February 26th – 27th (0800hrs – 1700hrs)
All Hands On Training participants are required to have met their own state standards for operating as an interior structural firefighter and have permission from their own agency Fire Chief to participate in the Orlando Fire Conference.
Advanced Auto Extrication
Location: LKQ Salvage Yard
Lead Instructor: Luther McCllelan (Rescue Systems Unlimited)
Participants will engage in the 4 most common types of vehicle entrapment and practice the latest techniques in disentanglement. Stations will include Vehicle Under-Ride, Dash Techniques, Vehicle-on-its-Side, and Vehicle-on-its-Roof. This is a hands-on, skill heavy HOT seminar with emphasis on safety, technique, and speed. Participants will utilize tools from TNT Rescue, Hurst, Holmatro, Genesis, Paratech, DeWalt, Rescue Jack, and more, while performing various aspects of advanced technique. Participants are encouraged to review Basic Vehicle Stabilization and vehicle terminology as this fast-paced seminar is all about “tool-time”.
The Art of the Big Rig Heavy Lifting and Moving
Location: Johnson’s Wrecker Yard
Lead Instructor: Chris Beller (Osceola Fire Rescue)
You know how to cut a car and get the patients out in time, but do you know what to do when that same car and patient are trapped underneath ninety thousand pounds of twisted steel? We will teach you fundamental skills for assessing the scene, vehicles and or objects involved. How to gain control of the scene, figure out what is required to mitigate the event and various ways to safely and efficiently remove victims in a timely manner. You’re training for the Honda Civic only goes so far in the big rig world, come out and add pages to your book of techniques in the Art of the Big Rig.
1st and 10 Engine (Live Fire)
Location: Apopka Fire Training Facility
Lead Instructor: Tom Semidey (Orlando Fire Dept.)
This class will cover the 1st engine arriving at a fire scene and cover the tasks that need to be accomplished within the 1st 10 minutes on scene. It will cover every riding position on the engine and provide tips and tricks for anyone taking this course. The course will cover everything from the arrival report to the hose deployment, from advancing hose to nozzle techniques. This is a must have course for anyone assigned to an engine. The morning session will have rotations through the different objectives. The afternoon session will be scenario based into live fire putting it all together.
The Way of The Nozzle: From the Rig to the Door (Live Fire)
Location: Apopka Fire Training Facility
Lead Instructor: Lafontant Dorival (Miami Dade Fire Rescue)
This class was developed to bring a stronger appreciation for the work of the “Doorman.” The “Doorman” is usually the senior tailboard. An educated Doorman has the responsibility in sharing their knowledge with the tools of the trade, the art of firefighting while explaining the science of extinguishment. They also have the experience to possess the requisite techniques needed to overcome obstacles/ obstructions with stretching the line from the rig to its initial assault position. This class empowers its students with the knowledge & skills needed as the assigned “Doorman,” by dialing in on interpreting smoke conditions while anticipating fire behavior and the tactics to aid in the push. Additional instruction covers nozzle discipline, nozzle attack patterns, water mapping and 1 ¾” deployments.
Can Confidence (Live Fire)
Location: Leesburg Fire Training Center
Lead Instructor: Scott Ketcham (Winter Park Fire Dept.)
This class is designed to build confidence on one of the most often neglected tools found on nearly every fire apparatus: the 2 ½ gallon water extinguisher. The “Can” can be an extremely effective lifesaving tool by allowing a well-trained firefighter to quickly apply water between fire and victims. Attendees will learn proper filling and pressurization steps, how to build homemade carrying straps and other useful “Can” modifications. The class will also cover valuable skills on carrying and searching with the “Can,” and confining fire with it. Students will cycle through a “force an interior door off its hinges’ ‘ prop and use this door to hold back live fire and smoke. Finally, attendees will perform live fire attacks with nothing more than a “Can” and witness the effect of the “Can” on pre-flashover conditions.
Everything Truck
Location: Apopka Fire Training Facility
Instructors: Sam Hittle (Wichita Fire Dept.) Larry McCormack (Chicago Fire Dept.) Mike Ciampo (FDNY) Julio Ramos (Orange County Fire Rescue)
Everything Truck will cover everything truck companies are expected to do. Ladder work, roof ventilation, saw maintenance, and searching for victims. Students will conduct live rescues from ladders, work off the ladders with new and improved leg and arm locks, uncommon uses for ladders and throwing ladders under overhead obstructions with unusual raises. This class is lessons from the street and goes beyond the books and will bring your skills to new heights. Also covered will be roof ventilation and ways to keep your saw running for peak performance. Saw maintenance is an important part of the profession and will be covered. Lastly, searching for victims is the primary role of the truck company. Life safety is the number one goal for the fire service and this class will teach the latest and greatest techniques to make any firefighter better and equip them for the moment it is needed. This class is a must have for firefighters of all levels.
Vent, Enter, Search (Live Fire)
Location: Apopka Fire Training Facility
Lead Instructor: Aaron Mullins (Orlando Fire Dept.)
This class has become a signature course of the OFC and an overwhelming favorite of attendees. Vent, Enter, Search is a very simple concept that puts firefighters in the best position to rescue a victim of fire. This course will break down the steps of this search technique and allow the attendees to gain confidence in its application. The course culminates in the application of VES in a setting that presents realistic challenges and obstacles and this year we will add live fire to the mix. Feel the real heat and real smoke conditions encountered during the V.E.S. practice.
Make Engines Great Again (MEGA) (Live Fire)
Lead Instructor: Mike Salzano (Fort Lauderdale Fire Dept.)
The MEGA Class will encompass hose line and nozzle selection, estimating the stretch, hose-line placement and the basic understanding of flowing and moving. Hose line advancement and flowing into realistic buildings specific to your demographics. Getting back to the “Beyond the Pre-Connect” principles of always having a plan A, B, and C for when things go wrong, which will include extending hose-lines and operating in difficult situations. Primarily, setting yourself up for success outside of the fire. This class is geared towards the everyday engine company firefighter, driver and officer looking to become better equipped and ready for every situation the fire ground presents.
Rapid Intervention under Live Fire (Live Fire)
Location: Leesburg Fire Training Center
Lead Instructor: Jim McCormack (Retired Indianapolis Fire Dept.)
This year we will be bringing back a favorite class. Rapid Intervention taught by Jim McCormack. This class will be taught by the staff at Fire Department Training Network.
Residential Primary Search (Live Fire)
Lead Instructor: Grant Schwalbe (Estero Fire Dept.)
This hands-on class takes a crawl, walk, run approach to residential primary search. We’ll build a foundation in oriented and split searches, engine-based search, VES, victim removal, and crew communication. Crews will progress from skill development to coordinated residential scenarios, including live fire, with an emphasis on sound fundamentals and working together to find and remove victims.
Tower Rescue Rope Operations
Location: Elevated Safety
Lead Instructor: Nate Paulsberg (Elevated Safety)
This is a rope rescue course providing technical rescue personnel hands-on experience operating on a communications tower structure. Students will learn proper techniques for climbing tower structures, RF monitoring, rescue rigging, and victim packaging techniques. Students will be trained to the National Fire Protection Association 2500 and 1006 Tower Rescue Awareness Level. The techniques learned in class also relate to other “Tower” type structures such as water towers, wind turbines, cranes, smokestacks, and transmission towers. All students will receive a Tower Rescue Manual showing many of the topics and techniques learned in class as well as operations and technician-level rigging diagrams.
How Breathing Makes You a Better Lover / Controlling the Big Hose
Location: Apopka Fire Training Facility
Lead Instructor: Ric Jorge (Retired; Palm Beach County Fire) / Tim Klett (Retire; FDNY)
Firemen, you are so predictable, but now that I have your attention let me explain this class. This class will break down breathing in a step-by-step analysis explaining how and why breathing techniques work. You will learn the steps it takes to extend your reserve air (1000 psi) well beyond the normal limits, and we will briefly discuss and practice 5 complimentary techniques to support developing greater resilience and performance. These techniques are perishable skills that must be practiced to maintain and master long after this class is over. If you have mask issues, anxiety, or just want to learn how to extend your air time in a fire this class is for you. If you are looking to be a better lover, you are at the wrong conference.
Topics covered to a short extent are:
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Mental rehearsal
- Rumination
- Segmenting
Topics covered more in depth:
- Breathing
- Wheel technique
This breathing class will pair with the famous hose line management class put on by the “Wizard of Water” Lt. Tim Klett (FDNY) and B/C Danny Moran (Ft. Lauderdale Fire Dept.) They will cover hose line handling techniques that make it easier to handle any size hose. Starting with the 1 ¾” hose and working up to the 2 ½” hose. This street-smart tested technique will allow even the smallest firefighter to flow and maneuver through a structure.
This is a must take class for any level firefighter.
Keys to the City: Gaining Entry (Live Fire)
Location: Apopka Fire Training Facility
Lead Instructor: Jimmy Berry (Orange County Fire Rescue Department)
As the forcible entry team, you have the pressure of the entire fire ground on you. The door must be opened to allow for searches and hose line advancement to happen. This class will give you the confidence as if you have the “keys to the city” when faced with any forcible entry challenge.
Students will start with the basics and progress towards real world forcible entry challenges. Participants will have a great understanding of the “whys” of forcible entry. This class is 100% conventional techniques and will focus on repetition to build a good forcible entry foundation. Our through-the-lock and passive entry rotation will be hands-on and detailed, ensuring participants have a sound understanding of pulling and manipulating locks. Students will end the day with a limited space forcible entry scenario, forcing several doors in tight quarters and low light.
This class is for any firefighter or fire officer wanting to know the details of forcible entry and will give them the skills to tackle any challenge.
- Skills covered:
- Tool orientation
- Door Construction and swing
- Through-the-lock
- Passive entry
- Padlocks
- Security window bars
- Limited hallway space
- Limited visibility