Emmaus Professional Firefighters Training Day

The First Annual Emmaus Professional Firefighters Training Day:

TICKETS: $25 IN ADVANCE OR $35 AT THE DOOR

0730: Doors Open

0800: Welcome, Housekeeping & Morning Announcements: 

Emmaus Professional Firefighters Training Day's Coordinator Logan Schwartz will cover information relating to operations, timeline & plan for the conference. Sponsorship acknowledgments & other upcoming training opportunities!

0815: Down & Dirty Forcible Entry:

Presented by Robert James (RJ) of Capitol Fire Training

"When it comes to forcible entry tactics into commercial buildings, we have to remember we are dealing with much different challenges than residential structures. Our tool selection may not vary much, however our ability to use such tools in different environments will. Challenges like fortified doors, bigger overhead doors, and the biggest challenge...dealing with these doors at height, are all things that we will discuss during this interactive presentation. Robert James (RJ) is a 24 year veteran of the fire service. He started as a volunteer firefighter with the Cromwell Volunteer Fire Department in Cromwell, Connecticut. Robert relocated to Maryland and joined the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department in Montgomery County Maryland. He is currently employed with the Frederick County Fire Department in Frederick Maryland, where he is a Lieutenant assigned to Engine Company 1 in Frederick’s westside portion of the city. Robert has received numerous citations and awards from the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Frederick County Fire Rescue and the state of Maryland. RJ has served as a lead instructor for many fire department trainings and works as an instructor with Frederick Fire Department’s Training Academy and is the founder of Capitol Fire Training LLC. He has written articles for many well established fire service publications such as Firehouse Magazine, Fire Engineering and many more. He has taught on many national fire service platforms and conferences all over the country."

1200: The Competitive Forcible Entry 50/50 Fundraiser benefiting the John Kalynych Foundation ("First Round"):

Think you have what it takes to smoke your peers head to head in a timed Forcible Entry event? Then get down and walk away with some cold hard cash! Tickets will be $10 per participant, participants will force both sides (Inward & Outward swinging) of the blue door for the fastest time. The "First Round" will occur during the "Lunch Break" portion of the day. Open to all registrants of the conference. The "Fastest Five Times" from the initial round will advance to the end of the day, where they will compete to walk away with the bragging rights & a little extra cash before heading out to the after event social!

1200: Lunch!

Mission BBQ will be on location providing Lunch for all Attendees! Lunch is included as part of your ticket!

1300: The Search Company Fireman:
Presented by Jason Rivera of Tactical Resource Fire Training

"Are you ready to perform one of the most dangerous tasks on the fireground? Conducting a primary search without the protection of a
hose line can put members in a precarious position, especially if they are not trained and mentally prepared for the challenges they may
face. This two-and-a-half-hour class covers many of the aspects of conducting the primary search that should be considered prior to operating in a hostile environment. Initially, we will discuss the mental aspects and the requisite knowledge and experience members should have before being placed in this position. Then we will delve into specific techniques, tactics and methods to properly conduct a search for civilians. Different options are discussed, focusing on the benefits and drawbacks to each. Lastly, we will get into what is by far the most dangerous and extreme situation any of us may face: rescuing a downed firefighter. We will look at this, not from the standpoint of a rapid intervention team, but from an operational company in the vicinity of the firefighter emergency when the mayday is transmitted. These individuals will be the first ones to have hands on our downed brother or sister. We will discuss packaging, equipment, and movement options. The focus is to keep things as simple as possible, while taking advantage of a few key pieces of equipment that will assist us in our mission. This lecture is both motivational as well as operationally sound, based on the instructor’s years of working on companies that perform a primary search. Jason Rivera is a 32-year veteran of the fire service and has served in career and volunteer departments. He retired as the Captain of Rescue 1/Acting Deputy Chief for the Stamford (CT) Fire Department and is currently a Firefighter for the New Haven (CT) Fire Department assigned to Truck Company 3. He is a Lieutenant and Past-Chief of the Newtown (CT) Hook and Ladder Fire Company, a Firefighter in Christiana (DE) and a Rescue Specialist with the FEMA USAR team MA-TF1. Jason is a ProBoard certified Fire Service Instructor Level 3, has presented at FDIC International since 2017, Metro Atlanta Firefighters Conference in 2023 and 2024, Key City Fire Conference in 2024 and 2025 and has taught across the country and internationally. Jason is the owner of Tactical Resource Fire Training LLC, a fire service training company focusing on fireground and rescue company disciplines as well as special operations. He also teaches for FAST Rescue Solutions in Philadelphia and Capitol Fire Training LLC in Maryland. Jason has been published multiple times in Fire Engineering Magazine and was the recipient of the 2016 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award at the FDIC."

1700: The Competitive Forcible Entry 50/50 Fundraiser benefiting the John Kalynych Foundation ("Bragging Rights Round"):

The "Fastest Five Times" from the initial round will advance to the end of the day, where they will compete to walk away with the bragging rights & a little extra cash before heading out to the after event social!

After Event Social: 1730-2100 Yergey Brewing (235 Main Street Emmaus PA 18049)

All conference attendees are invited to come socialize, meet the instructors, and break bread with some of the most passionate firemen from all over the east coast! Food Trucks will be on site, beers will be flowing!