In this series, Fire Engineering Associate Editor Rob Maloney looks at the things that motivated and inspired instructors to present on their topics at FDIC International 2016. Segments will be posted on a regular basis up to and through the conference, April 18-23.

Steve Crothers

Lieutenant

Seattle (WA) Fire Department

How To Be A Dynamic Instructor

Tuesday, April 19, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

“I wanted to create a class that allows subject matter experts the ability to take their knowledge and become strong communicators,” says Steve Crothers of the Seattle (WA) Fire Department, “to create an environment where instructors can build on specific characteristics that allow them to engage, challenge, and flourish in the classroom or on the drill court. Even the most mundane topic can come alive when the instructor provides the student a reason to listen. There is nothing better for an instructor than seeing the spark in the student’s eye—learning has occurred, and you facilitated it.” That’s why he’s presenting the FDIC International workshop “How to Be a Dynamic Instructor.”

“FDIC is a mecca for learning and discovery,” Crothers says, “and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow firefighters from around the country. FDIC gives you exposure and access to the rest of the fire service like no other place.”

“I have always been able to take and communicate information in an exciting passionate way. I love exploring ways to take a stagnant curriculum and develop it into one that is strong, effective, and relevant. When you can make learning easier or enjoyable, you provide your students with a powerful gift.” Crothers continued, “You have an opportunity to take students on a journey and, if done well, they will stay engaged for the next leg, looking forward to what’s around the next corner. That is an exhilarating and intoxicating feeling that motivates me to improve and enhance my instruction.”  

Outside the firehouse, Crothers says, “My family is my number one hobby. I have a beautiful, understanding, and supportive wife with two incredibly wonderful children. I’m extremely active teaching fire departments around the country. This gives me the opportunity to spend time with amazing people in firehouses all over this great land.”

By Derek Rosenfeld

After Monday morning's pre-conference workshops officially opened the education section of FDIC International 2016, the day's classes continued into the afternoon, with one of the highlights being Värnamo (Sweden) Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief (and "Swedish Fire Nerd") Lars Ågerstrand's Teaching Fire Science to Firefighters.

"Basic fire science is the core for all other firefighting related topics," Lars said.

He continued, "Basic science is very important for firefighters to be able to understand the recent studies performed by organisations like UL, NIST and ATF. A lack of knowledge in physics and chemistry can lead to false conclusions which may end up very dangerous. I see this lack of knowledge as one of the core problems to overcome in today's fire service."

Here, Lars talks about and shows a flame's oxidation process and its relation to methane combustion:

Next, Lars explains the molecular aspects of a fire's lower explosive limits and how nitrogen factors into its spread:

Here, Lars explains flammable limits and shows his students the metal box experiment. 

Lars further explains the well-known experiment he addresses in his FDIC presentation that answers the question, "Why there are no flames above the net?"

FDIC International 2016 is Lars's third conference. He says the best part of the experience is "meeting the like-minded, and to be challenged by new ideas."

If there is one piece of information that Lars want students to take away from his class, he states, "That teaching fire science is the one of the most cost-effective ways to increase firefighter effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. 

Derek Rosenfeld is an associate editor for Fire Engineering and a member of the FDIC International 2016 event manageent team.

YARDLEY, PA – Ziamatic Corp. (Zico) has crowned a new king of the fire scene—the Ziamatic Z-Falcon tool.
 
Jabbing a pike pole or ceiling hook into the drywall often pulls back just shards and scraps. Not the Z-Falcon. Its steel-alloy penetrator head pierces the drywall like a javelin. Once through, the three folding talons expand and lock into place like a grappling hook, pulling back large chunks of debris each time. The result? The job gets done faster and more efficiently than ever before.
 
The Z-Falcon’s handle merges comfort with multi-functionality, adding a 5-1/2” pry and 1-3/4” striking surface to expand its arsenal. The high-quality steel-alloy components are coated in manganese phosphate for maximum rust protection. The heavy-duty fiberglass pole is available in lengths of 48”, 54” and 60” with either yellow or orange coloring.
 
A great choice for home renovation and room demolition too!
 
Available now. Ask to try one for 30 days of test and evaluation. To view a video demonstration, visit youtube.com/ziamatic
 
For more information please call 1-800-711-FIRE or visit www.ziamatic.com

See a Zico representative at booth #3403 for a demonstration.

In this series, Fire Engineering Associate Editor Rob Maloney looks at the things that motivated and inspired instructors to present on their topics at FDIC International 2016. Segments will be posted on a regular basis up to and through the conference, April 18-23.

Michael Fronimos

Public Information Officer

Hebron (KY) Fire Protection District

Public Information Officer 101: Command Function to Community Relations

Monday, April 18, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

“The role of public information officer (PIO) is still one that many agencies, chiefs, and firefighters look upon with disdain,” says Michael Fronimos of the Hebron Fire Protection District in Kentucky. His presentation is the FDIC International 2016 workshop “Public Information Officer 101: Command Function to Community Relations.” According to Fronimos, for years, no one wanted to be the PIO, seeing the role with the “Us (firefighters) vs. Them (media)” mentality, although over the past 25 or so years it has gotten much better. Still, he says many view the position negatively, and feel that there is no need a dedicated PIO—“The Chief can do it.” “However, with training and awareness, the fire service is building relationships with our media, developing partnerships, and getting away from the “Us vs. Them” mindset and helping to market the fire service.”

Regarding the inspiration to become an instructor, Fronimos says, “At very young age in the fire service, I was taught that we are all students of the job—it is our duty to pass along what we have learned to the generations behind us.” One of the proudest moments of his career was as coordinator of the Fire Explorers (Juniors) program. “I saw so many of my kids succeed as adults—whether as firefighters, police officers, joining the military, becoming a lawyer or a nursing professional, or pursuing other career paths, and becoming a successful parent. I cannot explain how proud I am that I was allowed to help shape them into adults.”

Fronimos shared his early inspirations for joining the fire service. “Around 1973 when I was four years old, my mother took me to our neighborhood fire station on the west side of Detroit. I fell in love with it. We moved to the suburbs where my neighbor was a career firefighter and helped steer me in the direction I needed to go to become a career firefighter.” TV shows like “Emergency!” and reading that included Fire Engineering and Report from Engine Co. 82 were also inspirations. He met several Detroit firefighters in his late teen who took him under their wing and he did ride-a-longs. “They were some great mentors!”

Any time there is a firefighter funeral or a fire victim does not survive, it’s a low point. However, Frominos says, “We need to take these incidents and learn from them, pass along the lessons and create a better community and better fire service.”

Serving as his department’s public education coordinator from 2001 to 2005 was a major accomplishment. In just two years of rebuilding the program, Hebron was nominated and won the Goldstar Chili Firehouse of the Year award for greater Cincinnati. The Northern Kentucky Firefighters Association named Fronimos the 2004 Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year. “These are two of the high points of my career that I am most proud of.”