Hands-On Training Instructors
Our team of instructors takes pride in delivering real skills for the real world, from fundamental skills to advanced tips and tricks. There is something for everyone.
(Registration link at bottom of page)
Deputy District Chief Rich Stack
"Search Tactics and Techniques for the Fireground"
Richard Stack has been in the fire service for 28 years, 6 years with the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, and the last 22 with the Chicago Fire Department. As a firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department, Rich was assigned to Engine 72, Engine 63, and Squad 5. Rich was promoted to Lieutenant in December 2015 and was Relief Lieutenant in the 5th District on the south side of Chicago. On March 8th, 2024, Rich was promoted to Deputy District Chief of Training. Rich has his advanced firefighter, Fire Officer 1, all the SOTP Certifications, Instructor 1 & 2, and a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in Fire Service Management. Rich has been an instructor at the Chicago Fire Academy the Illinois Fire Service Institute, and the State Fire Academy. Since 2006, Rich has taught at the Illinois Fire Service Institute in various programs: Officer Development, Structural Collapse, RIT Under Fire, F.A.S.T., Fire College, Smoke Divers, Leadership Development and Decision Making, Engine Operations, and Truck Operations, Fire Ground Officer School, Forcible Entry, Search Techniques for the Fireground and an Academy Instructor.
This class is for students who may be involved in conducting primary and secondary searches of single-family, multi-family, and commercial structures. It will focus on the primary search, secondary search, and final searches in residential buildings, multi-family, and commercial settings, as well as Vent Enter Search (VES), Rope Assisted Search Procedures (RASP), and Wide Area Search.
Lieutenant (ret) Tim Klett
"Stretching and Operating Attack Lines."
Tim Klett - Tim is a 42-year fire service veteran who served the last 31 years with the FDNY until his retirement. Tim was a volunteer firefighter with the Newington Ct. FD. and the Montgomery, NY. FD. Where he served as a Lieutenant. He was also a paid firefighter with the City of New Britain Ct, FD, for five years until his appointment to the FDNY in 1990. Tim was a Lieutenant on Engine 88 in the Bronx for 19 years after spending 12 years on Engine 69, one of FDNY’s busiest Engines. Tim is the lead HOT instructor for FDTN Academy’s engine operations program and is the author of FDTN’s “Stretching and Operating the First Line.” Tim has been lead instructor for FDIC and FDIC West’s live burn Hot program and has taught engine operations at Firehouse Expo, the Orlando Fire Conference, Wichita HOT, Andy Fredricks training Days, Black Hawk Fire Conference, The New York State Chiefs Show, the NYSAFC Seminar series and Company Officer leadership series, HROC conference, MAFFC Show, Amboy Fire and Extrication School, Joey Dibernardo Training seminar, Fire Nuggets, Fools international, Long Island Fire/EMS expo. Castle Rock Fire School, the Fort Lauderdale Fire Expo, Providence Safety and Survival Symposium, Connecticut Fire/Ems Pro, and many individual fire departments nationwide. Tim has also written articles for Fire Engineering, FDTN training magazine, Firehouse.com, And Size-up magazine for many years. Tim was also a group member who had rewritten FDNY’s Engine Company Operations Manual.
This grassroots course will cover engine company operations in stretching and operating the critical first line and all the positions of the first-due engine. The Engine Officers' responsibilities before, during, and after a working fire. An in-depth look at the Nozzle firefighter's Duties of stretching, advancing, and operating the nozzle. It will stress the importance of a well-trained backup man. It will also cover the door firefighter position. This course will also cover the simple tools any well-trained Engine firefighter should carry during everyday activities. It will also cover how the nozzle team should react to fire-ground emergencies. The success of every operation depends on a well-trained, determined company. This back-to-basics, no-nonsense course will take you through the right steps to complete this mission. This course will also take an in-depth look at stretching and operating the 2 ½” hand line if the fire, the building, or the situation calls for large amounts of water to be applied rapidly.
Lieutenant Mike Ciampo
"Tower Ladders Tactics and Tips"
Michael Ciampo is a Lieutenant in the F.D.N.Y. and formerly served as a firefighter in the Washington DC FD. He is an instructor at numerous conferences across the country and has a B.A. degree in fire science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
In addition to his instructional role, Mike Ciampp has shared his knowledge through articles he writes for the back page column On Fire for Fire Engineering. He can be seen in their Training Minutes Truck Company videos. He also authored the Tower Ladders: Tactics, Tips & Tales textbook, which can be purchased at mikeciampo.com. He has taught or lectured at F.D.I.C., F.D.I.C. West, Orlando Fire Conference, Training Days, Ft. Lauderdale Fire Expo, First Due Tactics Conference, Firehouse, Firehouse World, and Firehouse On the Road.
This grassroots course will start in the classroom, where tactical operations and tips using tower ladders or aerial platforms will be discussed in a lecture format. Then, it will transition to the drill field, where the students will perform many of the tactical operations presented. They will cut from the bucket (roofs and garage doors), raise ladders from the bucket, remove stokes baskets, and perform other skill drills.
Assistant Chief Walter Lewis
"Command Class"
Walter Lewis, who brings a wealth of knowledge to share during Command School: A Workshop for Chief Officers in San Antonio. Walt has been a firefighter since 1990, currently at the rank of Assistant Chief for the Orlando Fire Department. He began as a volunteer and became a paid firefighter in a bedroom community fire department. In 1996, he joined the Orlando Fire Department and has served on some of the busiest units and within special operations. He is also a Task Force Leader for Florida US&R Task Force 4 based out of Central Florida, having deployed numerous times in various capacities during his time with FLTF4, including the Champlain Towers Collapse in Surfside, FL. Additionally, Walt was a past Executive Board member and Founder of F.O.O.L.S. International; he has been involved in various training and fundraising events for the F.O.O.L.S. and the charities they support.
Command School: A Workshop for Chief Officers
Description:
Commanding a scene confidently is a crucial skill for fire service chief officers. This workshop will equip current and future Chief Officers with the knowledge and techniques to lead emergency responses effectively. Participants will learn how to assess scenes, communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and maintain scene flow. The workshop will include scenario-based simulations culminating in participants commanding a live scenario.
Workshop Objectives:
Identify key elements to assess when arriving at an emergency scene.
Develop effective communication strategies for commanding a scene.
Learn techniques for delegating tasks and managing resources efficiently.
Understand how to maintain scene flow and adapt to changing circumstances.