We do not like to use the term "lecture". We view it as more of a discussion or an interactive sharing of information. We strive for an audience-interactive learning environment utilizing Power Point presentations and simulator software. Our Power Point presentations include tactical photographs from the best fire photographers in the business. Through the use of photos taken throughout the country and discussion, we drive home size-up, firefighter safety and basic firefighting operations.

The "Lecture/Discussion" class-type may be useful when class enrollment may be larger than what can be managed for hands-on training sessions. Additionally, lectures provide an excellent alternative for the months of the year where intense heat/humidity or deep freeze can render outdoor training distracting or dangerous. There is no "maximum attendance" on Lecture/Discussion classes as our instructors are used to large-venues.

Hands-on classes are highly interactive instruction and discussion taking place at a fixed-drill facility or building, a training area or the firehouse. Almost all of the topics listed below can be adapted in the case that an acquired structure is unavailable. We will need an estimated attendance so that an adequate number of instructors will be present to best facilitate your class.

Has your department recently acquired or will soon acquire a structure that can be utilized for hands-on training? Let us step in and assist your Training Division. We will teach one or more of the courses listed below, or we can work with your training staff to create a unique class designed for the specific acquired structure using your procedures and manpower. We will need an estimated attendance so that an adequate number of instructors will be present to best facilitate your class.

Our most popular request is a combination of two types listed above. With the combination class, the lecture/discussion classes are backed up with hands-on applications. It is proven that classroom and hands-on reinforcement is the best way to learn a new skill or idea. We are very flexible with combination classes. Some departments request a one day (8-hour) class with a discussion/lecture in the morning reinforced with hands-on skills in the afternoon. Yet, other departments have requested a one day (8-hour) discussion/lecture which is backed up by a full second day of hands-on training. Whatever your need, we will do our best to suit your department and it's training needs.  We will need an estimated attendance so that an adequate number of instructors will be present to best facilitate your class.
 

Contact us at brotherhoodinstructors@gmail.com

Engine Company Operations Ladder Company Operations Multi-Company Operations Private Dwelling Fires Multiple Dwelling Fires Commercial Building Fires Fires in Balloon-Frame Buildings Beyond The Academy Forcible Entry Proactive Rapid Intervention Operations Reactive Rapid Intervention Operations

Engine Company Operations:

The importance of a fire department remaining fluent in basic engine operations can never be over-stated. Engine company operations are the back-bone of the fire service. Without an aggressive, properly trained and effective engine company, the fire will simply not go out.

This class is centered on teaching firefighters the tips and tricks of engine company basics. It is said that most fires that we fight in the United States are extinguished with the first hose line. This is the reason that much of our class is spent on properly positioning and stretching the initial attack line. Equal time is spent discussing or showing techniques for an aggressive, effective and safe advance to extinguish the main body of fire.

Ladder Company Operations:

Another “core-class” is Ladder Company Operations.  We put a very high priority on the ladder company's support functions. Even if your fire department does not have an aerial apparatus, the tasks of a ladder company MUST be carried out safely and efficiently. We will assist your department with various tasks, tips and tricks and discuss several theories regarding the topics below:

Multi-Company Operations:

Multi-Company Operations is our final core class, and arguably the most important.  This class combines engine and ladder company operations into one class.  In the lecture/discussion atmosphere, several simulations and scenarios will be examined.  In the hands-on/acquired structure environment, participants will have the opportunity to rotate though the various positions of each company while participating in realistic scenarios.  In both environments, teamwork and coordination are emphasized to affect a positive outcome on your fireground.

Private Dwelling Fires:

Most fires in the United States occur in private dwellings.  Because of this, most “combat-related” firefighter fatalities happen while operating at private dwelling fires.  This in-depth course will dissect every aspect of fighting fires in private dwellings.  We will discuss operations in older private dwellings constructed of dimensional lumber as well as the hazards of operating in newer lightweight “engineered” private dwellings.  Additionally, several theories including ventilation, search, roof operations and hose line placement will be discussed.  Utilizing simulator software, several scenario-based discussions for various types of private dwelling fires will be conducted. 

Multiple Dwelling Fires:

It is ten o’ clock in the morning.  You are responding to a report of a fire at 6701 Cedar Lane.  You recall that the buildings there are generally 3 story apartment buildings.  As you make the turn from 67th Street, you observe heavy fire venting from three windows on the second floor.  The second due engine from the north side of town is delayed by a train.  It is you, the chauffeur/engineer, and one firefighter.  Your next few decisions and actions will determine the entire course of this fire.  It is your move!

Multiple dwellings come in many shapes, sizes and heights.  Several types of apartment buildings and the scenarios that may occur inside them will be discussed.  These scenarios will include (but will not be limited to): 1 to 6 story apartment buildings, garden apartments, hi-rise or stand-piped buildings, and converted private dwellings.  Multiple dwellings require an adjustment of operations and modified tactics safely and effectively contain the fire. Several topics will be stressed such as the importance teamwork between engine companies and special search considerations for ladder companies.

Commercial Building Fires:

While most firefighters are killed while fighting fires in private dwellings, a disturbing statistic looms in our profession.  Most multiple firefighter fatality incidents occur in commercial buildings.  Almost every fire department in The United States has the potential the respond to at least one of the building types described below.

In this class, we will dissect every aspect of fighting fires in all types of commercial buildings.  Discussions will include: Older-style one story taxpayers, apartments over stores (Main Street U.S.A), newer-style taxpayers with lightweight construction, light industrial and large warehouse buildings.  An extended period of time will be spent putting a special emphasis on major alterations common in old-style taxpayers, building construction and common firefighter hazards that threaten our lives each time we stretch a hose line into one of these buildings.

Fires in Balloon-Frame Buildings:

It is three o' clock in the morning. You have been rattled awake by the house alarm or pager tones and in a matter of a few minutes; you are arriving at the scene of a large 2 ½ story balloon-frame private house. Fire is venting from the front of the first floor and it appears that it is extending upward in the open voids of this 100 year old house. Does your department know the tricks and tips to effectively stop this type of fire?

Most departments in the U.S. will be confronted with at least one (in many cases several) of this type of fire in the next year. Let us show you our tricks to safely and efficiently stop this fire in its tracks.

Beyond the Academy:

Congratulations…. You have graduated the fire academy and have received your firefighter certificate. During your academy lectures and hands-on sessions, you probably heard phrases like, “Do it this way for the state and your practical tests, and then you will learn easier ways later.” With this session you will begin to learn the “street tips and tricks” of firefighting to make your job safer a little easier. This class will also touch upon commonly encountered fireground hazards and how to identify and mitigate them safely. A new member of the fire service will spend many years picking up lessons learned and tips from experienced firefighters. We have compiled our instructor’s tips on various subjects into one class.

Forcible Entry: (Class Added 8/24/08)

Until recently, heavily fortified doors requiring an extensive forcible entry operation were limited to larger cities or select suburbs.  As inner-city areas “re-gentrify” or “clean-up”, statistics show that crime is being driven to the suburbs and outlying areas.  In those suburbs, security-conscious residents are now securing their homes using methods that some departments deem new or unfamiliar.  Major advancements have been made in locks and locking devices making even simple forcible entry operations more challenging.

The days of “kicking down doors” are over.  Kicking a door is not only unprofessional, if continued it will certainly result in increasing medical leave, which translates to further staffing issues for your department.  Forcible entry when performed by a trained member or team can mean the difference between a quick knock-down or complete loss.  Utilizing attributes such as knowledge, skill and correct technique instead of simply brute strength will allow passage through today’s forcible entry problems

All forcible entry topics below can be presented individually or as complete in-depth classes.  Allow Brotherhood Instructors, LLC to share our “street-smart” approach to professional forcible entry.  We have teamed up with Andrew Brassard of Phoenix Fireground Training to provide you with several realistic props for nearly all forcible entry situations.  Our instructors, the in-depth content, our props, and our ability to provide realistic forcible entry training without an acquired structure puts Brotherhood Instructors, LLC at the top of market in forcible entry training. 

Don’t wait until 3am with a report of people trapped
to hone your techniques with the Irons!

In-depth courses up to 3-days are available
covering all topics below and more!

Conventional Forcible Entry: Inward/Outward Door

True conventional forcible entry is a dying art.  In some cases, an entire generation of firefighters is now over-reliant on hydraulic forcible entry tools and power saws.  This has caused a drastic decline in proficiency in basic forcible entry techniques.  Forcing an inward and an outward swinging door in most cases can be done just as fast or faster with the “Irons” when compared to the same door with a power saw.  This segment will show your firefighters a systematic approach to every door that they will encounter.  Using this systematic approach, your firefighters will learn that they can force an inward or outward swinging door with the “Irons” before a member returns from the apparatus with the power saw. 

This class allows all members to force inward and outward swinging doors.

Gates and Padlocks

Roll-down gates or scissor gates are found in nearly all communities regardless of size and make-up.  The training of the member or members forcing the gates and/or locks will certainly control the speed at which the hose line can be placed into operation.  Typically, the first step in defeating a roll-down or scissor gate will involve removing padlocks.  Stronger construction materials and advancements in padlock features such as:  Hidden shackle locks (hockey-puck locks); shrouded padlocks; heel & toe construction; and homemade/altered locks have nearly made bolt-cutters a tool of the past. 

In addition, all firefighters must also know the steps to correctly and efficiently cut a roll-down gate.  In some cases, even though the padlocks have been defeated, the gate will not open due to warping.  A disciplined, well-trained firefighter will immediately switch to “Plan-B” and attack the gate itself without hesitation.  Our instructors can bring your firefighters up to speed to systematically attack this type of forcible entry problem. 

This class allows all members to force padlocks using a duck-bill lock-breaker and the “Irons”.  A roll-down gate prop is also on display to explain construction and component features as well as several options for defeating roll-down gates.

Through-the-Lock

Through-the-lock forcible entry is sometimes referred to as the “thinking-man’s” forcible entry.  Firefighters do not have to manipulate locks at the level of a master locksmith to be proficient in this skill.  Entering a building using through-the-lock techniques may be one of the most under-utilized techniques in the fire service.  In some cases, gaining access through-the-lock may be the fastest, safest, most appropriate and most professional technique for entering a building. 

Our instructors can help you add through-the-lock techniques to your forcible entry “tool-box”.  We utilize several variations of props, lock-boards and locks so you gain an excellent understanding of the devices, how they work and how to defeat them. 

This class allows all students to pull lock cylinders using several different tools, and manipulate several different locks or locking devices.

Saw Techniques

Most firefighters love to hear the words “grab the saw” from their officer.  Some firefighters believe that they receive enough power saw practice by removing it from the apparatus every Friday and starting it in front of quarters.  Our class balances power saw safety with simple techniques including hand and body positioning for various cutting. These hand and body positions will save you time and energy on the fireground. 

We couple these positioning techniques with basic overviews of power saw variations and blade types.  This class will give you techniques and knowledge to remain safe, efficient, effective and very professional while utilizing a power saw on the fireground. 

This class allows all students to cut a simulated padlock; hockey-puck lock; and simulated window bars of various heights.