Fireground Size-Up

Chief Terpak will cover portions of his book that will provide an in-depth review of 15 recognized size-up points for the different occupancies listed. In each different type of building discussed, Chief Terpak covers the following: construction concerns, occupancy, apparatus and staffing, life hazard, terrain, water supply, auxiliary appliances and aides, street conditions, weather, exposures, area, location and extent of fire, time, height, and special considerations.

More about Chief Mike Terpak

Michael Terpak has been in the fire service for 43 years, having spent the last 36 years with the Jersey City Fire Department where he recently retired as a Deputy Chief and City-Wide Tour Commander. Throughout his career he has worked in the city’s Lafayette and Greenville areas with Engines 10 & 17, Ladder 12, Rescue 1, Chief of the city’s 2nd. Battalion and the former Chief in-charge of the city’s Training Division.

In addition to the above, he was also the High-Rise Training Coordinator for Jersey City. Terpak travels extensively around the country lecturing on fire/rescue topics. Chief Terpak holds a BS degree in Fire Safety Administration from the City University of New Jersey and is an adjunct professor for the Fire Science Technology program at Sussex County Community College.

He is the author of five best-selling books, “Fire Ground Size-Up” , “Assessment Center Strategy and Tactics” ,“Fire Ground Operational Guides” “Assessment Center Management and Supervision”, “Fire Officer Oral Assessment Study Guides” and “Fire Ground Size-Up”.

The Functional Fire Company: Positioning Small Groups for Success and Survival

Chief Thompson has spent his entire career focusing on training and organizational effectiveness. The Functional Fire Company is his life’s work wrapped up into a playbook that offers insight into how to make your organization perform at maximum proficiency.

Experience, perspective, and a never-quit mentality are evident as Chief Thompson provides a unique view to solving problems in the modern-day fire service.

More about Chief Scott Thompson

J. Scott Thompson entered the fire service as a volunteer in 1981 and became a career firefighter in 1986. Over the course of his career, he has worked in operations and training with multiple progressive Texas fire departments including Plano, Arlington, Athens, Lake Cities, Lewisville, and The Colony, Texas, where he is currently chief of department. As fire chief, he has been actively involved in some of the biggest economic development projects in the state.

After starting his fire service training career in 1986, he continues to teach at the Fire Department Instructors Conference and the Texas A&M fire school. Scott has delivered programs across the country and authored numerous articles on firefighter rescue and survival, suburban tactics, command and control, training firefighters and fire officers, mentoring, organizational development, chosen organizational cultures, and leadership coaching.

In 1985, he earned a bachelors degree in emergency administration and disaster planning from North Texas State University. He is a certified public manager, Texas Master Firefighter, Instructor III—Master, and Hazardous Materials Technician.

Chief Dave McGrail, Firefighting Operations In High-Rise and Standpipe-Equipped Buildings

Chief McGrail’s presentation establishes a proper firefighting mindset and promotes maintaining preparedness for the extreme physical and mental demands of firefighting operations in high-rise and standpipe-equipped buildings. Armed with firefighting weapons that would be much more appropriate at a car fire, far too many fire departments are on a collision course with disaster and tragedy, should they encounter a serious high-rise fire.

District Chief McGrail draws from his 25 years of experience, along with lessons learned from many other fire service professionals, to provide a foundation for success and safety during high-rise and standpipe operations. The words “Everyone Comes Home” are just words. The actions necessary to ensure that everyone does come home are based on a lifelong commitment to excellence and the consistent application of good fireground habits.

More about Chief Dave McGrail

Dave McGrail is a 36-year veteran of the fire service and an Assistant Chief with the Denver Fire Department. He instructs internationally on a wide range of fire service topics, specializing in high-rise firefighting operations.

Chief McGrail holds two Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Fire Science Technology, one with a focus in Fire Suppression, and the other with a focus in Fire Prevention. He also holds two Bachelor of Science Degrees, one in Human Resource Management, and the other in Fire Service Administration.

Flash Point: Ignite Your Team and Forge a Winning Culture

Based on the content in his soon-to-be released seventh book titled FLASH POINT, Chief Viscuso draws comparisons between the four most common stages of team development and the four stages of fire – Incipient, Growth, Fully Developed and Decay.

During this highly-motivational talk, Chief Viscuso will explain why some teams are consumed with Drama and Conflict while others thrive under pressure. Attendees will be introduced to the 8 essential steps they will need to take in order to reach their peak performance as individuals and team leaders.

More about Chief Frank Viscuso

Chief Curt Isakson, County Fire Tactics

This will not be your typical strategy and tactics class. Instead, Chief Isakson will talk real-world fireground tactics based on real-world responses and resources. This session will cover occupancies from the single story ranch house to the multiple dwelling and include the entire first alarm assignment all taught from a tactical chief’s perspective. It is the Fire Tactics that put out fires!

More about Chief Curt Isakson

Curt “Ike” Isakson is a 30+ year veteran of the fire service, with experience working in volunteer, career, and combination departments in urban, suburban, rural, and countywide settings. He is currently a Battalion Chief for Escambia County Fire Rescue in Florida where he has worked for the last 21 years.

Before his time with Escambia, Curt was a Company Officer with the Pensacola Fire Department assigned to Heavy Rescue 31 for 9 years. His fire service experience started at a young age as a Junior Firefighter with the Midway Fire Protection District and rose through the ranks to Captain.