Official SCBA Sponsor

February 23th – 24th (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.

Surface Water Rescue & Confidence 

Lead Instructor: Joe Fox (Orlando Fire Dept.)

The Surface Water Rescue & Confidence class is designed to instill students with a professional foundation in water rescue emergencies.  This class will push students past their comfort zones to manage water emergencies successfully and professionally.  Water is the great equalizer, but this class will give students the confidence needed to take control of these incidents while minimizing the risk.  Be prepared to be waterlogged. (The majority of this class will take place in a pool and will begin with a modified IADRS Watermanship Test) 

Equipment Requirements: swim goggles, dive mask, snorkel, fins, swimsuit, towel 

Extra Gear Recommended: sunscreen, sun-protective shirt (i.e., long sleeve rash guard), warm clothes (hoodies, beanie, etc.), sun hat, sunglasses, sandals


Advanced Auto Extrication

Lead Instructor: Bryan Davis (Retired Orlando Fire Dept.)

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

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. Your 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.


The Way of The Nozzle: From the rig to the door – SOLD OUT

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.


Keys to the City: Gaining Entry – SOLD OUT

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 entryPadlocks
  • Security window bars
  • Limited hallway space
  • Limited visibility

Can Confidence – (Live Fire) – SOLD OUT

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.


“One Bad Day” (R.I.T. operations) – SOLD OUT

Lead Instructor: Bassel Ibrahim (Orlando Fire Dept.)

We will address the many facets of RIT, from the stress response physiology, to the command aspect, ending with the rescue itself. Using a Crawl, Walk, Run approach with skill stations in the morning and full-scale scenarios in the afternoon (live victims, live command structure and live dispatchers), we will share information that students can relate to and take back to their respective agencies in hopes of enhancing their training ability to conduct an effective RIT operation. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of being proactive and aggressive.


Mid-Rise Mayhem – SOLD OUT

Lead Instructors: Steve Robertson (Columbus Fire Dept.)

As a member of an engine company, there are specific skills we must master. Knowledge of buildings is one of those skills. Mid-Rise buildings are taking the United States by storm. While most all urban and suburban areas have them, how many of us genuinely have experienced fighting a fire in a mid-rise building? These four to eight-story buildings present unique challenges. This program covers multiple aspects of firefighting within the mid-rise building. Traditional and alternative attack methods will mainly focus on short-staffed stretching. Topics included in the program will consist of; well-hole stretches, offensive deck gun operations, 2.5″ monitor deployment, extending attack lines, standpipe stretches, and making your own standpipe. The students will finish the day in timed scenario-based evolutions. The instructor cadre brings more than 125 years of real-world experience, from volunteer to urban settings; this class has something for you. A must have class for firefighters of all levels, from the rookie to the senior guy.


Everything Truck – SOLD OUT

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 – SOLD OUT

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.


Hoarder’s House – SOLD OUT

Lead Instructor: Jim McCormack (Retired Indianapolis Fire Dept.)

This year we will again offer both engine and truck operations into the Hoarder’s prop. This class covers the challenges of line management and searching techniques. Students will learn techniques in advancing lines while flowing through challenging circumstances. Students will work together in teams advancing hoses of various sizes through hallways and hoarder house conditions. Students will also be given the tools to search into Hoarder’s conditions and work as teams to remove victims. This class will be brought to you by the staff at Fire Department Training Network.


Flashover Awareness, Thermal Imaging, and Advancing the Big Line – SOLD OUT

Lead Instructors:  A.J. Dupell (Orlando Fire Dept.) Danny Moran (Fort Lauderdale Fire Dept.)

Students will cover the “Flashover.” The most dangerous situation firefighters face because we are arriving as the house is entering that potential stage. Learning the signs and indicators of flashover is crucial. Students will be placed in the “Flashover Simulator” to watch the fire progress and flash right before their eyes. Students will also be taught the use, maintenance, care, and limitations of the Thermal Imaging Camera, one of the best advancements in fire service technology in recent years. Also covered will be advancing and flowing the Deuce and a Half (2 ½” hose line. Danny Moran will cover easy to use skills on how to hold, flow, and advance the under used hose line in the fire service today. This is a must have class for any level of firefighter.


Make Engines Great Again (MEGA) – SOLD OUT

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.