Not just what and how, but why!
This attic and basement fires presentation supports firefighters and officers who respond to structure fires. Chief Ed Hartin delivered this program at the 2026 Washington State Firefighters Association Annual Fire School & Conference in Wenatchee, Washington. The presentation uses a scientific approach to explain attic and basement fire problems. It connects fire dynamics, building construction, … Read more
Chief Ed Hartin delivered this escalating incident operations at the 2026 Washington State Firefighters Association Annual Fire School & Conference in Wenatchee, Washington. The presentation is intended for chief officers and others who may serve as IC #2 (strategic incident commander). This includes including volunteer, combination, and career fire service leaders managing incidents that grow … Read more
Chief Ed Hartin delivered this fire service operational excellence presentation at the 2026 Washington State Firefighters Association Annual Fire School & Conference in Wenatchee, Washington. The presentation is intended for firefighters and officers, including volunteer, combination, and career personnel. Developing a culture of operational excellence requires more than slogans. The presentation examines how mission, vision, … Read more
This extreme fire behavior presentation supports firefighters and officers who respond to structure fires. Chief Ed Hartin delivered this TED-style talk at the 2026 Washington State Firefighters Association Annual Fire School & Conference in Wenatchee, Washington. Chief Hartin challenges firefighters to go beyond definitions and lists. For example, flashover, flash fire, backdraft, smoke explosion, wind-driven … Read more
Residential Fire Tactical Decision Game This residential fire tactical decision game (TDG) is designed for IC #1 / company officers arriving first at a single-family dwelling fire. You are diverted from another alarm and expect a longer response time than normal. The primary uncertainty is whether exterior fire has extended into the attic before you … Read more
Residential Fire Tactical Decision Game This residential fire tactical decision game (TDG) is designed for IC #1 / company officers arriving first at a multi-family dwelling with reported trapped occupants. The incident involves a 2-1/2 story wood-frame residential building. Before arrival, fire has extended to the Bravo 1 Exposure. On arrival, the officer must read … Read more
Commercial Fire Tactical Decision Game This commercial fire tactical decision game (TDG) presents a scenario involving a first-arriving engine company responding to a working fire in a small machine shop. This scenario focuses on size-up, initial actions, and early decision making in a commercial occupancy, including how changing information and environmental conditions influence strategy and … Read more
Residential Fire Tactical Decision Game This residential fire tactical decision game presents a duplex fire with reported entrapment designed to develop fireground decision-making. You are the first-arriving company officer with multiple reports of children trapped, followed by updates indicating occupants may be out. This TDG requires rapid interpretation of incomplete information and early commitment to … Read more
Residential Fire Tactical Decision Game This residential fire tactical decision game presents a working duplex fire with multiple companies operating, designed to develop fireground decision-making. You are the arriving chief officer assuming command of an evolving incident. This TDG requires rapid assessment of ongoing operations and effective coordination under pressure. Decision Focus In this scenario, … Read more
Unknown Toxic Exposure Tactical Decision Game This Tactical Decision Game (TDG) presents an unknown toxic exposure scenario designed to develop fireground decision-making for company officers. Dispatched to a reported breathing problem in a four-story apartment building, officers must interpret incomplete information and anticipate a potential hazardous materials event. Initial reports of multiple patients with respiratory … Read more