2025 Workshops
WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOP #1 – 1:00 PM FRIDAY
1A – Small Town – BIG Problem (Drabick & Ruesch)
The presentation will cover the historic Norfolk Southern 32N train derailment on February 3, 2023 that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio. The presentation covers the fire departments initial response through the lifting of the mandatory evacuation. We will discuss all aspects of the response including what was done well and what was done not so well. An in-depth discussion of lessons learned and the After Action Review of the incident. [90 minutes]
1B - Emerging WMD Threats and the FBI WMD and Hazardous Evidence Recovery Team Programs (Caviggiola & Harmon)
The FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Program works hard to prevent WMD events by building strong relationships with local representatives from industry, as well as local, state, and federal partners. Once something does happen, the WMD Program and the Hazardous Evidence Recovery Team (HERT) will look for local and state partners to mitigate the threat, collect evidence, and clear the scene. This presentation will open with a nation-wide view of WMD threats the FBI has investigated and provide an overview of the FBI WMD and HERT programs, as well as how partner agencies can best work together.[90 minutes]
1C – Hold My Matches and Watch This – Part 1 (Ramsey)
A highly interactive demonstration of the physical and chemical properties of flammable liquids and flammable gases! During these sessions, participants will witness flash point, flammable range, vapor pressure, boiling point, and vapor density. Additionally, we will be demonstrating the dynamic tendencies of flammable vapors when they encounter oxygen and ignition sources to create the “Boom” that tends to surprise us if we don’t fully understand the hazards of our response situation! Other fun experiments include cryogenics, flammable gases, and oxidizers. This session allows responders to see how hazardous materials behave outside of the container and the results of oxidized reactions. Part 1 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
1D – Inside the Fenceline: First Due at the Chemical Plant – Part 1 (Silverman & Cullen)
TRANSCAER® is a voluntary national outreach effort that focuses on assisting communities to prepare for and to respond to a possible hazardous material incident. Emergency responses to chemical plants that produce, and store potentially hazardous chemicals can seem daunting and challenging to the operations level responder and the hazardous materials technician. Since these are not your bread-and-butter calls, you may not have the familiarity, experience, and/or training to feel you can safely and effectively handle them. This workshop will better prepare you to handle incidents “inside the fenceline” of chemical facilities. We begin by strengthening your on-scene size-up skills by learning about common activities, processes, and containers found in industrial plants that produce or use hazardous chemicals. Next, let’s get better prepared for the emergencies the chemical plant may have and look at strategies, and tactics for spills and releases, fires and explosions, uncontrolled reactions, and challenging rescues. Part 1 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
1E – Killing Ourselves Slowly – Exposure Risk Reduction in the Fire Service (Baxter)
We know what’s killing us…we can minimize our exposure thereby minimizing our risk for health-related early deaths (cancer, heart disease, etc.). It is beyond time that we take the “lessons observed” and make them into actionable change. Data collected from a variety of simulated fires and fire activities, including search and rescue, extinguishment, and overhaul have shown that toxic combustion byproducts can be deposited onto protective clothing, penetrate the clothing, and be absorbed onto the skin. In addition, a review of all known fire exposure studies has resulted in a better understanding of exposure profiles. Post-fire procedures that reduce the exposure of fire fighters to toxic products of combustion are extremely important to overall exposure reduction. Recommended procedures involve turnout gear removal, isolation and cleaning of PPE; and equipment cleaning and decontamination. After the fire, a variety of decontamination methods can be applied to reduce the overall risk. New decision support tools will be demonstrated to highlight levels of exposure and to identify appropriate decontamination and PPE laundering guidance. Finally, implementation plans for reducing exposure to instructors will be discussed. [90 minutes]
1F – Railroad 101 (Herrera)
This workshop is an introduction to responding to railroad emergencies, focusing on topics all first responders should be familiar with when interacting with any railroad. We will touch on the basics of safety around rail property, shipping documents, locomotive/railcar identification, and incident response procedures. This is an introduction to railroad response and there is plenty to take away. As you will learn, there are new technologies involved in our day-to-day movement of freight, as well as the vernacular of the railroad differs from that of our counterparts in the trucking industry. [90 minutes]
1G – Compressed Gas Vehicle Systems: A Crash Course – Part 1 (Ferretti)
A crash course into the world of alternate fueled vehicles and their unique challenges. Fuel characteristics, component identification, operations, and tips/tricks. This workshop is not set up to be a presentation, but a quick class to familiarize attendees with some of the systems they will approach and be forced to deal with in our region. With the experience of defueling thousands of these vehicles, the presenter shares his experience with the most common system configurations, as well as some of the more challenging systems encountered. Fully functional assemblies, configurations, and components will be utilized to show not only how they work, but also how readily available kits and tools function on these systems, their limitations and what is required to make them function as intended. If a vehicle is sourced, FSR use a flare kit to conduct a flaring/ venting demonstration with a focus on familiarization and safety. Part 1 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
WORKSHOP #2 – 3:00 PM FRIDAY
2A – Approaching Train Derailments (Lindley)
Thoughts on how you should approach a train derailment scene starting with preplanning to accessing the scene. Case studies will be used to illustrate the points. [90 minutes]
2B – National Guard Civil Support team: Development, Deployments, and Relevance. (Bivens & Bivens)
Learn the origin, organization, and request processes for the 5th WMD CST. Delve into several real world responses including DNC and Pesticide soaked letters to Illinois prisons. We will discuss the capabilities of the CST, how to request our support. [90 minutes]
2C – Hold My Matches and Watch This – Part 2 (Ramsey)
Part 2 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
2D – Inside the Fenceline: First Due at the Chemical Plant – Part 2 (Silverman & Cullen)
Part 2 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
2E – PHMSA Update and Lithium Ion Battery Transportation Incidents (Murphy)
Emergency Response Liaison Eddie Murphy will discuss US DOT PHMSA’s roles, responsibilities, available resources, and any significant regulatory updates. This session will also include information on Lithium-Ion Battery incidents in various modes of transportation (motor vehicle, rail, vessel and air) for responders awareness and share some lessons learned. [90 minutes]
2F – Tank Car 101 (Herrera)
This session is an introduction to Tank Car Anatomy that will focus on the major types of tank cars from Non-Pressure to Cryogenic. You will learn how to easily identify the different DOT Spec tank cars from a distance, which will help to quickly make actionable decisions, as well as get some hands-on time understanding and identifying the various valves, safety devices, and components on tank cars. This is a hybrid session that will consist of time spent inside reviewing a presentation followed by hands-on time outside on a training trailer becoming more familiar with protective housings on top of railcars. [90 minutes]
2G – Compressed Gas Vehicle Systems: A Crash Course – Part 2 (Ferretti)
Part 2 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
WORKSHOP #3 – 8:00 AM SATURDAY
3A – Risk-Based Response to Oxidizers and Peroxides – Part 1 (Silverman & Cullen)
This workshop will help prepare responders for an emergency involving oxidizers and organic peroxides. Yiou will learn about the chemistry of oxidizers, organic peroxides, and peroxide forming chemicals, including the materials’ intrinsic ability to release energy through a reaction with air, decomposition, or self-reaction. Risk-based response strategy and tactics will be discussed including using the NFPA 704 system to size-up a material’s stability and reactivity, establishing control zones, selecting a response strategy, and implementing tactics including PPE selection, monitoring & detection, leak/spill control, and decontamination procedures. Part 1 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
3B – Photovoltaic Challenges for the Modern Fire Environment (Greene)
Photovoltaic (PV) energy has arrived. Once considered an anomaly, this technology is now one of the most common passive energy generating resources. Over the last 10 years, PV energy creation has increased at an average rate of 24% annually. According to the US Department of Energy, this is enough to power more than 18 million homes. Of the total capacity of PV in the US, roughly 80% is generated at utility scale, while 20% is from residential sources. Rising home energy bills coupled with government expectations to reduce our dependance on greenhouse gas emitting resources provides the prime motivation for this transition. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act allows homeowners to save up to 30% of solar installation costs through 2032. For the fire service, this revealed yet another Energy Hazard training gap. This course will teach you how to rapidly recognize these energy sources and operate safely around these systems. It’s time to stop ignoring these energy challenges and start using proven tactics for the modern fire ground. [90 minutes]
3C – Air Monitoring for Initial Arriving Hazmat Responders – Part 1 (Ramsey)
This course examines the strengths and weaknesses of standard 4-gas instruments that are carried by many hazmat teams and first arriving fire apparatus. In today’s world, critical decision making is predicated on not only using instrumentation but using it correctly. This class goes into essential decision making when using a 4-gas instrument for qualitative and quantitative monitoring at hazardous materials incidents. Participants will understand the following concepts. T-90 time and its relevance to accuracy; Correction factors and when to apply; Common mistakes using air monitoring equipment. Part 1 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
3D – The Hazmat Teams Role in Confined Space Incidents: A Case Study 5 Deaths in 2 Separate Incidents (Zientek)
Confined space incidents happen frequently throughout the US! It has been discovered that these incidents need a hazardous materials component included because many times victims have been unable to self-extricate due to being overcome by some type of hazardous atmosphere. There are several critical tasks that the HM Team can perform to make sure the Entry Team is in the correct mode and can conduct their operation safely. The case studies discuss two incidents that happened in the Phx. (AZ) area that resulted in the deaths of 5 people total. Each incident contained different atmospheric hazards and different tactics were employed for each incident because of certain conditions. All of these will be reviewed and analyzed by the audience. What tasks are the responsibility of the Hazmat Team on these incidents? How does product identification affect the rescue/recovery? What is the PPE choice? These questions, plus other factors, will be explored in this very interactive class. [90 minutes]
3E – Response to Corrosive Materials – Part 1 (Lindley)
DOT Class 8 is the largest class of materials shipped. Corrosives can be toxic, flammable, polymerizable, solids, liquids, or gases. There are many corrosive materials that don’t meet Class 8. Part 1 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
3F – Back to the Basics – Grounding and Bonding (Rudner)
The program will follow the recommendations as set by the NFPA 470 standard and discuss the misunderstanding of what ground resistance is and why we do it first. Then, by demonstration, the instructor will show how we set up a grounding field for the damaged container, grounding field for the recovery container and appliances, and how to bond them together. [90 minutes]
3G – Risk-Based Response to CNG Vehicle Emergencies (Frost)
CNG cylinders are not the same as propane cylinders. With 20 times the pressure, different valves, and different cylinder construction, different tactics are required. Firefighters using Propane tactics for CNG truck fires are causing the CNG cylinders to fail and torpedo over a quarter mile away from the incident sending fire and shrapnel into nearby homes and businesses. CNG vehicles are becoming more and more common, and for fleet vehicles even more so. This class will cover hazards, size up and mitigation tactics to keep responders safe. CNG is coming or already in your first due, make sure you are prepared. [90 minutes]
WORKSHOP #4 – 10:00 AM SATURDAY
4A – Risk-Based Response to Oxidizers and Peroxides – Part 2 (Silverman & Cullen)
Part 2 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
4B – Battery Energy Storage and Photovoltaic Considerations for the Residential Occupancy (Greene)
Historically, residential battery energy storage has been supported using Lead Acid batteries, with power generation via photovoltaic arrays. With these systems, fires were extremely rare…almost unheard of. Today, while the photovoltaic systems remain the primary power generators for the residential environment, storage of this energy is accomplished using Li-Ion chemistry batteries. The driving force behind this transition away from Lead Acid to Li-ion is rooted in increased energy density, shorter charge times, longer life span. All of which have resulted in a more cost-effective storage platform over time. But there are serious concerns with bringing these systems into our private homes and with the frequency that we are now seeing them installed. Today, over 13% of all residential structures that have photovoltaics also have BESS. Typically, these systems are located in the garage…but not always. Technically, they can be anywhere in the home where people are not expected to sleep, ie bedrooms. But they can be located in any other room as long as the space is large enough for the BESS rating. Which means they can be in small Utility rooms and even basements. Because these systems use Li-Ion chemistry cells, we know that if they fail there is going to be a fair amount of Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide gas discharged into the environment. Failures of Li-Ion supported devices inside of structures has resulted in deflagration events. For our emergency responders, this represents an extremely dangerous situation. Understanding the signs and response expectations of a BESS failure in a residential home can be challenging. And this is where we really need help from our academic partners. [90 minutes]
4C – Air Monitoring for Initial Arriving Hazmat Responders – Part 2 (Ramsey)
Part 2 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
4D – MAYDAY! Rescue or Recovery: Train-The-Trainer – Part 1 (Emery & Wiseman)
Note: Class size will be limited because this is a Train-The-Trainer workshop that will provide instructors with the lesson plans and PowerPoint presentation. The introduction of NFPA 470 (2022) significantly changed the haz mat Mayday paradigm. The entire process was re-defined to meet the mental and physical challenge when it comes to planning for a MAYDAY during a hazardous materials incident. These updated best practices will be shared and each student will receive the course Lesson Plan and PowerPoint to share with their team. These skills have been proven to decrease evacuation time and get the Mayday resolved safely. You will understand MAYDAY challenges while performing MAYDAY evacuations and break down the tasks required while executing a MAYDAY rescue. Time management utilizing the 25/75 model is critical when it comes to work cycles, air consumption and personnel assignments. NFPA 470 also covers equipment required to remove the stricken member from the Hot Zone quickly and perform emergency decontamination. The goal is to quickly and efficiently rescue the stricken member from their CPC so they can be handed off to EMS. This workshop features a short didactic portion with the remainder being a practical understanding of equipment in preparing for various scenarios utilizing the students newly acquired skills and understanding while operating on a hazardous materials incident that may or may not present a MAYDAY threat. You will receive the course materials to share with your team. Part 1 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
4E – Response to Corrosive Materials – Part 2 (Lindley)
DOT Class 8 is the largest class of materials shipped. Corrosives can be toxic, flammable, polymerizable, solids, liquids, or gases. There are many corrosive materials that don’t meet Class 8. Part 2 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
4F – Inside the Chicago Fire Department Hazardous Materials Program (Schick)
This presentation will explain the Chicago Fire Department’s hazardous materials program, the structure of the CFD and how hazmat fits within that structure. Some of the history of the CFD hazmat program will be discussed, including the people who helped develop and lead the program in 1985. This will include a description of our apparatus and auxiliary vehicles. The primary haz mat squads are 5-1-1 and 5-1-2, with support units 5-1-11, 5-1-1A, and 5-3-0. Photos and descriptions of both apparatus and equipment carried will be explained. We will also talk about staffing, training, and an overview of SOPs. There will also be discussion about past incidents in describing the emergency, what was done, what was learned, and what could have been done better. These incidents include ammonia leaks, natural gas explosions, white powder runs, and bomb threats. [90 minutes]
4G – Risk-Based Response to Solar Energy (Frost)
Solar energy is popping up all over from residential services to commercial and utility installations. Are you ready? In this presentation we go through what are solar energy systems, how are they installed, and how to isolate or mitigate the systems. We will identify the hazards associated with solar energy to responders during and after an incident. We will also cover how to render safe these systems during a failure or after damage. [90 minutes]
WORKSHOP #5 – 12:30 PM SATURDAY (120 minutes)
5A – Developing an Effective Site Safety Plan (Rudner)
Developing and implementing an effective Site Safety Plan is not only common sense, it is a legal requirement. But with so much going on during the initial stages of an incident, how can Incident Managers and Safety Officers develop a site-specific plan, brief the assembled and inbound responders, and facilitate safe and effective response? Using a risk-based approach coupled with the NIMS Planning Process (specifically, the Tactics Meeting), participants will develop a pre-event ICS-208 Form that can be readily tailored for most bread and butter responses. This 208 form can serve as the foundation for a more comprehensive Site Safety Plan based on size and length of incident. [120 minutes]
5B – Risk-Based Response to Improvised BIO Labs (Baxter)
Improvised BIO Laboratories are becoming more frequent. It is imperative that we understand the indicators and warnings of a biological production laboratory, the type of threats they may be producing, and the hazards associated with each process. The Hazard3 4P Process (Propaganda, Precursors, Processes, and Production Methods) will be applied to biological threats during this session. Technologies for the detection, decontamination, and destruction of biological threats will be introduced and demonstrated throughout the course. [120 minutes]
5C – BESS in Residential Garages (Greene, Claire & Zientek)
Energy Hazard Events involving residential occupancies are increasing throughout the nation. That “bread and butter house fire” has become more complicated because energy platforms have become more diverse. Recognizing the energy indicators at the outset of an emergency can be the difference between a well-run incident and a chaotic mess. And with all of the attention on utility scale BESS failures, it is important for today’s fire crew to recognize the real exposure is the modern one- and two-family residential occupancy. This course will be delivered by three Energy and Hazmat instructors to provide training on conducting an Energy Hazard Size-up. This is a proactive accounting of the energy indicators found at residential homes and how this can improve the Risk-Based Analysis for the incident with an overview of FSRI’s Residential BESS project which offered insight as to how BESS failures in residential garages are occurring and mitigation options. Gain an in-depth understanding how your 5-gas meter, and other options, may be used to strengthen the incident hazard acumen for these events. This course will provide training on the following subjects: 1. Conducting and Energy Hazard Size-up. This is a proactive accounting of the energy indicators found at residential homes and how this can improve the RBA for the incident (Chris G. Greene, Capt. Seattle FD ret.) 2. Overview of FSRI’s Residential BESS project which offered insight as to how BESS failures in residential garages are occurring and mitigation options. (Hunter Claire, Capt. Peoria FD) 3. Understanding how your 5-Gas meter, and other options, may be used to strengthen the incident hazard acumen for these events. (Jeffrey Zientek, Capt. Phoenix FD). [120 minutes]
5D – MAYDAY! Rescue or Recovery: Train-The-Trainer (Emery & Wiseman)
Part 2 of a 2 part workshop. [120 minutes]
5E – Risk-Based Response (Hawley)
Confronted by a haz mat response and you want to make quick response decisions. How do you determine your actions? How do you determine PPE? Isolation distances? How bad is the situation? Using basic devices and a basic risk assessment process responders can make safe, but quick decisions. The process focuses on fire, corrosive, toxic and radioactive hazards. If you were provided the on-scene detection readings, how quickly could you make a response decision? After a short review of the process, scenarios will be discussed to apply the lessons learned. [120 minutes]
5F – O’Hare International Airport: A Tour of CFD’s HazMat 5-1-2 and Squad 7 – Part 1 (Schick)
Attendees will take a 15-minute bus ride to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for an extremely rare opportunity to tour the Chicago Fire Department’s Rescue 3 Firehouse. There, they will be met by members of Haz Mat 5-1-1, 5-1-2 and Squad 7 and will be given a tour of both rigs. They will be shown the equipment and be given descriptions of both company’s hazardous materials, technical rescue, and firefighting capabilities. After the tour, attendees will reboard the bus and return to the conference hotel. The bus will leave the hotel promptly at 12:30 PM and return at 4:00 PM. This tour will be strictly limited to the first 30 registered conference attendees. Part 1 of a two-part workshop. You must attend both parts. [120 minutes]
5G – When Meters Matter – Part 1 (Russell)
This course focuses on how to use a meter properly, understand the readings, and the implications in emergency responses. It is estimated that a majority of first responders can turn a meter on, but have no idea what the readings mean when it alarms, nor the knowledge of the changing situation as a meter begins to register readings putting them at significant risk. Today’s First Responder training is deficient in Air Monitoring and the use of the basic 4-Gas meter, at the Awareness, Operations and Technician levels. This Air Monitoring course will fill this void and bring quality SME training to your organization. Students will participate in Lecture, Case Studies, and Hands-On meter training involving DOT transported chemicals. Upon completion of this course the First Responder will learn about calibration and bump testing importance, peak readings, STEL, and fresh air calibration. Through our program, the student will learn about each individual sensor in the 4-Gas Meter (LEL, O2, CO, H2S) so they better understand what their meter is telling them while on an emergency response on highway tanker accidents, as well as gas leaks, confined space, CO and other calls where first responder safety could be at risk. They will understand and physically experience the meter alarms during the course with meters that are brought with us for your First Responders to use. We also will be happy to review your meters during this class. By bringing our own meters we spare you the problem of having to recalibrate your meters due to the amount of chemicals we expose the meters to during class. If you want us to use your meters in the class, we will be happy to do so, understanding your meters will need calibration at the end of the class. Part 1 of a 2 part workshop. [120 minutes]
WORKSHOP #6 – 3:00 PM SATURDAY
6A – Breaking Bad – Safety Through Leadership (Cullen & Silverman)
It would be absurd to hear a company officer say, “it’s OK if you get hurt today”. Yet, emergency responders continue to be injured on the scene and during training. What behaviors and/or beliefs are contributing to this? Do our actions support these behaviors either intentionally or unintentionally? How does our tradition and culture influence our behaviors? What we do today can have lifelong effects on us or the ones close to us. So, change has to start with us. We have to believe we can make a difference, and we need to demonstrate leadership through safety. This workshop will explore hazardous material response and how we can demonstrate leadership through safety and break the bad behaviors. [90 minutes]
6B – HazMat by the Numbers (Hawley)
Have you ever wondered what the term vapor pressure actually means? In your HazMat technician class, you may have written down the definition, and discussed it, but were you actually taught how to apply this term? Vapor pressure, along with many other “terms” that relate to chemical and physical properties this session focuses, not only on what the words mean, but more importantly, how they can impact your health and safety. By truly understanding some simple terms, responders can make PPE decisions, isolation and evacuation decisions and determine the severity of the event. [90 minutes]
6C – Alternative Fuel Vehicles (Claire)
This workshop will cover the history and operations of Alternative Fuel Vehicles and the hazards presented to both first responders and our technician teams in the modern fire service. We will discuss things we can do, things that haven’t worked, modern testing we have going, and have some discussion on how to impact everything from our dispatch to response and afterwards. [90 minutes]
6D – Innovative Tech for Realistic Hazmat Simulations (Clark & Lipski)
This course focuses on using digital simulation platforms, including SimsUShare and SYGNAL, along with immersive case studies and practical scenarios to enhance the realism and effectiveness of hazmat training. Participants will explore how these technologies can be integrated into training programs to better prepare responders for complex hazardous materials incidents. The session includes hands-on activities, interactive discussions and demonstrations, equipping attendees with the tools to design impactful and engaging hazmat training experiences. [90 minutes]
6E – The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly of the Hazmat Incident (Zientek)
This class will take the audience through the set-up, team duties, helpful hints, and the dirty laundry that was discovered through the years of running hazmat incidents. Special and unique incidents will be reviewed, we will discuss what worked, what didn’t work on incidents, and hopefully give the audience information that will improve your team. Nothing is spared in this presentation to help run a smooth incident and avoid pitfalls, my losses are your gains! [90 minutes]
6F – O’Hare International Airport: A Tour of CFD’s HazMat 5-1-2 and Squad 7- Part 2 (Schick)
Attendees will take a 15-minute bus ride to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for an extremely rare opportunity to tour the Chicago Fire Department’s Rescue 3 Firehouse. After the tour, attendees will reboard the bus and return to the conference hotel. The bus will return to the hotel at 4:00 PM. This tour will be strictly limited to the first 30 registered conference attendees. Part 2 of a two-part workshop. Everyone must ride on the bus both ways. No private cars will be allowed. [90 minutes]
6G – When Meters Matter – Part 1 (Russell)
Part 2 of a 2 part workshop. [90 minutes]
