Hands on Training Details

Ground Ladders (Know Before You Throw)

Ground ladders are a necessity on every fire ground! Whether they are used for immediate rescue, VES, ventilation or egress, the appropriate ladder needs to be chosen and placed properly the first time for a successful outcome. This class will cover all things ground ladder including history, standards, construction, loads, profiling, techniques, angles and more! In addition to performing traditional ladder throws, students will perform victim assists, unconscious victim rescues, address roof ladder operations and engage in other unique tasks utilizing ground ladders. The course is designed to challenge students and make them think/train outside of the box! Students will leave the training grounds with a much better understanding of ground ladders and will be given multiple ways to improve their performance on the fire ground.

Lead Instructor: Ryan Murphy
Instructors:  Brian Whittington, Josh Henke, & Dan Farrar

January 25 , 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: Columbia Fire Training

PPE: Full Structural PPE Required to include SCBA. Shorts, sleeveless shirt and open toe shoes are prohibited.

Pre-Requisites: Basic FF

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.

Instructors: Bassel Ibrahim & Nick Ray 

January 25 , 2026
9:00AM-12:00PM

Location: DoubleTree Hotel (2100 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210)

PPE: None 

Pre-Requisites: none

Hand in Hand Engine School (3-day) — SOLD OUT

The Hand in Hand Engine School is dedicated to exploring all aspects related to engine operations. Paying homage in its name to the first organized engine company in the Palmetto State, this course delves deep into the stretch, the advance, water application, equipment specification, pumping, hydrant, and drafting approaches, and even victim rescue. Led by some of the foremost engine experts in the country, this course is an exceptional opportunity for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of engine operations. 

Lead Instructor: Jonah Smith
Instructors: Chad Menard, Jarrod Sergi, & Phillip Bryant

January 22-24, 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: Day 1 AM – Lexington County Auxiliary Administrative Building (605 W Main St, Lexington SC, 29072)
Day 1 PM – Lexington County Training Center (436 Ball Park Road, Lexington, South Carolina 29072)

PPE: Full Structural PPE Required to include SCBA. Shorts, sleeveless shirt and open toe shoes are prohibited.

Pre-Requisites: Firefighter I

Truck School (3-day) — SOLD OUT

Columbia Fire boasts one of the strongest truck cultures in the Southeast and their internal Truck School is impressive. The program, taught by the Columbia Truck School cadre, will be held at the Columbia Fire training facility fully equipped with specialized props. This hands-on program offers the chance to either refine existing skills or acquire new and efficient ones. 

 The Truck School covers a range of topics, including the maintenance, operations, and troubleshooting of all types of saws. It also provides training in vertical ventilation for both flat and pitched roofs, building construction, and forcible entry for conventional (door prop), locks/chains, garage doors, and window bars. Additionally, participants will develop search and VES skills, including victim removals. This class is essential for firefighters who provide fireground support and truck operations. 

Lead Instructor: Blake Cartee
Instructors: Columbia Fire Truck School Cadre

January 22-24, 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: Columbia Fire Training

PPE: Full Structural PPE Required to include SCBA.  Shorts, sleeveless shirt and open toe shoes are prohibited.

Pre-Requisites: Firefighter I

Thank you SAFE Industries for supporting this program.

The Art of Supply Pumper Operations (3-day) — SOLD OUT

Operating as the supply pumper is one of the most important tasks on any fireground. The supply engine must rapidly establish an initial source of water for the attack engine but also be prepared to expand their system to meet future flow demands. This is regardless of whether the water source is a fire hydrant or static body of water. It is the supply pump operator’s responsibility to be prepared to maximize any water source from which they are assigned to operate from. This course is designed to show students how to maximize their water availability while operating from a draft and pressurized water sources. By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to implement these techniques to ensure that they are able to meet the flow demands of their next large scale fire incident.

Lead Instructors: Andy Soccodato
Instructors: The Water Thieves Cadre and featuring Deputy Chief Peter Dontje

January 22-24, 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: SC Fire Academy

PPE: Full Structural PPE.  Shorts, sleeveless shirt and open toe shoes are prohibited.

Pre-Requisites: EVDT and Pump Ops I & II

The Effective Command Process: Practical Incident Command (3-day)

Having a strong command presence is crucial for ensuring the safety of your team and the success of any mission. Effective Command offers a comprehensive program to help you develop and refine your skills in managing NIMS Type 4 and 5 events. In this course, trade in the intimidating and overwhelming “Command Organizational Structure” for a more practical approach to command that ensures accountability and safety. Do not wait to develop the strong command presence that your firefighters crave and rely on – prepare today for tomorrow. 

Lead Instructor: Nicholas Ray
Instructors: North Spartanburg Cadre

January 22-24, 2025
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: DoubleTree Hotel (2100 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210)

PPE: None 

Pre-Requisites: The only requirement that we suggest would be those members enrolling in the program be in a position within their department to command incidents within your department. We are teaching members to command fires from a command post that is isolated from the tactical and task engagements on the fire scene. Typically, this would involve members from the rank of Lieutenant and above.

Thank you Wally’s Fire Equipment and Bullard for supporting this program.

Make The Grab: Creating Aggressive Search Culture (2-day) — SOLD OUT

One of the top priorities during fire emergencies must be aggressive search. Firefighters and company officers have a duty to enter the premises, conduct a thorough search, rescue the victim, and ensure their safety. While the topic of searching is a hot topic, training on how to search effectively is limited. This class delves into tactics and search methods that can improve speed and efficiency on the fire ground. Topics include victim drags, carries, and other removal techniques that are not typically covered in training. Additional skills covered include large area search, ground ladders, oriented search, VES, locating victims with the TIC, and searching with the water can. This class goes beyond the basics and emphasizes how the fire service can uphold its oath to prioritize saving lives and search with a sense of purpose. 

Lead Instructor: Micah Rains
Instructors: Palmetto Fire Tactics Cadre

January 22-23, 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: SC Fire Academy

PPE: Full Structural PPE Required to include SCBA.  Shorts, sleeveless shirt and open toe shoes are prohibited.

Pre-Requisites: Firefighter I

SR2D: Survival, Resilience, Rescue, Decision-Making (2-day) — SOLD OUT

Prepare to push yourself to the next level. This 2-day, high-intensity course is designed for firefighters to enhance their personal decision-making, situational awareness, and resilience in difficult situations. Participants will be immersed in physically demanding, realistic scenarios that test their mental toughness, tactical & technical proficiency, and ability to perform under pressure. Through rigorous hands-on training, firefighters will master personal survival techniques including SCBA emergences and rapid decision-making in complex environments. With an emphasis on teamwork and adaptability, this course is tailored to challenge even the most seasoned firefighters, ensuring they leave more confident, capable, and prepared for the fireground’s toughest challenges. This will be a physically demanding 2-days of personal accomplishment.

Lead Instructor: Thomas Tardo
Instructors: GA Smoke Divers: Chief Chris Tennyson (Summerville), Chez Gosnell (Parker), Nik Gilchrist (Greenwood), Aleks Zelasko (Pelham-Batesville), Jason Worthy (Pelham-Batesville). 

January 22-23, 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: SC Fire Academy

PPE: Full Structural PPE Required to include SCBA.  Shorts, sleeveless shirt and open toe shoes are prohibited.

Pre-Requisites: Firefighter I

Thank you Spartan Fire for supporting this program.

Heavy Lifting and Large Vehicle Stabilization  (2-day) — SOLD OUT

Classroom will cover the training objectives for the two days of lifting and stabilization. Students will learn skills in of lifting and stabilization for complex operations as well as identifying the need for large wreaker assets early in the incident. Students will work on understanding the principles of lifting with lifting bags, large vehicle struts and heavy wrecker equipment. Skill development include side resting and complex vehicle stabilization, complex (Rear) underride of passenger vehicle, complex (Rear and Side) underride of passenger vehicle. Final scenarios include complex multiple vehicle underrides. This will give the student the chance to work together on multiple objectives simultaneously. This class is a mirror image to the HOT class provided at FDIC for the last few years.

Lead Instructors: Robert Joyner & Randy Wells

January 22-23 , 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: SC Fire Academy

PPE: All students participating are required wear appropriate PPE for technical rescue including head, eye, hand and foot protection and appropriate coveralls or structural turnout gear.  Shorts, sleeveless shirts and open toe shoes are prohibited in the classrooms and on the training grounds.

Prerequisites: Students participating in this course should be proficient with basic vehicle stabilization and victim extrication techniques. All should be competent in scene size up, use of the ICS, hand tool use, cribbing and stabilization, and best practices relating to safe incident operations.

Winning on the Fireground: Limited Staffing (2-day) — SOLD OUT

The public expects excellence from firefighters, regardless of the level of staffing. Firefighters must be trained and prepared to win on the fireground even with limited staffing. The Winning on the Fireground: Limited Staffing course is designed to focus on task level skills that are routinely expected to be accomplished with staff as limited as a single member. The class structure allows students to rotate through 12 skill stations that will challenge them and provide them with techniques to ensure success when lives are on the line and no help is coming. The skills covered in the class include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), stretching attack lines, conducting searches, using ground ladders, moving and removing victims, forcible entry, engineer considerations, and even combative command for the company officer. The class is suitable for all members of the fire service, including those who run with better than average manpower.  

 On the last afternoon of the class, students will be challenged with reality-based scenarios that simulate actual fireground situations, where people are trapped and limited help is available. This will allow participants to put their newly acquired skills to the test in a controlled environment, giving them valuable experience that they can draw upon when responding to real-life incidents. 

 All participants will gain confidence throughout the training and will be equipped with the necessary skills to operate at their best, even in the most challenging situations. 

Lead Instructor: Michael Dozier

January 24-25, 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: SC Fire Academy

PPE: Full Structural PPE Required to include SCBA.  Shorts, sleeveless shirt and open toe shoes are prohibited.

Pre-Requisites: Firefighter I

Agricultural Response  (2-day)

The Agricultural Emergency Response Course is a 16-hour course including 4 hours of classroom training mixed with 12 hours of hands-on field exercises. Topics covered include the unique challenges and hazards associated with agricultural incident responses, tools, and techniques to mitigate these incidents, and hands on training involving machinery, livestock, logging, and other types of incidents commonly seen in the agricultural setting. Discussion and hands-on training merge together to give both municipal and rural departments the knowledge to safely respond to and mitigate these specialized situations. In addition, students will discuss medical concerns related to patient extrication, specialized tool usage, livestock transport incidents, and other topics related to agricultural response.

Lead Instructor: Brian Roberson

January 24-25, 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: Ridge Spring Fire Department (201 Green St, Ridge Spring, SC 29129)

PPE: All students participating are required to provide PPE to include turnout gear or extrication suit, helmet, gloves, leather boots, safety glasses, and other items as needed based on extrication type scenarios. Shorts, sleeveless shirts and open toe shoes are prohibited.

Pre-Requisites: None

Surviving the Mayday (2-day) – SOLD OUT 

This intensive and highly practical course is designed to prepare firefighters with the critical self-survival skills needed to increase their chances of survival in the event they become lost, disoriented, injured, or trapped during interior operations. When properly trained in firefighter survival techniques, individuals not only enhance their own safety but also become an asset to Rapid Intervention Crew/Team (RIC/RIT) operations. Firefighters who take predictable, standardized actions in a Mayday situation can significantly aid rescuers in locating, treating, and extricating them more efficiently—ultimately improving the outcome for all involved.

Participants in this course will engage in realistic, high-stress scenarios that simulate Mayday conditions, helping to build the muscle memory, mental toughness, and tactical awareness required to react appropriately under duress. Training will cover essential skills such as self-rescue, air management, entanglement hazards, wall breaching, window escapes, and effective radio communications during Mayday events.

Delivered by experienced instructors, this highly sought-after training has been presented at the Southeastern Fire School and throughout South Carolina and neighboring states, helping to improve the survival mindset and operational readiness of hundreds of firefighters. Whether you’re a new firefighter or a seasoned veteran, this course will sharpen your situational awareness, improve your personal survivability, and reinforce your role in enhancing the success of RIC/RIT efforts.

Instructors: Jim Still, Bruce Kline, Will Vaigneur, Tom Webb, Chris Lewis, Andrew Wright, Mauricio Gallego, Keith Kersey

January 24-25, 2026
9:00AM-5:00PM

Location: SC Fire Academy
PPE: Full Structural PPE Required to include SCBA.  Shorts, sleeveless shirt and open toe shoes are prohibited.

Pre-Requisites: Basic Firefighter