2025 Classes
H.O.T.
The MAYDAY Make-Up
Midwest Misfits
-
This dynamic rapid intervention team training is designed to equip firefighters with the essential skills and knowledge necessary for rapid intervention in emergency situations, with a primary focus on firefighter survival. This intensive hands-on training emphasizes dynamic scenarios and hands-on exercises to prepare firefighters for the unpredictable challenges that may be faced in the real world. This comprehensive training will provide new techniques for victim movement and rescue with drags, carries, and a rescue device to remove a down firefighter that improves our time to clean air. An emphasis on orientation to victims SCBA will be discussed and applied for proven techniques in stressful environments and will include movement with various obstacles, including stairs and windows.
***FULL PPE & SCBA REQUIRED***
H.O.T.
The Escape Room
David Gallagher
-
The people we serve trust the responding Firefighter to be prepared and ready mentally and physically, including fellow Firefighters depending upon Rapid Intervention, and the Firefighter him/herself. The mastery of the SCBA is central to the Firefighter, and the others’, survival. Accomplishing these demands a Firefighter must understand the physiology of stress response and how this affects physical activity.
Major points covered:
- Instill immediately useable information for pursuit of mastery of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) components and personal operation
- Ingrain a spirit of self-awareness to learn, endure, and develop mental and physical skills to confront and resolve SCBA physical situational restrictions and mental stress challenges by using learned self-resiliency techniques and manipulating equipment
- To provide the opportunity to fail safely in a training environment where the failure may provide an educational perspective to learn, overcome, adapt, and later achieve positive results
- To provide understanding of situational awareness and evolving this into situational execution
***FULL PPE & SCBA REQUIRED***
Lecture
Utilizing Modern
Fire Research
to Maximize Fire Attack
& Occupant Survivability
Zach Bruhn
-
This 8-hour lecture provides a summary of the recent three-part UL/NIST Study: Impact of Fire Attack Utilizing Interior & Exterior Streams on Firefighter Safety & Occupant Survivability. Topics such as considerations for search, victim survivability data and interior fire attack methodologies and exterior water application will be discussed from the latest three-part Underwriters Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute study. The UL paired with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conducted research on occupant survivability, firefighting tactics, both interior and exterior in residential structures along with hose stream effectiveness as it relates to air entrainment and water mapping. 46% of annual home fire fatalities occur purely from smoke inhalation alone, not burns. Statistics such as these stress the need for fire departments to recognize where their greatest opportunity for victim survivability occurs in modern residential structure fires. For fire departments to maximize occupant survivability within structure fires, it is essential to adapt scientifically backed methods for development and implementation of rapid, properly placed, and professionally executed searches along with skillful interior and exterior fire attack tactics. This lecture provides firefighters a better understanding of how interior water application techniques can be implemented to control flow paths and increase occupant survivability and firefighter safety at residential structure fires. This is accomplished through understanding the principles of Water Mapping, Air Entrainment and Full-Scale Live Burn data analysis on victim survival and interior fire conditions. During these experiments residential live burn structure fires in over 26 different situations and variables such as non-ventilated rooms, single ventilated rooms and multiple ventilated room scenarios were completed. During these multiple scenarios, variables such as different interior fire attack methods, smoothbore, combination fog nozzle and door control all were tested on their effectiveness on victim survivability and firefighter safety. Massive amounts of data were collected on a multitude of variables ranging from toxic gas and thermal exposure limits for occupants, modern furniture burn rates and interior gas velocity changes from assorted fire attack methods. The UL, NIST and a panel of fire service experts from departments around the nation then utilized this data to formulate 18 tactical priorities to increase victim survivability and firefighter safety during interior and exterior fire ground operations. This lecture will present a comprehensive systematic summary of the victim survivability data and suggested interior fire attack methods.
Lecture
The Rural Challenge:
Managing the Fireground
Justin Bailey
-
The rural incident commander faces many challenges within the first 10-20 minutes on an emergency scene. Responding to fire and other emergency incidents in rural areas vastly differ from those in the urban environment. Low manpower, limited resources, and the need for efficient tactics are some of the challenges faced by the incident commander. During this workshop, the student will embark on a journey as an incident commander in a rural environment. During the journey, the student will see the similarities and differences between rural, suburban, and urban firefighting from the viewpoint of the incident commander. The student will then be able to navigate the challenges that a rural incident commander may face.
EMS
Lecture
Barbie Dolls, Hot Wheels, and Beanie Babies
Denell Rhinehart
-
Triage and MCIs are not Candyland, and figuring out paperwork and funds associated with these events can seem like you’re playing with Monopoly money. Sometimes in these situations, it can feel as though someone is changing the rules mid-event and you never know what the next roll of the dice will bring you. This class will help you navigate the perilous chutes and climb the ladders of success when it comes to triage and MCI management. Let’s dig through the toy box and do some immersive, hands-on training with the help of some of your favorite childhood toys and a few special effects. By the time we’re done, triage and MCI management will be child’s play!
EMS
Lecture
Air Raid:
Aggressive Monitoring & Managementof the Airway
Using Non-Invasive Techniques
Jozef Kuehn
-
In this course, we will take a look at modern airway management. Simple and easy to practice, these airway habits save lives and cause fewer patient complications. We will dive into capnometry, capnography, and CPAP. This course contains case reviews, scenario-based practice, and discussion. Meets NCCP Airway and Ventilation.
NESFM
Cert
Officer 1
Darin Lintner
NE State Fire Marshal Office
-
Certification is available for this level with successful completion of the testing process.
Pre-requisite to Certification: Hazmat Operations, Firefighter II, Fire Instructor I
The Fire Officer I course is designed to provide the front line company level officer with the skills as established by the NFPA 1021, 2019 edition, Standard for Professional Fire Officer. This level of officer is typically in charge of a single fire company or station, with information and skills required for success. This course requires multiple written assignments to be submitted as part of the course work.
Students must purchase textbook prior to conference: Fire Officer: Principles and Practice, Fourth Edition
Second Weekend Attendance is Required for class completion & certification.
Weekend #1 (Les Lukert 25')
Friday Feb 7th: Intro, Chapters 1,2
Saturday Feb 8th: Chapters 3,4,5Weekend #2 (Kearney Fire)
Saturday Feb 22nd: Chapters 6,7,8
Sunday Feb 23rd: Testing
Lecture
Fireground Considerations
Bobby Eckert
-
Description TBA
Lecture
Uncomfortably Comfortable:
The Training Division
Logan Watts
-
Many firefighters who are driven to be better often find themselves in informal leadership roles early in their career, volunteer, or paid. A common theme found also is that these informal leaders’ first leadership positions come in the form of running training exercises for their departments, informally or with a title. In this 2-hour symposium, we will mesh leadership (informally and formally) and the responsibility of training within your department. In a position that can and does have the most direct impact on department culture, personnel development, and incident outcome many times people are thrown into this position and told to “figure it out” or “don’t rock the boat to much”, there is not a great playbook or resource list to succeed given to them. The goal and objective of this lecture is to set the informal and formal leaders up for success in challenging, changing, or enhancing their departments training culture through building leadership throughout. Students will leave this lecture motivated to make the changes or enhance their departments training by implementing three simple things: simplicity, adaptability, and demand.
Lecture
The Rescue Mindset
Jake Hoffman
-
While certification classes undoubtedly serve as a foundation for all technical rescuers, what is it that sets apart the “really good ones?” How does a rescuer become the person who always seems to be three steps ahead with solutions for problems you didn’t even know existed and the person who both chiefs and their fellow rescuers turn to for advice? This interactive session strives to answer these questions by sharing advice from respected rescuers across North America. Development of a “rescue mindset” is discussed from both personal development and incident response perspectives. Fire departments often treat high-risk/low-frequency technical rescue incidents like the average house fire, but this can be a recipe for disaster. Size-up and tactical decision-making differs on a rescue scene, making a “rescue mindset” even more important. The “rescue mindset” is also key to successfully determining an appropriate course of action on the scene, so it is imperative that rescue leadership NOT be rank dependent but should rely heavily on subject-matter experts. Concepts such as the “100/50/25 Rescue Plan” will be introduced to help attendees rapidly and effectively develop a plan on their next rescue incident. As the modern fire department is an all-hazards agency, details of one discipline are often overlooked during training in the interest of time or inadvertently forgotten as the department pivots to the next rescue discipline. This sad reality often leaves rescuers dangerously unprepared for real-world rescues where sayings like “it should be good enough” can be deadly. By developing a “rescue mindset,” rescuers are better prepared to make informed decisions when presented with complex and challenging situations that may require equipment and techniques to be pushed to their limits. Attendees will leave this class with training topics, props ideas, and other information that will help them to develop their own “rescue mindset” at their own department.
Lecture
Transitional Leadership
David Mellen & LJay Geist
-
This course covers the transition from firefighter through the ranks and what hurdles must be concurred. With two instructors ranging in experience and rank from firefighter to Chief Officer, students have the opportunity to hear what works, and more importantly, what doesn't. Making the transitions from the bottom up can be difficult but also rewarding. Both LJay and David have had success and failure and share their experiences with students in an interactive forum. Students will leave with a better understanding of what to expect, and what is expected from them.
Lecture
Idiots Guide to
Building Construction
Bobby Eckert
-
Discription TBA
Lecture
Be THAT Company!
David Gallagher
-
Improving emergency scene capabilities with short-staffed companies by building company reputation and prowess for the fireground.
Lecture
Body Language 101 for Firefighters and EMTs
Zach Mathews
-
Body language is a vital component of communication, especially in emergency situations where words are not enough or not available. Firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) need to be able to read, interpret, and use nonverbal cues to assess the condition, needs, and emotions of the people they encounter, as well as to convey their own intentions, confidence, and empathy. In this course, you will learn the basics and applications of body language in the context of firefighting and emergency medical services (EMS).
In this course, you will:
• Understand the science and art of body language and why it matters for firefighters and EMTs
• Identify the key elements of body language, such as facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, posture, and tone of voice
• Learn how to decode and analyze the body language of victims, witnesses, bystanders, and colleagues in various emergency scenarios
• Learn how to use body language to enhance your communication, rapport, and influence with the people you interact with in emergency situations
• Learn how to avoid common body language mistakes and pitfalls that can undermine your credibility, professionalism, and safety
• Learn how to adapt your body language to different cultures, contexts, and personalities
This course is designed for current and aspiring firefighters and EMTs who want to improve their body language skills and use them as a strategic communication tool in emergency situations. The course consists of video lectures, case studies, exercises, and assignments.
Lecture
Embracing the F-Word:
Failure as a Path
to Excellence
Marc Hill
-
Failure is often viewed as a negative, something to be avoided at all costs. However, for leaders, failure can be a powerful learning opportunity and a catalyst for personal and professional growth. This course aims to shift the perception of failure, embracing it as a natural part of the leadership journey. Participants will explore the importance of cultivating a failure-positive mindset, both personally and within their organizations. Through real-world case studies, personal stories, and practical exercises, attendees will gain a deep understanding of how to learn from failures, foster resilience, and emerge as more effective and empathetic leaders.
All students in this lecture will receive a copy of Marc's book, Two Dark Thirty, and the companion workbook.
Lecture
Back to Basics Rescue
-Train the Trainer
Jake Hoffman
-
Don't let the title fool you, this interactive class uses miniature equipment and tabletop scenarios to review the intricacies of basic rescue techniques and equipment that are often overlooked for "stuff that looks cool on Facebook or Instagram". Rather than sit through a boring powerpoint, this class is centered on small group activities that blend "theory" and "practice" to provide attendees with a more complete understanding of their equipment, its limitations, and some "old school" tactics/techniques that have fallen by the wayside but still have a place in the modern fire service. You are guaranteed to leave this class not only a better rescuer, but armed with the knowledge and materials needed to replicate this training at your own department.
Lecture
Rural Success:
Winning With The Engine You Have, Not The Engine You Want
Brandon Fletcher
-
Building the perfect engine for your department is a challenge that many would love the opportunity to solve! Unfortunately, the opportunity is rarely afforded to the departments that operate in the rural environment. Rising apparatus costs have seen new engines easily exceed the half-a-million-dollar mark on the low end and even exceed a million dollars on the high end. Even if money was of no concern, current production times can range from two to three years. Many rural departments operate with 15, 20, or even more than 30 year old rigs. These rigs may have been purchased new by the department, but it’s also common that they were built for another department and then purchased used by or donated to the current department. In both cases, departments are using rigs that were purpose-built for a different department/jurisdiction or built for their department’s needs 20 or more years ago. Regardless of the situation, the expectation is that we perform with the equipment we have! This class will examine the necessary equipment and the strategies to win with that equipment in the rural fire environment. Students will leave class with proven concepts they can take back to their department to enhance their fire attack and water supply efficiency and capabilities!
