Keynote Speaker Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder - Saturday 8am - 10am
Chief Billy Goldfeder, EFO, has served in the fire service since 1973 and is Deputy Fire Chief of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department in Ohio. A nationally recognized fire service leader, author, and speaker, he has held chief officer roles in multiple states and advises organizations on firefighter safety, survival, and risk management. He is a co-host of FireFighterCloseCalls.com and a senior advisor for Lexipol.
Keynote Speaker Deputy Chief Viscuso - Sunday 7:30am - 8:45am
Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso (ret.) served more than 26 years as a professional firefighter in New Jersey. An international speaker, leadership expert, and author of 12 books, he has presented more than 1,000 times across the U.S. and internationally. A former FDIC International keynote speaker and 2025 ISFSI George D. Post Instructor of the Year, he now helps organizations strengthen leadership, teamwork, and organizational success.
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| Iowa Department of Emergency and Trauma Services has designated Formal EMS Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) to the following 2027 Annual Fire School classes. |
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The flame icon indicates a class that has hands on training |
List items for FSTB 2 day course
Saturday & Sunday (12 hours)
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
Ice Rescue
| Learn essential skills for safe, effective ice rescues, including victim assessment, staffing, equipment and operational planning. Hands-on training covers ice and water rescue techniques. Meets NFPA 1006 and NFPA 1670 requirements. |
List items for FSTB Fire School Saturday Courses
Saturday Courses
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| The Power of One: Initial Company Operations at Externally Ignited Apartment Fires (NEW) | Learn initial engine company operations for externally ignited apartment fires, including building construction, exterior FAST tactics, big-water application and interior hose line operations. Focus on controlling fire and preventing extension into common attic spaces. |
| Fire in the Sky: The North Stonegate COOP Fire (NEW) | Explore the 2024 North Stonegate Cooperative fire in Hamilton County, where a lightning strike led to major structural collapses and corn spilling onto an active railroad. Learn about incident command, unified command, resource management and multi-agency coordination during a large-scale response. |
| Real Calls, Real Lessons: Low Frequency, High Impact Operations (NEW) | Explore four challenging incidents—a trench rescue, multiple-patient shooting, field blood administration and high-angle rescue. First-arriving and command-level responders share firsthand lessons, key decisions and practical takeaways from each event. |
| Where has Tradition Gone? (NEW) | Explore the history and value of fire service traditions, with a focus on building pride and ownership within Midwest departments. Learn how Honor Guard and Pipe and Drum teams can strengthen department ceremonies and traditions. |
| No Rank Required Leadership Culture by Design (NEW) | Explore how firefighters at every rank can lead through training, mentoring and setting standards. Learn practical strategies for building a culture of ownership, discipline and pride where influence is earned and everyone contributes to strong leadership. |
The Fireground EMT: Expanding EMS' Contributions on the Fireground (NEW)
| Explore the expanding role of non-firefighter EMTs in fireground operations. Learn how EMTs can support fireground strategy, communication, safety and coordination through cross-functional knowledge and collaboration. |
| Union Pacific Railroad Emergency Response: First Arriving Officer (NEW) | This presentation is designed for those who will be making command decisions such as chiefs and first arriving officers and focuses on the first two hours of a major rail incident. |
| Training Firefighters to Win on the Fireground (NEW) | Identify gaps in traditional fire service training and learn strategies to improve training programs. Explore ways to better prepare members for the fireground and close the gap between performance expectations and results. |
Red light, Blue Lights, Gun Fights: Tactics for Responding to Violent Calls (NEW)
| Learn practical tactics for recognizing and managing threats during high-risk fire and EMS calls. Cover pre-planning, exterior size-up, approach tactics, human behavior and survival strategies to improve safety and decision-making when situations escalate. |
| Incident Reporting With NERIS in Image Trend | Overview of what NERIS is, how to access NERIS information, and entering data into the state’s Image Trend System. |
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Ripples (NEW) | Explore how daily leadership choices shape firehouse culture, morale, safety and on-scene performance. Officers will learn to recognize cultural drift, address performance issues and use practical tools to strengthen accountability, consistency and trust. |
| Building the Team Everyone Wants to Join (NEW) | Explore how firehouse culture and environment influence emergency scene performance. Learn simple, actionable ways to build a firehouse environment that supports operational excellence and the service your community expects. |
| Mayday in the Metro | Explore the April 9, 2022, commercial building fire that resulted in multiple Maydays and nearly cost three firefighters their lives. Hear firsthand accounts and lessons learned from the firefighters involved. |
Farm Smart HazMat (NEW)
| This course prepares rural responders for hazardous materials incidents in agricultural settings. Topics include pre-planning, product identification, risk assessment, PPE, decontamination, rescue, Mayday procedures and incident documentation. Attendees will examine common rural HazMat incidents and learn practical strategies for safer, more effective response. |
| Smooth vs Fog: Which is Better (HOT) | Learn the basics of smooth bore and combination fog nozzles, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. Classroom and hands-on training will cover nozzle selection, hose types and diameters, and fire attack packages. Students will put both nozzle styles to the test. |
| Industrial Firefighting Awareness for the Municipal Firefighter (NEW) | Explore the hazards and operational considerations of industrial facility fires. Learn about building types, unique risks and safe response practices, with guidance for developing department SOGs. Case studies, including the 2019 Clinton, Iowa, LODD, will highlight lessons learned. |
| Solid Start: Anchors that Shape Rope Rescue Outcomes (Classroom Only) | Learn the fundamentals of building strong, reliable anchor systems for rope rescue. Explore natural and improvised anchors, load distribution and critical decision-making to build safer systems in unpredictable environments. |
| Innovative Search (Classroom Only) | Explore modern fireground search using fire behavior research, rescue data and real-world experience. Learn how building layout, communication and victim survivability guide search decisions, including victim drags, oriented search, split search and VEIS. |
| Fireground Strategies: Strategic Decision Making (NEW) | Explore fireground strategy selection and transition based on current and forecasted conditions. Using case studies, this course covers offensive and defensive strategies, transitional attacks, below-grade and large-area fires, exposure issues, alarm considerations and operational reporting. |
List items for 2027 fire school Sunday courses
Sunday Courses
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Lithium ION Battery Safety and Response Considerations (NEW) | Explore the hazards and response considerations of lithium-ion battery fires, including thermal runaway, re-ignition and toxic byproducts. Learn practical strategies for incidents involving consumer devices, e-bikes, energy storage systems and electric vehicles. |
When the Smoke Clears (Introduction to First Responder Wellness and Emotional Survival)
| Drawing on more than 20 years of firsthand experience, this course explores the unique stressors of a first responder career, including critical incidents, hypervigilance and trauma. Learn practical strategies for resistance, resiliency and recovery to support long-term wellness and career success. |
| Responsibilities of Command (NEW) | Explore the traits and skills needed to effectively lead firefighters at the station and on the fireground. Drawing on military and fire service experience, this course provides practical guidance for personnel responsible for leading teams and meeting organizational goals. |
Emergency Response to Hunting and Outdoor Emergencies (NEW)
| Prepare for low-frequency, high-risk outdoor emergencies involving hunters and recreational users. Learn trauma assessment, rescue and extrication techniques, incident command, and remote rescue strategies for injuries and incidents in rural and wilderness environments. |
| Why We Train | Explore the importance of training from a firsthand perspective. Learn strategies for building training buy-in, managing the mental stress of emergency response, and understanding how effective training guides performance when it matters most. |
| Electric Vehicle and Stored Energy Systems | This Operations Level course prepares first responders to safely identify and respond to lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle fires. Learn current approaches to extinguishment, cooling, overhaul, investigation and reporting, along with hazards related to damaged, overheated or overcharged batteries. |
| 35 Things Every Fire Officer Must Know and Do (NEW) | This course provides fire officers with practical tools for leading high-performing teams. Topics include mentoring, delegation, succession planning, conflict resolution, accountability, morale, trust and post-incident analysis to help build strong, cohesive and resilient teams. |
| Commanding the Mayday (NEW) | Prepare command officers to effectively manage firefighter Maydays. This course covers Mayday preparation, incident management, response plans and the organizational impact and aftermath of a Mayday event. |
| Fire Officer Excellence (NEW) | Explore the leadership, preparation and training that drive effective fireground performance. Cover strategic size-up, engine and ladder operations, hoseline tactics, forcible entry, VEIS and ground ladders while emphasizing readiness and accountability before the call. |
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
Traffic Incident Management (TIM) for Emergency Responders
| This four-hour course teaches responders from multiple disciplines how to work together to manage traffic incidents safely and efficiently. Learn strategies for improving crash scene safety, coordinating response efforts and clearing roadways to reduce risks for responders and the public. |
When the Smoke Clears Vol. 2: Finding Post-Traumatic Growth After the Incident (NEW)
| This specialized course introduces first responders to Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), the positive psychological changes that can follow challenging calls and career events. Learn evidence-based strategies for applying PTG concepts to build personal and professional strength. |
| First Due Engine to an Active Shooter/Hostile Event (NEW) | Prepare fire and EMS personnel for active shooter and hostile events through practical, resource-conscious strategies. Learn interagency coordination, incident command, staging, apparatus placement and radio communication to improve readiness and response. |
Emergency Response to Tornadoes and Rural Disasters
| Prepare responders for tornadoes and large-scale rural disasters. Learn initial operations, incident command, EMS triage, search and rescue, mutual aid and equipment needs, with a focus on effective response in rural communities. |
Effective Radio Communications for Interoperability (Utilizing Iowa's Unified Radio Network to Complete the Mission) (NEW)
| Learn how to use Iowa’s ISICS radio system to improve interoperable communications, situational awareness and coordination. Explore push-to-talk capabilities, the updated Iowa EMS communications plan and the transition away from unsupported legacy systems. |
| Getting Out: The Critical Other Half of Forcible Entry (NEW) | Explore forcible entry and emergency egress as essential, interconnected fireground skills. Learn to identify and overcome barriers to entering and exiting buildings, preparing crews to perform both safely and effectively when conditions change. |
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Incident Reporting With NERIS in Image Trend | Overview of what NERIS is, how to access NERIS information, and entering data into the state’s Image Trend System. |
| An Introduction to the DNR Fire Program (NEW) | This presentation would provide an introduction to all things that are the Iowa DNR Fire Program including VFA grant opportunities, fire reporting, Federal Excess Property Program updates and the potential for wildland fire training offerings. |
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Runway Recovery: Breaking Down Response to an Unusual MCI (NEW) | Explore the challenges of responding to aviation mass casualty incidents, including scene hazards, access issues, large patient volumes and multi-agency coordination. Learn adaptable strategies for managing complex, high-pressure incidents and improving response outcomes. |
| Image Trend Report Writer for NERIS (NEW) | Learn to use ImageTrend Report Writer to create custom reports and analyze NERIS-formatted incident data. Track operational metrics and turn department data into actionable insights for better decision-making. |
| So You Want a Drone (NEW) | Explore how unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can improve first responder safety and efficiency. Learn about UAS types, emergency response applications, legal requirements and potential funding strategies for government agencies. |
| Fireground Contamination, Decontamination, & Exposure Tracking: Research Based Practices for Firefighter Cancer Prevention | Learn practical strategies to reduce firefighter exposure to toxic smoke, soot and hazardous combustion byproducts. Explore PPE contamination, decontamination, exposure documentation and cancer prevention practices, including research and resources available to Iowa fire departments. |
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
Behind the Force
| Learn to size up residential and commercial doors and select effective forcible entry techniques based on conditions. Hands-on practice includes conventional and non-conventional methods, limited-visibility environments, saws, garage doors and C-side access. |
Innovative Search
| Build practical fireground search and rescue skills through hands-on training. Practice victim drags, team communication, oriented and split searches, and VEIS while developing confidence and efficiency during high-stress rescues. |