Courses
Use the email link above (AVILLODEPUTY1@GMAIL.COM) to request courses or to contact me for more information.
Class description / objectives are beneath class list.
Most requested classes have ** next to them.
Leadership Classes
- **Full Contact Leadership: From the Firehouse to the Street
- **Full Contact Leadership: Meeting the Prime Directive (shorter version)
- **Full Contact Leadership: Managing the Conflict-gration (shorter version)
- **Fire Officer Excellence
Command and Control Classes
- **Fireground Strategies: Strategic Decision-Making
- **Fireground Strategies: Hard Environment Preparation
- **Fireground Strategies: Hard Environment Control
- Fireground Strategies: From the Textbook to the Streets
- **Fireground Strategies: Command, Control, & Accountability
- Command & Company-Level Scene Reports
- Fireground Strategies: Get ‘em in safe, Work ‘em safe, Get ‘em out safe
- Strategic Considerations of Size-Up
- Strategic Consideration of Size-Up and Scene Reports
Building Construction
- **Fireground Strategies: When Buildings Change the Rules of the Game
- Fireground Strategies: Street-Smart Building Construction
- Fireground Strategies: Building Construction I and II
Occupancy-Specific Strategies & Tactics Courses
- Fireground Strategies: Private Dwellings
- Fireground Strategies: Multiple Dwellings
- Fireground Strategies: High Rise Operations
- Fireground Strategies: Attached Structures: Row Houses, Townhouses, Garden Apartments, Brownstones
- Fireground Strategies: Strip Malls, Taxpayers, Mixed-Use Occupancies
- Fireground Strategies: Commercial Occupancies
- Fireground Strategies: Residential Occupancies
- Fireground Strategies: Estate Homes and New Millennium Multiple Dwellings
Training
- Full Contact Training
Tactics
- Strategic Considerations of Ventilation
- Truck Ops for TuFF Guys
- Engine Company Operations
- Street Smart Engine Company Operations
Challenge-Based Officer Courses
- Chief Officer: Mastering Strategic Fireground Challenges
- Chief Officer: Mastering Supervisory Challenges
- Company Officer: Mastering Tactical Fireground Challenges
- Company Officer: Mastering Supervisory Challenges
NJ State Fire Officer and Instructor-level Certification Courses
Note: NJ Dept’s with eligible organization status can get CEU for Instructor or toward Fire Officer certification. The building construction and strategy and tactics courses will also meet the requirements for the officer certifications or instructor electives.
- Incident Safety Officer
- Drillground Instructor
- Fire Officer I
Course Descriptions
Leadership
Full Contact Leadership: From the Firehouse to the Street
This course will introduce the tenets of Full Contact Leadership and how it applies to the Fire Officer as well as those who aspire to become Fire Officers. Understanding and addressing the often uber-uncomfortable personnel conflicts and subordinate / superior relationships and the application to the fireground will be a major focus of this class. The steps to personnel conflict resolution will be compared and made applicable to the familiar fireground evolutions that most fire operators are comfortable with…sort of a way to introduce a level of comfort into the areas of command and leadership discomfort. The discussion of expectations required, self-evaluation, monitoring, and follow-up as well as skills such as observation, active listening, knowledge-based analysis, and informed resolution will give fire officers the tools to operate in the often treacherous waters of both soft environment and eventually hard environment command and control. The student will understand that leadership, discipline, and accountability come out of the firehouse just like every tool we use to mitigate an emergency and their application on the street is based on how we handle the soft environment. Examples and practical fireground application of these principles will be discussed. Failure to maintain these attributes of leadership in the soft environment will inevitably come to roost in the hard environment of the emergency ground. This course is a must for all levels.
Objectives
- The student will understand the requirements of the subordinate / superior relationship and how it applies to the day-to-day maintenance of the in-service and ready status of his/her Command.
- The student will be exposed to the critical nature of active observing, listening, and analysis as it relates to the absolute requirement of ensuring departmental expectations are met as well as the functional well-being of those who are being led.
- Students will recognize the incipient phase of conflict and learn how to address and resolve same before the situation explodes into a fully developed conflict-gration. This “catch it when it is small” philosophy is Full Contact leadership in action.
- Students will recognize how these soft environment factors affect the control of fireground (hard environment) operations and will be given the tools to better size-up, recognize, and proactively resolve issues before they get to the street.
Full Contact Leadership: Meeting the Prime Directive
The fire service exists for only one reason: to get out the door ready to go. The Prime Directive, “Nothing shall interfere with your ability to maintain the in-service and ready status of your Command” will be the main focus of this discussion. This course will discuss what Full Contact Leadership is and how it applies to all things fire. The student will be made to understand the mantra of the Prime Directive and the absolute requirement of understanding that leadership, discipline, and accountability come out of the firehouse just like every tool we use to mitigate an emergency. Further, that what happens out on the street is based on how we handle ourselves and our responsibilities in the soft environment. Failures in the soft environment of the firehouse will eventually come home to roost on the fireground. We will discuss how proactive and diligent measures off the fireground will lead to a safer and more effective fire operation.
Full Contact Leadership: Managing the Conflict-gration
The student will understand the requirements of the subordinate / superior relationship and how it applies to the day-to-day maintenance of the in-service and ready status of his/her Command. The student will be exposed to the critical nature of active observing, listening, and analysis as it relates to the absolute requirement of ensuring departmental expectations are met as well as the functional well-being of those who are being led. Students will recognize the incipient phase of conflict and learn how to address and resolve same before the situation explodes into a fully developed conflict-gration. This “catch it when it is small” philosophy is Full Contact leadership in action.
This Full Contact Leadership / Fireground Strategies-based presentation will seek to challenge both current and prospective fire officers regarding preparation, attitude, philosophical approach, and operational and organizational skill both in the hard environment (on the fireground) and in the soft environment (the areas and time when you are preparing yourself and your subordinates for the fireground). The outcome of the 1% of the time we spend on the fireground is based on the actions, discipline, and leadership we display the other 99% of the time in the soft environment. This course will address Officer and Departmental responsibility as it relates to the Full Contact Leadership mantra: “Allow NOTHING to interfere with your ability to maintain the ready and in-service status of your Command.”
We will examine foundation-level reasons for emergency ground failures and discuss organization-level controls and mechanisms to address and prevent same. Departmental and company-level expectations will be a focus of this discussion and why departments fail in the hard environment the and relationship this failure has to the soft environment. There will be a major emphasis on the importance of the “nothing showing environment” and its impact on the “something showing environment” with a “What You Permit You Promote” philosophy.
Objectives:
1. The student will understand the requirements of the subordinate / superior relationship and how it applies to the day-to-day maintenance of the in-service and ready status of his/her Command.
2. Students will recognize the incipient phase of conflict and learn how to address and resolve same before the situation explodes into a fully developed conflict-gration. This “catch it when it is small” philosophy is Full Contact leadership in action.
3. Students will recognize how soft environment factors affect the control of fireground (hard environment) operations and will be given the tools to better size-up, recognize, and proactively resolve issues before they get to the street.
4. Students will understand where the Fire Officer fits into the big picture of fireground organization, freelance prevention, and accountability
5. Students will identify the absolute requirement for proper size-up, selection, placement, and raising of ground ladders utilizing the click system.
Command and Control Courses
Fireground Strategies: Strategic Decision-Making
This presentation will cover the decisions that need to be made regarding fire scene strategy determination based on the arrival and/or forecasted conditions. Strategy selection considerations, strategy modification cues, and offensive-to-defensive / defensive to offensive strategic transition will be a focus for discussion. Situational fire topics will be discussed and highlighted by case studies and lessons learned from past incidents. Areas of focus will include below grade fires, attached and closely spaced buildings, cockloft fires, exposure issues, and large area buildings. We will further discuss the recognition of when an exterior strategic opportunity presents itself, precipitating a transitional strategy as the initial fireground action. Additional insights into strategies and tactics to make a transitional attack more effective will be covered. Further, additional alarm considerations as well as the importance of standard operating procedures as the foundation of fireground control and the importance of progress reports from all operational areas as the basis of ongoing review/evaluation/revision requirements. A must for the Incident Commander.
Objectives
The student will identify cues to aid in the determination of the chosen strategy.
The student will identify situations where additional alarms are required to control the incident.
The student will understand how to decentralize the fireground to effectively manage an incident.
The student will identify situations and reports that will guide the decision to modify the chosen strategy.
The student will be able to recognize an exterior strategic opportunity to apply the transitional strategy.
The student will understand the importance of ongoing progress reports as a mechanism of incident review / evaluate / revision
The student will identify the steps of strategic transition.
Fireground Strategies: Hard Environment Preparation
This presentation will seek to challenge officers and prospective officers in regard to their preparation, attitude, philosophical approach, and operational and organizational skill both in the hard environment (on the fireground) and in the soft environment (the areas and time when you are preparing yourself and your subordinates for the fireground). This course will help officers look inside themselves and look at their departments and answer the questions: “What kind of officer am I?” and “What type of organization do I work for?” Am I really an officer who looks out for his subordinates? Or do I use lip service and then do not practice what I preach? We will discuss why the insignias on the officer’s collar stand for “conflict and confrontation” and help them to see that these seemingly negative connotations are actually leadership virtues for the effective officer.
The outcome of the 1% of the time we spend on the fireground is based on the actions, discipline, and leadership we display the other 99% of the time in the soft environment.
Thus, this class will explore such factors as setting expectations and setting proper example as well as discuss the skills of resolving subordinate issues. Safety of operations and the officer’s role in same will play a major role in officer development and fireground organization and will be addressed by discussing the rules of engagement, the art of command presence and street-command organization. Further discussion will focus on officer accountability and the subsequent role of both fireground accountability and the coordination of fireground actions.
Fireground Strategies: Hard Environment Control
This presentation, will address the fireground experience from arrival through termination. It is the aim of this program to identify areas where weakness in command and organizational structure cause a breakdown in operations and safety. Operational discipline along with pre-fireground preparation in the way of setting expectations for subordinates will be stressed. We will attempt to bring the Incident Command System down to the street level, making for a safer and more effective fireground. It is a further goal to foster a safe operating philosophy in an effort to minimize fireground injuries and fatalities. Awareness and vigilance are the first steps toward a safer fire service. Activities counter to the safe execution of the incident action plan will be identified, with solutions offered to and sought from the participants. Case study will play a large role in the discussions planned and students will be urged to share their experiences with the class. It is a goal of this class to put into the student’s heads that as the IC or officer on the fireground, the burden of the everyone goes home philosophy rests with them and is a responsibility they cannot take lightly or ever fail to hold up their end of the mission.
Fireground Strategies: From the Textbook to the Streets
This class will visit case studies and lessons learned. Discussed will be the importance of policy to create a safer and more organized fireground. We will discuss the importance of the “nothing showing environment” and its impact on the “something showing environment” Additional areas covered will be risk assessment in the modern environment, additional alarm considerations, decentralization, exposure and water supply considerations as well as cues to initiate strategic change. Further, we will address command considerations for renovated and vacant structures as well as observations and operational suggestions for high rise fires. The class is sprinkled with case studies and lessons learned from some of the most challenging fires I have commanded. Passing it on and paying it forward
Fireground Strategies: Command, Control, and Accountability
This presentation is aimed at all Officers, newly installed or promoted as well as those moving up the ladder to higher ranks. We will base our objectives on what it takes to be an effective officer and an integral part of the organization. Discussed will be the utilization of command boards and how the Accountability Officer and Incident Commander can maintain a cooperative and effective approach to the critical priority of fireground safety. Company and Battalion level integrity and accountability will be a focus and discussion will include proper decentralization of the fireground to maximize information gathering which allows an addressing of strategies, accountability and safety. PAR’s will be discussed as well as Safety Officer duties and Rehab guidelines. In addition, structural fire analysis as well as risk management and the role of the Officer will be covered. The Officer’s role in supervision will also be addressed in order to meet our highest priority: Get ‘em in safe, work ‘em safe, and get ‘em out safe.
Fireground Strategies: Command and Company-Level Scene Reports
This course can piggyback the fireground organization course or stand alone as a radio usage and awareness refresher. Common mistakes regarding radio reporting are discussed and suggested formats for scene arrival and progress reports are included as handouts. Company reports to Command are discussed as well. This is an interactive course that involves the students in transmitting radio reports from fireground photos and supplemental information regarding the incident.
Fireground Strategies: Get ‘em in safe, Work ‘em safe, Get ‘em out safe
This course is aimed at developing an organization to support and maintain fireground safety. Discussed are the 10 rules for engagement for structural firefighting and how complacency and inattention lead to fire personnel becoming statistics. We will cover LODD and injury statistics and bring them down to the street level. The class goes heavily into unintended consequences of unsafe action and the need for better supervision and accountability. The goal: “Get ’em in safe, work ’em safe, get ’em out safe”
Strategic Consideration of Size-Up
This course covers the 13 points of size up and how they relate to the fire ground. Specific examples of size up concerns and their strategic impact will be discussed in great detail. Further discussed will be the tactics that are required to meet the challenge of specific size up concerns. Case study and rules of thumb will be discussed in regard to issues concerning command and operating personnel.
Strategic Consideration of Size-Up and Scene Reports**
This course covers the 13 points of size up and how they relate to the fire ground as well as their relationship to scene reporting, especially the arrival report. Specific examples of size up concerns and their strategic impact will be discussed in great detail. Further discussed will be the tactics that are required to meet the challenge of specific size up concerns. Case study and rules of thumb will be discussed in regard to issues concerning command and operating personnel. The second part of the course will cover scene reporting and like the first part, interactive discussion and student-generated reports based on report templates will provide the student with a linear path to a solid radio report and not only provide them with what to say but what to listen for. Confidence on the radio is one of the goals of this course and blends a solid and comprehensive size up with a template aimed at the successful use of that information.
** This course can be broken into size up only, size up and arrival reports, or just fire ground report protocols. It can be tailored to meet the needs of the department.
Building Construction
Fireground Strategies: When Buildings Change the Rules of the Game
The student shall:
1. Understand the concept of “one-size-does-not-fit-all” firefighting
2. Recognize and understand how to properly conduct operations in lightweight structures
3. Recognize and understand how to properly conduct operations in large area structures
4. Recognize and understand how to properly conduct operations in vacant and renovated structures
5. Recognize and understand how to properly conduct operations in the structural carcass
6. Understand the risk vs. gain profile of operations in the buildings that change the rules of the game
7. Understand that we do not dictate to these structures; these structures dictate necessary (and unnecessary) actions to us.
8. Survive a fire in a building that changes the rules of the game
Fireground Strategies: Street-Smart Building Construction
This course will focus on those issues that firefighters must be aware of to operate more safely in the buildings we are entering. Discussed will be fire spread concerns inherent to specific types of buildings as well as structural deficiencies that must be paid attention to. Renovations, vacant buildings, and those being constructed with substandard materials will also be covered. VPS property security systems will also be discussed. Strategies outlining how to address these buildings and their idiosyncrasies will be a further focus point, offering solutions to address the concerns discussed.
Fireground Strategies: Building Construction I and II
This 6-hour course, delivered in two 3-hour segments, covers the five classifications of building construction. Discussed are the characteristics of each as well as the fire spread and structural concerns of each classification. Included is a comprehensive look at truss construction, lightweight construction, and hybrid construction. Finally collapse types and operational considerations are covered. In addition, the Building construction lesson can be broken into two 3-hour sections (Section 1 is fire resistive, non-combustible, and ordinary construction. Section 2 is heavy timber, wood frame, and truss construction) Can be lengthened to include scenarios
Occupancy-Specific Strategies & Tactics Courses
Fireground Strategies: Private Dwellings
This course covers various types of private dwellings from both a fire spread and structural problem viewpoint. Also discussed are both firefighting concerns and life safety concerns inherent in this type occupancy. Strategic considerations and interior fire control factors are discussed, with the point of entry rule of thumb explained in detail to assist the fire and command officer in proper decision-making on the fireground. Engine and Ladder Company tactics are discussed as well as tactical considerations common to these occupancies. The second half of the course consists of an interactive scenario that will allow the student to apply the information taught in the first half of the course. Discussion of the scenario answers round out the course.
Fireground Strategies: Multiple Dwellings
Fireground Strategies: High Rise Operations
This course covers the characteristics of high rises, both residential and commercial. Also covered are the firefighting concerns and life safety concerns inherent in this type of occupancy. Operational guidelines and safety-oriented policies will be discussed as well as a review of several case studies of high-rise fires and the lessons learned. Stack effect, stratification, equipment requirements, staffing requirements, alternate strategies and tactics, and protection-in-place vs. evacuation will be covered. A comprehensive look at command and control as well as control point establishment is included. Safe elevator guidelines are included in this course. Strategic considerations and interior fire control factors are also discussed.
Objectives:
- The student will identify the different types of high rises and be able to differentiate the operational requirements and concerns in each.
- The student will understand the fire and heat related concerns present in these vertical structures.
- Students will understand the need to utilize and control building systems to best control the building environment.
- Students will learn how to create and participate in the command system required to control a fire in a high rise
- Students will recognize the alternative tactics that may be utilized when fire conditions do not allow a safe and close approach to the fire area.
- Students will understand how to gather on-scene intelligence prior to engaging in fire control operations in the fire area
Fireground Strategies: Attached Structures: Row Houses, Townhouses, Garden Apartments, Brownstones
This course covers various types of contiguous structures from both a fire spread and structural problem viewpoint. Broken into old and new style contiguous structures, both firefighting concerns and life safety concerns inherent to each are discussed. Strategic considerations and interior fire control factors are also discussed, with the point of entry rule of thumb explained in detail to assist the fire and command officer in proper decision-making on the fireground. The second half of the course consists of an interactive scenario that will allow the student to apply the information taught in the first half of the course. Discussion of the scenario answers round out the course
Fireground Strategies: Strip Malls, Taxpayers, Mixed-Use Occupancies
This course covers firefighting concerns and life safety concerns inherent in strip malls, taxpayers, and mixed-use occupancies Strategic considerations and interior fire control factors are discussed for each, with the point of entry rule of thumb explained in detail to assist the fire and command officer in proper decision-making on the fireground. The second half of the course consists of an interactive scenario that will allow the student to apply the information taught in the first half of the course. Discussion of the scenario answers round out the course
Fireground Strategies: Commercial Occupancies
This course covers various types of commercial occupancies and the firefighting and life safety concerns inherent in each. Large footprint structures, storage occupancies, strip malls, and mixed-use occupancies will be included. As an occupancy that “changes the rules of the game”, fire personnel must realize it is dangerous to approach these occupancies with a two-story frame mentality. Strategic considerations and interior fire control factors are discussed and explained in detail to assist the fire and command officer in proper decision-making on the fireground.
Fireground Strategies: Residential Occupancies
This course covers the characteristics of both private dwellings and multiple dwellings from both a fire spread and structural problem viewpoint. Also discussed are both firefighting concerns and life safety concerns inherent in this type occupancy. Interior fire control factors are also discussed, with the point of entry rule of thumb explained in detail to assist the fire and command officer in proper decision-making on the fireground. Engine and Ladder Company tactics are discussed as well as tactical considerations common to these occupancies. The second half of the course consists of an interactive scenario that will allow the student to apply the information taught in the first half of the course. Discussion of the scenario answers round out the course
Fireground Strategies: Estate Homes and New Millennium Multiple Dwellings
Course addresses two of the newer type occupancies that will confront firefighters in the twenty-first century. Firefighting and life safety concerns of large private dwellings and new hybrid style multiple dwellings will be discussed. Building construction of each type occupancy will be covered as well as fire attack strategies and tactics specific to each.
Training
This class is for all Officers, those that are in charge of Training Division, Company Officers who are charged the responsibility for training their personnel, and Chief Officers who must plan, organize, and supervise the training. Traits of a successful instructor are discussed as well as the need to know your students. Out-of-the-box and creative motivation are urged and many training ideas are covered, including interagency training considerations. Team-building drills are covered and the benefits of on-scene drills are discussed. Included is a tutorial for a trainer on more effective ground ladders operations through target identification and immediate selection, positioning, and raising of ground ladders. Finally, the class will cover supervision in training and the proper documentation related to a training program. If you are looking for training ideas, this is the place to be.
Tactics
Strategic Considerations of Ventilation
Many a fireground has gone bad due to the uncoordinated or lack of proper, timely, and coordinated ventilation. This class, which will focus on the proper and disciplined coordination of fireground ventilation operations, will include the discussion of and the practical application of the findings of the UL Ventilation Studies and how it affects our operations. Types of ventilation, the difference between venting for life and venting for fire will be discussed. Additionally, both peaked and flat roof vertical ventilation will be discussed. Roof safety guidelines will also be included. Finally, vent, isolate, enter, search operations will be extensively covered. A must for those who assign and supervise the ventilation, those who conduct the ventilation and those who will be able to put out the fire a little easier and safer because of the ventilation.
Objectives:
- The student will understand the absolute requirement for proper coordination between ventilation and fire attack to safely operate in today’s fire environment.
- The student will understand the requirement to “keep the beast in the cage” when engaging in today’s fire environment.
- The student will identify the proper tactics required for peaked roof ventilation.
- The student will recognize unsafe roof conditions through proper size-up and district familiarization.
- The student will understand the significance of the roof report to the overall fire operation.
- The student will understand how to steps and tactics to operate on flat roofs properly and safely.
- The student will recognize “go and no go” situations when engaging in vent, enter, search operations as well as how to conduct such operations effectively and safely.
Truck Ops for Tuff Guys
This course covers all aspects of truck company operations including incident priorities, tactical planning, and the various duties of truck company personnel. Included are sections on forcible entry, search and rescue, laddering, ventilation, VES, overhaul , salvage, utility control, and apparatus positioning.
Engine Company Operations
This course covers all aspects on engine company operations from the standpoint of both the Company officer and the Incident Commander. Discussed are concepts such as line placement priorities, water supply, standpipe and sprinkler supply operations, and coordination between attack and support operations
Street Smart Engine Company Operations
This class will cover engine company operational considerations and offer suggestions for more effective/efficient evolutions. There will be a short review of the basics of pumping operations and a simple “street” guide to the determination of pump discharge pressures. Rounding out the class is a guided discussion in which situational conditions are introduced for consideration. The students, though discussion, brainstorming, and past experiences to develop the solutions. These discussions are a valuable way for junior members to gain knowledge from the more senior members as solutions are discussed. All students will add to their “troubleshooting profile” in this class
Scenario-Based Officer Courses
30 student max for these courses
Fire Officer: Mastering Strategic and Tactical Fireground Challenges
This interactive course will address issues, concerns, and situations encountered by Chief and Company-level Officers in the execution of fireground Command and duties. Subject matter will include preparation, response, arrival and size-up, strategic decision-making, and the challenges and confrontations that may occur that require Command and Company-level decisions. Officers will come away with a better perception of how to both recognize and address issues that affect the ability to maintain control of the fireground while ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants. Additionally, we will address issues, concerns, and situations encountered by fire officers in the execution of day-to-day duties and challenges. We will focus on the Full Contact Leadership mantra of maintaining the in-service and ready status of Command at all times. The responsibilities of the leader/supervisor will be discussed using a wide and varied mix of scenarios designed to arm the Fire Officer with the tools required to execute their duties in both hard and soft environment challenges.
Chief Officer: Mastering Strategic Fireground Challenges
This interactive 3-hour course will address issues, concerns, and situations encountered by Chief-level Officers in the execution of fireground Command. Subject matter will include preparation, response, arrival and size-up, strategic decision-making, and the challenges and confrontations that may occur that require Command-level decisions. Officers will come away with a better perception of how to both recognize and address issues that affect the ability to maintain control of the fireground while ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.
Chief Officer: Mastering Supervisory Challenges
This interactive 3-hour course will address issues, concerns, and situations encountered by Chief-level Officers in the execution of day to day duties and challenges. Subject matter will focus on the Full Contact Leadership mantra of maintaining the in-service and ready status of their Command at all times. The responsibilities of the Chief-level leader/supervisor will be discussed using a wide and varied mix of scenarios designed to arm the Chief-level Officer with the tools required to execute their duties in both hard and soft environment challenges.
Company Officer: Mastering Tactical Fireground Challenges
This interactive 3-hour course will address issues, concerns, and situations encountered by Company-level Officers in the execution of fireground duties. Subject matter will include preparation, response, arrival and size-up, tactical decision-making, and the challenges and confrontations that may occur in the firefight. Students will come away with a better perception of how to both recognize and address issues that affect the ability to maintain control of a situation while ensuring the safety and well-being of their assigned subordinates.
Company Officer: Mastering Supervisory Challenges
This interactive 3-hour course will address issues, concerns, and situations encountered by Company-level Officers in the execution of day to day duties and challenges. Subject matter will focus on the Full Contact Leadership mantra of maintaining the in-service and ready status of their Command at all times. The responsibilities of the Company-level leader/supervisor will be discussed using a wide and varied mix of scenarios designed to arm the Company-level Officer with the tools required to execute their duties in both hard and soft environments.
NJ State Fire Officer and Instructor-level Certification Courses
Note: NJ Dept’s with eligible organization status can get CEU for Instructor or toward Fire Officer certification. The building construction and strategy and tactics courses will also meet the requirements for the officer certifications or instructor electives.
Incident Safety Officer
The 16-hour NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer course is a part of the New Jersey State Fire Officer requirements and provides students with a solid foundation and knowledge to identify and analyze safety concerns and to communicate recommended solutions to the command authority. The class focuses on emergency scene operations using the Incident Command System (ICS). The course will further cover the role of Department Health and Safety Officer (HSO) and the scope of the duties required for the position.
Drillground Instructor
This one-day course is required for anyone wishing to obtain or renew a Drillground Instructor Certification issued by the N.J. Division of Fire Safety. The intent of this course is to ensure that instructors understand the safety issues and adopted NFPA 1403 Standards inherent in SCBA/Smokehouse and Live Burn firefighting training. The students will be provided with a basic understanding of identifying and correcting unsafe situations as they occur and will review various safety concerns regarding drillground instructional activities and student performance criteria. FEMA ICS-20
Fire Officer 1
The 45-hour long Fire Officer series is designed to build the skills necessary to be an effective fire service leader. The Fire Officer 1 course is the first course in the series and is designed to meet the education and time requirements of N.F.P.A 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 4th Edition, for Fire Officer 1 and N.J.A.C. 5:73-8.2 qualifications for Fire Officer 1. Students who successfully complete the course will be eligible to take the NJ State Fire Officer 1 certification test. The certification test will be given approximately two (2) weeks after the last day of class. This course content will include a mixture of lectures, case studies, and classroom exercises. The goal is to stimulate classroom interaction centered on what we should be doing versus what we are actually doing as a company officer. This course acquaints the student with the role of the company officer in a fire department and introduces basic management and leadership theories, practices, and functions. Other topics include firefighter health and safety, managing resources, planning and readiness, fire prevention, building construction, and risk management. The course concludes with an introduction to the basic principles and methods associated with fireground tactics and strategy as required of the company officer.