Winter Fire School Schedule

Class List

Tuesday - Thursday 0800-1700

Intermediate ICS-300 (Pettigrew)

This course describes in detail the Incident Command System (ICS) organization and operations in supervisory roles on expanding or Type 3 incidents. Topics include ICS fundamentals review, incident/event assessment and agency guidance in establishing incident objectives, unified command, incident resource management, planning process, demobilization, transfer of command, and close-out.  This course was developed in conjunction with the US Fire Administration’s H465 course and the Emergency Management Institute’s G300 course. These courses are built on the same lesson objectives and content as the NWCG I-300 course and are interchangeable. They are all National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant.  APPLY HERE

Friday & Saturday 0800-1700

Fire Service Instructor I (Stout)

Recommended for those presenting fire, EMS, Haz Mat and related training sessions within their department. This course is designed to help instructors and training officers meet the requirements for Fire Service Instructor I certification. This course will present basic instructional concepts and techniques which will provide the skills needed to teach from prepared lesson outlines.  

Classroom sessions will include 12 hours of presentations and reviews.  Additionally, the last 4 hours of class will be the actual written and practical Instructor I exam. 

Pre-course work: Approximately one month prior to Fire School, participants will receive the student manual, a teaching topic and a Student Workbook  with specific instructions that must be completed prior to attending this course. The text is the 9th edition of IFSTA’s Fire and Emergency Service Instructor.  If accepted into the class you will receive an email asking for your current mailing address to send the pre-course work to. 

Fire Service Instructor I (Auger)

Recommended for those presenting fire, EMS, Haz Mat and related training sessions within their department. This course is designed to help instructors and training officers meet the requirements for Fire Service Instructor I certification. This course will present basic instructional concepts and techniques which will provide the skills needed to teach from prepared lesson outlines.  

Classroom sessions will include 12 hours of presentations and reviews.  Additionally, the last 4 hours of class will be the actual written and practical Instructor I exam. 

Pre-course work: Approximately one month prior to Fire School, participants will receive the student manual, a teaching topic and a Student Workbook  with specific instructions that must be completed prior to attending this course. The text is the 9th edition of IFSTA’s Fire and Emergency Service Instructor.  If accepted into the class you will receive an email asking for your current mailing address to send the pre-course work to. 

Fire Service Instructor I (Weibel)

Recommended for those presenting fire, EMS, Haz Mat and related training sessions within their department. This course is designed to help instructors and training officers meet the requirements for Fire Service Instructor I certification. This course will present basic instructional concepts and techniques which will provide the skills needed to teach from prepared lesson outlines.  

Classroom sessions will include 12 hours of presentations and reviews.  Additionally, the last 4 hours of class will be the actual written and practical Instructor I exam. 

Pre-course work: Approximately one month prior to Fire School, participants will receive the student manual, a teaching topic and a Student Workbook  with specific instructions that must be completed prior to attending this course. The text is the 9th edition of IFSTA’s Fire and Emergency Service Instructor.  If accepted into the class you will receive an email asking for your current mailing address to send the pre-course work to. 

Rope Rescue (Harbach)

This class will focus on skills used in mountain, industrial, and confined space rescues. We will cover equipment selection, inspection and maintenance; knots; anchors; patient packaging; mechanical advantage systems; belaying; lowering systems; rappelling; knot passing through raising and lowering systems; system safety factors; litter rigging and tending; pick‐offs; and stretcher evacuations. Practical application is taught, drawn from actual rescue experience. Be prepared for a lot of information and a full 2 days of hands on class.

Special Instructions: All students should have a basic knowledge of ropes and knots taught in the FF I & II curriculum. This class will not give the student all skills needed for the Rescue Technician certification.  

Safety PPE requirements: Each student needs to have leather gloves, safety shoes and glasses, and helmets, if possible (the instructor may have a couple of helmets for use, but don’t count on it). If you have access to a climbing harness and chest harness, bring them as well. The majority of the class will be taught outside at the Zion’s Bank parking terrace in St. George. Students should come prepared for inclement and/or cold weather. 

Advanced ICS-400 (Pettigrew)

This course directs the student towards an operational understanding of a large single‐agency and complex multi‐agency/multi‐jurisdictional incident responses. Topics include fundamentals review for command and general staff, major and/or complex incident/event management, area command, and multi‐agency coordination. 

This course was developed in conjunction with the US Fire Administration (H467) and the Emergency Management Institute (G400). These courses are built on the same lesson objectives and content as the NWCG I-400 course and are interchangeable; they are all National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant. 

S-215 Fire Ops in the Urban Interface (Taylor)

This is an instructor-led course intended to be presented at the local level. Instructional units include firefighter safety in the interface, managing human factors in the interface, pre-incident planning, sizeup and initial strategy, structure triage, structure protection overview, tactics in the interface, tactical operations and resource use in the interface, action assessment, plan update, and after action review.

Objectives: Operate safely and effectively in a wildland/urban interface incident by using situation awareness, performing structure triage, using pre-planning tools, having a basic understanding of fire behavior, and using strategy and tactics unique to the wildland/urban interface environment.

Target Group: Designed to assist any emergency responders who will be planning for and making operational decisions during an interface incident. This course is for personnel desiring to be qualified as incident commander type 4 (ICT4), task force leader (TFLD), or any strike team leader.

L-280 Followership to Leadership (Call)

Human factors like stress, fear, fatigue, and ego all affect how we follow and how we lead. Leadership tools used in the business world don’t always apply in the fire service. High stress, rapidly changing environments with life threatening potential require different leadership styles and techniques. In this course students will learn about what “right” looks like, how a follower becomes a leader, and how to build team cohesion. The Human Factors courses were developed for the wildland fire service and are now being taught to structure firefighters, law enforcement, and the Coast Guard. Based on ideals, fundamentals, and teamwork lessons learned from the military, these courses focus on the three principals of leadership: duty, respect, and integrity.

The first day of class focuses on interactive candid discussions and group exercises. On day two, students will be participating in Fire Leadership Assessment Course (FLAC) exercises. These practical exercises are designed to test students’ decision-making abilities under stress, ability to apply principals learned in class, and ability to work as a team towards a common goal.

NFA Incident Safety Officer (Ward)

Course covers the basic qualifications, expectations, and responsibilities of an Incident Safety Officer during both emergency and non-emergency scene operations. 

Future Female Firefighters of Utah (Doyle)

Have you ever considered a career in the fire service? This workshop is designed for Utah women, 18 or older, who are interested in learning more about the fire service and pursuing a career in this field. This workshop is hosted by full-time female firefighters from various departments across Utah. Participants will spend two days learning about the fire service, viewing demonstrations, participating in hands-on training, hearing from speakers, and learning the steps they must take to follow this career path. One attendee will receive a scholarship from Lionheart Gift Foundation to attend the Recruit Candidate Academy (RCA) at Utah Valley University.

Firefighting Ops in Multi-Level Structures (Steadman)

All Utah cities have grown to where even the smallest community is challenged by having more large structures including high-rise, mid-rise and low-rise structures. The Utah Fire and Rescue Academy has developed a training course specifically to increase the response capabilities to incidents in these types of structures. They have also developed a statewide operational guideline to prepare for and respond incidents involving these large, multi-level structures.

This training course will focus on best practice in firefighting operations in the multi-level structure and focus on the key components of the operational guideline and how to apply it to your department. 

Goal: The overarching goal will be to increase statewide firefighting capability to extend beyond a basic structural fire response to more technical, advanced applications for the high-rise, mid-rise or low-rise buildings.

Scope of Training: In this 16-hour course students will learn the key definitions, features and construction of the high-rise, mid-rise and low-rise structures. We will take a look at fire protection systems, development of response plans (pre-incident plan), organizing resources via mutual and automatic aid agreements, communications, and incident command.

Company Officer Inspector (Spencer)

The target audience for this course is Fire Company Officers and other fire department personnel performing life safety and business inspections.

Content includes: Identification of fire hazards, fire prevention measures, inspection techniques, and pre-fire planning, fire suppression and detection systems, exiting, two fire inspections on business occupancies. The course gives the student the necessary tools and knowledge to perform life safety and company fire Inspections on business occupancies.

Friday All Day Classes (0800-1700)

Fire Cause & Origin Principles (Vega)

Course objectives:

  • Determine the point of origin and preliminary cause of a fire.
  • Reading fire patterns and determining first fuel ignited
  • Fire scene, photographs, diagrams, pertinent data, and/or sketches.
  • Fire Prop Trainer, team activity to read fire patterns.
  • Determine if arson is suspected so that law enforcement action is taken
  • Report writing and submitting findings

Firefighter Safety & Survival/Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) (Evans)

This program teaches self‐rescue and the rescue of lost and/or trapped firefighters.  This intensive training was developed in response to the tragic deaths of many firefighters in the nation, including Utah.  Many of those who perished did so because they could not get themselves out of various working conditions.  Unfortunately, on several occasions, as a fire community, we have also been unsuccessful in removing our fellow firefighters from difficult RIT situations.  We train our firefighters in confined space, hazardous materials, infectious disease control, and incident command, but we have left out the most important topic... personal safety.  This course teaches firefighters how to save their own lives and the life of another firefighter.  The Firefighter Survival course covers conditions and situations which may pose a risk to firefighters and offers solutions both in the classroom and on the drill ground.  These could be some of the most important days of your life.  Don’t miss this class.

Forcible Entry (Jones)

This class will cover the majority of the Firefighter 1 practical skills for forcible entry. The class starts out in the classroom for the first hour followed by 3 hours of hands‐on skills. The lecture will cover different types of doors, windows and gates. In addition, the different techniques of gaining access through them. The lecture portion of the class is not meant to cover the Firefighter I written portion of the certification test in its entirety.

Objectives:

  • Explain the basic principles of forcible entry and egress
  • Understand the basic construction of doors, windows and gates
  • Demonstrate techniques used to force entry through various types of doors, windows and gates
  • Identify safety considerations that need to be taken when forcing entry through doors, windows and gates.

Ventilation Tactics & Training/Roof Ops (Anderson)

This class will give every student a foundation to build from or accelerate their current understanding of ventilation on the fire ground. Instructors will facilitate discussions throughout the day on current fire-ground challenges, modern tactics, how things have changed and yet, how much has remained the same. We have an experienced and very knowledgeable instructor cadre that will help eliminate the intimidation of ventilation and show how simple this operation is with a basic understanding of building construction, fire dynamics and a skill set that will be shared throughout our time together.  

The morning will be spent in a classroom setting introducing rules and tactics to ventilation that will help guide participants on the fire ground. After the classroom session, we will cover tools, their use, and safe operations needed to conduct ventilation of a structure.   After lunch, it is hands-on for the remainder of the day.  

When we are done, each participant will be able to:

  • Operate/use the necessary tools to ventilate.
  • Establish both residential and commercial exhaust points.
  • Understand the difference between conventional and light-weight construction and placement of exhaust points.
  • Safe roof access and egress.
  • Work in different staffing configurations.
  • The value of having the 5th side (roof) as an option on the fire ground.

Our instructor cadre takes pride in the information that is shared and puts a heavy emphasis on the hands-on delivery.

Rural Incident Command (CTC) 1 (Brewer)

Course includes training on rural and residential structures including basics of fire behavior, risk management, firefighter accountability, initial reporting, communications, strategy, tactics, and water supply. Course is comprised of four hours of classroom instruction followed by four hours of hands-on instruction in the Command Training Center managing simulated structure fires. Rural Incident Command is intended for any first responders in rural settings or with limited resources.

Rural Incident Command (CTC) 2 (Hammer)

Course includes training on rural and residential structures including basics of fire behavior, risk management, firefighter accountability, initial reporting, communications, strategy, tactics, and water supply. Course is comprised of four hours of classroom instruction followed by four hours of hands-on instruction in the Command Training Center managing simulated structure fires. Rural Incident Command is intended for any first responders in rural settings or with limited resources.

Hydraulics for Engineers, Back to Basics (Koetitz)

Modern fire pumps and apparatus are expensive pieces of equipment. The cost range for most apparatus is $300,000 to $800,000 for just a pumper. Add an aerial device to that and we’re looking at over one million dollars for some rigs. With that price tag comes the latest technology and most sophisticated fire pumps that, at the hands of a well‐trained operator, can move high volumes of water safely, quickly, and efficiently.  

This 8‐hour class takes the student (as the operator) back to the basic study of firefighting hydraulics, friction loss formulas, and appliance demand and requirements that can lead to maximizing the efficiency of the fire pump helping to take full advantage of the value of the apparatus.

The first half of the class is all academic which will help the student understand the “method to the madness” by learning and comprehending the concepts behind friction loss, appliance loss, elevation pressure, back pressure, nozzle pressure, nozzle reaction, as well as other pertinent measurements. The last half will be focused on the “hands‐on”. The student will get outside and put the math to the test through the use of flow meters and various nozzles and appliances.

Alternative Funding Sources (Nunn)

This course is to give firefighters (or attendees) knowledge about grants and other creative sources for additional funding.  This course will establish a working knowledge of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to include Equipment/Vehicles (AFG), Staffing (SAFER), and Fire Prevention and Safety (FPS).  In addition to specific firefighter grant information, this training will direct students through the SAM.gov registration process.  Students will receive specific information on the basic elements within any application including how to determine demographics, critical infrastructure and department needs.

Course Description: This course will look at trends within the fire service that represent funding directions at the local, state and federal levels.  This course is designed as a primer to get firefighters/students ready to apply for grants.  Students will use a significant level of creativity when performing research on grants.  The course will rely heavily on guidance from a Utah State University document called, “Strategies for Sustainability of Grant-funded Projects”.  Their recommendations include the involvement of stakeholders, decision making at the data level, targeting a specific audience, finding champions and identifying what is needed to manage the activities. 

Big Box Firefighting Operations (Schreiner)

Utah cities have grown to where even the smallest community is challenged by rapid growth with the addition of extremely large structures. This class presents best practice lessons relevant to fighting fires in large structures. Considers the challenges and demands involved in responding to Big Box retail stores (large commercial outlets like Home Depot) and Big Box commercial warehouses and distribution centers. This class will focus on resource needs, strategies and tactical considerations for these types of structures.

Goal: The overarching goal will be to increase statewide firefighting capability to extend beyond a basic structural fire response to more technical, advanced applications for the “Big Box” structure.

Scope of Training: In this 8-hour class students will learn the key definitions, features and construction of the Big Box structure. We will take a look at fire protection systems, development of response plans (pre-incident plan), organizing resources via mutual and automatic aid agreements, communications, and incident command.

Students will participate in group activities, group discussions and a walk through of a large structure to visualize key components and features related to firefighting operations.  

Friday Morning (0800-1200)

Basic Apparatus Maintenance (Allen)

This class will cover maintenance of almost all apparatus from front bumper to the rear bumper with the explanation and identification of all components, what the function of each component is in relation to the other systems of the truck, and what is necessary for daily and weekly truck checks to protect the engineer and the apparatus. Finally, we will stress how an effective maintenance program will prolong the expected life of the apparatus.  Special Instructions: Students need to bring safety glasses and a hardhat (a fire helmet will do if a hardhat is not accessible).  

Basic Vehicle Extraction (St. John)

In this course, students will learn the latest techniques being used for extricating patients at the scene of an auto accident. All skills will be NFPA 1670 and 1006 compliant. Subjects covered will include: scene size‐up, scene control, vehicle stabilization, new car design challenges, patient access points, and patient management.  

Actual extrication techniques and skills include: door and roof removal, dashboard lift, dashboard roll, proper cribbing strategies and the use of hand tools, and many other skills. Students will work individually as well as in teams in “real world” scenarios.

This is a hands on class where students will be using the latest equipment and techniques. Student and scene safety will be a paramount concern and students will be required to be in proper PPE at all times. The possibility of inclement weather is always possible, so every student should be prepared with suitable warm clothing as needed.  

That's Not How We Do it at Our Station (Craft)

In the fires service, we often see many sub-cultures. These sub-cultures can form by platoon, station, or group of personnel and often lead to divisions in the department. When a leader is dealing with division in the department, they cannot focus on being progressive. The body of the class will be based on leadership principles to get consistency throughout the department.

Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) Trailer 1 (Downs)

Simulation is rapidly becoming the benchmark in advanced technology training. The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) program creates realistic driving experiences that allows participants to perfect their skills by employing a variety of challenging scenarios and emergency situations. During this 4 hour introduction, instructors will guide students through a wide range of skills from basic vehicle operations to more advanced scenario based driver training. Participants will encounter realistic driving situations including changing weather, day and night driving, various road conditions, emergency procedures and traffic conflicts. Driver training should be considered a vital part of any fire department training program. EADS is designed to provide enhanced emergency apparatus driver training to meet those needs.

Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) Trailer 2 (Bedont)

Simulation is rapidly becoming the benchmark in advanced technology training. The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) program creates realistic driving experiences that allows participants to perfect their skills by employing a variety of challenging scenarios and emergency situations. During this 4 hour introduction, instructors will guide students through a wide range of skills from basic vehicle operations to more advanced scenario based driver training. Participants will encounter realistic driving situations including changing weather, day and night driving, various road conditions, emergency procedures and traffic conflicts. Driver training should be considered a vital part of any fire department training program. EADS is designed to provide enhanced emergency apparatus driver training to meet those needs.

Live Fire Training: Fire Behavior/Flashover (Phillips)

Classroom presentation on basic fire behavior. Students will witness fire behavior in a confined environment, and describe the signs to look for and the skills needed to survive an impending flashover. Students witness fire behavior from the incipient phase through flashover in a safe environment and to learn concepts and practices to prevent injury or death.  

Safety PPE requirements:  Full firefighter PPE (turn out pants, coat, NFPA structural fire fighting boots, gloves, nomex hood) including SCBA when involved in live fire training and fire fighting helmet. Students must be able to obtain a proper seal with the SCBA face piece. It is recommended by UFRA that all male students be clean shaven before attending this class. Students must be in good physical condition and capable of working in a high stress fire fighting environment. All other equipment will be provided.

Live Fire Training: Initial Fire Attack (Phillips)

Demonstration and performance of interior structural fire attack operations, incident command, personnel accountability, fire behavior, attack strategies, forcible entry, and fire stream management. This course includes participation in evolution based live fire exercises. Satisfies the class A interior and class B exterior fire control training requirements for Firefighter I certification.  

Safety PPE requirements: Full firefighter PPE (turn out pants, coat, NFPA structural fire fighting boots, gloves, nomex hood) including SCBA when involved in live fire training, and fire fighting helmet. Students must be able to obtain a proper seal with the SCBA face piece. It is recommended by UFRA that all male students be clean shaven before attending this class. Students must be in good physical condition and capable of working in a high stress fire fighting environment. All other equipment will be provided. 

PPE/SCBA/Search & Rescue (Christensen)

This class is designed for all firefighters. The class addresses protective clothing, SCBA, and search and rescue skills for Firefighter I and II certification. Topics include types and care of protective clothing, hazardous atmospheres, functions, components of SCBA use, maintenance of SCBA’s, safety precautions, emergency situations, search techniques and victim removal procedures.  

Safety PPE requirements: Full PPE including SCBA and flashlight are required. This class is a physically demanding class. 

National Traffic Incident Management (Perry)

This training was developed under the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2), and is being provided by the Utah TIM Coalition in cooperation with UDOT/UHP/FHWA.

Three injury crashes occur every minute in the United States, putting nearly 39,000 incident responders potentially in harm’s way every day. Congestion from these incidents often generates secondary crashes, further increasing traveler delay and frustration. The longer incident responders remain at the scene, the greater the risk they, and the traveling public, face. A cadre of well-trained responders helps improve traffic incident response. Better incident response improves the safety of responders and drivers, reduces crashes that occur because of incident-related congestion, decreases traffic delays caused by incidents, and can cut incident response time.

The National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training was created by responders for responders. This course provides first responders a shared understanding of the requirements for safe, quick clearance of traffic incident scenes; prompt, reliable and open communication; and motorist and responder safeguards. First responders learn how to operate more efficiently and collectively. This is the equivalent to active shooter training for those who deal with traffic control on any type incidents.

This training covers many TIM recommended procedures and techniques, including: TIM Fundamentals and Terminology, Notification and Scene Size-Up, Safe Vehicle Positioning, Scene Safety, Command Responsibilities, Traffic Management, Special Circumstances.

Pump Operations Simulator Training (Waller)

Topics include pump operations, hydraulic calculations, hose & nozzle types, flow rates & maintenance.

Warriors, Wisdom, & Wheelbarrows -Danny's Story; Mayday - Controlling the Chaos (Gordon)

Failures in Leadership that led to a LODD 

Propane Emergencies Training for First Responders (Cheever)

This course provides foundational knowledge to recognize fundamental propane characteristics, risks, regulations, safety, and indications of potential propane-related emergencies. The course prepares individuals who are likely to witness or discover a propane release to initiate the appropriate emergency response sequence based on their training and notify the proper authorities of the release.

Going With the Flow: Understanding & Applying the Principles of S.L.I.C.E.R.S. (Kilgore)

This course is designed to engage students in a two‐way discussion about cause and effect changes impacting the modern fire environment. It focuses on a variety of interrelated topics including basic fire behavior, flow path development and recognition, tactical decision‐making and fire ground safety, in an effort to aid participants in developing a greater understanding of the dynamic environment that exists inside a structure on fire. The course reviews the principles of ISFSI's S.L.I.C.E. R.S. acronym and illustrates its use during several different tactical situations.  

Friday Afternoon (1300-1700)

Basic Apparatus Maintenance (Allen)

This class will cover maintenance of almost all apparatus from front bumper to the rear bumper with the explanation and identification of all components, what the function of each component is in relation to the other systems of the truck, and what is necessary for daily and weekly truck checks to protect the engineer and the apparatus. Finally, we will stress how an effective maintenance program will prolong the expected life of the apparatus.  Special Instructions: Students need to bring safety glasses and a hardhat (a fire helmet will do if a hardhat is not accessible).  

Basic Vehicle Extrication (St. John)

In this course, students will learn the latest techniques being used for extricating patients at the scene of an auto accident. All skills will be NFPA 1670 and 1006 compliant. Subjects covered will include: scene size‐up, scene control, vehicle stabilization, new car design challenges, patient access points, and patient management.  

Actual extrication techniques and skills include: door and roof removal, dashboard lift, dashboard roll, proper cribbing strategies and the use of hand tools, and many other skills. Students will work individually as well as in teams in “real world” scenarios.

This is a hands on class where students will be using the latest equipment and techniques. Student and scene safety will be a paramount concern and students will be required to be in proper PPE at all times. The possibility of inclement weather is always possible, so every student should be prepared with suitable warm clothing as needed.  

Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) Trailer 1 (Downs)

Simulation is rapidly becoming the benchmark in advanced technology training. The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) program creates realistic driving experiences that allows participants to perfect their skills by employing a variety of challenging scenarios and emergency situations. During this 4 hour introduction, instructors will guide students through a wide range of skills from basic vehicle operations to more advanced scenario based driver training. Participants will encounter realistic driving situations including changing weather, day and night driving, various road conditions, emergency procedures and traffic conflicts. Driver training should be considered a vital part of any fire department training program. EADS is designed to provide enhanced emergency apparatus driver training to meet those needs.

Prerequisite: It is recommended that students be at least FFI and/or currently involved in an on-going fire training program.  

Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) Trailer 2 (Bedont)

Simulation is rapidly becoming the benchmark in advanced technology training. The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) program creates realistic driving experiences that allows participants to perfect their skills by employing a variety of challenging scenarios and emergency situations. During this 4 hour introduction, instructors will guide students through a wide range of skills from basic vehicle operations to more advanced scenario based driver training. Participants will encounter realistic driving situations including changing weather, day and night driving, various road conditions, emergency procedures and traffic conflicts. Driver training should be considered a vital part of any fire department training program. EADS is designed to provide enhanced emergency apparatus driver training to meet those needs.

Prerequisite: It is recommended that students be at least FFI and/or currently involved in an on-going fire training program.  

Utah Cancer Initiative Q&A (Craft)

Come learn about the Utah Cancer Initiative, question and answering time.

Live Fire Training: Fire Behavior/Flashover (Phillips)

Classroom presentation on basic fire behavior. Students will witness fire behavior in a confined environment, and describe the signs to look for and the skills needed to survive an impending flashover. Students witness fire behavior from the incipient phase through flashover in a safe environment and to learn concepts and practices to prevent injury or death.  

Safety PPE requirements:  Full firefighter PPE (turn out pants, coat, NFPA structural fire fighting boots, gloves, nomex hood) including SCBA when involved in live fire training and fire fighting helmet. Students must be able to obtain a proper seal with the SCBA face piece. It is recommended by UFRA that all male students be clean shaven before attending this class. Students must be in good physical condition and capable of working in a high stress fire fighting environment. All other equipment will be provided.

Live Fire Training: Initial Fire Attack (Phillips)

Demonstration and performance of interior structural fire attack operations, incident command, personnel accountability, fire behavior, attack strategies, forcible entry, and fire stream management. This course includes participation in evolution based live fire exercises. Satisfies the class A interior and class B exterior fire control training requirements for Firefighter I certification.  

Safety PPE requirements: Full firefighter PPE (turn out pants, coat, NFPA structural fire fighting boots, gloves, nomex hood) including SCBA when involved in live fire training, and fire fighting helmet. Students must be able to obtain a proper seal with the SCBA face piece. It is recommended by UFRA that all male students be clean shaven before attending this class. Students must be in good physical condition and capable of working in a high stress fire fighting environment. All other equipment will be provided. 

PPE/SCBA/Search & Rescue (Christensen)

This class is designed for all firefighters. The class addresses protective clothing, SCBA, and search and rescue skills for Firefighter I and II certification. Topics include types and care of protective clothing, hazardous atmospheres, functions, components of SCBA use, maintenance of SCBA’s, safety precautions, emergency situations, search techniques and victim removal procedures.  

Safety PPE requirements: Full PPE including SCBA and flashlight are required. This class is a physically demanding class. 

Mental Resiliency for Firefighters (Montoya)

On the job stresses of firefighting can lead to lasting emotional trauma. Recent studies on long‐term traumatic exposure show that resilience training and techniques can lessen the effects of stress and improve mental well‐being. This course is designed specifically for all firefighters. It teaches resilience as a personal skill set to deal with the emotional trauma that can be encountered on the job. By building and strengthening firefighters to best handle the stresses of the job then we can support life‐long emotional well‐being. 

National Traffic Incident Management (Perry)

This training was developed under the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2), and is being provided by the Utah TIM Coalition in cooperation with UDOT/UHP/FHWA.

Three injury crashes occur every minute in the United States, putting nearly 39,000 incident responders potentially in harm’s way every day. Congestion from these incidents often generates secondary crashes, further increasing traveler delay and frustration. The longer incident responders remain at the scene, the greater the risk they, and the traveling public, face. A cadre of well-trained responders helps improve traffic incident response. Better incident response improves the safety of responders and drivers, reduces crashes that occur because of incident-related congestion, decreases traffic delays caused by incidents, and can cut incident response time.

The National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training was created by responders for responders. This course provides first responders a shared understanding of the requirements for safe, quick clearance of traffic incident scenes; prompt, reliable and open communication; and motorist and responder safeguards. First responders learn how to operate more efficiently and collectively. This is the equivalent to active shooter training for those who deal with traffic control on any type incidents.

This training covers many TIM recommended procedures and techniques, including: TIM Fundamentals and Terminology, Notification and Scene Size-Up, Safe Vehicle Positioning, Scene Safety, Command Responsibilities, Traffic Management, Special Circumstances.

Pump Operations Simulator Training (Waller)

Topics include pump operations, hydraulic calculations, hose & nozzle types, flow rates & maintenance.

Preventing the Mayday on the Aggressive Fireground (Gordon)

This class covers tactics that allow firefighters to be aggressive and freethinkers on the fireground while remaining safe and under control, plus tactics that allow firefighters to be aggressive and freethinkers on the fireground while remaining safe and under control.

Going With the Flow: Understanding & Applying the Principles of S.L.I.C.E.R.S. (Kilgore)

This course is designed to engage students in a two‐way discussion about cause and effect changes impacting the modern fire environment. It focuses on a variety of interrelated topics including basic fire behavior, flow path development and recognition, tactical decision‐making and fire ground safety, in an effort to aid participants in developing a greater understanding of the dynamic environment that exists inside a structure on fire. The course reviews the principles of ISFSI's S.L.I.C.E. R.S. acronym and illustrates its use during several different tactical situations.  

Saturday All Day (0800-1700)

Advanced Auto Extrication (St. John)

In this course, students will learn the latest and more advanced techniques being used for extricating patients at the scene of an auto accident. This class builds on the skills acquired in the Basic Vehicle Extrication class. Therefore, it is required that all participants in the Advanced Vehicle Extrication Class must have successfully completed the Basic Vehicle Extrication class either this year at Winter Fire School or in the last 5 years. All skills will be NFPA 1670 and 1006 compliant. Subjects covered will include: scene size-up, scene control, vehicle stabilization, new car design challenges, patient access points, and patient management. Actual extrication techniques and skills include: door and roof removal, dashboard lift, dashboard roll, proper cribbing strategies, the use of hand tools, and many other skills. Students will work individually as well as in teams in “real world” scenarios.

This is a hands on class where students will be using the latest equipment and techniques. Student and scene safety will be a paramount concern and students will be required to be in proper PPE at all times. The possibility of inclement weather is always possible, so every student should be prepared with suitable warm clothing as needed.

Hydraulics for Engineers, Back to Basics (Koetitz)

Modern fire pumps and apparatus are expensive pieces of equipment. The cost range for most apparatus is $300,000 to $800,000 for just a pumper. Add an aerial device to that and we’re looking at over one million dollars for some rigs. With that price tag comes the latest technology and most sophisticated fire pumps that, at the hands of a well‐trained operator, can move high volumes of water safely, quickly, and efficiently.  

This 8‐hour class takes the student (as the operator) back to the basic study of firefighting hydraulics, friction loss formulas, and appliance demand and requirements that can lead to maximizing the efficiency of the fire pump helping to take full advantage of the value of the apparatus.

The first half of the class is all academic which will help the student understand the “method to the madness” by learning and comprehending the concepts behind friction loss, appliance loss, elevation pressure, back pressure, nozzle pressure, nozzle reaction, as well as other pertinent measurements. The last half will be focused on the “hands‐on”. The student will get outside and put the math to the test through the use of flow meters and various nozzles and appliances.

Fire Cause & Origin Principles (Vega)

Course objectives:

  • Determine the point of origin and preliminary cause of a fire.
  • Reading fire patterns and determining first fuel ignited
  • Fire scene, photographs, diagrams, pertinent data, and/or sketches.
  • Fire Prop Trainer, team activity to read fire patterns.
  • Determine if arson is suspected so that law enforcement action is taken
  • Report writing and submitting findings

Firefighter Safety & Survival/Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) (Evans)

This program teaches self‐rescue and the rescue of lost and/or trapped firefighters.  This intensive training was developed in response to the tragic deaths of many firefighters in the nation, including Utah.  Many of those who perished did so because they could not get themselves out of various working conditions.  Unfortunately, on several occasions, as a fire community, we have also been unsuccessful in removing our fellow firefighters from difficult RIT situations.  We train our firefighters in confined space, hazardous materials, infectious disease control, and incident command, but we have left out the most important topic... personal safety.  This course teaches firefighters how to save their own lives and the life of another firefighter.  The Firefighter Survival course covers conditions and situations which may pose a risk to firefighters and offers solutions both in the classroom and on the drill ground.  These could be some of the most important days of your life.  Don’t miss this class.

Forcible Entry (Jones)

This class will cover the majority of the Firefighter 1 practical skills for forcible entry. The class starts out in the classroom for the first hour followed by 3 hours of hands‐on skills. The lecture will cover different types of doors, windows and gates. In addition, the different techniques of gaining access through them. The lecture portion of the class is not meant to cover the Firefighter I written portion of the certification test in its entirety.

Objectives:

  • Explain the basic principles of forcible entry and egress
  • Understand the basic construction of doors, windows and gates
  • Demonstrate techniques used to force entry through various types of doors, windows and gates
  • Identify safety considerations that need to be taken when forcing entry through doors, windows and gates.

Ventilation Tactis & Training/Roof Ops (Anderson)

This class will give every student a foundation to build from or accelerate their current understanding of ventilation on the fire ground. Instructors will facilitate discussions throughout the day on current fire-ground challenges, modern tactics, how things have changed and yet, how much has remained the same. We have an experienced and very knowledgeable instructor cadre that will help eliminate the intimidation of ventilation and show how simple this operation is with a basic understanding of building construction, fire dynamics and a skill set that will be shared throughout our time together.  

The morning will be spent in a classroom setting introducing rules and tactics to ventilation that will help guide participants on the fire ground. After the classroom session, we will cover tools, their use, and safe operations needed to conduct ventilation of a structure.   After lunch, it is hands-on for the remainder of the day.  

When we are done, each participant will be able to:

  • Operate/use the necessary tools to ventilate.
  • Establish both residential and commercial exhaust points.
  • Understand the difference between conventional and light-weight construction and placement of exhaust points.
  • Safe roof access and egress.
  • Work in different staffing configurations.
  • The value of having the 5th side (roof) as an option on the fire ground.

Our instructor cadre takes pride in the information that is shared and puts a heavy emphasis on the hands-on delivery.

Rural Incident Command (CTC) 1 (Brewer)

Course includes training on rural and residential structures including basics of fire behavior, risk management, firefighter accountability, initial reporting, communications, strategy, tactics, and water supply. Course is comprised of four hours of classroom instruction followed by four hours of hands-on instruction in the Command Training Center managing simulated structure fires. Rural Incident Command is intended for any first responders in rural settings or with limited resources.

Rural Incident Command (CTC) 2 (Hammer)

Course includes training on rural and residential structures including basics of fire behavior, risk management, firefighter accountability, initial reporting, communications, strategy, tactics, and water supply. Course is comprised of four hours of classroom instruction followed by four hours of hands-on instruction in the Command Training Center managing simulated structure fires. Rural Incident Command is intended for any first responders in rural settings or with limited resources.

Big Box Firefighting Operations (Schreiner)

Utah cities have grown to where even the smallest community is challenged by rapid growth with the addition of extremely large structures. This class presents best practice lessons relevant to fighting fires in large structures. Considers the challenges and demands involved in responding to Big Box retail stores (large commercial outlets like Home Depot) and Big Box commercial warehouses and distribution centers. This class will focus on resource needs, strategies and tactical considerations for these types of structures.

Goal: The overarching goal will be to increase statewide firefighting capability to extend beyond a basic structural fire response to more technical, advanced applications for the “Big Box” structure.

Scope of Training: In this 8-hour class students will learn the key definitions, features and construction of the Big Box structure. We will take a look at fire protection systems, development of response plans (pre-incident plan), organizing resources via mutual and automatic aid agreements, communications, and incident command.

Students will participate in group activities, group discussions and a walk through of a large structure to visualize key components and features related to firefighting operations.  

Saturday Morning (0800-1200)

Basic Apparatus Maintenance (Allen)

This class will cover maintenance of almost all apparatus from front bumper to the rear bumper with the explanation and identification of all components, what the function of each component is in relation to the other systems of the truck, and what is necessary for daily and weekly truck checks to protect the engineer and the apparatus. Finally, we will stress how an effective maintenance program will prolong the expected life of the apparatus.  Special Instructions: Students need to bring safety glasses and a hardhat (a fire helmet will do if a hardhat is not accessible).  

Continuous Courageous Leadership (Craft)

Being a leader in today’s fire service is exciting and challenging. In order to keep up the current and incoming personnel, leaders must be ever vigilant to emerging leadership principles and theories. However, just being educated is not enough. It takes courage to be a leader in the fire service. This class is designed to demonstrate proven leadership principles, to help leaders achieve success at all levels of the organization.

Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) Trailer 1 (Downs)

Simulation is rapidly becoming the benchmark in advanced technology training. The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) program creates realistic driving experiences that allows participants to perfect their skills by employing a variety of challenging scenarios and emergency situations. During this 4 hour introduction, instructors will guide students through a wide range of skills from basic vehicle operations to more advanced scenario based driver training. Participants will encounter realistic driving situations including changing weather, day and night driving, various road conditions, emergency procedures and traffic conflicts. Driver training should be considered a vital part of any fire department training program. EADS is designed to provide enhanced emergency apparatus driver training to meet those needs.

Prerequisite: It is recommended that students be at least FFI and/or currently involved in an on-going fire training program.  

Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) Trailer 2 (Bedont)

Simulation is rapidly becoming the benchmark in advanced technology training. The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) program creates realistic driving experiences that allows participants to perfect their skills by employing a variety of challenging scenarios and emergency situations. During this 4 hour introduction, instructors will guide students through a wide range of skills from basic vehicle operations to more advanced scenario based driver training. Participants will encounter realistic driving situations including changing weather, day and night driving, various road conditions, emergency procedures and traffic conflicts. Driver training should be considered a vital part of any fire department training program. EADS is designed to provide enhanced emergency apparatus driver training to meet those needs.

Prerequisite: It is recommended that students be at least FFI and/or currently involved in an on-going fire training program.  

Live Fire Training: Fire Behavior/Flashover (Phillips)

Classroom presentation on basic fire behavior. Students will witness fire behavior in a confined environment, and describe the signs to look for and the skills needed to survive an impending flashover. Students witness fire behavior from the incipient phase through flashover in a safe environment and to learn concepts and practices to prevent injury or death.  

Safety PPE requirements:  Full firefighter PPE (turn out pants, coat, NFPA structural fire fighting boots, gloves, nomex hood) including SCBA when involved in live fire training and fire fighting helmet. Students must be able to obtain a proper seal with the SCBA face piece. It is recommended by UFRA that all male students be clean shaven before attending this class. Students must be in good physical condition and capable of working in a high stress fire fighting environment. All other equipment will be provided.

Live Fire Training: Initial Fire Attack (Phillips)

Demonstration and performance of interior structural fire attack operations, incident command, personnel accountability, fire behavior, attack strategies, forcible entry, and fire stream management. This course includes participation in evolution based live fire exercises. Satisfies the class A interior and class B exterior fire control training requirements for Firefighter I certification.  

Safety PPE requirements: Full firefighter PPE (turn out pants, coat, NFPA structural fire fighting boots, gloves, nomex hood) including SCBA when involved in live fire training, and fire fighting helmet. Students must be able to obtain a proper seal with the SCBA face piece. It is recommended by UFRA that all male students be clean shaven before attending this class. Students must be in good physical condition and capable of working in a high stress fire fighting environment. All other equipment will be provided. 

PPE/SCBA/Search & Rescue (Christensen)

This class is designed for all firefighters. The class addresses protective clothing, SCBA, and search and rescue skills for Firefighter I and II certification. Topics include types and care of protective clothing, hazardous atmospheres, functions, components of SCBA use, maintenance of SCBA’s, safety precautions, emergency situations, search techniques and victim removal procedures.  

Safety PPE requirements: Full PPE including SCBA and flashlight are required. This class is a physically demanding class. 

Drones for the Fire Department (Putman)

Using NFPA 2400 to develop and manage a drone program. 

Spouses Class: Understanding Your Firefighter & Your Relationship (Montoya)

Being a firefighter, both career and volunteer, is a demanding service which takes a toll on its members. Unfortunately, the stresses and burdens of the service don’t end with the firefighter, but impact the family and the spouse as well. Being in a relationship with a firefighter can be challenging for the spouse and the relationship, or it can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Come and learn about the stresses that commonly exist within a firefighter relationship, what behaviors are common and which are alarming, strategies to make sure you’re taking care of yourself, and what spouses can do to support their firefighter and their unique relationship. Relationships require work, and firefighter relationships require a better understanding of each other to be successful. NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

National Traffic Incident Management First Responder Training (Perry)

This training was developed under the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2), and is being provided by the Utah TIM Coalition in cooperation with UDOT/UHP/FHWA.

Three injury crashes occur every minute in the United States, putting nearly 39,000 incident responders potentially in harm’s way every day. Congestion from these incidents often generates secondary crashes, further increasing traveler delay and frustration. The longer incident responders remain at the scene, the greater the risk they, and the traveling public, face. A cadre of well-trained responders helps improve traffic incident response. Better incident response improves the safety of responders and drivers, reduces crashes that occur because of incident-related congestion, decreases traffic delays caused by incidents, and can cut incident response time.

The National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training was created by responders for responders. This course provides first responders a shared understanding of the requirements for safe, quick clearance of traffic incident scenes; prompt, reliable and open communication; and motorist and responder safeguards. First responders learn how to operate more efficiently and collectively. This is the equivalent to active shooter training for those who deal with traffic control on any type incidents.

This training covers many TIM recommended procedures and techniques, including: TIM Fundamentals and Terminology, Notification and Scene Size-Up, Safe Vehicle Positioning, Scene Safety, Command Responsibilities, Traffic Management, Special Circumstances.

Pump Operations Simulator Training (Waller)

Topics include pump operations, hydraulic calculations, hose & nozzle types, flow rates & maintenance.

Peer Support 101: A New and Improved Approach to Mental Health (Wilcox)

For too long the fire service has attempted to separate the physical effects of our job from the mental. New research from the University of Utah and Unified Fire Authority has proven how the two are intrinsically connected. This has allowed for improved approaches to mental health, better prepared peer support programs, and healthier careers and retirements. The goal of peer support is to use the brains own neuropathways to resolve the long term effects of repeated stressors and significant events.

Warriors, Wisdom, & Wheelbarrows - Danny's Story; Mayday - Controlling the Chaos (Gordon)

Failures in Leadership that Led to a LODD 

Propane Emergencies Training for First Responders (Cheever)

This course provides foundational knowledge to recognize fundamental propane characteristics, risks, regulations, safety, and indications of potential propane-related emergencies. The course prepares individuals who are likely to witness or discover a propane release to initiate the appropriate emergency response sequence based on their training and notify the proper authorities of the release.

The Occupational Cancer Problem in the Fire Service (Conn)

The class will cover the scope of the problem and the scientific research behind the issue. Students will learn best practices on reducing exposures in the fire station and on the fireground. Students will be given resources to share this important information with their departments. Students will learn the role of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and how to support those firefighters who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Saturday Afternoon (1300-1700)

Basic Apparatus Maintenance (Allen)

This class will cover maintenance of almost all apparatus from front bumper to the rear bumper with the explanation and identification of all components, what the function of each component is in relation to the other systems of the truck, and what is necessary for daily and weekly truck checks to protect the engineer and the apparatus. Finally, we will stress how an effective maintenance program will prolong the expected life of the apparatus.  Special Instructions: Students need to bring safety glasses and a hardhat (a fire helmet will do if a hardhat is not accessible).  

Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) Trailer 1 (Downs)

Simulation is rapidly becoming the benchmark in advanced technology training. The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) program creates realistic driving experiences that allows participants to perfect their skills by employing a variety of challenging scenarios and emergency situations. During this 4 hour introduction, instructors will guide students through a wide range of skills from basic vehicle operations to more advanced scenario based driver training. Participants will encounter realistic driving situations including changing weather, day and night driving, various road conditions, emergency procedures and traffic conflicts. Driver training should be considered a vital part of any fire department training program. EADS is designed to provide enhanced emergency apparatus driver training to meet those needs.

Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) Trailer 2 (Bedont)

Simulation is rapidly becoming the benchmark in advanced technology training. The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy Emergency Apparatus Driving Simulator (EADS) program creates realistic driving experiences that allows participants to perfect their skills by employing a variety of challenging scenarios and emergency situations. During this 4 hour introduction, instructors will guide students through a wide range of skills from basic vehicle operations to more advanced scenario based driver training. Participants will encounter realistic driving situations including changing weather, day and night driving, various road conditions, emergency procedures and traffic conflicts. Driver training should be considered a vital part of any fire department training program. EADS is designed to provide enhanced emergency apparatus driver training to meet those needs.

Live Fire Training: Fire Behavior/Flashover (Phillips)

Classroom presentation on basic fire behavior. Students will witness fire behavior in a confined environment, and describe the signs to look for and the skills needed to survive an impending flashover. Students witness fire behavior from the incipient phase through flashover in a safe environment and to learn concepts and practices to prevent injury or death.  

Safety PPE requirements:  Full firefighter PPE (turn out pants, coat, NFPA structural fire fighting boots, gloves, nomex hood) including SCBA when involved in live fire training and fire fighting helmet. Students must be able to obtain a proper seal with the SCBA face piece. It is recommended by UFRA that all male students be clean shaven before attending this class. Students must be in good physical condition and capable of working in a high stress fire fighting environment. All other equipment will be provided.

Live Fire Training: Initial Fire Attack (Phillips)

Demonstration and performance of interior structural fire attack operations, incident command, personnel accountability, fire behavior, attack strategies, forcible entry, and fire stream management. This course includes participation in evolution based live fire exercises. Satisfies the class A interior and class B exterior fire control training requirements for Firefighter I certification.  

Safety PPE requirements: Full firefighter PPE (turn out pants, coat, NFPA structural fire fighting boots, gloves, nomex hood) including SCBA when involved in live fire training, and fire fighting helmet. Students must be able to obtain a proper seal with the SCBA face piece. It is recommended by UFRA that all male students be clean shaven before attending this class. Students must be in good physical condition and capable of working in a high stress fire fighting environment. All other equipment will be provided. 

PPE/SCBA/Search & Rescue (Christensen)

This class is designed for all firefighters. The class addresses protective clothing, SCBA, and search and rescue skills for Firefighter I and II certification. Topics include types and care of protective clothing, hazardous atmospheres, functions, components of SCBA use, maintenance of SCBA’s, safety precautions, emergency situations, search techniques and victim removal procedures.  

Safety PPE requirements: Full PPE including SCBA and flashlight are required. This class is a physically demanding class. 

Drone Pilot Flight Skills (Putman)

Hands-on skills practice using NIST SUAS test lanes. 

National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training (Perry)

This training was developed under the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2), and is being provided by the Utah TIM Coalition in cooperation with UDOT/UHP/FHWA.

Three injury crashes occur every minute in the United States, putting nearly 39,000 incident responders potentially in harm’s way every day. Congestion from these incidents often generates secondary crashes, further increasing traveler delay and frustration. The longer incident responders remain at the scene, the greater the risk they, and the traveling public, face. A cadre of well-trained responders helps improve traffic incident response. Better incident response improves the safety of responders and drivers, reduces crashes that occur because of incident-related congestion, decreases traffic delays caused by incidents, and can cut incident response time.

The National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training was created by responders for responders. This course provides first responders a shared understanding of the requirements for safe, quick clearance of traffic incident scenes; prompt, reliable and open communication; and motorist and responder safeguards. First responders learn how to operate more efficiently and collectively. This is the equivalent to active shooter training for those who deal with traffic control on any type incidents.

This training covers many TIM recommended procedures and techniques, including: TIM Fundamentals and Terminology, Notification and Scene Size-Up, Safe Vehicle Positioning, Scene Safety, Command Responsibilities, Traffic Management, Special Circumstances.

Pump Operations Simulator Training (Waller)

Topics include pump operations, hydraulic calculations, hose & nozzle types, flow rates & maintenance.

Midrise & Townhome Fires & Operations (Gordon)

This course covers an old problem in a new building, looking at the newly constructed midrise, mega apartments, and townhomes. An old problem in a new building - looking at the newly constructed midrise, mega apartments, and townhomes

Peer Support 101: A New and Improved Approach to Mental Health (Wilcox)

For too long the fire service has attempted to separate the physical effects of our job from the mental. New research from the University of Utah and Unified Fire Authority has proven how the two are intrinsically connected. This has allowed for improved approaches to mental health, better prepared peer support programs, and healthier careers and retirements. The goal of peer support is to use the brains own neuropathways to resolve the long term effects of repeated stressors and significant events.

The Occupational Cancer Problem in the Fire Service (Conn)

The class will cover the scope of the problem and the scientific research behind the issue. Students will learn best practices on reducing exposures in the fire station and on the fireground. Students will be given resources to share this important information with their departments. Students will learn the role of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and how to support those firefighters who have been diagnosed with cancer.