Home / Symposium Schedule/Topics

Symposium Schedule/Topics

Bookmark and Share

March 15th

Introduction 08:30-08:45

Welcome and Introductions by FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano, Chief of Department Edward Kilduff, and Chief of Training Thomas Galvin.

FDNY Hurricane Operations- Outside the normal urban response 08:45-10:00

  • Chief of Rescue Operations, Steve Geraghty and Chief Joe Downey will discuss how Swift Water Teams were deployed and operated during Hurricane Irene.
  • Deputy Incident Commander Jim Manahan and Finance Section Chief Jim Kane will discuss using a Type Two Incident Management Team in supporting a local Emergency Operations Center.
  • Assistant Chief Jim Manahan and Chief Jim Kane will discuss the Incident Management Teams’ role in the 2011 storm operations:
    -Hurricane preparedness- Home Bound Evacuation in NYC
    -Post storm clean up – Tree Removal Task forces.

    • Control and Command at multiple alarm fires 10:00-11:00

    Deputy Assistant Chief of Department John Sudnik and Battalion Chief Brian Fink will describe Command and control of a rapidly spreading 5th alarm fire involving several stores in a one story building with no sprinklers.

  • What caused a Mayday and how it was handled?
  • How the streamlined handie talkie communication network provided the Incident Commander with time to review and evaluate the overall incident strategy.

    • Mayday Response Guideline 11:00-12:00

  • Deputy Chief Ajello will discuss how the FDNY responds, tactics used and operational procedures for Mayday transmissions.
  • The latest technology that is helping to locate the firefighter transmitting a mayday will be described.
  • Analysis of recent operation where an actual mayday was transmitted.

    • Lunch 12:00-13:00

    New Training Initiative 13:00-13:30

    Combining an Urban Search and Rescue Task Force and Incident Management Team- West Virginia Tunnel Drill- Three days of joint cooperation between teams. Chiefs Downey and Kane will share the teams’ experiences.

    Grant Funding – Dealing Collaboratively with other Agencies and Jurisdictions: 13:30-13:45

    Deputy Assistant Chief William Seelig will discuss DHS Port Security Grants for the Port of NY/NJ.

    Grants for Leadership Development: 13:45 to 14:15

    Irene Sullivan, Grant Director for the FDNY, and Assistant Chief Jim Manahan will discuss various programs developed within the FDNY to improve leadership capability and how they are funded.

    Fire Marshal Arson Investigations 14:30-15:30

    The Director of Training for the FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Investigation, Supervising Fire Marshal Andrew Di Fusco, will discuss evidence recognition and preservation at fire scenes, particularly when the crime of arson has been committed.

    Terrorism Awareness 15:30-16:30

    Executive Officer for the FDNY Fire Academy, Battalion Chief Tom Robson will discuss how during the over 2 million responses firefighters make during a year there is tremendous potential for firefighters to spot potential terrorist activity if they know what to look for. Would you recognize the signs of terrorism? Would you know how to report suspected terrorism if you saw it? The purpose of this lecture is to increase situational awareness to suspicious activity. It will review small-scale biological and chemical weapons labs, explosive precursors and equipment, and discuss how to create a rational reporting system within your department.

    Tour of FDNY Training Academy 16:30-17:00

    March 16th

    How to conduct a Firefighter Fatality Investigation 08:30-10:00

    Chief of Safety Command Steven Raynis along with other safety chiefs will describe how an FDNY Firefighter Fatality Investigation is conducted. They will describe the Safety Analysis that is performed on all aspects of the fire and how this information is used to create a Firefighter Fatality report to improve fire and emergency operations.

    Harzardous Materials Decontamination Procedures 10:00-11:00

    Chief in Charge of the FDNY Haz-Mat Group, Chief Nicholas Del Re will define;

  • Decontamination Procedures for operating members;

    -What equipment is required
    -Mission specific training of personnel

  • Command and Haz-Mat Branch functions necessary to efficiently and competently perform decontamination of contaminated responders and civilians.

    • Emergency Medical procedures for victims and operating personnel 11:00-12:00

    Emergency Medical Service Captain Ian Swords will describe Emergency Medical Service Personnel Contamination Protection procedures and victim decontamination operations.

    Lunch 12:00-13:00

    Ventilation Procedures in Strong Winds 13:00-14:30

    Chief George Healy and Battalion Chief Brian Fink will discuss the operational challenges at a multi alarm fire in a building converted from commercial to residential. Upon arrival several windows had self vented and the fire was being driven by 35mph winds.

  • An in depth explanation of fire dynamics and the effects of wind on this fire, based on information from Governors Island and the continued partnership with NIST and UL testing the effects of ventilation on modern fire dynamics.

    • Anti Terrorist Building Drills 14:30-16:30

    Assistant Chief of Department Joseph Pfeifer, the FDNY Chief of Counterterrorism and Emergency Preparedness will discuss:

  • Preparing building owners, managers, occupants for terrorism and major disasters.
  • Developing building intelligence for First Responders.
  • How to conduct drills and help train building personnel for potential terrorist activity in a building.