2022 New England FOOLS Northeastern Fire Summit

Fires in Hoarder houses can present a multitude of issues and problems on the fire ground, from simple identification to access and egress, water application and the eventual searches for possible victims.

This lecture takes an in-depth and comprehensive look at the common, and moreover, the uncommon signs indicating the possible presence of hoarding conditions. It will cover the initial operations such as when encountering the 3 main types of conditions we can expect to find and also how to manage each condition individually.

This lecture will also list some of the serious dangers these fires represent to firefighters operating in and around areas with hoarding conditions, and how to effectively do our jobs while safely evaluating each problem. We will also cover the information chain, which is critical for the incident commander to constantly monitor the progress or lack of, there-by requiring an immediate change in tactics.

Tim is a 40 year Fire Service veteran recently retiring after 31 years with the FDNY. Tim was a volunteer firefighter in the Newington Ct. FD. And is currently a volunteer firefighter with the Montgomery NY, FD. He was also a paid firefighter with the City of New Britain Ct, FD. For 4 years until his appointment to the FDNY in 1990. Tim is now a Lieutenant on Engine 88 in the Bronx after spending many years on Engine 69, one of FDNY’s busiest Engines. Tim is the lead HOT instructor for FDTN Academy’s Engine operations program and is the author  of FDTN’s “Stretching and Operating the first line” Tim has been lead instructor for FDIC’s, FDIC West’s live burn Hot program and has taught engine operations at Firehouse Expo, the Orlando Fire Conference, Wichita HOT, Andy Fredricks Training Days, Black hawk fire conference, The New York State Chiefs Show , the NYSAFC Seminar series and Company Officer leadership series, , HROC conference, MAFFC Show, Amboy Fire and Extrication School, and the Fort Lauderdale Fire Expo. Tim has also written articles for Fire Engineering, FDTN training mag. , Firehouse.Com And Size-up magazine for many years. Tim is also the Lead Instructor for The NYSAFC’s Hoarders HOT program and lecture series. Tim has also given Engine company training to numerous Fire departments through-out the country. Tim is also a member of the team which re-wrote the FDNY’s entire Engine Tactics Bulletin and a member of their Engine company tactical training program.

It is not enough that we HOPE that leadership happens – we must be intentional about Leading Our Own. This class takes a deep dive into leadership in the fire service and discusses the role that each member, regardless of rank or time on the job, has as an influencer. It covers how perspective affects our ability to lead. The presentation includes an interactive discussion on the traits of leaders which draws participation from each attendee. The need for clear and effective communication is covered, focusing on the weight of our words and the impact of our actions. It is a fast-paced, positive, and energetic class that engages each participant. It draws from numerous sources - subject matter experts, books and articles, various studies on leadership, and the experiences of the students and the presenter. The ultimate goal is for each attendee to understand the importance of leadership within the fire service, and the need to be intentional in our self-development as well as in the development of our teams.

Stephen Shaw is a 26 year veteran of the Fire Rescue service. He is the Assistant Chief for Training & EMS for Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR). Chief Shaw is an accredited Chief Fire Officer and the chair of the EMS Subcommittee for the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County. He serves as Vice Chair of the South Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee. He is a IAFC Hazmat Committee member and a Hazmat Specialist for USAR Task Force 2. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and an Masters in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University. His articles have been featured in Fire Engineering magazine and he is a regular contributor to the Fire Engineering Humpday Hangout focusing on training. He has presented at multiple conferences on topics including leadership, officer development, EMS, and training. He has a beautiful wife and two wonderful boys. In his spare time, he brews beer, makes handcrafted soap, and enjoys working in his garage.

The demands of a career in the fire service can take a toll; physically, emotionally, and mentally. Burnout and Compassion Fatigue can have a devastating impact, not only professionally, but also personally. This workshop will ​define burnout and compassion fatigue while providing information and tips to help you and your peers thrive! 

Sue received her master’s degree from Antioch New England Graduate School and she has worked in the mental health and substance use field for 30 years. Sue comes from a strong military and first responder family. Her father retired from the fire service as a chief and served in the Army National Guard, her brother served in the Army, and her husband served in the Marine Corps. She has volunteered on the Granite State Critical Incident Team for over 20 years, she volunteered as an EMT-I for 10 years, and she is a member of the Southern NH Regional CISM and Peer Support Team. Her commitment to the veteran and first responder community is unmatched

The engine company is the cornerstone of our mission.  Not all engine companies are created equal, the mindset and upfront investment is often the factor in why some succeed while others fall short.  We will go through how simple planning progressed into repetitive preparation delivers effective and efficient execution of engine company operations.  Using these processes combined with experience lead to adaptability as firegrounds are more than check boxes & parking lots.

Roger Steger Jr is currently a firefighter at Engine Company No. 8 in the City of Baltimore (MD).  He started in the fire service in 1996 as a volunteer, later getting hired as a career firefighter.  Roger has been a career and volunteer member of several jurisdictions throughout Maryland, holding various ranks between the departments. In addition to these positions he is an instructor with Traditions Training, an adjunct instructor for Hands-On Training at Fire Engineering’s - Fire Department Instructors Conference, and the Baltimore City Fire Academy.

We all know the phrase and can think of fellow members of the fire service that it applies to.  No rank seems immune but being “that guy” hurts your ability to get promoted – or to succeed in a leadership role.  This dynamic presentation reflects on my personal journey from firefighter to Fire Chief. Several experiences throughout my career that have taught me lessons on how to not be “THAT” guy.  Who is “that” guy? He’s a firefighter, a company officer, and even a chief officer that just doesn’t get it. It begins with me sharing and a moment of clarity that I experienced while teaching a building construction class.

Material covered will provide attendees with the ability to recognize and correct behaviors which have proven to be destructive to themselves and those who they work with and identifies the individual strength and commitment needed to remain focused on the mission as well as their individual careers. Participants will possess the skills necessary to recognize behaviors that will prevent them from being quality firefighters, company officers, and chief officers. CHANGE IS POSSIBLE!

Ken Himel is a 26-year member of the fire service having served in volunteer, combination, and full-time, career departments. He was appointed Fire Chief of Bayou Cane Fire Protection District in Houma, LA in August of 2012. He is the 3rd. District Representative for the LA Fire Chief’s Association State VP for the Southwest Division of the IAFC and Lifetime Member of the LA State Fireman’s Association. He is a certified Fire Instructor II; owner of 5 Horn Leadership, LLC; and teaches classes throughout the region.

Two major Northeast cities with different truck cultures but the same common goals. This class will introduce you to the dos and don’ts of ladder company operations. From pre-planning and size up to forcible entry and opening up, we will discuss various obstacles we have encountered and some tricks to defeat them. Other topics will include optimizing crew sizes to better compete the multitude of tasks on the fire ground such as search and laddering. Our goal is to build confidence in your ability to perform quick and thorough truck company operations on the fire-ground.

Matthew Paglione’s fire service journey began in 1994 as a Jr. firefighter with the Hightstown Engine Company in NJ. While earning his AAS in fire science at Colorado Mountain College he worked as a student resident firefighter with the Eagle River Fire Protection District in Avon, CO.  In 2001 he returned back east working per-diem with the Robbinsville Fire Department. In August of 2001 Matthew began his tenure at the FDNY as an EMT. He was sworn in as a New York City firefighter in 2003. Matthew is currently assigned to 27 Truck in the Bronx. An avid hockey player who is a member of the What Exit Fools, He believes that preparation directly effects performance.

Dan MacAuley began his fire service career as a call firefighter on Nantucket, MA and volunteer with the Christiana Fire Company in Delaware. In 2012 he joined the Boston Fire Fire Department and was assigned to Ladder Co.6 in the Dorchester section of the city. He has taught at FDIC, Makin’ The Stretch, CT Fire Conference as well as many local FOOLS events. Dan is also a Rescue Specialist with MATF-1 as well as a member of the New England FOOLS. He is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Success or failure on the fire ground for a ladder company is often measured by how well an aerial operator initially positions the apparatus.  Ladder truck placement at an emergency scene is often the "make or break" moment for any operator.  The individual skills and abilities of the aerial apparatus operator can dictate how successful a truck company will be in achieving their goals at a fire scene.  Aerial apparatus are typically placed to allow members to work offensively in order to affect a rescue, gain entry to the upper floors of a structure, or to access the roof for vertical ventilation operations.  These concepts seem pretty simple and straight forward, but often we find that the actual execution at a fire scene can quickly become much more difficult.  This class aims to prepare aerial operators to be able to systematically approach an emergency scene in order to achieve an effective apparatus placement that will allow the ladder crew to make a positive impact on the outcome of any emergency.

Nick Esposito is a second-generation firefighter who started his fire service career in 1989, with a small volunteer fire department in his hometown of Verplanck, New York.  He began his professional firefighting career in 1996, working for the Town of Rye Brook, New York Fire Department, a suburb outside of New York City.  In 1999 he was hired by the Bridgeport, Connecticut Fire Department, and has worked his way up to through the ranks, taking on many line and staff functions, and currently serves as the Captain of their Rescue Company.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Nick is the owner of Truck Tactics Training, and teaches on the regional and national level.  He has published articles related to aerial apparatus operations and building construction, both online and in trade journals.  He can be found posting truck company related information on his Facebook and InstaGram pages Truck Tactics, as well as at www.trucktactics.org.  He is also a co-founder of the Facebook page, Truck Floor Training.