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SD State Fire School 2025 (139th Annual) Sessions

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NFA Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting for the Structural Company Officer (F0610)

2 Day Classes (All Day Friday & Saturday) -~16hrs.

Location
LATC
Summary
This 2-day course identifies operational activities and safety concerns for structural Company Officers (COs) assigned to a wildland urban interface (WUI) incident. Topics covered include: Introduction to WUI firefighting. Interface environment. Wildland fire behavior. Command and control issues of WUI firefighting. Tactics. Pre-course materials and course syllabus Instructions to Download Student Manual: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/ax/pcm/BYOD_0610.pdf PDF 109KB Course Syllabus: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/ax/syll/syllabus_f0610.pdf PDF 139KB NOTE: Student Admissions Registration must also be completed on the National Fire Academy System. SEE BELOW The National Fire Academy has transitioned to an online admissions system. Students must apply using the General Admission’s Application available on the NETC Online Admissions Application website. Applicants will receive an automated acknowledgement notification when their application has been submitted to NETC. (Note: The application will be imported into Admissions the day after the student saves the application.) Once the NFA receives the letter graded class roster, we will compare it to the applications received and students will be accepted into the course. (This may occur after the student attended the course.) The online application will open the day after the class is added to the NFA schedule and remain open fourteen days after the class concludes. Failure to turn in an application will result in not receiving credit for the course. Copy the link below to your web-browser https://training.fema.gov/generaladmissionsapplication/staticforms/sidinfo.aspx

Truckless Truckie

2 Day Classes (All Day Friday & Saturday) -~16hrs.

Speakers
  • Pheasant Country FOOLS
    A Fraternal Order of Leatherhead Society (FOOLS) chapter representing eastern South Dakota
Summary
There are certain tasks that must be accomplished on every fireground. Tradition-ally these tasks are broken down between engine company tasks and truck com-pany tasks, yet, the majority of the American Fire Service do not have designated truck companies. In this two day class we will discuss how we efficiently and ag-gressively perform these essential tasks while operating from an engine and with limited staffing. This class will have stations covering the essential truck company functions to include: forcible entry, window and door based searches, victim removal, and the many applications of ground ladders. We will also work on developing efficiency in many essential skills of good firemanship, such as mask ups and and fire ground tempo. This class will be two days full of hands on learning on the drill grounds with skills being reinforced through scenarios of increasing difficulty as the week-end progresses. Participants should come expecting to work hard, and be prepared to be confronted with live fire with realistic heat and smoke conditions. This class is not for the faint of heart. We want students who are prepared to push their physical, mental and emotional boundaries. Objectives: • Review basic skills and concepts of forcible entry, ground ladders, search and victim rescue. • Teach intermediate to advanced level skills noted above with real world appli-cation. • Reinforce and apply new knowledge and skills through application during real-istic scenarios while increasing perceived stress levels with application of live fire scenarios. This class PPE Requirements: Full Structural PPE & SCBA (Spare SCBA Cylinder Recommended) Class Limit - 26

SDFA MLFTU - SENIOR Live Fire Instructor - Fri & Sat. 16 hours

2 Day Classes (All Day Friday & Saturday) -~16hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Ron Hines
Summary
Participants must have a minimum 3 years of experience as a SD or other Accredited Fire Service Instructor and must be a current member of the South Dakota Society of Fire Service Instructors. Class will be roughly 16 hours in length.

Chaplain's Essentials- Fri & Sat

2 Day Classes (All Day Friday & Saturday) -~16hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Rodney Veldhuizen
    Dakota Territory Fire Chaplain's Association
Summary
The Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy consists of sixteen hours of Chaplaincy training: Foundations, Personhood of the Chaplain, Beginning a Fire Chaplaincy Program, Ministry to Firefighters Assisting those in Crisis, Chaplain Code of Conduct and Ethics, the Chaplain’s Response, On-Scene Operations, Incident Management, Stress Management, Firefighter Injury and Line of Duty Death, and Fire Service Funerals

Wildland Urban Interface-Fri & Sat, both days

2 Day Classes (All Day Friday & Saturday) -~16hrs.

Location
LATC

Crisis Informed Peer Paracounseling - 2 Day Class, Sat & Sun

2 Day Classes (All Day Friday & Saturday) -~16hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Ed Hatcher
Summary
Today we see an unprecedented mix of unique stressors & disasters with limited psychological resources. The Critical Incident Stress Management continuum offers high risk populations seeking a strategic crisis response; one that holistically builds the resilience of those in need. Crisis Informed Peer Para-Counseling (CIPP) expands the support tools of peer counselors to collectively cope with trauma and disasters. CIPP will become the 1:1 follow up service to them CISD. The unprecedented mix of unique stressors & disasters with limited psychological resources means at risk populations are seeking a strategic crisis response; one that holistically builds the resilience of those in need and expands the support tools of peer counselors to collectively cope with trauma

Flashover Simulator/Live Fire Training - Fri.

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Customized Firefighter Training
    Customized Firefighter Training Inc. was established in 1998. Founder, Jim Carpenter was seeing a need to give quality hands on training that comes to the department. Carpenter is a 30-year veteran of the fire service. His company now travels to 5 states performing classes on interior attack and Flashover recognition along with a wide range of topics. All our staff is seasoned Firefighters that have or are rising through the ranks in both volunteer and career fire departments. Most of them have been with us for 10 years or more. We pride ourselves in trying to have the most up to date training, taught in a thought provoking and interactive class with real-life hands-on training.
Summary
This trailer lets the firefighter witness the awesome life cycle of an unfriendly fire from ignition to flashover. Learn to recognize the conditions leading to Flashover—how it happens, how to recognize the rapidly developing fire, dense smoke, high heat, and rollover which are all present in the unit. Learn to use defensive techniques. Who would send a Firefighter to face a situation in the real world that he has not seen in training? – Students must be competent in nozzle operation and SCBA usage. PPE: Full Structural PPE and SCBA, spare Cylinder Recommended Class Limit - 30

SCBA Confidence Course - Fri.

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Dalton Axelsen - Firefighter/Paramedic
    Dalton Axelsen firefighter paramedic with Watertown Fire Rescue. He has been with Watertown Fire for just over 5 years now. He started in the fire service as a volunteer with the Aurora Fire Dept. Currently a member of the Pheasant Country FOOLS. Is a rope rescue tech, confined space tech, and hazmat railcar specialist. He also is an adjunct instructor for the Med/Fire Rescue program at Lake Area Technical College.
Summary
This class is designed to help build confidence with SCBA usage. This class will benefit entry level firefighters as well as a seasoned veteran. Students will be using many different training props thought out this course. Upon completion of this class students will walk away with an increased level of SCBA usage. PPE Required: Full bunker gear with SCBA. An additional air tank would be helpful. Class Limit - 20

Grain Entrapment / Rescue - Fri.

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Agtegra Cooperative Technical Rescue Team
    Our Technical Rescue Team (TRT) is made up of a team of Agtegra employees who are trained and certified in high angle technical rescue. Training throughout the year, this team is equipped and ready to respond to a grain bin engulfment or any other scenario that may require a high angle rescue.
Summary
Students will be provided with information from size up to termination of a grain bin incident, including the number of rescuers needed and the dangers that grain bins present to rescuers. PPE/Equipment Requirements:  Light PPE (Gloves & Helmet) & Safety Glasses Student Prerequisites:  NONE. Class Limit:  25

Rural Firefighting Tactics - Fri.

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Derek Petersen
    Derek Peterson has been in the fire service since 1991. He retired a Captain and Paramedic from the Saint Paul (MN) Fire Department in January of 2022. Derek has been a certified fire instructor with various technical colleges and training institutions for the last 27 years. He currently acts as a lead instructor for Century College’s Continuing Education Program and other various Leadership Courses. Derek has developed courses on modern fire attack, rapid intervention, company operations, incident command for technical rescue, advanced strategies and tactics, and leadership.
  • David Radtke
    Dave is a southern Minnesota native, being born and raised in the Minnesota Lake area. Dave is a fulltime EHS manager with over 10 years of experience in the EHS arena working for companies such as American Crystal Sugar Company in the Red River valley of Minnesota and North Dakota as well as Pinnacle Foods- Birds Eye Division. Dave has a background in training and emergency response and is an active volunteer firefighter, celebrating his 15th year of service. Prior to becoming an EHS Manager Dave worked fulltime in Emergency Medical services for North Ambulance and Allina Health EMS with a combined tenure of over ten years of ALS care. Dave is an adjunct instructor with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities- MNSCU, instructing in Fire/Rescue, EMS, OSHA, and MSHA. Dave is passionate on training his fellow firefighters on solid tactics and strategies to ensure an aggressive, safe outcome for all involved.
Summary
This course is an informational discussion of the “New” fire chemistry, a review of hostile fire events, descriptions of the on-going NIST/ UL studies, and the attack methodology that can be used to solve the problems that arise in the rural and urban settings of today’s fire ground. Focus will be placed on water supply and the first 10 minutes of on-scene actions at a working structure fire. This offering is for any rank within the fire service that deals with suppression duties, especially interior attack fire personnel and command officers. The overall focus of this class is to show the need for fire ground commanders to re-evaluate what tactics are being used by their personnel during initial attack operations. This course meets components of the NFPA 1021 Standard.

No Gimmicks Handline Management - Fri.

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Stone Face FOOLS
    A Fraternal Order of Leatherheads (FOOLS) chapter representing Western South Dakota.
Summary
Often, we are taught how to pull the hose and hit the fire, but not taught everything in between. This class will include handline management and proper body mechanics, as well as hose advancement techniques with an emphasis on limited staffing scenarios. Students will learn to combine their knowledge of fire behavior, water application and hose advancement to achieve rapid extinguishment. The hands-on training site will simulate a common layout found during interior attack. Full structural firefighting PPE (excluding SCBA) required. This will be a physically demanding “all day” class. A high level of physical fitness is recommended. Attendees will be expected to have working knowledge of and comfort with PPE and SCBA. This class is appropriate for all levels of experience and rank

Rope Rescue - Part 1 - BASIC - Fri.

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Cameron Mack
    Cameron Mack has been a firefighter/paramedic with Watertown Fire Rescue since 2013. He is a certified Rope Rescue Instructor and is also certified as a Tower Rescue Instructor. To further continue his Rope Rescue education, he became certified by the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) as a Level 1 technician in 2020. He also instructs Confined Space Rescue courses and assists with Trench Rescue courses at Watertown Fire Rescue. On his off days from the fire department he is a Paramedic instructor for Lake Area Technical College in Watertown.
Summary
The course he will be teaching will be separated into two classes of eight-hour days, if you wish to take both PART 1 AND PART 2 make sure you register for BOTH! PART 2 Shouldn't be taken unless you have taken PART 1 AND/OR have a good working knowledge of ropes, knots and haul systems. Both days will contain a vast majority of hands on skills. PART 1 will feature a high amount of operations level skills and information. Keep in mind most of this training will be at ground level. During this time, we will cover everything the ground level technician needs to know (the guy who isn’t going over the edge). It will cover everything from basic NFPA standard overviews to lowering systems and haul systems using mechanical advantage. PPE Requirements: Helmet, Gloves, Boots Class Limit - 20

Emergency Vehicle Operator Course - EVOC - Fri.

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Brad Georgeson
    I’ve been a member of Hurley Volunteer Fire Department since 1999 and served as Chief since 2009 and a few years as 2nd Asst. Chief previous to that. I was hired as the emergency manager for Turner County in 2013 and have served as Director since that time. I am also currently the president of the Turner County Emergency Services Association. I volunteer on Parker Ambulance as well and have been a certified fire instructor since 2009.
Summary
Every responder hopes they will never be involved in an accident when responding to an emergency. This class and driving course will help to show you what's involved while responding with lights and siren. It may also help if the tragic happens and your driving record is called into question. Completing a recognized EVOC class will give you some information on “where to start” with driving first response vehicles. Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) is a classroom and hands-on class that teaches first responders the necessary skills to operate an emergency vehicle safely. We will cover the basic plus more in the class. Bring sunglasses and be prepared to drive the course! HIPPA is also offered as a part of this course, as patient privacy is a big part of our first responder world. This will also get you another step closer to completing your checklist for the SD Ambulance Driver Competencies if you may need to drive an Ambulance. Class Limit - 24

Water Supply Officer - Fri.

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Mark Davis
    Mark Davis has been involved in the fire service for over 40 years and is the founder and owner of GBW Associates, LLC. Mark is currently a career Battalion Chief with a county fire/rescue service in Maryland and past Fire Chief with his local, rural VFD in Carroll County, Maryland. Mark has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland where he concentrated on fire science and public administration. He is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), Master Pond Manager, certified State instructor and has been involved in training for over 35 years.
Summary
Got Big Water's 8-hr Water Supply Officer Seminar covers the duties and responsibilities of the fire department Water Supply Officer in both the emergent and non-emergent setting as described in NFPA 1142 Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Firefighting Ed 2022. The seminar reviews ISO's water supply requirements, the components of municipal water systems, the development of alternative water supplies, the testing and inspection of water supply system components, the use of water supply vehicles, water supply pre-planning, and the Water Supply Group (Officer) function in ICS. The seminar uses a combination of classroom and practical skill activities to develop the participant's water supply knowledge and to prepare folks to serve as a fire department's Water Supply Officer.

Basic Vehicle Extrication - Fri, Full Day

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • MIKE ELIASON
    Mike Eliason is a Lieutenant with the City of Aberdeen Fire/Rescue and has been on the department for over 23 years. Prior to his employment with Aberdeen Fire/Rescue, Mike received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Fire Science from Northland Community and Technical College in E. Grand Forks MN. He is an active SD State Fire Instructor, having taught various Fire/Rescue classes at several SD Sate and District Fire Schools. Mike also teaches the SD State Certified Firefighter and Driver/Operator programs to local fire agencies, usually administering multiple classes each year.
Summary
This course provides basics hands-on training for fire and rescue personnel in size-up, stabilization, hazard control, patient access, disentanglement, and scene control techniques at automobile accidents. The course will begin with a PowerPoint presentation & classroom discussion. This classroom section will cover the different types of vehicles which rescuers may encounter and the techniques employed for a successful rescue. The afternoon portion of the class will focus on hands-on training utilizing various extrication tools and techniques. Emphasis is placed on proper choice, placement, and use of equipment available locally. NOTE: Protective Clothing Required -- Participants must furnish approved helmet, fire boots or leather safety toe boots, safety glasses, gloves, coveralls, or turnout gear for the hands-on portion of the class.

Tactical Medicine / Triage for First Responders -Fri, Full Day

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC

Fire and the Media 101: What to Say when You’re in the Hot Seat - Fri, Full Day

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Steve Long
    Steve Long—PIO/South Dakota Wildland Fire Steve spent 25 years in the news business, recognized with more than 3 dozen awards for excellence in journalism. In 2020 he left TV news to become a PIO for the SD Dept. of Social Services. He joined DPS as the PIO for SDWF in 2023. Brad Reiners, ABC - Communications Director/South Dakota Dept. of Public Safety Brad is an accredited business communicator with the Intl. Assoc. of Business Communicators. His lengthy career has included roles as a TV Newscast Director and many years working in corporate communications for international companies, specializing in public brand promotions.
  • Brad Reiners
    Steve Long—PIO/South Dakota Wildland Fire Steve spent 25 years in the news business, recognized with more than 3 dozen awards for excellence in journalism. In 2020 he left TV news to become a PIO for the SD Dept. of Social Services. He joined DPS as the PIO for SDWF in 2023. Brad Reiners, ABC - Communications Director/South Dakota Dept. of Public Safety Brad is an accredited business communicator with the Intl. Assoc. of Business Communicators. His lengthy career has included roles as a TV Newscast Director and many years working in corporate communications for international companies, specializing in public brand promotions.
Summary
Participants in this hands-on class will learn how to prepare for a media interview including formulating great answers and building confidence in front of the camera. Use what you learn practicing in mock interview scenarios to be ready for the real deal. From writing press releases to posting on social media, participants will take away templates, tips and strategies for succeeding with the media.

Building Construction/Walking Tour - Fri, Full Day

Friday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Christopher Naum
    Chief Christopher J. Naum, SFPE Chief of Training, Command Institute, Center for Fireground Leadership Technical Consultant, NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation Program Fireground Command & Operations Consultant A 49-year fire service veteran and a highly regarded national and international instructor, author, lecturer and fire officer, a distinguished authority on building construction sciences affecting fireground operations, command and tactics, he has traveled extensively throughout the USA and globally delivering training programs on building construction & architecture sciences and firefighting, fireground leadership, command management and operational safety for over thirty-seven years. He is a sought-after national keynote speaker, instructor and presenter and has served as an FDIC General Session Keynote speaker and National Fire Academy Adjunct Instructor.
Summary
Today’s buildings and occupancies continue to present unique challenges to command and operating companies during combat structural fire engagement. Building and occupancy profiling, identifying occupancy risk versus occupancy type, construction methods, features, systems and components require new skill sets in reading the building and implementing predictive occupancy profiling for today’s professional volunteer firefighters, company and command officers for effective and efficient fireground operations. Incorporating the Buildingsonfire FACTS concept for First-Arriving Construction, Tactics and Safety, this program provides an overview of the methodology and process to increase operational effectiveness and ensure critical building factors are identified, assessment and monitored throughout the incident.

Pump Operations - Fri. AM

Friday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Speakers
  • Christopher Noeldner
    Chris Noeldner has been a career firefighter paramedic with Watertown Fire Rescue since 2001. Chris has been teaching pump operations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota for the last 10 years with the mobile training simulator built by FD International. He started his firefighting career as a volunteer and has worked with many career and volunteer departments to design training for their response.
Summary
This is an operations class for all levels from beginner to advanced. During the classroom portion of the class, students will learn why handlines and hose lays are pumped at designed pressures. They will learn how to react to emergency situations that happen on a fireground, such as a kinked or ruptured line. They will also learn how to figure friction loss. Students will be taught how to operate both electronic pressure governors and pressure relief valve type control systems. Students will then conduct hands-on training on a fire engine to see how to recognize situations that are happening on the hose lines. There will also be discussions on relay pumping, static and pressurized water supplies. Class Limit - 12

1st Grade-5th Grade Youth Fire Safety and Intro to Fire Department Profession - Fri. AM

Friday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Speakers
  • Tyler Tjeerdsma
    Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Prevention Staff
  • Robert Small
    Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Prevention Staff
  • Brandon Fey
    Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Prevention Staff
Summary
This is a unique class, it is serving as an activity for youth at State Fire School as well as an opportunity for Firefighters/Officers to learn about presenting/offering Fire Prevention and Safety Messages in their community. Youth in the area will be given the opportunity to be a part of the class as well as adult Firefighters from around the State. If you plan on brining a youth to this event please register them as well, there is a SEPERATE EVENT listed on our website EVENT CALENDER titled - Youth Focused Event - Fire Prevention/Safety/Learning about Firefighting. Please register them in that event. There is NO-COST for youth attendees. The purpose of this course is to introduce our youth to some of the fire department job duties and to go over some safety messages. The course will introduce basic concepts of fire fighting in a fun way along with educating them on the different job duties that are assigned to the profession. There will be two sessions offered for different age groups and kids will be required to be physically active during some of the activities. The morning session will be for kids in 1st grade through 5th grade and will run from 9:00am to noon. There will be some classroom time along with some outdoor activities where they could get wet. Please bring sunscreen and dress appropriately. Course Objectives: Introduction to physical requirements of the job Introduction to different safety messages Learn about the different tools and equipment used in the profession Be introduced to basic EMS care Learn how to operate a fire extinguisher PPE/Equipment Requirements: Sun screen, proper attire for outdoor activities

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know About Gas Leaks - Fri. AM

Friday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Speakers
  • Jerry Knapp
    Jerry Knapp is a 39-year veteran firefighter/EMT with the West Haverstraw (NY) Fire Department and a training officer at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona, New York. He is a member of the technical panel for the Underwriters Laboratories research on interior and exterior fire attack at residential fires. He is the chief of the Rockland County (NY) Hazmat Team and a former nationally certified paramedic. He has a degree in fire protection and is an adjunct professor of fire technology. He authored the Fire Attack chapter in Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II and has had numerous articles published in Fire Engineering.
Summary
You don’t know what you don’t know about gas leaks. This training is based on what I did not know that almost killed me when the routine gas leak caused the house to explode, nearly killing me while operating with my volunteer FD. Natural gas and propane emergencies are very dangerous alarms. Our training and SOPs are often weak so gas emergencies don’t get the respect they require until a response goes bad. Bring your departments 4 gas meter and/or your combustible gas detector for hands on use in our table top explosion chamber to help you understand its uses and limitations. This fast paced class is practical, hands on, interactive, fact filled, reality based, back to basics program that covers what fire officers and firefighters need to know about natural gas and propane emergencies. Focus is on our mission of life safety for civilians, protection of our members using the kill box concept and tactical use of sweeping search procedures in very dangerous conditions. Take homes from this program include: understanding your current gas detector, FD use of new laser gas detectors, new tactics/strategies and sample/model SOPs. Class Limit - 26

Rural Success: Winning With The Engine You Have, Not The Engine You Want-Fri. AM

Friday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Brandon Fletcher
    Brandon Fletcher is the Chief of the Gilt Edge Fire Department in West Tennessee and a 24-year student of the fire service. He is a second-generation firefighter with a background as both a volunteer and career firefighter in rural, suburban, and airport/industrial settings. Chief Fletcher holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee Martin and is a graduate of the Texas A&M Fire Service Chief Executive Officer program. He is a designated Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Chief Training Officer (CTO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, where he also serves as a commissioner for the Commission on Professional Credentialing. He is a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE) and currently serves as a member of the NFPA 1550 and 1020 technical committees.
Summary
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! Objectives: Develop strategies to improve the efficiency of fire attack tasks by examining engine equipment layout, deployment, and accessibility. Examine proven methods of efficient water delivery in a rural setting, the strategic considerations of your own fire district, and the equipment necessary to enhance success. Develop a training plan to enhance and sustain efficient fire attack and water supply operations within your organization.

Volunteer Fire Department Need to Know-Fri, AM

Friday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Doug Hinkle
    Doug is on Pierre Fire and is the Chief of Pierre Rural as well as the Chief Deputy for the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Summary
This Class will be an overview and discussion about the laws, standards and ordinances specifically pertaining to the fire service. Laws, standards and ordinances promulgated at the federal, state and some local levels. Recommended for those personel that are in management positions with fire department operations, fire prevention/code enforcement or those that deal with building fire and life safety issues as well as the up-and-coming firefighting officers.

Bad Leaders, Inherited Teams, and The Wrong People in The Right Positions - Fri, AM

Friday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Calen Maningas
    As a Battalion Chief and 17-year member of the Rapid City Fire Department (RCFD), Chief Maningas has been a leadership catalyst with a traditional yet progressive organization. Serving in Fire and EMS Operations, Chief Maningas leads a shift of 46 members operating out of seven stations. He serves as a contract instructor for the National Fire Academy (NFA), including the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, is a member of the South Dakota State Fire Marshals Advisory Board, and a nationally published author and speaker. Chief Maningas has been featured at Fire Rescue International (FRI) and Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) – Excellence Conference as well as works directly with departments on Strategic Leadership and Visionary Planning. Chief Maningas founded Community Risk Reduction initiatives for the city, lead regional rescue teams, instructs high-risk disciplines, and leads Professional Development.
Summary
We all have different descriptions of what good leadership is but we can all agree upon what bad leadership feels like. What do we do when we are working for a bad leader. How to we navigate, influence, and still affect change when we have all the responsibility to execute on orders without the input on when, why, and how. What about an organization who has the incorrect person in a mission critical position, “wrong person, right seat?” Do they still have value and who is responsible for their actions? What about inheriting a team we did not choose? Do we want the members on that team? Or better yet, do they even want us? Building on the 2024 CPSE session Failure in you KSA’s: Idle Ignorance is Limiting your Organization, this session will actively engage the members through discussion and real-world incidents to understand why how we can use influence, feedback, confrontation, and crucial candor to affect change. (Missed the 2024 session? No worries, this session will catch you up.) Understand how self-leadership plays a role in bad leaders

Pump Operations - Fri. PM

Friday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Speakers
  • Christopher Noeldner
    Chris Noeldner has been a career firefighter paramedic with Watertown Fire Rescue since 2001. Chris has been teaching pump operations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota for the last 10 years with the mobile training simulator built by FD International. He started his firefighting career as a volunteer and has worked with many career and volunteer departments to design training for their response.
Summary
This is an operations class for all levels from beginner to advanced. During the classroom portion of the class, students will learn why handlines and hose lays are pumped at designed pressures. They will learn how to react to emergency situations that happen on a fireground, such as a kinked or ruptured line. They will also learn how to figure friction loss. Students will be taught how to operate both electronic pressure governors and pressure relief valve type control systems. Students will then conduct hands-on training on a fire engine to see how to recognize situations that are happening on the hose lines. There will also be discussions on relay pumping, static and pressurized water supplies. Class Limit - 12

6th Grade-12th Grade Youth Fire Safety and Intro to Fire Department Profession - Fri. PM

Friday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Speakers
  • Brandon Fey
    Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Prevention Staff
  • Robert Small
    Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Prevention Staff
  • Tyler Tjeerdsma
    Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Prevention Staff
Summary
This is a unique class, it is serving as an activity for youth at State Fire School as well as an opportunity for Firefighters/Officers to learn about presenting/offering Fire Prevention and Safety Messages in their community. Youth in the area will be given the opportunity to be a part of the class as well as adult Firefighters from around the State.

Modern Strategies and Tactics for House Fires-Fri. PM

Friday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Jerry Knapp
    He is the chief of the Rockland County (NY) Hazmat Team and a former nationally certified paramedic. He has a degree in fire protection and is an adjunct professor of fire technology. He authored the Fire Attack chapter in Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II and has had numerous articles published in Fire Engineering.
Summary
House fires are our most important alarm. House fires cause 75% of American fire fatalities and are where firefighters are injured/killed. This program will sharpen your tactical knowledge and skills to make you more effective fire officer or firefighter at your next house fire. Topics included are: nozzle techniques for aggressive fire attack, engine set up for rapid attack, search and rescue strategies and a review of critical tactical considerations resulting from $20 million of UL research in residential fires. Case histories of actual successful and unsuccessful fire attack highlight the program. This training updates your tactics for aggressive search and rescue and fire attack for basement fires, first and second floor fires and attic fires.

NERIS/Incident Reports - Fri, PM

Friday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Doug Hinkle
    Doug is on Pierre Fire and is the Chief of Pierre Rural as well as the Chief Deputy for the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Summary
Emergency Incident Reporting for the United States, including the State of South Dakota Fire Departments, are changing. A new system is being developed by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, in Collaboration with the United States Fire Administration (USFA). This new system is called NERIS (National Emergency Response Information System) and it is replacing the legacy NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System) as the primary reporting tool for fire and emergency response. Information will be shared on how your department can prepare for this modernization. What current incident information you need to save and backup, and a look into how to do incident reports in the future. All SD fire departments will eventually be onboarded onto the new system, some fire departments may be onboarded anytime in 2025 and every fire department will need to start using it beginning of January 2026.

Limits: Leadership Lessons Command and Control Will Not Teach You - Fri, PM

Friday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Calen Maningas
    As a Battalion Chief and 17-year member of the Rapid City Fire Department (RCFD), Chief Maningas has been a leadership catalyst with a traditional yet progressive organization. Serving in Fire and EMS Operations, Chief Maningas leads a shift of 46 members operating out of seven stations. He serves as a contract instructor for the National Fire Academy (NFA), including the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, is a member of the South Dakota State Fire Marshals Advisory Board, and a nationally published author and speaker. Chief Maningas has been featured at Fire Rescue International (FRI) and Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) – Excellence Conference as well as works directly with departments on Strategic Leadership and Visionary Planning. Chief Maningas founded Community Risk Reduction initiatives for the city, lead regional rescue teams, instructs high-risk disciplines, and leads Professional Development. Having Masters in Executive Leadership, designated a Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE): Chief Fire Officer (CFO), and graduating the NFA: EFO as a key leading candidate, Chief lives in the divide between leader-follower and leader-leader fire service. He is committed to adding value to the community by producing leaders who provide above expectation services, living by the philosophy that the example set should surpass the authority given.
Summary
We all have different descriptions of what good leadership is but we can all agree upon what bad leadership feels like. What do we do when we are working for a bad leader. How to we navigate, influence, and still affect change when we have all the responsibility to execute on orders without the input on when, why, and how. What about an organization who has the incorrect person in a mission critical position, “wrong person, right seat?” Do they still have value and who is responsible for their actions? What about inheriting a team we did not choose? Do we want the members on that team? Or better yet, do they even want us? Building on the 2024 CPSE session Failure in you KSA’s: Idle Ignorance is Limiting your Organization, this session will actively engage the members through discussion and real-world incidents to understand why how we can use influence, feedback, confrontation, and crucial candor to affect change. (Missed the 2024 session? No worries, this session will catch you up.) Understand how self-leadership plays a role in bad leaders

AFG Strategies for Success - Fri, PM

Friday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Brandon Fletcher
    Chief Fletcher is a 24-year student of the fire service with a background as a volunteer and career firefighter in rural and suburban settings. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee Martin and various firefighting-related certifications. He currently serves as the Fire Chief of the Gilt Edge Fire Department in western Tennessee.
Summary
Are you frustrated from receiving turndown notices? Is your brain fried from trying to interpret the rules in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)? Are you tired of sitting in classes and webinars that repeat the same 'helpful hints' over and over but provide no substance as to how actually to improve your AFG application? Are you pretty good at AFG applications already and just want to get better? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then come join me for a discussion on real strategies for AFG success. I am NOT a paid grant writer. I am simply a fire chief who has been fortunate to fund some amazing projects through the AFG programs. Additionally, I have been an AFG peer reviewer since 2016. This course will not waste your time by making sure your name is spelled correctly and walking through the steps to obtain a DUNS number and SAM registration. Those things are important, but that information is easily obtained with a web search. What we will do in class is dive deep into data collection and presentation. Instead of telling you to just 'tell your story,' we will go over how to tell your story using the data you have collected within the parameters of the grant rules and with the added perspective of someone who reads and scores these stories. We will spend a significant amount of time determining what constitutes Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree in the four main narrative categories of Financial Need, Project Description, Cost/Benefit, and Statement of Effect. Additionally, we will examine other areas of the application that may not technically be scored in peer review, but that sets your application up for success through professional appearance, computer score justification, and flow when read by a peer reviewer. If you are ready for a down-and-dirty grant writing class that is specific to the AFG program and that will provide you with real substance to take back to your department, bring your pen and notepad! You don't want to miss this session! Learning Objectives: 1. Break down and Define the scoring matrix used by AFG application reviewers for each of the main narratives that are scored during peer review for both vehicle and Ops/Safety applications. 2. Determine exactly what data is being asked for in each narrative category and how to present that data to best support your case for an award. 3. Examine and review often overlooked areas of the application that can affect the judgment of the peer reviewer and weaken an otherwise strong application.

Flashover Simulator/Live Fire Training - Sat.

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Summary
This trailer lets the firefighter witness the awesome life cycle of an unfriendly fire from ignition to flashover. Learn to recognize the conditions leading to Flashover—how it happens, how to recognize the rapidly developing fire, dense smoke, high heat, and rollover which are all present in the unit. Learn to use defensive techniques. Who would send a Firefighter to face a situation in the real world that he has not seen in training? – Students must be competent in nozzle operation and SCBA usage. PPE: Full Structural PPE and SCBA, spare Cylinder Recommended Class Limit - 30

SCBA Confidence Course - Sat.

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Dalton Axelsen - Firefighter/Paramedic
    Dalton Axelsen firefighter paramedic with Watertown Fire Rescue. He has been with Watertown Fire for just over 5 years now. He started in the fire service as a volunteer with the Aurora Fire Dept. Currently a member of the Pheasant Country FOOLS. Is a rope rescue tech, confined space tech, and hazmat railcar specialist. He also is an adjunct instructor for the Med/Fire Rescue program at Lake Area Technical College.
Summary
This class is designed to help build confidence with SCBA usage. This class will benefit entry level firefighters as well as a seasoned veteran. Students will be using many different training props thought out this course. Upon completion of this class students will walk away with an increased level of SCBA usage. PPE Required: Full bunker gear with SCBA. An additional air tank would be helpful. Class Limit - 20

Grain Entrapment / Rescue - Sat.

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Agtegra Cooperative Technical Rescue Team
    Our Technical Rescue Team (TRT) is made up of a team of Agtegra employees who are trained and certified in high angle technical rescue. Training throughout the year, this team is equipped and ready to respond to a grain bin engulfment or any other scenario that may require a high angle rescue.
Summary
Students will be provided with information from size up to termination of a grain bin incident, including the number of rescuers needed and the dangers that grain bins present to rescuers. PPE/Equipment Requirements:  Light PPE (Gloves & Helmet) & Safety Glasses Student Prerequisites:  NONE. Class Limit:  25

Building the Fire Officer - Sat.

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • David Radke
    Dave is a southern Minnesota native, being born and raised in the Minnesota Lake area. Dave is a fulltime EHS manager with over 10 years of experience in the EHS arena working for companies such as American Crystal Sugar Company in the Red River valley of Minnesota and North Dakota as well as Pinnacle Foods- Birds Eye Division. Dave has a background in training and emergency response and is an active volunteer firefighter, celebrating his 15th year of service. Prior to becoming an EHS Manager Dave worked fulltime in Emergency Medical services for North Ambulance and Allina Health EMS with a combined tenure of over ten years of ALS care. Dave is an adjunct instructor with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities- MNSCU, instructing in Fire/Rescue, EMS, OSHA, and MSHA. Dave is passionate on training his fellow firefighters on solid tactics and strategies to ensure an aggressive, safe outcome for all involved.
  • Derek Peterson
    Derek Peterson has been in the fire service since 1991. He retired a Captain and Paramedic from the Saint Paul (MN) Fire Department in January of 2022. Derek has been a certified fire instructor with various technical colleges and training institutions for the last 27 years. He currently acts as a lead instructor for Century College’s Continuing Education Program and other various Leadership Courses. Derek has developed courses on modern fire attack, rapid intervention, company operations, incident command for technical rescue, advanced strategies and tactics, and leadership.
Summary
This course is designed for the modern-day fire service officer (or those who may work in that role) performing as the supervisor of a fire ground company or crew. The course will provide the student with an understanding of leadership concepts, coaching the best performance out of their crew and creating a task driven fire company that functions in a safe and efficient manner. Building the Fire Officer will help your organization to identify and develop the individuals that will become the officers of tomorrow. Class Limit - 26

No Gimmicks Handline Management - Sat.

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Stone Face FOOLS
    A Fraternal Order of Leatherheads (FOOLS) chapter representing Western South Dakota.
Summary
Often, we are taught how to pull the hose and hit the fire, but not taught everything in between. This class will include handline management and proper body mechanics, as well as hose advancement techniques with an emphasis on limited staffing scenarios. Students will learn to combine their knowledge of fire behavior, water application and hose advancement to achieve rapid extinguishment. The hands-on training site will simulate a common layout found during interior attack. Full structural firefighting PPE (excluding SCBA) required. This will be a physically demanding “all day” class. A high level of physical fitness is recommended. Attendees will be expected to have working knowledge of and comfort with PPE and SCBA. This class is appropriate for all levels of experience and rank

Rope Rescue - Part 2 - Technical - Sat.

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Cameron Mack
    Cameron Mack has been a firefighter/paramedic with Watertown Fire Rescue since 2013. He is a certified Rope Rescue Instructor and is also certified as a Tower Rescue Instructor. To further continue his Rope Rescue education, he became certified by the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) as a Level 1 technician in 2020. He also instructs Confined Space Rescue courses and assists with Trench Rescue courses at Watertown Fire Rescue. On his off days from the fire department he is a Paramedic instructor for Lake Area Technical College in Watertown.
Summary
NOTE: YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN PART 1 AND/OR HAVE GOOD WORKING COMPETENT SKILLS IN ROPE RESUCE AND HAUL SYSTEMS If you choose to continue your rope rescue education you may sign up for PART 2. This will be a more advanced technician level day (the guy hanging on the rope). We also encourage those who do not plan on hanging from a harness, but wish to learn the process to sign up as well. This course will cover skills that range from Harness familiarization to rappelling off of Watertown Fire Rescue’s 40’ high hose tower. We will also cover patient packaging using a stokes basket. We hope to see you there! PPE Requirements: Helmet, Gloves, Boots Class Limit 10

Emergency Vehicle Operator Course - EVOC - Sat.

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Brad Georgeson
    I’ve been a member of Hurley Volunteer Fire Department since 1999 and served as Chief since 2009 and a few years as 2nd Asst. Chief previous to that. I was hired as the emergency manager for Turner County in 2013 and have served as Director since that time. I am also currently the president of the Turner County Emergency Services Association. I volunteer on Parker Ambulance as well and have been a certified fire instructor since 2009.
Summary
Every responder hopes they will never be involved in an accident when responding to an emergency. This class and driving course will help to show you what's involved while responding with lights and siren. It may also help if the tragic happens and your driving record is called into question. Completing a recognized EVOC class will give you some information on “where to start” with driving first response vehicles. Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) is a classroom and hands-on class that teaches first responders the necessary skills to operate an emergency vehicle safely. We will cover the basic plus more in the class. Bring sunglasses and be prepared to drive the course! HIPPA is also offered as a part of this course, as patient privacy is a big part of our first responder world. This will also get you another step closer to completing your checklist for the SD Ambulance Driver Competencies if you may need to drive an Ambulance. Class Limit - 24

Water Supply Officer - Sat.

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Speakers
  • Mark Davis
    Mark Davis has been involved in the fire service for over 40 years and is the founder and owner of GBW Associates, LLC. Mark is currently a career Battalion Chief with a county fire/rescue service in Maryland and past Fire Chief with his local, rural VFD in Carroll County, Maryland. Mark has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland where he concentrated on fire science and public administration. He is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), Master Pond Manager, certified State instructor and has been involved in training for over 35 years.
Summary
Got Big Water's 8-hr Water Supply Officer Seminar covers the duties and responsibilities of the fire department Water Supply Officer in both the emergent and non-emergent setting as described in NFPA 1142 Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Firefighting Ed 2022. The seminar reviews ISO's water supply requirements, the components of municipal water systems, the development of alternative water supplies, the testing and inspection of water supply system components, the use of water supply vehicles, water supply pre-planning, and the Water Supply Group (Officer) function in ICS. The seminar uses a combination of classroom and practical skill activities to develop the participant's water supply knowledge and to prepare folks to serve as a fire department's Water Supply Officer.

The Art Of Reading Smoke - Sat, Full Day

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Rob Backer
    Rob Backer is a 22-year student of the fire service and currently serves as Battalion Chief for Thornton Fire Department in Thornton, Colorado. He has written for Fire Engineering and multiple fire service blogs. He is an instructor for The Art of Reading Smoke and The First Due Brew, and available to teach nationally. He can be reached at robbacker.fdi@gmail.com
Summary
Today’s structure fires are more dangerous than ever before. Lightweight construction, low-mass synthetics, and open space floorplans have created a perfect storm for rapid, prolific fire growth and extreme behavior. It is imperative for firefighters of all ranks and experience levels to be prepared for this new battle. The Art of Reading Smoke provides the knowledge necessary for first-arriving firefighters, officers, and chief officers to determine the fire’s location, progression, and future “from the seat” before seeing any flame. This knowledge ensures that the correct tactics are implemented for the best possible outcome. Through the extensive use of actual fireground videos, first-time students will develop, and return students will refine their knowledge and skills to become INTELLECTUALLY aggressive firefighters, rather than ARBITRARILY aggressive. The next generation of Reading Smoke brings new research, a new library of videos, and discussion on cancer prevention, tactics and strategies to develop the next generation of aggressive interior firefighting!

Certified FF Tasks and Practical Skills Testing - Sat, Full Day

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Ron Hines
Summary
This class is for firefighters needing to be signed off on the skills portion of the FF1 & 2 class. Bring your green sheet to get signatures for class completion. Students will use the SDFA Mobile Live Fire Training Unit. Full PPE and SCBA is required.

Basic Vehicle Extrication -Sat, Full Day

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC

Tactical Medicine / Triage for First Responders - Sat. Full Day

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC

: Fire and the Media 101: What to Say when You’re in the Hot Seat - Sat, Full Day

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Steve Long
    Steve Long—PIO/South Dakota Wildland Fire Steve spent 25 years in the news business, recognized with more than 3 dozen awards for excellence in journalism. In 2020 he left TV news to become a PIO for the SD Dept. of Social Services. He joined DPS as the PIO for SDWF in 2023. Brad Reiners, ABC - Communications Director/South Dakota Dept. of Public Safety Brad is an accredited business communicator with the Intl. Assoc. of Business Communicators. His lengthy career has included roles as a TV Newscast Director and many years working in corporate communications for international companies, specializing in public brand promotions.
  • Brad Reiners
Summary
Participants in this hands-on class will learn how to prepare for a media interview including formulating great answers and building confidence in front of the camera. Use what you learn practicing in mock interview scenarios to be ready for the real deal. From writing press releases to posting on social media, participants will take away templates, tips and strategies for succeeding with the media.

Building Construction/Walking Tour - Sat, Full Day

Saturday Full Day Classes - ~8hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Christopher Naum
    Chief Christopher J. Naum, SFPE Chief of Training, Command Institute, Center for Fireground Leadership Technical Consultant, NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation Program Fireground Command & Operations Consultant A 49-year fire service veteran and a highly regarded national and international instructor, author, lecturer and fire officer, a distinguished authority on building construction sciences affecting fireground operations, command and tactics, he has traveled extensively throughout the USA and globally delivering training programs on building construction & architecture sciences and firefighting, fireground leadership, command management and operational safety for over thirty-seven years. He is a sought-after national keynote speaker, instructor and presenter and has served as an FDIC General Session Keynote speaker and National Fire Academy Adjunct Instructor.
Summary
Today’s buildings and occupancies continue to present unique challenges to command and operating companies during combat structural fire engagement. Building and occupancy profiling, identifying occupancy risk versus occupancy type, construction methods, features, systems and components require new skill sets in reading the building and implementing predictive occupancy profiling for today’s professional volunteer firefighters, company and command officers for effective and efficient fireground operations. Incorporating the Buildingsonfire FACTS concept for First-Arriving Construction, Tactics and Safety, this program provides an overview of the methodology and process to increase operational effectiveness and ensure critical building factors are identified, assessment and monitored throughout the incident.

Pump Operations - Sat. AM

Saturday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Speakers
  • Christopher Noeldner
    Chris Noeldner has been a career firefighter paramedic with Watertown Fire Rescue since 2001. Chris has been teaching pump operations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota for the last 10 years with the mobile training simulator built by FD International. He started his firefighting career as a volunteer and has worked with many career and volunteer departments to design training for their response.
Summary
This is an operations class for all levels from beginner to advanced. During the classroom portion of the class, students will learn why handlines and hose lays are pumped at designed pressures. They will learn how to react to emergency situations that happen on a fireground, such as a kinked or ruptured line. They will also learn how to figure friction loss. Students will be taught how to operate both electronic pressure governors and pressure relief valve type control systems. Students will then conduct hands-on training on a fire engine to see how to recognize situations that are happening on the hose lines. There will also be discussions on relay pumping, static and pressurized water supplies. Class Limit - 12

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know About Gas Leaks - Sat. AM

Saturday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Rural Success: Winning With The Engine You Have, Not The Engine You Want-Sat. AM

Saturday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Brandon Fletcher
    Brandon Fletcher is the Chief of the Gilt Edge Fire Department in West Tennessee and a 24-year student of the fire service. He is a second-generation firefighter with a background as both a volunteer and career firefighter in rural, suburban, and airport/industrial settings. Chief Fletcher holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee Martin and is a graduate of the Texas A&M Fire Service Chief Executive Officer program. He is a designated Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Chief Training Officer (CTO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, where he also serves as a commissioner for the Commission on Professional Credentialing. He is a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE) and currently serves as a member of the NFPA 1550 and 1020 technical committees.
Summary
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! Objectives: Develop strategies to improve the efficiency of fire attack tasks by examining engine equipment layout, deployment, and accessibility. Examine proven methods of efficient water delivery in a rural setting, the strategic considerations of your own fire district, and the equipment necessary to enhance success. Develop a training plan to enhance and sustain efficient fire attack and water supply operations within your organization.

Fire Department Need to Know - Sat, AM

Saturday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Doug Hinkle
    Doug is on Pierre Fire and is the Chief of Pierre Rural as well as the Chief Deputy for the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Summary
This Class will be an overview and discussion about the laws, standards and ordinances specifically pertaining to the fire service. Laws, standards and ordinances promulgated at the federal, state and some local levels. Recommended for those personel that are in management positions with fire department operations, fire prevention/code enforcement or those that deal with building fire and life safety issues as well as the up-and-coming firefighting officers.

Bad Leaders, Inherited Teams, and The Wrong People in The Right Positions - Sat, AM

Saturday AM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Calen Maningas
    As a Battalion Chief and 17-year member of the Rapid City Fire Department (RCFD), Chief Maningas has been a leadership catalyst with a traditional yet progressive organization. Serving in Fire and EMS Operations, Chief Maningas leads a shift of 46 members operating out of seven stations. He serves as a contract instructor for the National Fire Academy (NFA), including the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, is a member of the South Dakota State Fire Marshals Advisory Board, and a nationally published author and speaker. Chief Maningas has been featured at Fire Rescue International (FRI) and Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) – Excellence Conference as well as works directly with departments on Strategic Leadership and Visionary Planning. Chief Maningas founded Community Risk Reduction initiatives for the city, lead regional rescue teams, instructs high-risk disciplines, and leads Professional Development.
Summary
We all have different descriptions of what good leadership is but we can all agree upon what bad leadership feels like. What do we do when we are working for a bad leader. How to we navigate, influence, and still affect change when we have all the responsibility to execute on orders without the input on when, why, and how. What about an organization who has the incorrect person in a mission critical position, “wrong person, right seat?” Do they still have value and who is responsible for their actions? What about inheriting a team we did not choose? Do we want the members on that team? Or better yet, do they even want us? Building on the 2024 CPSE session Failure in you KSA’s: Idle Ignorance is Limiting your Organization, this session will actively engage the members through discussion and real-world incidents to understand why how we can use influence, feedback, confrontation, and crucial candor to affect change. (Missed the 2024 session? No worries, this session will catch you up.) Understand how self-leadership plays a role in bad leaders

Pump Operations - Sat. PM

Saturday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Speakers
  • Christopher Noeldner
    Chris Noeldner has been a career firefighter paramedic with Watertown Fire Rescue since 2001. Chris has been teaching pump operations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota for the last 10 years with the mobile training simulator built by FD International. He started his firefighting career as a volunteer and has worked with many career and volunteer departments to design training for their response.
Summary
This is an operations class for all levels from beginner to advanced. During the classroom portion of the class, students will learn why handlines and hose lays are pumped at designed pressures. They will learn how to react to emergency situations that happen on a fireground, such as a kinked or ruptured line. They will also learn how to figure friction loss. Students will be taught how to operate both electronic pressure governors and pressure relief valve type control systems. Students will then conduct hands-on training on a fire engine to see how to recognize situations that are happening on the hose lines. There will also be discussions on relay pumping, static and pressurized water supplies. Class Limit - 12

Modern Strategies and Tactics for House Fires-Sat. PM

Saturday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Jerry Knapp
    Jerry Knapp is a 39-year veteran firefighter/EMT with the West Haverstraw (NY) Fire Department and a training officer at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona, New York. He is a member of the technical panel for the Underwriters Laboratories research on interior and exterior fire attack at residential fires. He is the chief of the Rockland County (NY) Hazmat Team and a former nationally certified paramedic. He has a degree in fire protection and is an adjunct professor of fire technology. He authored the Fire Attack chapter in Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II and has had numerous articles published in Fire Engineering.
Summary
House fires are our most important alarm. House fires cause 75% of American fire fatalities and are where firefighters are injured/killed. This program will sharpen your tactical knowledge and skills to make you more effective fire officer or firefighter at your next house fire. Topics included are: nozzle techniques for aggressive fire attack, engine set up for rapid attack, search and rescue strategies and a review of critical tactical considerations resulting from $20 million of UL research in residential fires. Case histories of actual successful and unsuccessful fire attack highlight the program. This training updates your tactics for aggressive search and rescue and fire attack for basement fires, first and second floor fires and attic fires.

NERIS/Incident Reports - Sat, PM

Saturday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Doug Hinkle
    Doug is on Pierre Fire and is the Chief of Pierre Rural as well as the Chief Deputy for the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Summary
Emergency Incident Reporting for the United States, including the State of South Dakota Fire Departments, are changing. A new system is being developed by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, in Collaboration with the United States Fire Administration (USFA). This new system is called NERIS (National Emergency Response Information System) and it is replacing the legacy NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System) as the primary reporting tool for fire and emergency response. Information will be shared on how your department can prepare for this modernization. What current incident information you need to save and backup, and a look into how to do incident reports in the future. All SD fire departments will eventually be onboarded onto the new system, some fire departments may be onboarded anytime in 2025 and every fire department will need to start using it beginning of January 2026.

Limits: Leadership Lessons Command and Control Will Not Teach You - Sat, PM

Saturday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Calen Maningas
    As a Battalion Chief and 17-year member of the Rapid City Fire Department (RCFD), Chief Maningas has been a leadership catalyst with a traditional yet progressive organization. Serving in Fire and EMS Operations, Chief Maningas leads a shift of 46 members operating out of seven stations. He serves as a contract instructor for the National Fire Academy (NFA), including the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, is a member of the South Dakota State Fire Marshals Advisory Board, and a nationally published author and speaker. Chief Maningas has been featured at Fire Rescue International (FRI) and Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) – Excellence Conference as well as works directly with departments on Strategic Leadership and Visionary Planning. Chief Maningas founded Community Risk Reduction initiatives for the city, lead regional rescue teams, instructs high-risk disciplines, and leads Professional Development. Having Masters in Executive Leadership, designated a Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE): Chief Fire Officer (CFO), and graduating the NFA: EFO as a key leading candidate, Chief lives in the divide between leader-follower and leader-leader fire service. He is committed to adding value to the community by producing leaders who provide above expectation services, living by the philosophy that the example set should surpass the authority given.
Summary
We all have different descriptions of what good leadership is but we can all agree upon what bad leadership feels like. What do we do when we are working for a bad leader. How to we navigate, influence, and still affect change when we have all the responsibility to execute on orders without the input on when, why, and how. What about an organization who has the incorrect person in a mission critical position, “wrong person, right seat?” Do they still have value and who is responsible for their actions? What about inheriting a team we did not choose? Do we want the members on that team? Or better yet, do they even want us? Building on the 2024 CPSE session Failure in you KSA’s: Idle Ignorance is Limiting your Organization, this session will actively engage the members through discussion and real-world incidents to understand why how we can use influence, feedback, confrontation, and crucial candor to affect change. (Missed the 2024 session? No worries, this session will catch you up.) Understand how self-leadership plays a role in bad leaders

AFG Strategies for Success - Sat, PM

Saturday PM Classes - ~4hrs.

Location
LATC
Speakers
  • Brandon Fletcher
    Chief Fletcher is a 24-year student of the fire service with a background as a volunteer and career firefighter in rural and suburban settings. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee Martin and various firefighting-related certifications. He currently serves as the Fire Chief of the Gilt Edge Fire Department in western Tennessee.
Summary
Are you frustrated from receiving turndown notices? Is your brain fried from trying to interpret the rules in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)? Are you tired of sitting in classes and webinars that repeat the same 'helpful hints' over and over but provide no substance as to how actually to improve your AFG application? Are you pretty good at AFG applications already and just want to get better? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then come join me for a discussion on real strategies for AFG success. I am NOT a paid grant writer. I am simply a fire chief who has been fortunate to fund some amazing projects through the AFG programs. Additionally, I have been an AFG peer reviewer since 2016. This course will not waste your time by making sure your name is spelled correctly and walking through the steps to obtain a DUNS number and SAM registration. Those things are important, but that information is easily obtained with a web search. What we will do in class is dive deep into data collection and presentation. Instead of telling you to just 'tell your story,' we will go over how to tell your story using the data you have collected within the parameters of the grant rules and with the added perspective of someone who reads and scores these stories. We will spend a significant amount of time determining what constitutes Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree in the four main narrative categories of Financial Need, Project Description, Cost/Benefit, and Statement of Effect. Additionally, we will examine other areas of the application that may not technically be scored in peer review, but that sets your application up for success through professional appearance, computer score justification, and flow when read by a peer reviewer. If you are ready for a down-and-dirty grant writing class that is specific to the AFG program and that will provide you with real substance to take back to your department, bring your pen and notepad! You don't want to miss this session! Learning Objectives: 1. Break down and Define the scoring matrix used by AFG application reviewers for each of the main narratives that are scored during peer review for both vehicle and Ops/Safety applications. 2. Determine exactly what data is being asked for in each narrative category and how to present that data to best support your case for an award. 3. Examine and review often overlooked areas of the application that can affect the judgment of the peer reviewer and weaken an otherwise strong application.
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