This month Benjamin Martin enjoyed the results of a goal he had two years ago: provide a high-quality three-day conference focused on command issues. Embrace The Resistance, Henrico Professional Firefighters Local 1568, sponsors and a dozen volunteer staffers assembled an A-team of presenters.

Chief David Rhodes looked at “Trust, Love and Thermodynamics”. He covered leader trust, credibility, love, entropy, and a learning culture.  Chief Rhodes is on the FDIC Executive Board and Fire Engineering Editorial Board. Twitter @Smokedaddy5

Andy Starnes presented “Tactical Thermal Imaging for Today’s Fireground“. He notes that other users of thermal imaging cameras (TIC) get much more training and practice than firefighters – to the point that lack of TIC usage is the 6th ranked factor in Line of Duty Deaths. Provides many examples of TIC performance, limitation, and idiosyncrasies. Starnes is presenting Tactical TIC Usage for Fireground Effectiveness at FDIC on Friday at 10:30 AM in Wabash 1

Dennis LeGear spent day 2 covering “Hydrants2Nozzles“, sharing his experience working with multiple large cities. I was surprised at the issue of deteriorated interior hose linings that significantly increased friction loss and decreased water delivery. I liked his hydrant bag and approach to assembling attack line packages. LeGeat is presenting Selecting the Proper Handline Hose for Your Department at FDIC on Friday at 10:30 am in Room 105-106

Jonah Smith discussed “Improving Fireground Communications“.  You should know your radio like you know your SCBA – most of us do not. Advocated that the fire department determine the equipment specifications and operational guidelines. Jonah also presented a condensed version of “All Things Engine: Winning with Water and Skill” – his FDIC pre-conference workshop Monday 8:00 am to Noon. Room 103-104

Ric Jorge provided a very interactive “Victories do not come by accident: Tactical Resiliency Training.”   Click here for video: Brief summary of some of the moving parts concerning Resilience. Jorge is presenting an FDIC preconference The Courage Within: Tactical Resiliency Training  on Tuesday 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm in Room 134-135

Benjamin Martin, the organizer of this conference, is with his peers. He is presenting Intoxicated Leadership: Avoid Leading Under the Influence of Emotions on Friday 10:30 am in Room 134-135. How Martin, LeGear, and Starnes were scheduled for the same time on Friday at FDIC is left to your speculation.

Martin describes what happened the Monday after the conference.

…my cell phone began to light up with pictures and text messages of firefighters putting into practice what they had learned over those three days.

Engines maximizing water supply, guys on hydrants with pressure and pitot gauges in hand, conversations about resiliency and training, messages about how to improve radio communication, and people reaching out to say thank you to the speakers for their incredibly impactful messages.

Networks building throughout the country connecting passionate people with others. In a group text, the speakers shared the wonderful messages they had received and how excited they were to have taken part in the event. And the best part of all, some of the pictures included our fire engines and trucks demonstrating impact in our very own organization. Success.

The conference returns next year, subscribe to Embrace The Resistance for details.