Join us for another year of hands-on training at the 2026 Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Training Seminar. All hands on training programs require a minimum certification of Firefighter I.

Train for your next response with hands-on opportunities including:

Full Day Programs

Commercial Fire Operations with OSTA – Full Day Program
Lead Instructor: On Scene Training Associates (OSTA) Aaron Heller Hamilton FD NJ ret.
This program is designed to enhance firefighter’s skills at the scene of Commercial Structure
Fires. Instructors from OSTA will be passing on knowledge through a rotation of skills some of
which include; Hose handling, Access and Egress, Forcible Entry, Saw Operations, Laddering,
VEIS, Search and Communications. Attendees will definitely build on their current knowledge
and skills while learning new tricks of the trade by some of the best instructors from around the
Country.


“Be That Guy!” – Saving Yourself & Others
Lead Instructor: Battalion Chief John Cagno North Providence FD & Captain Tony Tricarico FDNY ret.
This class is designed to give firefighters techniques and simple actions to save yourself, or
another member in a rapid manner using just the common tools and basic equipment carried by
members on the fire ground. This is not a RIT operation; this is about keeping yourself and/or
your crew alive. Students will be shown and then challenged to perform various techniques that
you may encounter on the fire ground.


First Due Response Tactics
Lead Instructor: Chief Mo Davis Houston FD
This program will have you performing tactics that must be implemented on a first due response.
Students will work in smaller skills groups on different evolutions that will help hone your skills
for the overall success of the mission. Depending on student count and abilities some of skills
and tactics may include proper tool use and allocation, forcible entry, laddering, VEIS, search,
victim drags and removal and hose line stretches into a live fire condition. As a trained
professional you should be focused on the overall mission of increasing the chances of survival
for the victim. If you are a skilled firefighter looking to enhance your operational level or a
newer member this is a program for you.


Elevator Rescue Operations – Saturday Only @ SUNY Stony Brook
Lead Instructor: Dragon Rescue Management Mike Dragonetti Stamford CT FD ret.
This one-day program is designed to enhance the firefighter awareness and knowledge with
elevator emergencies and rescue. Students will have an interactive classroom discussion on
hazards involved when dealing with various elevators, various techniques that should be utilized
and how to keep everyone safe during these responses. Once the classroom program is
completed the students will be guided to various types of live elevators in a high rise building to
review lessons discussed and taught in the classroom. Instructors from Dragon Elevator
Management and elevator companies will guide the student safely during this program.

Half Day Programs

Residential Fires - Live Fire
Lead Instructor: SCFA Instructors
Firefighters will perform various evolutions designed to develop skills on the fire ground at
residential structure fires. Many skills will be taught and performed including; Hose handling,
Forcible Entry, Laddering, VEIS, Search and Communications. There will be live fire with
smoke and heat conditions in the County burn building with seasoned instructors guiding you
through each evolution.


Commercial Fire Operations -Live Fire
Lead Instructor: SCFA Instructors
Firefighters will perform various evolutions designed to develop skills on the fire ground at
commercial structure fires. Many skills will be taught and performed including; Hose handling,
Forcible Entry, Laddering, VEIS, Search and Communications. There will be live fire with
smoke and heat conditions in the County burn building with seasoned instructors guiding you
through each evolution.


Fire Behavior for the Modern Fire Environment
Lead Instructor: FlashFire Industries Dan Gordon FDNY
This isn’t just about flashover and the modern fire curve! This course is designed for the
firefighter to increase their knowledge on what is actually happening around them in a fire
building. The course will begin with a short classroom presentation followed by a rotation of
live burns that demonstrate each and every aspect of the presentation under real fire conditions.
Students will see firsthand changes on the fire ground including; fire growth, proper and
improper ventilation, oxygen limited fires, roll over, flashover and more! Students will also
operate with a Thermal Imaging Camera and proper use of the CAN!


Forcible Entry
Lead Instructor: East Coast Rescue Solutions Chris Minichelli FDNY
Firefighters encounter many obstacles when trying to enter in to a fire building to save lives and
get water on the fire quickly and efficiently. This program is designed to enhance firefighters’
skills on forcing doors, cutting locks and roll down doors to enter as quickly as possible.
Various tools and techniques will be addressed by experienced instructors from East Coast
Rescue Solutions.


FIREFIGHTER DOWN – RIT/Firefighter Rescue with FAST Rescue Solutions
Lead Instructor: FAST Rescue Solutions Eric Allen Philadelphia FD
This course is designed for the Firefighter and Fire Officer to enhance their ability to operate
proficiently as a Rapid Intervention Crew. Students will go through various stations utilizing
different equipment and rescue techniques in zero visibility to save our own. The following
skills will be covered Air Management, Emergency Communications, Downed Firefighter
Removal Techniques and Self-Survival Skills.


Search Operations
Lead Instructor: SCFA Instructors
This program is focused on the firefighter’s ability to perform and demonstrate a high level of
competency performing a primary search in a structure with maze like conditions. The
firefighter will be coached on conducting a proper primary search in zero visibility, with heat and
stressors searching and possibly removing a victim to safety. The firefighter will also perform a
search utilizing a search rope to locate and remove a victim. Are you prepared and have you been
working on improving your skills on search operations? This program can help you hone in your
skills and help you get extremely comfortable utilizing your SCBA.


Tactical Actions Before a Last Resort Bailout
Lead Instructor: Chief Donald Colarusso and All Hands Fire Training Staff
Firefighters often operate in high-risk environments, requiring constant situational awareness and
the ability to recognize rapidly changing conditions. Students will review aggressive search
techniques, navigation through small and cluttered spaces, and the actions necessary when fire
conditions deteriorate suddenly. A key focus will be on emergency egress options, including
ladder bailouts and hands-on training with Personal Escape Systems. Participants will learn to
exit rapidly under stress by quickly deploying their escape systems, establishing secure anchors,
and performing controlled window bailouts. Practical, scenario-based drills will build
confidence and prepare firefighters to act decisively when seconds count.


Thermal Imaging
Lead Instructor: Andrew Dinkel FDNY, Assistant Chief Suffolk County Fire Academy
Firefighters across the country now have Thermal Imaging Cameras in their department and are
required to have proper training on its proper use. This program you will learn from experienced
instructors who will offer you years of practical experience on utilizing the Thermal Imaging
Camera. This program will begin with a classroom presentation and followed with various
hands on instruction in a live fire environment. See what you have been missing when looking at
the image on the camera.


Hose Loads and Flow Bros - sponsored by Elkhart Brass and Mercedes Hose
Lead Instructors: Bill Eletto Elkhart Brass, Caleb Langer Mercedes Textiles, Lt. Mike Magerle FDNY (Ret.)
Ready to sharpen your engine company skills? This fast-paced, hands-on class is designed to
build confidence and efficiency in hose deployment and fireground water application. Students
will train on the flat load, Minuteman, and the FDNY horseshoe, learning when and where each
stretch provides the greatest advantage. Through realistic hallway and building evolutions,
participants will advance and flow charged hose lines while focusing on teamwork,
communication, nozzle control, and hose management. Whether you're a new firefighter or a
seasoned veteran, you'll leave with proven techniques to make faster, smoother, and more
effective stretches when every second counts.


Heavy Lifting & Moving Advanced Stabilization
Lead Instructor: Jason Bernfeld - Strategic Safety
This class is design to challenge the firefighter with difficult extrication scenarios that are not
everyday occurrences. Vehicles are staged in precarious positions with viable victims trapped
that must rely on proactive firefighters to save them. Students will use various tools and
equipment while utilizing proven techniques under the guidance of seasoned instructors to
successfully extricate the victims.


Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Lead Instructor: Randy D’Arcy
Battery fires have been increasing in the last few years and have become a hot topic for
firefighters, local governments and code officials. Firefighters have been faced with quick
intense fires and sometimes rapidly intensifying fires and explosions while operating. This
course will surely enhance your knowledge of how these batteries work, cause fires and how to
operate accordingly. The program will start with a baseline of information in the classroom and
then out to the field where the instructors will show you how these batteries ignite and burn.


Basement Fires/Flashover
Lead Instructor: SCFA Instructors
Just stretching a hose line into a basement is not always as easy as it seems! Students will be
rotated through to challenge the engine company firefighter and enhance their knowledge on the
importance of getting the line into operation quickly and efficiently. Students will be stretching
1 ¾’ and 2 ½” lines around obstacles and operating in live fire conditions. Students will operate
hose lines at a basement fire under live fire conditions and learn how fires rollover and flashover
in the Flashover Simulator.


Eyes in the Sky: Tactical Drone Operations for Firefighters
Lead Instructor: Captain Mike Leo FDNY Drone Unit
When a call comes in, split-second decisions dictate how an incident plays out. Fire service
drone programs put real-time, overhead context right into the hands of incident commanders
before crews ever step foot into danger.
Using thermal cameras and high-def zoom lenses, flight teams can slice through pitch-black
smoke to spot hidden hotspots, trace roof compromises, or find lost hikers in dense woods.
Whether it's reading a hazardous material label from half a mile away or tracking a brush fire's
movement in real time, drones serve as a force multiplier—keeping firefighters safer and helping
teams operate faster when every second counts. This program will give firefighters. officers and
incident commanders a basic understanding of how drones can be put to good use at any
emergency operation.


No Excuse Aerial Operations
Lead Instructor: Chief Larry DiCamillo Stafford FD (ret.) – “C” Side Consultants
Aerial operations can be the cornerstone to of a positive outcome for rescue and/or fire
suppression, but it all starts by having proper training and mindset of the chauffeur. Are you
thinking three steps ahead and preparing for the unexpected? There should be no excuse when it
comes to positioning, setup or operations. You must be prepared and understand what you can do
with your apparatus while understanding the importance of its limitations. This program will set
you above the rest and ensure that the aerial will do the job when needed when you are the
chauffeur.


Truck Company Roof & Outside Vent Operations
Lead Instructor: Bob Lee – FDNY Captain (ret.)
This course aims to equip firefighters with the essential skills and knowledge required to perform
critical roof & outside vent operations safely and effectively. Whether you are a seasoned
veteran or a newer firefighter you will learn or enhance your knowledge from experienced
instructors. Students will work through different skills understanding the importance of
coordinating ventilation with inside operations, power saw operations, basic hand tools,
laddering and proper size up for safe operations. This program is designed to ultimately
enhancing their capabilities as an effective and skilled member of a truck company.

Technical Rescue Programs