The First Five Minutes: The Must Haves for the First Arriving
Jonah Smith
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
1:00PM- 5:00PM
The first five minutes on the fireground generally dictate how the remainder of the incident will go. Successful company level training evolutions are presented to affect a holistic overview of effective methods for the first-arriving company in any jurisdiction. Firefighters and company officers are introduced to methods for proper size-up, deployment, and assignment of resources that facilitate positive and successful fireground outcomes in jurisdictions of all sizes.
Jonah Smith
Jonah Smith grew up in Richmond, VA where his exposure to the fire service began in the Church Hill area of the RVA with some of the best firefighters in the city. Jonah attended the University of South Carolina for both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees and started with the Columbia Fire Department in 2003. After a few years, Jonah pursued a career with the Charlotte, NC Fire Department where he began in 2005. He served as a captain from 2010 to 2021 serving on engine companies on the city’s south side. He is currently assigned as a battalion chief on B Shift. Additionally, since the day he received his certifications in 2003, he has volunteered with departments including the Lexington County Fire Department and Columbia Fire Department. Currently he serves as a firefighter with the Indian Land Fire Department in South Carolina. Jonah is an 8–time FDIC instructor and has presented at numerous conferences to include: Firehouse Expo, Fire Rescue International, South Carolina Fire Rescue, Metro Atlanta Firefighters Conference, and the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo. He is married with 2 children.
