The Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) has long been known as the premiere training conference for fire service instructors and firefighters. Along with Hands-On Training (H.O.T.) evolutions, the conference portion of FDIC offers workshops and classroom sessions that revolve around apparatus and equipment.
Below is a listing of FDIC classes covering operation and maintenance of apparatus and equipment, and, most important, safety. FDIC runs from March 21-26, and details can be found on the FDIC Web site.
Introduction to FlatPak: Evaluation of the new innovative SCBA technology
Dr. Jim Brown, Ph.D., Safe Responder, LLC
FlatPak, the new lightweight SCBA design represents a breakthrough in respiratory protection for firefighters. Safe Responder laboratories conducted a functional evaluation of the new device. Study findings will be reported here. Preliminary testing indicates the new design imposes less cardiovascular stress and offers increased range of motion compared to other devices. This FDIC discussion will cover testing completed to date, including lab tests already conducted and some practical fire ground simulation testing.
Benefits of the Personal Harness & Escape System
Lieutenant Dan DiRenzo, Cherry Hill (N.J.) Fire Department
Implementing and using fire department personal harnesses and escape systems has been increasing dramatically – sometimes implemented without a full understanding of their uses and potential. There are numerous benefits and advantages for firefighters incorporating these devices with their PPE or SCBA. This class will educate firefighters on how these systems can be used to rescue other firefighters and complete self-survival techniques. The techniques and information provided is applicable to any Class 2 personal harnesses and escape systems used by today’s fire service.
Information and Communications Technology
Gerri Penney, Ph.D., Executive Fire Officer Graduate, Palm Beach County (Fla.) Fire Rescue/Bureau of Safety Services
Many fire departments have some type of leadership institute, which incorporates a training program designed for new fire officers. Information from a study of executive fire officers could provide new insights into curriculum development and preparation for new fire officers in the ever changing technological environments they are required to react in and respond to. The study investigates the strategic thinking skills of executive fire officers and their fluency or proficiency using information and communication technology.
Drive to Survive
Firefighter/EMT Christopher Daly, Goshen (Pa.) Fire Department
This training program teaches members that no matter how long they have been driving or how “good” they think they are, there are limits to the safe operation of an emergency apparatus or personal vehicle. Using the same techniques used by crash investigators, this class provides an understanding of important topics that are essential for safe driving. The three-hour, lecture-based seminar addresses advanced topics not normally covered in basic driver training programs and is suitable for any member who operates a fire truck, ambulance or personal vehicle. The class also addresses important issues for the chief and line officers who are ultimately responsible for the operation of any motor vehicle or driver training program within a fire or EMS department.
Portable Firefighter Survival Maze
Lieutenant Tom Hancock, Cobb County (Ga.) Fire and Emergency Services
This presentation is designed to teach the techniques needed for implementing quality firefighter survival training using a portable firefighter survival maze. Participants will learn how to design, build and conduct training evolutions using this maze. It includes reduced profiles, entanglements, a collapse simulator, a hose evolution, a spongy floor simulator and other critical aspects of firefighter survival.
Urban Tactics With Quint Fire Apparatus
Firefighter Nicholas Morgan, St. Louis (Mo.) Fire Department
This presentation will discuss the difference between applying standard engine and truck company fireground tactics with traditional engine and truck companies only; or quint companies only; or with some combination of all three types of fire apparatus. Topics include a basic presentation about what quints are, how they are both similar and dissimilar to traditional fire apparatus; why some departments are looking to replace older apparatus with quints; and the relative strengths and weaknesses of using quint apparatus to accomplish standard fireground operations, especially in an urban setting. This class is designed for firefighters and officers assigned to quint companies, for apparatus specification committee members, and for chief officers whose departments are either currently using or considering the purchase of quint fire apparatus in the future.
Preventing Aerial Ladder Accidents: Two Case Studies
Battalion Chief (Ret.) William Peters, Jersey City (N.J.) Fire Department
Three firefighters lost their lives in two separate accidents involving aerial fire apparatus. The first accident involved an unsecured waterway at a working fire that was launched, killing a deputy chief on the ground; the second pertains to a training accident in which two unsecured firefighters were ejected from an aerial platform. This class will discuss the in-depth investigation of each accident conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that resulted in safety bulletins being issued that might save firefighters’ lives in the future.
Emergency Vehicle Operations: What We Can Learn From Recent Wrecks?
Lieutenant Michael Wilbur, Fire Department of New York
This presentation will provide a pictorial review of recent emergency vehicle accidents and their causative factors. Subjects covered include DWI, railroad safety, response policies, intersection safety, rural apparatus driving, leadership, and maintenance. Pictures will be shown of a apparatus rollover accident from the beginning to the end. As we review the anatomy of a rollover accident, we will discuss tactics to consider when the apparatus leaves the roadway on a curve and successful ways in which to recover. This class is a must for all driver operators, chief and company officers, firefighters who are driver operator candidates and firefighters who respond in their personal vehicles.
Understanding the Training Building Process
Assistant Chief Mike Cardwell, EFO, Urbandale (Iowa) Fire Department
This class is intended to help organizations get a handle on the process of funding, locating, designing and constructing a training building. Students will work though different tracks of getting the building completed. This presentation will provide key information from the end-user point of view. The administrative track will walk through the approval process. It will include lessons learned from getting political support to dealing with various code and enforcement agencies. The operational track will look at the design and build process from a final use point of view. Critical design points and benchmarks will be explored, as well as securing funding for the project.
Effective Use of Tower Ladders in Tactical Operations
Firefighter Nicholas A. Martin, District of Columbia Fire Department
This program will discuss proper use of tower ladders in several fireground scenarios, including firefighter access, rescue of civilians or firefighters, elevated master streams and technical rescue. An interactive presentation, participants will discuss a variety of incidents and scenarios regarding the proper or improper use and placement of tower ladders, including a discussion of rear-mount and mid-mount devices and comparisons of “ladder towers” versus “tower ladders.” Comparisons will be drawn between tower ladders and straight aerials, contrasting the pros and cons of each. The program will also cover the integration of tower ladder operations into the tactical procedures of the District of Columbia Fire Department and the Prince George’s County (Md.) Fire Department.
Participants may register for FDIC in one of three ways: by visiting https://www.fdic.com; by phone/fax at 918-831-9161/888-299-8057; or by mail at PennWell/FDIC11 Registration Department, P.O. Box 973059, Dallas, TX 75397-3059.
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