Fire Engineering

01/04/2026

Welcome to Tactical Decision Gaming (TDGs), where you learn by doing. Today's game: 2.5 story house fire.
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Click the link to begin the simulation: https://ow.ly/3qbG50XRbef

How a TDG works:⁠
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- You are the company officer on the first-arriving engine.⁠
- You will be dispatched to a fire.⁠
- Uncertainty is part of the game. You will get some, but not all, information.⁠
- Just like the real world you will arrive at the fire and make decisions.⁠
- Give your size-up IN RADIO LANGUAGE.⁠
- Direct your crew.⁠
- Give orders to the next arriving companies IN RADIO LANGUAGE.⁠
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That’s it. Do your best! Have fun! Learn!

01/03/2026

01/03/2026

We have gotten better at protecting firefighters. Unfortunately, the numbers show civilians are not seeing the same benefit.

Civilian deaths per fire are rising, and that has to change. This piece makes a strong case for why aggressive, trained, and thoughtful operations save lives and what actions matter most on the fireground: https://ow.ly/stAP50XRb5Y

Firefighter Rescue Survey

01/02/2026

Greensboro firefighters faced a tough motel fire where the real battle wasn’t in the rooms, but deep inside hidden void spaces. Crews dealt with collapse hazards, long-duration operations, wind challenges, and the need to switch tactics fast. This incident is packed with real lessons for hotel and multi-unit fires, TIC use, roof operations, and division control: https://ow.ly/VzIA50XR6OO

01/02/2026

WEBINAR January 16, 1 pm ET:
https://ow.ly/na8j50XHCxm
Foundational Leadership: The Science of High-Trust Teams
-with Jason Hoevelmann

This module provides the scientific foundation for leadership, moving past "gut feeling" to build psychologically resilient teams. Leaders will learn the science behind Allostatic Load (the chronic "wear and tear" of stress) and how it erodes decision-making. The webinar provides evidence-based tools to proactively manage team psychology, transforming high-risk environments into high-trust, high-performance systems.

More info and registration:
https://ow.ly/na8j50XHCxm

Sponsored by Waldorf University

01/01/2026

At the pearly gates, someone’s busting chops about Truck over Engine. Long after the last alarm, I imagine firefighters are still polishing chrome, arguing over the “right” way to roll hose, and calling everyone “kid” regardless of age… or century: https://ow.ly/wXyN50XQQ0M

01/01/2026

01/01/2026

“Several tens of people” were presumed killed in a fire at a Swiss Alpine resort bar less than two hours after midnight during New Year revelry. About 100 more were injured, many seriously, police said.

A fire during a New Year celebration at a Crans-Montana bar has left dozens feared dead and about 100 injured. The cause is under investigation, with officials urging caution in…

01/01/2026

WEBINAR January 14, 2 pm ET:
https://ow.ly/tB5c50XNoUZ
SMART Firefighting: Designing the Future of Faster, Connected Response and Operations
-with Kirk McKinzie, Preet Bassi, Josh J. Smith, and Casey Grant

This panel explores how SMART Firefighting—built on science-based, mission-aligned, agile, resilient, and tech-enabled principles—is transforming emergency response across disciplines. From data-informed decision-making to cross-agency interoperability, the session spotlights how fire service professionals and researchers are accelerating operational excellence. Panelists will examine real-world applications, governance frameworks, and next-generation strategies that shape the 2026-ready firefighter.

Key Takeaways:
-The Framework: A clear definition of SMART principles and how to apply them to your agency.
-The Roadmap: Guidance on integrating performance-based technologies (sensors, physio-metrics, AI) into operations.
-The Future: A roadmap linking credentialing, research, and innovation priorities leading up to the FDIC Next Gen Fire and Rescue Tech Summit, 2026.

More info and registration:
https://ow.ly/tB5c50XNoUZ

Sponsored by NextGen Fire Rescue Tech Summit @ FDIC

01/01/2026

A CAL Fire firefighter, Fire Apparatus Engineer Danny Cook, has died in the line of duty after suffering a medical emergency during a structure fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and the agency.

12/31/2025

Fire trucks vs drones? Tests show master streams can hit or deter drones with 90%+ accuracy - using gear firefighters already know how to operate: https://ow.ly/2xvJ50XNjKI