’ts of operating an engine company efficiently.  Apparatus placement at fires and other emergencies as well as hydrant positioning will also be examined in this presentation.  Case studies where things have gone wrong and why will be discussed as well as text book engine company operations. 

Common Themes Among Firefighter Fatalities

Chief Gordon Routley

Gordon Routley is one of the most experienced firefighter fatality investigators over the past twenty years. Some of these investigations involved high profile incidents - such as the recent Sofa Super Store fire in Charleston, South Carolina, and some were in communities that remain virtually unknown. In the course of conducting these investigations, he has found numerous factors that tend to contribute to the tragic loss of lives. Gordon will identify those factors and explain what can each of us do within our departments to help prevent a firefighter fatality from occuring.

TOWERLADDER OPERATIONS: Thinking outside the box  

Chief Daniel Crowley, Prov. FD &  Lt. Rob Brown, FDNY

Tower ladders have become an important piece of firefighting equipment. This course will cover TL operations at a variety of buildings.  We will discuss aggressive apparatus placement, to insure usefulness of TL.  We will discuss many common errors that new chauffeurs make every tour.  Discuss size up, rescue, water flow operations, overhaul and SAFETY.  This course is designed to get TL firefighters and incident commanders more familiar with the versatility of the tower ladder on the fire ground.

 

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