About the Seminar
This full day seminar will cover the roles, responsibilities and documentation necessary for facing the “Challenges of Command”. The initial incident commander must be prepared for all types of emergencies. The incident scene is a dynamic site that requires mutual aid cooperation and at times, significant risk due to life-saving issues. Every first responder must be aware of the numerous risks and understand the potential hazards. The need for verbal and written communication is essential for a smooth transition where multiple companies and agencies are involved in the response, investigation or an After- Action Report.
At an escalating emergency the development of a standardized Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Initial Assignment Plan and Incident Action Plan (IAP) are critical for organizational effectiveness, on-scene coordination, and personnel safety. The training tips will focus on a practical outline for officer development, pre-incident planning, size-up factors, operational priorities, logistical considerations, resource requirements and basic implementation of an ICS based fireground organization. The program will balance textbook theory with practical “street solutions”. There will be group activities included to enhance confidence, competency, problem- solving techniques, accountability and critical decision making skills.
Also, there will be a student activity based on a spectacular eleven acre, multi-story Eastern America warehouse fire. This 10-alarm fire was the largest commitment of Philadelphia firefighters since the deadly 1991 “One Meridian Plaza” high-rise fire. Learn from the on-duty division commander how suppression, search, rescue, medical care and environmental obstacles were handled in these and other incidents.
About the Instructor
William Shouldis is a Deputy Chief (Retired) with the Philadelphia Fire Department in Philadelphia, PA. He served in line and staff positions for 35 years, and he taught in the Department’s Officers Development Program for many years. His past assignments include working directly for the Fire Chief on labor relations, accountability and disciplinary issues. Chief Shouldis was the Department’s Safety Officer and Director of Training.
Chief Shouldis is an adjunct instructor at the National Fire Academy and the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, MD. He also lecture at Holy Family University and the Graduate School of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadephia. He teaches classes on incident management, emergency preparedness, and safety & health/wellness topics.
Chief Shouldis has a bachelor’s degree in Fires Science Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Safety. His articles have been published in several trade journals. He was the technical writer for Delmar Publishing “Firefighter’s Handbook, “Occupational Safety and Health in the Emergency Services” and “Confine Space Rescue”. Chief Shoulids is a member of the Fire Engineering Advisory Board and has spoken at major educational conferences around the nation. He is a member of the Fire Engineering Magazine advisory board and frequent speaker at FDIC and Firehouse Expo.
Register Here
For additional information, contact:
Assistant Chief McShane at 603-516-6156 or m.mcshane@dover.nh.gov