This comprehensive, hands-on course introduces participants to the key aspects of exterior firefighting. It is designed to train members using familiar equipment. Participants will gain foundational skills and knowledge to safely and effectively support fireground operations.

Topics Covered

The course includes instruction and practical exercises on the following topics:

• History and Orientation

• Communications

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Firefighter Safety

• Fire Behavior

• Ladders

• Extinguishers & Tools

• Hose and Nozzles

• Water Supply

• Building Construction

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for new or aspiring firefighters who will be performing exterior support roles. It is also valuable for experienced members seeking a refresher on critical exterior firefighting skills.

What to Expect

• Hands-on Training: Gain practical experience in essential firefighting techniques.

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Cover all aspects of exterior firefighting, from safety to equipment use.

Dates Belows are Thursday's 6:30pm-9:00pm and Saturday 8am till noon.

20-Feb Introduction / History / Communication

27-Feb SCBA & PPE

6-Mar Building Construction

13-Mar Ladders/Ropes and Knots

20-Mar Fire Behavior

27-Mar Skills Testing

3-Apr Firefighter Safety/Ventilation

10-Apr Search and Rescue/Forcible Entry

17-Apr Pump and Water Supply/Hoses and Nozzles

24-Apr Skills Testing

1-May Make up day

*** ACFA Fire School Sweatshirts $35 Each***

The following sizes: Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2XL, 3XL

** Sweatshirt orders must be ordered by April 10th...

This course provides firefighters with essential knowledge of building types, construction methods, and their influence on fire behavior. Participants will learn to identify construction features, assess hazards like fire spread and structural collapse, and understand how ventilation impacts heat, smoke, and toxic gases. This training enhances firefighter safety and supports effective decision-making during emergencies.

*** ACFA Fire School T-Shirts $18 Each***

The following sizes: Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2XL, 3XL

** T-shirts orders must be ordered by April 10th...

This 2 day class is an introductory course on the basic theory and operation of centrifugal pumps. The course is designed to instruct the student in the various aspects of operating a pump, including the use of primers, relief valves and the various controls on a pump panel. The class will also touch upon some aspects of friction loss, relay pumping and flowing water to both hand lines and master streams. Topics will also cover working from both a draft and pressurized systems. Each student will be given an opportunity to use the skills learned during actual pumping conditions. 

Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday will be in the field in order that participants can get hands on experience in the operation of pumps.

PPE: Bunker Gear. No SCBA.

2 DAY COURSE

The School Bus Extrication course starts with a classroom session covering bus types, basic structure and construction of buses, areas to be covered in extrication, proper tools to be used, basic mass casualty control and usually a walk-through of some area buses available.  Field work consists of extrication techniques of buses both on their wheels and on their sides. This is a full weekend 2 day course, both Saturday and Sunday.  If done in conjunction with an EMS class, the afternoon of the second day can be a mass casualty extrication and drill scene. 

Full turnout gear, NOT SCBA, is required.

Join us for this comprehensive Fire Investigation Course, taught by Bob Patterson, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in fire investigation. This course will cover key elements of fire scene analysis, including scene safety, fire behavior, and evidence preservation.

Participants will gain insights into identifying the origin and cause of fires, recognizing fire patterns, and understanding their role in supporting investigative efforts.

The training is ideal for firefighters, officers, and emergency personnel who may encounter fire investigation scenarios. No prior experience in fire investigation is required.

• Course Highlights:

• Scene safety considerations

• Fire behavior and progression

• Identifying fire origins and patterns

• Evidence preservation and documentation

FULL DESCRIPTION COMING SOON!

Chief Usdin is a nationally recognized fire chief. His firefighting career began on Long Island where he served as a company officer in the busy Massapequa FD and then as the first Fire Chief of the Lancaster Township FD in Pa. He owns Command Fire Apparatus, a Lancaster County business that has bought and sold used fire apparatus in Pa. for almost 37 years. Chief Usdin has been a student of Incident Command his entire career and ran the highly acclaimed nationwide Command School for many years. We are very excited to welcome Chief Usdin to our Regional Fire School this year.