Performance Under Pressure: Building a Reality-Based Training Program

Athletes, Military and Law Enforcement have been using Reality Based Training to train for optimal human performance for decades. The fire service is catching up by utilizing a step-by-step methodology to achieve peak performance during emergency operations.  The methods shared are compiled by years of research from sport psychology, to firefighting, to adventure athletic performance. This lecture provides the attendees with our model in conducting Reality Based Training to enhance game speed, tempo on the fireground and ways to control the environment on the emergency scene. We will discuss “flow” and how that will help firefighters dominate the fireground.

Learning Objectives:

• The Fear response and how it relates to freighting
• Optimal Performance Zone and “Flow”
• Hicks Law
• Pavlovian Theory
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming
• Reality Based Training Format
•  Sports Psychology as it relates to firefighting

Continuing Education Hours: 2

Instructor: 

Rob Blasetti is currently a Lieutenant assigned to the Field Training branch of the Fire Academy at a large metro fire department in Northern Virginia and a member of VA-TF1/USA-1 Urban Search and Rescue Team. Before moving to Virginia, Rob worked for the City of Cape Coral Fire Department in Florida, where he held the rank of Battalion Chief of Operations with extra responsibilities of Special Operations. Since 2006, Rob has been sharing with firefighters around the country, the effects environmental and mechanical stress has on decision making on the fire ground. Rob has taught at FDIC, Orlando Fire Conference, Ft. Lauderdale Fire Expo. Blasetti is a presenter for the National Olympic Committee for sports psychology and Athena Institute for education and research Conference on Psychology.

[Webinar] Building a Professional Development Program for Success: In this webinar we will discuss the what constitutes an effective Professional Development Program including benefits, delivery models and evaluation metrics. 

Topics to be covered include: 

1. Identify what constitutes an effective Professional Development Program
2. Discuss the benefits of an effective Professional Development Program
3. Evaluate key Professional Development motivators
4. Identify best delivery practices in Professional Development Programs
5. Discuss effective methods to evaluate Professional Development Program success
6. Review the ISFSI Professional Development Matrix

Instructors:

Mike Richardson

Mike is a 35-year veteran of the Military and Fire Service, and is currently the Division Chief of Training & Safety for the St Matthews FD in Louisville, KY. He is a graduate of the Eastern KY University Fire Science and Loss Prevention & Safety Programs. Chief Richardson has focused the past 20 years of his career on being an instructor which has allowed him to work with first responders in 43 States and 8 Countries. He has been involved with the Fire Service at a national level through, instructing at national conferences such as FDIC and Fire-Rescue International, authoring over 30 articles in publications such as Fire Engineering and Firehouse, and serving on the Board of Directors for the Fire Dept Safety Officers Assoc and the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. Chief Richardson has also served on the NFPA Electronic Safety Equipment and Fire Service Training Committees.

Anthony Kastros

Anthony is a 32-year veteran of the fire service and Battalion Chief with Sacramento Metro Fire District (ret). He brings a wide variety of experiences, a high level of energy and a sincere passion to his instruction and service. He is author of the Fire Engineering book and video series, Mastering the Fire Service Assessment Center – 2ndEdition. The curriculum covers an extremely comprehensive scope of the knowledge, skills and abilities that span the dimensions of leadership, management, and emergency operations. 

Kastros is an FDIC-International and Firehouse World instructor, was the Keynote Speaker at FDIC 2013 and is the recipient of the 2019 George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and Fire Engineering. Anthony hosts The Command Show, a monthly blog radio show through Fire Engineering. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Human Resource Management, an Associate’s of Science in Fire Technology, and is a certified Fire Officer for California. .

Strategies for Maintaining Engagement and Satisfying Learning Using a LMS Platform

As part of a series of webinars for the fire service instructor, this webcast session will discuss how to effectively use your organization’s learning management system (LMS) platform to facilitate participate learning.  Using a LMS goes beyond simply posting articles and basic content.  When used correctly, this 24/7 tool has the potential to enhance learning beyond the capabilities of the traditional in class format.  Technology and continuous engagement on the part of the instructor is essential to our success in the fire service.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss components that best describe a learning management system
• Describe the differences between a learning management system versus a record management system
• Describe participant and instructor engagement
• Discuss best practices that assist in making a LMS an effective tool for learning
• Describe common rubrics used to satisfy a LMS course shell

Continuing Education Hours: 1.5

Instructor: 

Demond Simmons is a member of the Oakland (CA) Fire Department. He is currently on detail as the department’s special operations chief.  He is a proud member of several fire service organizations including ISFSI, IAFC, IFSTA, and the IABPFF.  His motto is, continue to be a student of the profession.

The ISFSI Instruct-o-Gram Live webinar series brings a recently published Instruct-o-Gram alive with the author presenting key topics on implementing the material in your department. This month we are discussing Rapid Intervention Teams - what should be done rapidly and what should be done with a strategic plan.

Topics to be covered include: 

1. The roles and responsibilities of a Rapid Intervention Team (R.I.T.)
2. Who should be on R.I.T.
3. What are the predesigned assignments for each R.I.T. member
4. What practical skills should every R.I.T. member be able to perform
5. What tasks can be completed when rescuing a Firefighter is not in progress
6. Where can practice take place for practical skills: Firehouse v. Academy Training Grounds
7. Discuss project mayday: rescues made by the Rapid Intervention Team v. by other interior firefighters
8. Discuss the position of R.I.T. Supervisor: their roles and responsibilities

Instructor:

Ryan Daughton

Ryan currently serves as the Assistant Chief with the East Franklin Fire Department in Somerset, New Jersey and enjoys training and education, community relations, fire prevention, mentoring and coaching, and instructing hands-on skills. Ryan is also a member of the local police department serving in the capacity of a patrol officer. 

The ISFSI Instruct-o-Gram Live webinar series brings a recently published Instruct-o-Gram alive with the author presenting key topics on implementing the material in your department. This month we are discussing Selecting Anchors for Rope Rescue. Selecting a suitable and effective anchor is critical for a successful rope rescue. We base our entire rigging set up on our anchor. The technical rescuer, even at the operations level, must be able to correctly select an anchor. 

Topics to be covered include: 

1. Defining the following terms: anchor, bombproof anchor, marginal anchor, natural anchor, artificial anchor, structural anchor, EARNEST
2. Calculating critical angles
3. Choosing a single point bombproof anchor

Instructor:

Dave Bain 

Dave has over 26 years experience in Emergency Services and is the Chief Training Officer for The City of Red Deer Emergency Services, in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He teaches a wide variety of fire service and EMS topics including Company Officer, EMS training, Hazardous Materials Response, and Fire Behavior. Dave is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Adult Education through the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada. Dave is also a credentialed ISFSI Live Fire – Fixed Facility Instructor.

This webinar will examine dynamics of below-grade fires and the influence of coordinated fire attack from the results of a joint effort from ISFSI and UL FSRI. We will discuss the Fundamentals of Fire Dynamics and how this has effects on Basement Fires.  Topics will include: Types of Basements, Flow Paths, Supporting Research, Fireground Experience, and Tactical Considerations.

If you want to explore the free on-line course before or after the webinar it can be found here.

About the Speakers

Seth Barker

Seth Barker is the Deputy Chief of Operations for the Big Sky Fire Department in Big Sky, MT.  Chief Barker is a Logistical Coordinator for FireFighterCloseCalls.com and has contributed to the 13 Life Safety Initiatives for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.  He sits as the Vice-Chair for the Volunteer Combination Officer Section for the International Association of Fire Chiefs Cancer Alliance Committee. 

Barker is one of the contributing authors for the Lavender Report issuing the 10 Best Practices of Cancer Prevention in the Fire Service.  He is a featured author in Fire Rescue Magazine over the past 4 years and delivers multiple courses on preplanning your community in an all hazard discipline environment.  

Barker holds the Liver Fire Instructor certification and the Training Officer Credential through the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI).  He is part of the curriculum development team that produced projects funded by the American Fire Grants with partnerships with Underwriters Laboratories and ISFSI that included Principals of Modern Fire Attack, Safe Law Enforcement Fire Ground Operations, and recently Understanding and Fighting Basement Fires. 

Barker is a Blue Card Instructor, has served as an instructor for the Montana State Fire Service Training School, and is a Modern Fire Behavior Instructor.  He serves as the 1st Vice President for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.  Chief Barker holds the Fire Officer and Chief Training Officer Designation from the Center of Public Safety and Excellence. He recently received the Jim Blankenship Award from the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association for excellence in Fire Training.

Adam Thiel

Adam K. Thiel became the 20th commissioner of the Philadelphia Fire Department in May 2016, and is responsible for leading its 3,000+ members in every facet of protecting the city from fires and emergencies arising from all hazards. Thiel also serves as Director of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. His 28 years of field experience spans five states; before coming to Philadelphia, he held posts including Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security for the Commonwealth of Virginia and Chief of the Fire Department in Alexandria, Virginia. Thiel earned a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University, and has completed doctoral coursework in both public administration and public policy. He is a 2018 Eisenhower USA Fellow and a 2017 Leadership Philadelphia Fellow.

Dan Madrzykowski

UL FSRI’s mission is improving firefighter effectiveness and safety.  Dan has been conducting research in the areas of fire suppression, large fire measurements, fire investigation, firefighter LODD analysis, and firefighter safety for more than 30 years.  His focus is on the  transfer of research results into practice. 

Dan is a fellow of the SFPE and a member of NFPA where he serves on technical committees which develop standards and guides for fire service training, structural firefighting, and fire investigation. 

Dan is also a member of the ISFSI and he was named their Instructor of the Year in 2009.  Dan holds the rank of Honorary Battalion Chief with the FDNY and received the IFSTA Granito Award for Excellence in Fire Leadership in 2012.  In 2013 Dan was invited to the White House in honor of receiving a Service to America Medal.  He received a President’s Award from the IAFC for his firefighting research in 2014 and the SFPE Bud Nelson Service Award in 2017.

The purpose of this session is to demystify the process of writing various types of reports that officers are asked to generate.

This session includes lecture, individual activities, and small group discussions and critiques.

Relevance - NFPA 1021 indicates the need for officers to be able to write reports as required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. This session provides writers in all positions clear guidance to steer them in their report-writing efforts.

Importance: Reports written by members of the fire service might be reviewed by a wide range of end users: attorneys, recipients of department services, internal quality assurance, training divisions, insurance companies, personnel who were evaluated by the writer, other departments involved in after action reviews, to name a few. Most departments provide no clear guidance about how to write report narratives. If a new officer were to ask three other experienced officers how to write a report narrative, in most departments he/she will receive three different answers.  Clearer guidance is needed. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be better prepared to write effective and professional documents using technology provided by the AHJ. (NFPA 1021 - 4.1.2)
2. Participants will be better prepared to execute routine unit-level administrative functions, given forms and record management systems, so reports and logs are complete.  (NFPA 1021 - 4.4.2)
3. Participants will be equipped with sample templates that will lead to more complete and better-organized report narratives.

About the Speaker

Mary Sovick

Mary Sovick is a retired firefighter from South Metro (Denver) Fire Department, a national trainer on writing-related topics, an adjunct instructor at the National Fire Academy, an EFO paper evaluator, and an online instructor for Colorado State University. Mary presents writing seminars all over the country, speaks at conferences, edits various fire department projects, and assists with development and evaluation of written components for promotional exams. Mary has written extensively on the need to elevate writing standards and skills in the fire and EMS services.

Mary earned a Masters Degree in Education with a focus on Adult Education and Training from Colorado State University and a master's level certificate in technical communications from the University of Denver. Mary is a past board member for ISFSI and is a member of the American Society of Training and Development. She is currently a member of IAFC's Professional Development Committee.

The online instructor facilitated classroom format provides education in a fully virtual environment. Students will be expected to complete the online professional portfolio build prior to joining the instructor and other classmates in a virtual learning environment in the form of two four-hour online classes to present, review and discuss their portfolio.

This course is divided into several modules, each with a PowerPoint presentation, assignments and quizzes. Students will be expected to complete all modules prior to the two four-hour instructor-led virtual class. Students will be pre-assigned to the virtual instructor-led courses at the time of registration. The ISFSI Program Manager will communicate with the students to notify the expected date and time of the virtual instructor-led course.

Without a cohesive environment it is highly unlikely that a firefighting unit will be effective on the fireground or provide the atmosphere for learning and growth at the firehouse. Ground rules will allow us to build the type of workplace environment that supports the growth of a cohesive team and is an absolute necessity for tactical performance. The material applies equally to firefighters and officers as these two groups normally make up a company. The concepts are the building blocks and can actually be used to bring cohesive to battalion or platoon level.

Course Objectives

• The student will be able to describe the importance of a cohesive environment within a firefighting unit.
• The student will be able to list several action steps used to build a cohesive company environment.

About the Speaker

Dennis Reilly

Chief Reilly is a forty-two-year fire service veteran. He previously served as the Assistant Fire Chief in Davis, California.  Prior to moving to California Dennis spent six and a half years as the Chief of the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District in Sunrise Beach, Missouri. The Chief is a retired Battalion Chief from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Among his duties in Cherry Hill Chief Reilly was an operational Shift Commander, the project lead for the development of the Cherry Hill Recruit Fire Academy and a founding member of the Department’s Technical Rescue Team. Chief Reilly was also one of the original members of the New Jersey State Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 1. Among his multiple deployments, Chief Reilly operated as a rescue squad officer at Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

A lifelong student Chief Reilly holds an Associate Degree in Fire Protection from Durham Technical College, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from North Carolina Central University, and a Master in Public Administration from Penn State. The Chief has received his Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and serves as a Peer Reviewer for the CFO Designation.  He is also a Certified Public Manager completing the certification program at Arizona State University in 2015. 

In addition to his fire service career, Chief Reilly is a US Army veteran. Spending over six years on active duty he has been assigned as a combat medic with the 82nd Airborne Division, a flight medic with over 500 hours of flight time, and as a combat medic with the 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment and was deployed during the first Gulf War.

After retiring from Cherry Hill, the Chief went to work as private contractor providing high threat protective services to multiple government agencies. He has made multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan supporting the US State Department and other government agencies.

The entire fire service has realized a new reality. The impact of COVID-19 has forced us to take unprecedented measures in both our personal and professional lives. Effective communication is a critical component for every fire department. We have long relied on face-to-face communication to facilitate training, operations, and general routine information. Today’s fire service finds itself relying on many new and existing technologies to help achieve the same mission. The private sector utilizes technology far quicker, more aggressively and to better effect than most public sector organizations. Most fire departments do not have dedicated IT professionals or departments at their disposal, and it leaves us trying to navigate fast-moving, confusing, and expensive ideas and solutions. With a bit of creativity, we can utilize the lessons learned in the private sector to improve communication efficiency and effectives in your organization. Video conferencing has become an invaluable tool but there may be barriers to maximizing its effectiveness. The learning curve regarding various software platforms, subscriber plans and pricing, and implementation of the product can be daunting. This webinar provides an overview of the various software providers, indications for each based on your target audience, and a how-to-guide regarding the successful implementation of video conferencing within your organization.  Join us as we provide a cursory overview of the available technology from non-IT professionals.

Course Objectives

• Understand the need for an ever-changing communications model in today’s fire service.
• Identify and examine new and existing video conferencing technologies.
• Identify and discuss various video conferencing platforms and providers.
• Identify the indications, advantages, and disadvantages, of each video conferencing format and provider.
• Understand how to successfully implement video conferencing within your organization.

About the Speakers

Tom Hughes

Tom Hughes is the Fire Marshal for the Northville Township (MI) Fire Department where he began in 2004. He is an NFPA Certified Fire Inspector II, Certified Plans Examiner (CFPE), and a State of Michigan licensed fire protection system inspector and plan reviewer. He holds a master’s degree in Technology Studies with a concentration in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan Universities Executive Leadership Fire Staff & Command School. Tom also serves as a trustee for the Metropolitan Detroit Fire Inspectors Society. He is committed to improving the safety of firefighters and the community with reasonable and consistent code application, innovative systems and approaches and community outreach. Tom is the founder and president of the Northville Township Firefighters Charity Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to support firefighters, first responders, and the community. Tom believes that the foundation of every strong organization is based on collaboration, community, and commitment.  

Jesse Marcotte

Jesse is the Training Coordinator for the Northville Township (MI) Fire Department where he has served since 2002. He is passionate about taking an innovative approach to training and continuing education. As an educator, Jesse specializes in curriculum design, educational methodology and educational technology. He is an active member of the ISFSI and currently serves as the Project Leader for the Mentoring/Coaching Initiative. Jesse has been fortunate to present at several state and national conferences. He has a master’s degree in Technology Studies with a concentration in Public Safety & Emergency Management and is a graduate of EMU’s Fire Staff & Command School. Jesse places an emphasis on building construction, fire dynamics, strategic level command and operational readiness. He is also the Training Coordinator for the Western Wayne County Urban Search and Rescue Team. Jesse continues to seek out new ways to develop, master and maintain the many skills needed by today’s fire service providers.