Opens October 1, 2025 (8:00 am) for members

The How-To Guide They Forgot to Write 

Getting promoted or stepping into leadership is one thing — leading well, day in and day out, is where the real work begins. This session is the guide they never handed you, built from the lessons I’ve had to learn the hard way. We’ll dig into the realities of leadership in the fire service:
🔥 Hard conversations that matter — without killing team morale
🔥 Empathy + accountability — how they work together, not against each other
🔥 Listening that builds trust — not just hearing, but connecting
🔥 Humility in leadership — the kind that earns respect, not demands it
Whether you’re commanding a crew or leading a department, leadership boils down to one constant: building trust, refining your craft, and earning followership — every single day.
If they forgot to give you the guide, here’s where you start writing your own. I can’t wait to share these lessons with the next generation of fire service leaders ready to level up.

Deputy Chief Kevin Henson – St. John’s Fire

Friday, January 23, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia

One Bad Day – The Proactive Mindset

This class covers two major topics: (1) Hands-on Leadership, discussing this progressive leadership style as well as the key factors for success; and (2) RIT Operations, examining the many facets of RIT from the stress response physiology to the command aspect to the rescue itself. Students will learn the difference between a proactive and reactive RIT, take a deeper look at the functionality of RIT, and realize its importance on the fireground. Using case studies, collected national data, and the instructor’s personal experiences, students can take information back to their respective agencies to enhance tactics and approach.

Bassel Ibrahim – Orlando Fire (Fla)

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia

Firefighter Mayday Survey – Command Discussions

As an Incident Commander, your decisions on the fireground can mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophe. In this advanced-level session, Lieutenant Bassel Ibrahim of the Orlando Fire Department and Deputy Chief Nick Ray of the North Spartanburg Fire Department will lead you through a discussion on the findings from the Firefighter Mayday Survey—part of the ongoing Project Mayday initiative. This national survey captures real-world firefighter mayday and near-miss events to identify patterns, breakdowns, and opportunities for command improvement.

Based on analysis of the first 100 documented mayday events, this course provides command-level insights into the operational, tactical, and situational factors that lead to firefighter distress. Lt. Ibrahim will walk participants through the 15 key “red flags” that often precede a mayday, and how Incident Commanders can recognize and mitigate them in real time.

Beyond the numbers, this session focuses on practical command operations during mayday events—including communication challenges, span of control, resource management, and rapid intervention deployment. Attendees will also explore how scenario-based training, and a proactive command mindset are critical for preventing mayday situations before they occur.

Key Command-Level Objectives:

Identify the top warning signs that precede mayday events
Understand common command failures and how to avoid them
Improve decision-making under high-stress, high-risk conditions
Refine communication strategies during firefighter distress calls
Integrate real-world data into training for command staff and crews

Who Should Attend:
Incident Commanders (ICs)
Battalion and Division Chiefs
Company Officers acting in command roles
Training Chiefs and command-level instructors
Safety Officers and RIT Coordinators
Prepare to leave this session with actionable tools to strengthen your command presence, anticipate mayday triggers, and lead with confidence when it matters most.

Bassel Ibrahim – Orlando Fire (Fla) and Deputy Chief Nick Ray – North Spartanburg (SC)

Sunday, January 25, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia