Join Chief Ike for a Water On The Fire Seminar in Bay County, Florida, on September 8th from 08:00 to 17:00.
This FREE event is a must-attend for everyone who responds to fires, serve as a chief officer at any fire department level, makes staffing decisions, and much more.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Deputy Chief Isakson and network with other industry experts.
Reserve your spot today by emailing Bay County Fire, Chief of Professional Standards, Chief Justin Busch at jbusch@baycountyfl.gov.
Exciting news, everyone! We’re thrilled to announce the release of Team + Work = Success, the latest leadership book by Chief Dennis Reilly! As a US Army war veteran and seasoned Fire Chief, Chief Reilly has seen it all – from the battlefield to the fireground. He’s here to share his proven formula for building high-performing teams that will take your firehouse to the next level!
In his book, Chief Reilly dives deep into the importance of teamwork in the fire service. He emphasizes that a high-functioning firehouse is crucial for operational success. If your crew is cohesive and skilled, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way. But if you’re stuck in a dysfunctional environment? Well, let’s just say luck won’t be on your side!
So, whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, this book is packed with actionable insights that will help you create a culture of teamwork and excellence. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn from someone who’s been in the trenches and knows what it takes to succeed! Grab your copy today and start transforming your team!
Time is running out! Only 100 spots remain for the International High Rise Operations Conference (IHROC) happening from November 9 – 13, 2026, at the stunning Hilton Pensacola Beach.
This is your chance to immerse yourself in an unparalleled learning experience that combines intense research with practical applications in high-rise firefighting. Don’t wait—secure your spot today and be part of a transformative event that could change the way you approach your work!
At IHROC 2026, you’ll dive deep into the science of firefighting with hands-on evaluations of vertical water movement, wind-impacted fire behavior, and the physics of the hallway stretch. This isn’t just another conference; it’s an opportunity to gather data that could save lives.
Your performance will contribute to vital research that shapes the future of our profession. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by fellow passionate professionals who understand the challenges and triumphs of the fire service.
As the sun sets over Pensacola Beach, the networking opportunities will be just as intense. Join us for nightly socials where you can connect with international instructors and colleagues, share experiences, and forge relationships that last a lifetime.
With the discounted room block at the Hilton Pensacola Beach, you’ll be right in the heart of the action. Use code WOTF for your discount! Don’t miss out—register now and be part of something extraordinary!
There is nothing foreign about high-rise firefighting. We all must go up and hook up.
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Recent high-rise fires in Spain, Hong Kong, New York, New Jersey, and Pakistan remind us that the challenges facing firefighters are remarkably similar no matter where the alarm sounds. Different building codes, different languages, and different fire departments all face many of the same operational problems: smoke migration, difficult evacuations, stairwell operations, standpipe systems, occupant accountability, and resource management. There is nothing foreign about high-rise firefighting. We all must go up and hook up.
A recent office tower fire in Madrid forced hundreds of occupants to evacuate through protected stairwells while firefighters battled smoke conditions far beyond the actual fire floor. In Hong Kong, investigators continue examining how construction features and building systems contributed to a deadly residential fire. Fires in Atlantic City and the Bronx highlighted familiar problems involving older buildings, difficult rescues, upper-floor access, and vulnerable occupants. A commercial building fire in Karachi reinforced the importance of building maintenance, exit access, and smoke control. The locations may differ, but the lessons remain the same.
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High-rise fires rarely become simple fire attack problems. They quickly evolve into rescue operations, evacuation operations, and command challenges occurring simultaneously. Smoke often creates more victims than fire. Stairwells become both lifelines and operational bottlenecks. Occupants may be trapped above the fire, while crews struggle with access, communications, water supply, and accountability. These are challenges that every firefighter, company officer, and chief officer must prepare to face.
That is exactly why the International High Rise Operations Conference (IHROC) exists. Scheduled for November 2026 in Pensacola Beach, Florida, IHROC brings together firefighters and fire officers from around the world to study high-rise operations through realistic training, operational evaluations, and evidence-based discussions. The conference focuses on the problems firefighters actually encounter inside tall buildings, including standpipe operations, stairwell management, vertical hose stretches, command decision-making, building systems, and firefighter performance.
Many departments respond to relatively few high-rise fires, yet when these incidents occur they become some of the most complex and resource-intensive events the fire service faces. The next major high-rise fire may occur in a modern office tower, an older residential building, a hotel, a healthcare facility, or a mixed-use occupancy. Regardless of the occupancy type, firefighters must understand the building, the fire, the occupants, and the operational challenges that develop as companies move higher into the structure.
IHROC recognizes that no single department has all the answers. Firefighters in New York, Madrid, Hong Kong, Karachi, and Florida all confront many of the same problems. Sharing those experiences improves tactics, strengthens decision-making, and helps firefighters prepare for incidents that may occur in their own response areas. The conference creates an opportunity to exchange ideas, evaluate operational performance, and learn from firefighters who have faced these challenges firsthand.
The recent fires highlighted in our daily brief serve as reminders that high-rise incidents remain one of the most demanding environments in the fire service. Smoke still moves the same way. Stairwells still determine survivability. Building systems still influence outcomes. Firefighters still carry equipment upward, stretch hose, search for occupants, and make difficult decisions under pressure.
There is nothing foreign about high-rise firefighting. The buildings may change, the languages may change, and the cities may change, but the mission remains the same. Firefighters everywhere continue to go up and hook up.
Join firefighters, company officers, chief officers, instructors, and high-rise specialists from around the world at the International High Rise Operations Conference in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Because the next lesson may come from another country, and the next high-rise fire may happen in your district.
Into the Fire: A Father’s Day Fall, a Firefighter’s Fight Back
By Matt Sleet, Engineer – Boles Fire Protection District, Labadie, MO
A FATHER’S DAY I’LL NEVER FORGET
Firefighter of the Year, 1997 – Matt Sleet’s father accepting his award for a rescue. His legacy continues on every call his son answers.
Every firefighter brings their past to the fireground—experiences, close calls, and the people who shaped how they show up. On Father’s Day, those memories surface harder and faster. For me, June 19, 2022, became one of the most defining days of my 23-year career.
Twenty years earlier, I lost my dad. He was a committed firefighter—humble, skilled, and respected. A photo of him hangs in my locker: he’s holding the 1997 Firefighter of the Year award after rescuing a civilian from a burning apartment. That image is more than a keepsake—it’s a benchmark. I’ve tried to earn that standard every tour.
So when I stepped into a working structure fire on Father’s Day, I wasn’t thinking sentimentally—I was thinking tactically. But when the floor dropped out from under me, what followed tested not just my training, but everything I’ve learned about teamwork, decision-making, and resilience.
THE CALL: LIGHT SMOKE, STANDARD RESPONSE
Just before 0900, tones dropped for a reported kitchen fire in a single-story residence with a walkout basement. Twenty personnel responded, spread across six apparatus, with support from a duty officer and a medic unit.
The first-arriving engine reported light smoke from the front and completed a 360. Fire was confirmed in the kitchen, with no visible basement involvement.
I arrived on the second engine. A preconnected handline was charged and advancing through the front yard. Smoke showed lightly from the Charlie side. My officer coordinated directly with the initial crew—fire attack was already assigned. Our role would be primary search.
As we masked up, I noticed the attack line had no one feeding it at the threshold. I made the call to hold my partner at the door to manage line movement. It was a basic adjustment—but it optimized our setup and eliminated a potential choke point.
SEARCHING & OPENING UP
The interior was tenable but visibility was deteriorating. I advanced on the search without a line, relying on audible cues from the stream striking walls to orient my progress.
A radio call came in: “Fire’s in the attic—if we can pull some ceiling, we can knock it down.”
I had the only tool available. I paused the search and started opening up. One strike. Two. Three. On the fourth, the floor collapsed beneath me.
I dropped through into the basement, landing hard on my SCBA. The impact disconnected my air supply instantly. In the disorienting seconds that followed, I fumbled for my mic to declare a Mayday—only to hear it already coming over the radio: “…ayday, basement.”
The officer and nozzleman above had seen the fall and acted immediately. While holding the line on the attic fire, they swept water periodically over the area I had just dropped through.
BASEMENT CONDITIONS & RESCUE
SCBA Bottle Neck Sheered Off from Fall
The basement wasn’t burning but was charged with smoke. I landed near a small 4×4 window and broke it to create an egress point. I tried to climb out, but pain in my back made it impossible to generate the strength needed.
Meanwhile, the fourth-arriving crew had just rounded the Charlie side. They spotted me at the window. Their captain moved in fast and tried to pull me through while another team forced the basement door.
Seconds later, daylight cut through the smoke. I was supported and walked out—injured, but alive.
DIAGNOSIS & RECOVERY
At the hospital, I was diagnosed with an L1 vertebra compression fracture. The attending physicians gave me a four-to-six-month recovery window and warned I might not return to full duty.
But I had every intention of coming back. Through focused rehab and daily progress, I was cleared in under four months. I returned to duty with a reinforced respect for the job and a mindset sharpened by experience.
OPERATIONAL TAKEAWAYS: WHAT YOU CAN USE TODAY
1. HOSE LINE MANAGEMENT IS MISSION-CRITICAL – Match hoseloads to your local building stock. – Drill full stretches with your crews regularly. – Always assign someone to manage the door—especially early.
2. MAYDAY TRAINING MUST BE IN YOUR TOOLKIT – Adopt and drill the WWW method: • Where you are • What happened • Who you are
3. CONDUCT AARs THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE INCIDENT – Share department-wide, not just with the incident crew.
4. MENTORSHIP IS PART OF THE JOB – Train new members intentionally. Clarify gear, tactics, expectations.
5. STAY ENGAGED WITH INJURED MEMBERS – Regular check-ins during recovery have significant impact.
6. TAKE THE STAIRS
FINAL THOUGHTS: EXPERIENCE SHARED IS EXPERIENCE MULTIPLIED
I walked out of that fire with a broken back—but also with perspective, trust in my crew, and a renewed commitment to sharing the hard stuff.
This job is built on performance, preparation, and peer-driven learning. When something goes wrong, don’t waste it—teach it. The story you share might be the scenario someone else survives.
Matt Sleet has dedicated 23 years to the fire service and currently serves as an Engineer with the Boles Fire Protection District in Franklin County, Missouri. Over the course of his career, he has held multiple roles, building a deep well of experience in fireground operations and technical rescue. Beyond his work at Boles FPD, Matt is a member of FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Missouri Task Force 1, where he is rostered as a Hazardous Materials Specialist. He is also a Hands-On Training (H.O.T.) Instructor and a past lecture presenter with County Fire Tactics, specializing in engine company operations. With a passion for firefighter training and operational readiness, Matt remains committed to both teaching and continuous learning—bringing real-world experience and a lifelong dedication to the craft of firefighting.
The fire service continues to evolve, bringing new challenges, changing fire behavior, and greater demands on leadership. Continuing education is essential, which is why firefighters from across the region are planning to attend the 2026 Derby City Fire Conference, August 24-26, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Louisville East – Hurstbourne in Louisville, Kentucky.
Whether you’re looking to sharpen operational skills, develop your crew, or prepare for a leadership role, the conference delivers three days of practical training, professional development, and valuable networking.
More Than Just Another Fire Conference
The Derby City Fire Conference has become a leading regional training event, bringing together experienced instructors from across the country. Attendees gain real-world knowledge, proven tactics, and practical lessons they can immediately apply within their departments.
Every lecture and hands-on session is designed with operational relevance in mind.
Hands-On Training That Builds Confidence
A key feature of the conference is its Hands-On Training (HOT) program. Firefighters can choose Engine Company or Truck Company skill tracks that reinforce core fireground fundamentals while challenging participants to grow.
HOT sessions focus on:
Engine company operations
Truck company tactics
Crew coordination
Fireground decision making
Operational efficiency
Leadership under pressure
Participants train alongside dedicated firefighters committed to improving their craft.
Learn from Respected Fire Service Instructors
The 2026 instructor lineup includes:
Kyle Romagus
Curt “Ike” Isakson
Mike Ciampo
Todd Edwards
Rob Fisher
Steve Robertson
JJ Casetta
Jerry Herbst
Andy Plofkin
Keith Stakes
These respected instructors bring decades of operational and leadership experience through both classroom presentations and hands-on training.
Valuable Networking Opportunities
Beyond the classes, the conference offers opportunities to connect with firefighters, officers, instructors, and department leaders from a variety of agencies.
Conversations between sessions often spark new ideas, professional relationships, and lasting friendships. Sharing experiences and solutions with firefighters from other departments can provide fresh perspectives that benefit your entire organization.
Officer Development and Leadership Training
Strong leadership is critical to fireground success. Conference lectures cover leadership, tactics, crew management, and decision-making under pressure.
Whether you’re a current officer or preparing for future advancement, these sessions can help strengthen your leadership skills.
What Attendees Need to Know
The conference will be held August 24-26, 2026, at:
Holiday Inn Louisville East – Hurstbourne 1325 South Hurstbourne Parkway Louisville, KY 40222
Attendees participating in Hands-On Training should bring their turnout gear.
Breakfast will be provided, and organizers are working with the venue to offer discounted lunch options.
Hotel room discounts are available by calling 502-426-2600 and mentioning the Derby City Fire Conference when booking.
Invest in Your Future
Training is one of the most valuable investments a firefighter can make. The skills, relationships, and lessons gained at the Derby City Fire Conference can have a lasting impact on your career and department.
Demand for quality fire service training remains high, and Hands-On Training seats are limited. Register early to secure the classes and training tracks that best fit your goals.
If you’re ready to expand your knowledge, strengthen your network, and learn from some of the fire service’s most respected instructors, reserve your spot today.
Join firefighters from across the region in Louisville for three days of hands-on training, leadership development, and professional growth. Complete your registration, book your hotel using the conference discount, and secure your place at the 2026 Derby City Fire Conference.
Chief Ike LIVE Tonight: “366 Days Later” Dock Talk
Tonight at 6:00 PM Central, Chief Curt “Ike” Isakson will host a special live “Dock Talk” webcast from the dock as he reflects on the last 366 days of his personal and professional journey.
Titled “366 Days Later – Hope Out of Darkness,” this live broadcast will focus on resilience, leadership, perspective, and navigating difficult seasons both inside and outside the fire service.
Known for his candid and authentic delivery style, Chief Ike will share lessons learned, moments of struggle, hope, and the importance of continuing forward when life gets difficult.
IHROC Announces Five-Day Research-Driven Event Nov 9–13, 2026
Pensacola Beach, Florida — The International High-Rise Operations Conference (IHROC) is pleased to announce a five-day, research-focused training program scheduled for November 9–13, 2026. Delivered in partnership with County Fire Tactics, the event will bring together firefighters, instructors, researchers, and incident commanders from across North America and abroad.
The aim is to advance the global understanding of high-rise firefighting operations through structured education, rigorous, timed evaluations, and comprehensive data analysis.
The 2026 program is designed to address the increasing complexity of high-rise buildings and the operational challenges that accompany them. Over the course of five days, IHROC will lead one of the most extensive performance studies to date, capturing measurable data across twelve critical high-rise operational challenges.
A Research-Driven Approach to High-Rise Operations
Participants will engage in an integrated training and research environment that includes:
Classroom Instruction exploring fire dynamics, deployment models, situational factors, and operational science.
Hands-On Circuit Training featuring WET and DRY evolutions across twelve scenario-specific challenges.
Timed Task Evaluations examining standpipe operations, vertical movement, water supply, lithium-ion considerations, and wind-impacted fire behavior.
Improvised Standpipe Operations, including both interior and exterior coupling-drop methods.
Working-Group Analysis Sessions utilizing dioramas, tactical models, and international case studies to review all collected data.
The final two days are dedicated to structured analytical work that directly contributes to future tactical models, academic research, and evidence-based best practices for high-rise firefighting.
Participants: A Profile of Today’s Fire Service
IHROC encourages participation from firefighters of all experience levels and backgrounds, ensuring research reflects the true diversity and operational realities of the modern fire service.
A diverse attendee base provides valuable insight into how various departments and staffing configurations address high-rise operations.
Program Highlights
Day One — Essentials (Teams of 2)
On Day One, participants complete a WET circuit training session for all 12 scenarios, supported by foundational instruction on high-rise firefighting principles.
Day Two — Deployment & Tactics (Teams of 3)
On Day Two, four DRY tactical rotations focus on hallway stretches, wind-driven conditions, lithium-ion exposure protection, and smoke-control strategies.
Day Three — Improvised Standpipe Operations (Teams of 3)
Day Three introduces interior and exterior coupling-drop methods, cladding fire control concepts, and EV underground parking fire considerations.
Day Four & Day Five — Working-Group Analysis
The final two days focus on a comprehensive, data-driven review of findings. These are supported by international presentations and structured input for future operational development models.
Daily Media Features
Book Signing — Open to all participants at the conclusion of each training day.
Participant Podcast — Attendees share perspectives and operational experiences from their home departments.
Registration Information
Register through CountyFireTactics.com. Participants arrange their own travel and lodging. Conference fees cover venue, equipment, consumables, and logistics for safe, effective training.
About IHROC
The International High-Rise Operations Conference is committed to advancing the study and practice of high-rise firefighting. Through rigorous research, operational expertise, and hands-on evaluation, IHROC seeks to enhance firefighter readiness and improve safety outcomes for both responders and building occupants. Its mission is to strengthen high-rise firefighting capabilities worldwide through a unified, evidence-based approach.
If you’re planning to attend the upcoming County Fire Tactics events—BCBC, WOFC, and IHROC—in November 2026, mark your calendars today. We’re thrilled to announce that we have secured an exclusive and sizable discount code just for you: WOTF. This special offer allows you to book your stay at the stunning Hilton Pensacola Beach starting at just $129 a night! With breathtaking views and top-notch amenities, this is the perfect place to be after an action-packed day of learning and networking.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to secure your accommodations at a prime location. Whether you’re attending workshops, participating in hands-on training, or connecting with fellow professionals, staying at the Hilton will enhance your experience.
Act fast—rooms are filling up quickly, and this special rate won’t last forever! Use the discount code WOTF when booking to take advantage of this incredible offer. Head over to the Hilton’s website to lock in your stay. We’ll see you in November 2026 for a week of learning, camaraderie, and unforgettable experiences!
Recent high-rise fires in Spain, Hong Kong, New York, New Jersey, and Pakistan remind us that the challenges facing firefighters are remarkably similar no matter where the alarm sounds. Different building codes, different languages, and different fire departments all face many of the same operational problems: smoke migration, difficult evacuations, stairwell operations, standpipe systems, occupant accountability, and resource management. There is nothing foreign about high-rise firefighting. We all must go up and hook up.
That is exactly why the International High Rise Operations Conference (IHROC) exists. Scheduled for November 2026 in Pensacola Beach, Florida, IHROC brings together firefighters and fire officers from around the world to study high-rise operations through realistic training, operational evaluations, and evidence-based discussions. The conference focuses on the problems firefighters actually encounter inside tall buildings, including standpipe operations, stairwell management, vertical hose stretches, command decision-making, building systems, and firefighter performance.
IHROC recognizes that no single department has all the answers. Firefighters in New York, Madrid, Hong Kong, Karachi, and Florida all confront many of the same problems. Sharing those experiences improves tactics, strengthens decision-making, and helps firefighters prepare for incidents that may occur in their own response areas. The conference creates an opportunity to exchange ideas, evaluate operational performance, and learn from firefighters who have faced these challenges firsthand.
