Anthony Rowett, Jr. is a Captain with the Mobile (AL) Fire Rescue Department. He has been in the fire service for 17 years. He spent his first 3 years in the fire service as a firefighter with the Ogdensburg (NJ) Volunteer Fire Department before being hired by the Mobile Fire Rescue Department, where he has worked for the past 14 years. He has multiple degrees in both fire science and emergency services management. He is a graduate of the Alabama Smoke Diver course. He is the owner of Port City Fire Training. He is the President of the Alabama Firefighters Training Foundation. He is also an industrial firefighting instructor at Gulf Coast Emergency Response Academy. He is a contributing author for multiple fire service publications including Fire Engineering, Fire Rescue, Firehouse, Fire Department Training Network, and Firemanship Journal. He has instructed at multiple fire service conferences including FDIC, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World, Water on the Fire, High-Rise Operations Conference, 3rd Coast Conference, and others as well as for individual fire departments. He is a member of the NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems Committee. He is also a co-host on the Generation Engine podcast on Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio.

Beds to Bundles: The Flexibility of Stretching Hoselines

The initial attack line is the backbone of every fireground operation and will have a greater impact on the outcome of a fire than any other fireground operation. “As the first line goes so does the fire” - so we must get it right. In doing so, all other operations must support the initial attack line. This course focuses on multiple aspects of the hoseline operations including the target flow rate, attack package selection, and estimating the stretch. Will the second line be a backup line or a second attack line? What about the third line? What about alternate stretches like rope stretches and lines over ladders? During this course, we will discuss tactical decision making for fires in single family dwellings, multiple family dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings, as well as attic fires, cockloft fires, and basement fires. This class will also tackle the topic of standpipe systems and fires and standpipe equipped buildings.

Mickey Farrell is a third-generation firefighter with 26 years experience in the fire service, the past 20 with the New York Fire Department. He is a nationally certified instructor specializing in firefighter survival at the Probationary School and the founder of Top Floor Tactics, where he combines his passion for the job with real-life experience.

Fire Academy to the Fire Floor: Why the Disconnect?

Confronts a dilemma that has haunted the fire service for many decades. The old ”you’ll learn that in the firehouse,” mentality has set young motivated firefighters up for failure. Sadly, not every firefighter has the opportunity to be a part of an organization steeped in pride, tradition, and training. This class will begin to connect the dots not only for that lost firefighter trying to find his way, but the senior man looking for a rebirth into the job.

Todd Edwards has over 36 years of experience in fire services. Starting his career at 16 years old with a small combination department in Ohio, Todd then moved to Georgia where he spent more than 30 years with Atlanta Fire Rescue. During his career with Atlanta, he held a variety of positions including Captain, Battalion Chief and Assistant Fire Chief. While with Atlanta, Todd developed and taught the majority of the city training curriculum, and co-developed the city's Standard Operating Guidelines. After retiring in 2018, he served the city as a consultant and the lead instructor/ coordinator for Atlanta’s Officer Development Program. For the past 20 years, Todd has also been an adjunct instructor for the Georgia Fire Academy. In 2016 Edwards started Fire-Life Training Associates, where he has developed countless training programs currently utilized by numerous departments, specializing in department-based curriculums for training and fire ground operations.

Breaking Barriers: Disabilities Training for First Responders

This training program provides all first responders an in-depth look at serving the intellectual disabilities communities, with a focus on Down Syndrome and Autism. The class includes recognition, understanding, communication tips, search and rescue concerns, and how to manage special needs patients and victims.

Maurice “Mo” Davis is a veteran with the city of Houston Fire Department currently assigned a District Chief. Prior to district he served as a Senior Captain on a heavy rescue. He also spent much of his career as a Senior Captain (top five busiest trucks in Houston L-46) and Captain (Leader in the city for working fires and responses E-46). While he specializes in technical rescue, his passion is sharing leadership, strategy and tactics with new and upcoming officers.

"Aggressive Command"

Drawing on decades of experience working in the busiest houses in Houston, Chief Davis will discuss the lessons learned and the successes experienced. This course will cover commanding companies to achieve the highest level of confidence in each decision. It will also provide firefighters with a means to obtain these skills and reach that level.