Join us for another year of hands-on training at the 2025 Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Training Seminar. All hands on training programs require a minimum certification of Firefighter I.

Train for your next response with hands-on opportunities including:

Full Day Programs

Commercial Fire Operations with OSTA – Full Day Program
Lead Instructor: On Scene Training Associates (OSTA) Aaron Heller Hamilton FD NJ ret.

This program is designed to enhance firefighter’s skills at the scene of Commercial Structure Fires. Instructors from OSTA will be passing on knowledge through a rotation of skills some of which include; Hose handling, Access and Egress, Forcible Entry, Saw Operations, Laddering, VEIS, Search and Communications. Attendees will definitely build on their current knowledge and skills while learning new tricks of the trade by some of the best instructors from around the Country.


“Be That Guy!” – Saving Yourself & Others
Lead Instructor: Battalion Chief John Cagno North Providence FD & Captain Tony Tricarico FDNY ret.

This class is designed to give firefighters techniques and simple actions to save yourself, or another member in a rapid manner using just the common tools and basic equipment carried by members on the fire ground. This is not a RIT operation; this is about keeping yourself and/or your crew alive. Students will be shown and then challenged to perform various techniques that you may encounter on the fire ground.


First Due Response Tactics
Lead Instructor: Chief Mo Davis Houston FD

This program will have you performing tactics that must be implemented on a first due response. Students will work in smaller skills groups on different evolutions that will help hone your skills for the overall success of the mission. Depending on student count and abilities some of skills and tactics may include proper tool use and allocation, forcible entry, laddering, VEIS, search, victim drags and removal and hose line stretches into a live fire condition. As a trained professional you should be focused on the overall mission of increasing the chances of survival for the victim. If you are a skilled firefighter looking to enhance your operational level or a newer member this is a program for you.

Half Day Programs

Residential Fires - Live Fire
Lead Instructor: SCFA Instructors

Firefighters will perform various evolutions designed to develop skills on the fire ground at residential structure fires. Many skills will be taught and performed including; Hose handling, Forcible Entry, Laddering, VEIS, Search and Communications. There will be live fire with smoke and heat conditions in the County burn building with seasoned instructors guiding you through each evolution.


Commercial Fire Operations -Live Fire
Lead Instructor: SCFA Instructors

Firefighters will perform various evolutions designed to develop skills on the fire ground at commercial structure fires. Many skills will be taught and performed including; Hose handling, Forcible Entry, Laddering, VEIS, Search and Communications. There will be live fire with smoke and heat conditions in the County burn building with seasoned instructors guiding you through each evolution.


Fire Behavior for the Modern Fire Environment
Lead Instructor: FlashFire Industries Dan Gordon FDNY

This isn’t just about flashover and the modern fire curve! This course is designed for the firefighter to increase their knowledge on what is actually happening around them in a fire
building. The course will begin with a short classroom presentation followed by a rotation of live burns that demonstrate each and every aspect of the presentation under real fire conditions. Students will see firsthand changes on the fire ground including; fire growth, proper and improper ventilation, oxygen limited fires, roll over, flashover and more! Students will also operate with a Thermal Imaging Camera and proper use of the CAN!


Forcible Entry
Lead Instructor: East Coast Rescue Solutions Chris Minichelli FDNY

Firefighters encounter many obstacles when trying to enter in to a fire building to save lives and get water on the fire quickly and efficiently. This program is designed to enhance firefighters’ skills on forcing doors, cutting locks and roll down doors to enter as quickly as possible. Various tools and techniques will be addressed by experienced instructors from East Coast Rescue Solutions.


FIREFIGHTER DOWN – RIT/Firefighter Rescue with FAST Rescue Solutions
Lead Instructor: FAST Rescue Solutions Eric Allen Philadelphia FD

This course is designed for the Firefighter and Fire Officer to enhance their ability to operate proficiently as a Rapid Intervention Crew. Students will go through various stations utilizing different equipment and rescue techniques in zero visibility to save our own. The following skills will be covered Air Management, Emergency Communications, Downed Firefighter Removal Techniques and Self-Survival Skills.


Goin’ Up & Out: Considerations for Interior & Exterior Hose line Stretches
Instructors: Lt. David Quick and Bill Elletto – Sponsored by Snap Tite Hose & Elkhart Brass

The building construction, height, and occupancy landscape is quickly changing in this country, especially in small communities. For many fire departments, the buildings that they will soon stretch handlines in for fire attack will be vastly different than any others they have in the past. This 4-hour hands-on program examines and prepares firefighters for extended interior & exterior vertical handline stretches. The stretches taught are not just reserved for large or tall buildings either. They can be employed in any type of building, new or old, that is greater than one story, where it poses a tactical advantage.


Search Operations
Lead Instructor: SCFA Instructors

This program is focused on the firefighter’s ability to perform and demonstrate a high level of competency performing a primary search in a structure with maze like conditions. The firefighter will be coached on conducting a proper primary search in zero visibility, with heat and stressors searching and possibly removing a victim to safety. The firefighter will also perform a search utilizing a search rope to locate and remove a victim. Are you prepared and have you been working on improving your skills on search operations? This program can help you hone in your skills and help you get extremely comfortable utilizing your SCBA.


Standpipe Operations
Lead Instructor: SCFA Instructors

Not all standpipe operations are performed in the same way. This course is designed to teach proper methods of utilizing a standpipe system, hooking up, stretching hose lines and operating in large and multi-story structures. The course will begin with a classroom presentation followed by hands on operations in a multi-story structure. Instructors will work with students on tasks that are constants and that will always be performed before firefighters advance a hose lines into the harm's way.


Tactical Actions Before a Last Resort Bailout
Lead Instructor: Chief Donald Colarusso and All Hands Fire Training Staff

Firefighters often operate in high-risk environments, requiring constant situational awareness and the ability to recognize rapidly changing conditions. Students will review aggressive search techniques, navigation through small and cluttered spaces, and the actions necessary when fire conditions deteriorate suddenly. A key focus will be on emergency egress options, including ladder bailouts and hands-on training with Personal Escape Systems. Participants will learn to exit rapidly under stress by quickly deploying their escape systems, establishing secure anchors, and performing controlled window bailouts. Practical, scenario-based drills will build confidence and prepare firefighters to act decisively when seconds count.


Thermal Imaging
Lead Instructor: Andrew Dinkel FDNY, Assistant Chief Suffolk County Fire Academy

Firefighters across the country now have Thermal Imaging Cameras in their department and are required to have proper training on its proper use. This program you will learn from experienced instructors who will offer you years of practical experience on utilizing the Thermal Imaging Camera. This program will begin with a classroom presentation and followed with various hands on instruction in a live fire environment. See what you have been missing when looking at the image on the camera.


Heavy Lifting & Moving Advanced Stabilization
Lead Instructor: Robert O’Donald - Paratech & Jason Bernfeld - Strategic Safety
This class is design to challenge the firefighter with difficult extrication scenarios that are not every day occurrences. Vehicles are staged in precarious positions with viable victims trapped that must rely on proactive firefighters to save them. Students will use various tools and equipment while utilizing proven techniques under the guidance of seasoned instructors to successfully extricate the victims.


Pumping Operations
Lead Instructor: Chris Howard FDNY – Nassau (FSA) Fire Service Academy
The fire service has experienced many changes in how we operate over the past 50 years- Bunker gear, thermal pane windows, SCBA usage. Some of these changes have been identified as they were happening and training was changed in order to keep up. The transition from a throttle and relief valve set up, to a pressure governor on our engine companies was one of these changes. A paradigm shift is needed for an Engineer to properly supply handlines on the fire ground. We will go more in depth to explain some of the common mistakes made on the fire ground and teach why this continues to happen. This class will explore the differences in the process to properly supply and pressurize handlines on the fire ground. The difference between pressure and volume in a two-stage pump, as well as identifying nozzle reaction as an issue in some cases. Teaching our chauffeurs to understand how the pressure governor works through engine cues, relationship of gauges, identifying how much volume of water is available, and the difference
between using tank water or a positive water source are all identified and explained. The class will also give the student the knowledge to choose between the backstretch or inline pumping, depending upon hydrant location and manpower availability, as well as the knowledge to choose the proper intake in order to leave the front of the building clear for aerial apparatus. The handson portion will take all of the concepts explained and show the student in a real-world situation how the pressure governor behaves in multiple scenarios, and allows the student to operate and learn.


Lithium Ion Battery Fires
Lead Instructor: Randy D’Arcy OCI-USA
Battery fires have been increasing in the last few years and have become a hot topic for firefighters, local governments and code officials. Firefighters have been faced with quick
intense fires and sometimes rapidly intensifying fires and explosions while operating. This course will surely enhance your knowledge of how these batteries work, cause fires and how to operate accordingly. The program will start with a baseline of information in the classroom and then out to the field where the instructors will show you how these batteries ignite and burn.


Basement Fires/Flashover
Lead Instructor: SCFA Instructors
Just stretching a hose line into a basement is not always as easy as it seems! Students will be rotated through to challenge the engine company firefighter and enhance their knowledge on the importance of getting the line into operation quickly and efficiently. Students will be stretching 1 ¾’ and 2 ½” lines around obstacles and operating in live fire conditions. Students will operate hose lines at a basement fire under live fire conditions and learn how fires rollover and flashover in the Flashover Simulator.


Setting Up for Success
Lead Instructor: Battalion Chief Chris Eysser FDNY – Nassau (FSA) Fire Service Academy

This program will provide the answer to why we consider the tower ladder both an offensive and defensive tool on the fire ground. The basic steps of how to use this tool to its maximum capability will be presented in an organized approach from start to finish. The program will emphasize the importance of getting this apparatus in position early and the advantages it can provide the department throughout the incident. This interactive presentation will have various discussions and then move out to the training field to set up and operate tower ladders on the buildings to be used at their maximum potential.


No Excuse Aerial Operations
Lead Instructor: Chief Larry DiCamillo Stafford FD – “C” Side Consultants
Aerial operations can be the cornerstone to of a positive outcome for rescue and/or fire suppression, but it all starts by having proper training and mindset of the chauffeur. Are you
thinking three steps ahead and preparing for the unexpected? There should be no excuse when it comes to positioning, setup or operations. You must be prepared and understand what you can do with your apparatus while understanding the importance of its limitations. This program will set you above the rest and ensure that the aerial will do the job when needed when you are the chauffeur.


Fires in High & Wide Structures
Lead Instructor: BC Anthony Pascocello FDNY B-9
This comprehensive course is designed to equip firefighters with specialized knowledge and skills required for effectively managing fires and emergencies in extremely large structures. We talk about high rise, big box stores and/or warehouses, but how do our operations shift when encountering these buildings? Participants will learn about the unique challenges presented at these types of structures including fire behavior, building construction and the complexities of evacuation and rescue operations. The course covers advanced firefighting techniques, the use of standpipe & sprinkler systems and strategic coordination with building management and other emergency responders. Through a combination of classroom instruction and practical exercises in a live fire building, firefighters will develop the expertise needed to handle Fires in High & Wide Structures safely and efficiently, ensuring the protection of life and property in these complex environments. This course is ideal for firefighters of all experience levels who seek to enhance their capabilities and operation in these larger structures.


Truck Company Roof & Outside Vent Operations
Lead Instructor: TBA
This course aims to equip firefighters with the essential skills and knowledge required to perform critical roof & outside vent operations safely and effectively. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a newer firefighter you will learn or enhance your knowledge from experienced instructors. Students will work through different skills understanding the importance of coordinating ventilation with inside operations, power saw operations, basic hand tools, laddering and proper size up for safe operations. This program is designed to ultimately enhancing their capabilities as an effective and skilled member of a truck company. 

Technical Rescue Programs