Hands-On Training
Official Sponsor
Wednesday, June 4 – Friday, June 6, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (see registration form for session times)
@ Syracuse Fire Department Training Center
Don’t miss the opportunity to train with some of the nation’s most knowledgeable and seasoned fire service instructors right here in New York state! HOT registration includes Annual Conference & FIRE Expo Full Term registration, which allows entry to the exhibits and most classes at The Oncenter. Check out photos from NYSAFC Hands-On Training here.
PDF Hands-On Training Registration Form
2025 HANDS-ON TRAINING PROGRAMS
*Denoted classes are physically demanding.
Advanced Thermal Imaging Camera Ops (4-Hour Live Fire Program)
NYSAFC Member: $295 / Non-Member: $345 / per person Maximum 12 students per session.
Students will review a variety of applications for thermal imaging cameras. They will be given knowledge to take back to their departments to ensure that the camera is one of the first tools off the vehicle at more than just fires. Students will:
• Learn to read smoke and understand how heat signatures correspond on a TIC
• Interpret and compare what is seen on the outside vs. the inside
• Review transition stage of the camera – high density/low heat vs. low density/high heat
• Reinforce awareness of safety issues with a camera and train for them
• Understand camera functions when training vs. real-time
• Interpret heat signatures flowing horizontally vs. vertically
Advanced Vehicle Extrication (8-Hour Program)
NYSAFC Member: $365 / Non-Member: $425 / per person Maximum 24 students per session.
This fast-paced program will cover all aspects of vehicle extrication. Students will perform scenario-based extrication with victim rescues, scene hazard recognition, and mitigation. They will rotate through various skill stations, and training will conclude with a scenario to pull it all together. Students will:
• Stabilize vehicles in varying positions, including wheel, side, and roof resting
• Secure and stabilize vehicles in precarious positions, including underrides and overrides
• Have lots of tool time – cutting, spreading, ramming with hydraulic tools, battery operated tools, cribbing, and lifting
• Try the latest tools and technologies under real-life conditions
• Operate on multiple types of motor vehicles – cars, SUVs, and light/medium trucks to heavy duty commercial vehicles
Engine Company Ops (4-Hour Live Fire Program)
NYSAFC Member: $295 / Non-Member: $345 / per person Maximum 12 students per session.
Students will put their skills to work as they complete scenarios under live fire conditions and review techniques essential for survival in today’s fire environment. Students will learn:
• Rig to door handline stretches
• Hose streams
• Making the push – flow and move
• Water mapping
• Defensive operations
Fire Behavior On the Inside* (8-Hour Live Fire Program)
NYSAFC Member: $365 / Non-Member: $425 / per person Maximum 12 students per session.
Students will participate in modern-day fire behavior lectures and observation sessions, viewing changing fire conditions as other students sharpen their skills by performing aggressive interior tasks. Firefighters can expect eight hours of live fire with an emphasis on heat, smoke, and air movement throughout the fire building. The effects of window failure, vent-enter-search, door control, and more will be viewed from the inside. Students will:
• Perform VES under live fire conditions
• Perform primary search – water can and handline-based
• Witness the effects of tactical fireground decisions – VES, forcible entry, open flow paths
• Observe thermal dynamics and the effects of their manipulation
Firefighter Rescue: Do You Have What It Takes?* (4-Hour Program)
NYSAFC Member: $295 / Non-Member: $345 / per person Maximum 6 students per session.
This program will expose students to an extremely demanding operation on the fireground – rescue of a trapped firefighter who has been caught in a structural collapse. Firefighters today face the very real possibility of having to rescue a trapped firefighter when there are no specialized units with advanced training on scene or close by. Students will experience first-hand the difficulties and challenges encountered in getting to and removing a trapped firefighter. Students will:
• Go through several breaching evolutions
• Use hand tools, sawzalls, spreaders, and cutters
• Encounter various hazards and be forced to remove debris and furnishings to search for a downed firefighter
• Use a RIT pack
• Remove a trapped firefighter
First-In Officers’ Responsibilities* (4-Hour Live Fire Program)
NYSAFC Member: $295 / Non-Member: $345 / per person Maximum 12 students per session.
Students will operate in the roles of first and second due engine and ladder company officers. Basic firefighting practices and principles will be reinforced with emphasis on leading a team of firefighters at structure fires. Participants will have the opportunity to assume the role of both company officers. Students will:
• Actively perform size up
• Report to the incident commander
• Communicate with command and other company officers via radio
• Lead a team
• Supervise a crew during hoseline stretches
• Search for fire and victims
• Oversee fire suppression and overhaul
Hoarder Fires* (4-Hour Live Fire Program)
NYSAFC Member: $295 / Non-Member: $345 / per person Maximum 24 students per session.
This program will challenge both engine and truck companies dealing with a hoarding situation under high heat and heavy smoke fire conditions. Each student will complete both engine and truck evolutions. The truck company must remove an unconscious victim through a moderate to heavy hoarding environment. The engine company will advance and flow a 1¾-inch handline through an extreme hoarding environment while clearing a path for advancement of the hoseline. Students will learn:
• To advance a handline through heavy hoarding conditions
• What items need to be removed from a hoarder house to avoid entanglement, entrapment, and envelopment
• To search hoarder houses
• To package and remove an unconscious victim from a hoarder house
• To communicate in a hoarder house environment
Truck Ops: Forcible Entry/Ground Ladders (4-Hour Live Fire Program)
NYSAFC Member: $295 / Non-Member: $345 / per person Maximum 12 students per session.
Students will be instructed in basic and advanced principles of forcible entry and use of ground ladders. They will reinforce basic skills, learn tricks of the trade to make operations smoother, and obtain critical safety tips. Students will:
• Force entry through inward and outward swinging doors
• Deploy ground ladders under realistic live fire conditions
Truck Ops: Roof/Saws (4-Hour Live Fire Program)
NYSAFC Member: $295 / Non-Member: $345 / per person Maximum 12 students per session.
This program is designed for firefighters already possessing the basic knowledge and skills of roof operations. Firefighters will work in teams to cut on both flat and pitched roofs, as well as in other saw work situations. The course culminates with roof saw ventilation under live fire conditions. Students will:
• Be instructed in the principles of roof operations on flat and pitched roofs
• Review saw operations
• Review basic saw maintenance
• Perform cutting techniques with different materials
• Vent with a saw above a live fire
Truck Ops: Search and Rescue (4-Hour Live Fire Program)
NYSAFC Member: $295 / Non-Member: $345 / per person Maximum 12 students per session.
Students will be instructed in the principles and practices of building search and rescue. Students will:
• Conduct searches for victims under live fire conditions.
• Perform VES/VEIS tactics
• Remove victims
COURSE PREREQUISITES (OR EQUIVALENTS) FOR ALL PROGRAMS
Firefighter I OR Basic Firefighter and Intermediate Firefighter OR Firefighting Essentials and Initial Fire Attack. Each student must also provide a signed authorization letter from the chief of his/her department (sample letter will be provided with student registration confirmation). All students must be interior qualified under New York state requirements to participate in live fire training programs. PPE requirements will be provided with student registration confirmation.
CANCELLATION POLICIES
Due to the cost of materials required for this program, as well as the high demand for some training sessions, please notify NYSAFC of training cancellation(s) as soon as possible prior to the event so that openings can be filled by students on the waiting list. Training cancellation(s) must be submitted in writing to NYSAFC by May 30, 2025. A service fee of 25% will be applied. Conference badge(s), if issued, must be returned to NYSAFC by July 7, 2025, in order to receive a refund. No refund will be issued to no-shows or if notice of cancellation is received after May 30, 2025, except under extenuating circumstances upon the approval of the NYSAFC board of directors. Hotel cancellation policies may apply. NYSAFC does not assume responsibility for canceling hotel reservations.
Official Sponsor