Tactical Thermal Imaging: Enhancing Fireground Performance

Today’s fireground places stringent demands on firefighters. Modern structure fires develop faster and are predominantly ventilation-limited with heavy, turbulent, black smoke that reduces visibility. With the addition of PPE that provide higher levels of thermal protective performance, firefighters must be able to diagnose thermal severity. Tactical thermal imaging enhances a firefighter’s decision-making skill set by providing thermal data. Attendees will receive a classroom portion covering the key attributes of thermal imaging, contraindications of thermal imaging and additional uses of tactical thermal imaging, then will be grouped in teams of 5–7 with two instructors to complete a series of stations.

About Starnes

Andy Starnes is a battalion chief in a large career department in North Carolina. He has been involved with the fire service as a volunteer since 1992 and as a career firefighter since 1998. Starnes is a fire service website contributor on the topics of thermal imaging, fire behavior, leadership, behavioral health, and faith-based devotions. He also is the founder of bringingbackbrotherhood.org, a nonprofit organization designed to encourage and provide guidance for firefighters in the area of behavioral health, counseling, and more. Starnes has presented tactical thermal imaging courses at numerous fire service conferences across the U.S., Germany, Canada, and Poland.

The days of just showing up with the ladder truck and throwing the occasional portable ladder or members stepping off the rig with an assortment of useless tools has faded away. It’s 2019 and there’s much more to truck company operations now. This 8-hour class digs deep into the truck company pocket and is designed to look at the primary functions of the truck company, including skills stations focused on ladder placement, forcible entry techniques, independent search and vertical ventilation. Whether you are on an over staffed or under staffed truck company, this program covers all the aspects for the modern-day ladder company.

Kevin Larkins has 18 years in the fire service and is currently an Emergency Vehicle Operator with the Baltimore City Fire Department Truck Company 8 in the Southwest section of the city. Larkins started his career as a volunteer with the Savage Volunteer Fire Co., Howard County, MD. He has held several officer positions up to the rank of assistant Chief, where he was responsible for company level training and drills. Larkins is a certified State of Maryland adjunct instructor as well as an instructor with Capitol Fire Training.

The Initial Engine Company Operations

The tactics executed by the initial engine company are critical to the success of any fireground. Plans and systems must be in place to ensure the crew's deployment efforts are maximized. This course will focus on developing techniques, designing attack packages, and implementing tactics that work for limited staffed engine companies. Attendees will be divided into small groups to ensure each student has the opportunity for multiple sets and reps as they rotate through six skill stations: Know your flows; 1 ¾” and 2 ½” hoseloads and stretches; 1 ¾” applications, nozzle control techniques, and hoseline advances; 2 ½” applications, nozzle control techniques, and hoseline advances; advanced fire conditions/transitional attack tactics; and long stretches/apartment fire tactics.

About Hall

Jon Hall is an 18-year veteran of the fire service, currently serving as a captain with the Saint Paul, MN, Fire Department. In addition, he serves as a lead instructor for the department’s Training Division teaching recruit academies and company-level training. Hall helped develop the department’s Truck Company and Engine Company apprenticeship programs. Previously, he served as a firefighter and a training and safety officer for the Township Fire Department in Eau Claire, WI. Hall is a certified fire instructor and has presented at conferences throughout the country. He is the co-owner of Make The Move Training, LLC.

Down and Dirty Forcible Entry

This interactive, forcible entry program is designed to teach firefighters the main, basic and advanced principles of street-smart forcible entry. The presenter will demonstrate techniques for making entry through and around locks, for both residential and commercial structures. Students will also learn quick access into urban steel roll gates and how to defeat the locks and locking mechanisms for them. Overcoming street hatches, additional security features like drop bars, slide bolts, burglar bars and modified locks will be covered as well. Because this class is an interactive class, students will be faced with forcible entry scenarios and explain how they would overcome the challenges.

About James

Robert James is an 18-year veteran of the fire service, currently serving as a firefighter with the Frederick County, MD, Fire Rescue Division. He started as a volunteer firefighter with the Cromwell, CT, Volunteer Fire Department before relocating and joining the Rockville, MD, Volunteer Fire Department, the second busiest fire station in Montgomery County. In 2004, he received a unit citation and medal of valor for rescuing a mother and child from an apartment fire in Rockville. In 2013, he helped to free a Metro worker who was trapped underneath a Metro car.

Instructor: Michael Wilkerson, Captain, Nashville FD

About Wilkerson