New: Managing The  Mass Casualty Incident  No area is immune to having a mass casualty incident.  Whether it's a school bus full of kids that slides off a roadway or  two vehicles involved in a head on crash, the successful management of the incident will rely on an Incident Command Team that must organize available resources to build the operation, from size up, through triage, fire and fuel management, treatment, victim transport, perimeter control, stabilization, and documentation.  Our instructors will take you through the process, sharing their insights and experiences. Following an interactive lecture and review of case studies, students will participate in several individual and group simulation exercises under the tutelage of our instructors. New: Determining Fire Cause and Origin by Company Officers This course designed to familiarize the company officers with the proper procedures and techniques used to determine fire cause and origin. Topics include: Fire officer observations,  collection of information, fire behavior, preserving the fire scene, determining  the area of fire origin, accidental  and incendiary fire causes. New: Truck Chauffeur School  This program is for truck company chauffeurs. It's goal is to prepare the chauffeur with an operational understanding of his responsibilities and his apparatus. With a mix of class room lecture and interactive exercises, followed by extensive “in the street” exercises, chauffeurs will gain a new appreciate for his role in the truck company.    Engine Company Operator:  “Street Smarts” This program will provide a comprehensive review of the “real” role of the engine company operator. More than just driving a fire engine, this program will review the NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications.  While some fire departments  have very thorough and structured programs used to select, train and guide engine company operators, others have none.  Using several interactive exercises and videos, a  review of “street smarts” will provide the participants comprehensive understanding of the engine company operator's role. Post Incident Analysis: Learning From Mistakes  A Post Incident Analysis (PIA) is the reconstruction of an incident to assess the chain of events that took place, the methods used to control the incident, and how the actions of emergency personnel contributed to the eventual outcome. A PIA provides a comprehensive record of an incident from which to evaluate departmental procedures identifying areas of strengths, deficiencies and needed areas of improvement. The PIA is not used to assign blame or to point fingers.  Instead, it is a tool to reinforce personnel actions and departmental procedures that are effective and to give management insight into how effectiveness of the department's operations can be improved.  This program will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how a Post Incident Analysis can be a valuable tool within your organization. After an interactive classroom presentation, students will work within break-out groups to conduct a Post Incident Analysis. Company Officer Prep School So you want to be a company officer?  You took the test, scored well and now you are “ready” to be a company officer….or are you?  Soon you will find out that you are no "longer one of the guys". You're now a boss and soon realize you are not prepared for the challenges of your new assignment.  Riding the front seat, working on the fire ground is the easy part. It's the remainder of the shift when you are not in a fire truck that cause you stress. This program will cover a wide array of topics presented through many engaging interactive exercises, role plays and other motivating tools.  While program will address some fire ground responsibilities as a company officer, it will heavily prod into what is needed to make you an exceptional company officer! This program can be offered as a 3-5 or 5 day program. Battalion Chief Prep School For the newly appointed BC, this program is a must. The transition from company offer to BC will be a challenge. Were you properly prepared to your new position? Experience has shown us that most battalion chiefs were not afforded a solid foundation for the new position. The move from company officer to BC requires a new skill set.  This program will address a myriad of topics offered taking you through many engaging interactive exercises, role plays and other motivating tools to make sure you are “ready for the challenge…” This program is  a 3-5 or 5 day program. Truck Academy – Beyond Residential Structures Our initial offering of Truck Academy has lead to Truck Academy- Beyond Residential Structures. This program will “pick up” where Truck Academy left off!  The goal Truck Academy – Beyond Residential Structures is to provide the student with an appreciation of the role of the truck company at a commercial or otherwise complex structure.  Using the backdrop of a high rise, commercial or other large structure, this program will allow truck company members to work as part of a truck company in this environment.  This program can be presented as a 3, 4 or 5 day offering. Topic include: • Search procedures in large structures  • Vertical ventilation skills • Aerial apparatus positioning and practices • Forcible entry challenges • Truck company tactical considerations in multi-story structures • Elevator Operations in multi-story structures Tactical Use of Thermal Imaging Cameras This "hands-on" program will explore the use of thermal imaging cameras with a focus on interior structural fire operations. Thermal imaging cameras are used to locate and monitor fire conditions and track the movement of firefighters in IDLH atmospheres.  Non-traditional use of TICS will also be explored. (8 or 16 hour program) Fire ground Operations With Light Staffing Every fire department deals with staffing issues. Safety of your personnel is paramount.  Fires don't care about the number of firefighters you bring to an incident. However, staffing does effect the delivery of service and the safety of the operation. This program will look at various options to maximize your personnel by increasing fire ground efficiencies, implementing administrative controls, using innovative and technological  advancements. (8 or 16 hour program) Public Information Officer: Dealing with the Media How the public perceives your organization is important. The media can be your best friend or our worst enemy. The relationship you cultivate with you local media outlet in advance of an emergency is critical. This program will review how to establish public relations program and how to work with the media at emergency scenes. Through a series of exercises, role playing activities and other interactive exercises, the participants will better understand the role of a public information officer. (8 or 16 hour program) Command Technician Being an Incident Commander is a challenge. Documenting your activities is critical. The incident commander should be focused on incident strategy. A “second set of eyes and ears” are mission critical to insure the IC does not miss anything. This program will show the importance of the “chief's aide” or “Command Technician”.  Following  an interactive lecture, students will participate in several realistic scenarios under the watchful eyes of our instructor staff. (8 or 16 hour program) Basement Fires An incident commander and firefighter's worst nightmare… the basement fire. Basement fires are often the culprit in line of duty death firefighters. Working a fire that has not been identified as a basement fire will surely result in a catastrophic event. This program will provide an in depth review of strategic and tactical considerations for basement fires.  Dependent on the availability of resources, this program may be offered as a “hands-on” program or if resources are limited, the class will be limited to interactive discussion and simulation exercises in a classroom setting. (8 or 16 hour program) Garden Apartment Fires In urban and suburban areas, the garden apartment is often the most prevalent residential setting. Garden apartments often have common cocklofts and attics which serve as avenue for rapid fire spread. This program will review strategic objectives at garden apartment fires and address tactical operations for truck and engine companies. Dependent on the availability of resources, this program may be offered as a “hands-on” program or if resources are limited, the class will be limited to interactive discussion and simulation exercises in a classroom setting. (8 or 16 hour program) Aggressive search procedures This program is based on residential searches including single room, multiple rooms and vent, enter  and search (VES) techniques. Students will participate in several search exercises and will also learn several  techniques to remove victims. (8 or 16 hour program) Leading in Today's Emergency Services Leading in Today's Emergency Services is a ‘hands-on’ workshop features a collaborative leadership model that explores group communication, trust and respect, group dynamics, problem solving skills and leadership styles.  Using open ended questioning and examples from emergency services heralded as embracing best practices, our instructors will facilitate the group in defining leadership and promoting how successful officers lead. Team building exercises will be interspersed throughout the session, along with opportunities for weaving the participants' own experiences into the learning process.  On the second day the class will explore concepts to engage their team, characteristics of transformational leadership, and conduct problem solving exercises to include project management skill development. Participants will conclude the session with a discussion on their experiences, and how these experiences strengthen their overall contributions to the department and the community. You will walk away from this workshop excited and energized with new direction for your emergency service organization. (16 hour program) Preparing for Live Fire Training This program is geared towards Training Officers who often are understaffed and have limited experience in how conduct a live fire training exercise in accordance with the NFPA 1403 Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions. Training officers are the students using an acquired structure and prepare the situation, structure and event up to and including the NFPA 1403 Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions. Training can take place in an acquired structure  or  a "prop" house  can be constructed allowing the live fire to occur, in the absence of a structure.  16 hour program) Wildland Firefighter Training Two basic wildland fire training courses required of all firefighters before they can work on the firelines.  Wildland Firefighter Training addresses the   skills universal to all wildland firefighters. There is an instructor led field day exercise integrated in the offering. Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior provides instruction in the primary factors affecting the start and spread of wildfire and recognition of potentially hazardous situations. The course covers basic concepts of wildland fire, fuel, topography, and weather and fire behavior. Structural/Wildland Interface Engine Company Operations Engine company operations in the structural/wildland fire arena are very different than they are during the familiar structural fires. This hands-on program will cover the role and responsibility of a structural wildland interface engine company.  (16 hour program)

Engine Academy Engine Academy is  an aggressive, hands-on  program that incorporates  aggressive engine company operations, engine company officer strategy and  tactics,  culminating  with live scenario based exercises. Our instructors share their “best practices” and “down and dirty” skills showing how they can work for your department, regardless of size or staffing.  This class can be offered as a 3, 4, or 5 day program.  More

New: Basic Shoring Operations
This 24 hour program will give you an introduction to collapse patterns, building construction characteristics, structural triage, and triage marking systems. At the end of this course you will have the knowledge and skills to construct USACE/FEMA shoring systems in compromised light frame structures utilizing basic construction tools and lumber. Students will learn to build exterior and interior shores including: temporary shores, vertical shores, cribbing, window/door shores, raker shores. PPE: Long Sleeve Shirt, Pants, steel toe boots, rescue or fire helmet, work gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs. 
 

New: The BIG One What will make this program unique is the fact that this program will take place in a large commercial property. Students in each of the programs will train within their own disciplines on the first day and on the second day, the BIG ONE will occur. This unique training experience will involve several "full scale" events under the guidance of some of the the nation's best instructors. The disciplines include: Engine and Truck Company Operations, RIT, Managing a Mayday, and Incident Command.

New: Fear Factor: What do you fear?
Everyone fears something. What to you fear?  As a fire officer we hope you understand the need to do the right things ALL the time. There is no room for error when you are dealing with other's lives. Doing the right things has nothing to do with the size of your department, career or volunteer or  your call volume. Complacency kills. You should fear losing or injuring those who work for you or those you protect. Your actions or inaction may cause you to lose or injure on of your own.  Don't let this  happen to you.

New: Command 101: The initial decisions
The initial decisions made at an incident set the stage for success or failure.  A company officer is usually the first on the scene and is  tasked with making a quick assessment and often with limited resources! This seminar will prepare company officers to make sound strategic and tactical decisions.  Good decisions aren't make by mistake. They come from good training and  strong fundamentals. Your firefighters deserve a boss who will look out of their interest, keeping them from harms way. Don't cheat them!
 

New: MAYDAY Event Up to this point, we've offered our RIT 1407, the intense hands-on program that teaches the lifesaving skills and techniques that your RIT needs to know and perform flawlessly as a "stand-alone" program.  Often, the  follow-up  program requested has been  "Managing the MAYDAY",  an intense program that delves into how the  "wheels can falls off" during a MAYDAY event and to show to use sound management principles to make a bad event turn  good.

While  the back step firefighters and the company officer have a vested interest in this program, the bottom line is that the  IC must manage the MAYDAY and  the company officer and  his company must execute the plan.  To improve the odds of a favorable outcome, Task Force 1, Inc.  will now present  a two day program, Mayday  Event. It consists of two distinct programs, Managing  the MAYDAY and RIT 1407. 

To improve the odds of a favorable outcome, Task Force 1, Inc.  will now present  a two day program, Mayday Event. It consists of two distinct programs, Managing  the MAYDAY and RIT 1407. On the second day of MAYDAY EVENT the two classes join to have  the officers from the Managing the Mayday serving as command officers on the MAYDAY exercises allowing each group of students to build confidence for a MAYDAY event.

Learning the hands -on rapid intervention techniques and bringing a MAYDAY event to a successful conclusion are two entirely different animals! There are countless highly trained, properly equipped and adequately staffed rapid intervention crews around the nation who are being set up for failure without a properly trained officer who will be charged with responsibility of managing the MAYDAY event.
 

New: Truck Academy This very aggressive, hands-on 3-5 day program, incorporates truck company operations, truck company officer strategy and tactics, aerial apparatus practices, rapid intervention team concepts capped off with live fire exercises. Our staff instructors will bring their “best practices” and “down and dirty” skills showing how they can work for your department. For the greatest impact, a training facility capable of supporting live fire exercise is critical. We would like to invite manufacturer's representatives to make available demo apparatus and equipment for the program, making this a “win win” for the students, the vendors and the instructors. Obviously, additional apparatus and other logistical needs will  have to be met to support the program.

The Topics:
The basics to the advanced

Ventilation Laddering Forcible Entry Ground Ladders Search and Rescue Overhaul Controlling Utilities

Rapid Intervention Crews Offensive and Defensive operations with  aerial apparatus • Apparatus operations • Placement and setup for rescue, roof top operations and window rescues • Offensive use of aerial devices Truck Company Officer: – Strategy and Tactics Live fire exercises (optional)

While this program is ideally offered as a 3-5 day offering,  it can be adjusted in to accommodated local scheduling needs, compressing the program to need available time constraints.

TRUCK ACADEMY: COORDINATED ATTACK
We also brainstormed involving chief and company officers in the program. Our recommendation is to run a “stand alone”  program within in the same time from for command officers (BC’s and higher). TRUCK ACADEMY: COORDINATED ATTACK program covers the concepts the will be integrated into the Truck Academy, but not exposing them to the “hands-on” portion of the program.

The topics:
•     Fixing dysfunctional fire grounds
•     Need for SOG and Riding Assignments
•     Company Roles: Engines, Trucks and Rescues
•     Rapid Intervention Concepts
•     Coordinating the Fireground Operations
•     Strategy and Tactics

The final component joins the two classes on the final day(s) having the officers from the TRUCK ACADEMY: COORDINATED ATTACK serving as command officers on the live fire exercises using standard operating guidelines that are used by the TRUCK ACADEMY students.  The goal is for all to see that this is not as difficult as it may appear.  Companies will go to work with little direction, engine companies will operate more efficiently and command officers will have true command of an incident and will be able to focus on strategy and safety rather than micro managing the fire ground.

New: Squad/Truck: Special Services
This is a "hands on" program that will cover a wide array of subjects including various truck and squad company functions including search and rescue, ventilation, laddering, and forcible entry and Rapid Intervention. Following a short classroom session, the program will take to the street with several hands on drills planned.  Note: Full PPE and SCBA required. 

New: RIT Operations in Large/Complex Structures
This program focuses on preparing for rapid intervention deployment when a MAYDAY occurs in a large footprint building. While a MAYDAY event is a single family dwelling can be a challenge for any RIT crew, a MAYDAY event in a large or complex structure multiples the stress and the demand for resources. An extension of our program entitled, Operations in Large and Complex Structures, this offering will be an eye opener for all participants. An intense series of scenarios and hands-on exercises will allow participants to experience the this low frequency, high risk event.

New: Bailout - The Last Resort
Firefighters will learn the basic skills of rope and ladder bailouts. Students practice bailouts and then will be taught to escape using a personal escape rope. For departments who have or considering purchasing a bailout system for their personnel, this program is a must!

New: Technician Level Trench Rescue Training program
This program will meet or exceed the NFPA 1006 Level I and Level II job performance requirements.
Course curriculum includes:

Case study review of actual trench rescues Hazard assessment and mitigation techniques Shoring of non-intersecting trenches Shoring of intersecting trenches Supplemental shoring techniques

Complex shoring techniques and problem solving Collapse entrapment and extrication methods Patient packaging and removal techniques Incident management consideration Scenario based  training exercises

Rapid Intervention Team 1407
Make sure your team gets the proper training.  This program will train your personnel to the “new” NFPA 1407 standard.   Our veteran instructors will share their experiences in the classroom, then will take you out in the field to demonstrate  various life-saving techniques.  The students are then challenged by several demanding drills.  RIT teams are there to rescue the rescuers. This program is mentally challenging and physically demanding.

Command for Company Officers
New officers will soon realize that their recent promotion is more than just a newly colored helmet and a different title.  From dealing with station situations that can frustrate even a seasoned officer, to making things "happen" on the fire ground and at the fire station, the Task Force 1, Inc. faculty will share their experiences to help prepare you for the officer challenge.  The course features an introduction to strategy and tactics, ICS and safety concerns.  Students will participate in various role plays, interactive problem solving exercises and fire simulation scenarios. 

Incident Commander
This program takes an in depth look at what  is needed to effectively manage an emergency.  Using NIMS  and ICS principles, students in this program will learn the importance of establishing an Incident Action Plan (IAP) that will drive the strategy and tactics on any incident.  Using case studies, interactive video and simulation software, students will gain first hand experience dealing with simple to complex incidents in a safe learning environment.  With our instructors by your side, we will give you the confidence to deal with challenging emergencies. 
 

Truck company operations Learn why the truck company is so important on private dwellings and commercial building fires. From a "bread and butter" single family dwelling fire to a blaze in commercial building, our instructors will share their years of experiences in dealing with these challenges.   A series of hands-on exercises will allow the students to practice in a controlled environment those skills taught by the instructors.

REAL Truck company operations  In our second truck company program, designed for those wanting a greater challenge, our instructors will demonstrate advanced truck company skills.  This program will focus on operations in commercial, taxpayer and multi-story building. A series of intense truck company drills will challenge even the best of “truckies”.

Engine company operations  Learn the role of the engine company. This course features a combination of lecture and discussion, followed by a series of field exercises lead by some of the nation's best engine company officers.  Since not all fires happen in single family dwellings, our instructors will take you through various drills that will challenge the most confident engine companies.

The Coordinated Attack
This program demonstrates how to coordinate a fire attack. After an interactive classroom  session, it's time to hit the street. Our instructors will demonstrate what a coordinated fire attack looks like, built on a solid foundation including riding assignments, company responsibilities and strong command presence.  TF1 instructors will orchestrate several fire ground evolutions that will allow everyone to get a workout.

Firefighter Survival 
This program addresses PPE awareness, personal tools, “MAYDAY” procedures and various firefighter survival techniques. The hands-on-training portion of the class covers wall breaching, low or zero visibility, self-escape/bailout techniques, the window hang, wire entanglement, emergency SCBA procedures and other escape techniques. The class ends with a "confidence" course. 

Managing the MAYDAY
“Managing the Mayday” is an intense training program designed to prepare the participants to deal with a fire officer's worst nightmare, a MAYDAY.  When a MAYDAY is called, we need to continue to manage the incident as well as the  MAYDAY event.  Through a blend  of lecture, discussion and intense mentally challenging hands-on exercises, participants will learn the skills needed to deal with this most stressful event. 
 

Save Yourself, Save Others  This comprehensive hands-on program will focus on the six essential categories of responsibilities for a Firefighter Assist Search Team (FAST): scene safety, preplanning, monitoring, logistics, firefighter tracking and trapped firefighter rescue.  Students in this program will participate in physically demanding and stressful hands-on activities, designed to test the limits of a FAST.  Our instructors will oversee several self survival and rapid intervention team exercises showing how you can save yourself or others!

Managing Risks 
This  program is motivational and highly charged with controversial subject matter, urging the participants to do an introspection of their own organization.  From emergency operations, to station management, our faculty will  challenge the students to “what if” this happens in your organization.  It will encourage them to look at a way of eliminating or minimizing risk.   SOG’s, business practices, fire ground operations, training and litigation exposure, will be reviewed in detail through interactive discussions, role playing, break out projects and case studies.  NFPA standards related to Risk Management, insurance regulations and other external forces will be discussed. 
 

Operations in Large/Complex Structures This program will focus on firefighters searching for life, fire or downed firefighter(s) in a complex/large area occupancy.  Firefighters must have a search procedure in place allowing  them to simplify this low frequency, extremely high risk event.  With the use of a thermal imaging camera and search line, firefighters will be able to search complex/large area occupancies safer, quicker and more effectively.  A fire in a commercial building can be difficult and fast spreading.  Whether it's in a family business in rural America or a mega mall in a big city, one thing is for sure, the fire will be manpower intensive and very dangerous.  Multi-company operations are a part of this program.

Dealin’ with the Tough Stuff: Line of Duty Deaths 
A line of duty death can devastate a fire company.  With over 100 LODD’s each year, most fire companies take the attitude that it won’t  happen here.  What can you expect if you have a LODD?  Our staff will take you though the moments immediately following a LODD, including  the notification of family and department members, dealing with the media, insuring documentation is preserved, preparing for an internal fact finding and the formal investigation process.  This course will address litigation that may follow.  Our faculty will guide you through a “soul searching” process to review what practices and procedures you already have in place and what you can do to prevent a LODD. 

Incident Safety Officer 
This course examines the Safety Officer’s role at emergency situations.  Persons attending this course should have a working knowledge of IMS, building construction principles and applicable NFPA guidelines.  The students will be able to identify and analyze safety concerns related to all hazards. Through a review of firefighter fatality and injury data and basic risk management principles, the student will increase their skills as a potential Incident Safety Officer.