The Art of Reading Smoke

3401 Cultural Center Drive,Port Arthur TX 77642

08 February, 2023

Description

The class Today's structure fires are more dangerous than ever before. Lightweight construction, low-mass synthetics, and open space floorplans have created a perfect storm for rapid, prolific fire growth and extreme behavior. It is imperative for firefighters of all ranks and experience levels to be prepared for this new battle. The Art of Reading Smoke, developed by Dave Dodson and continued by Rob Backer, provides the knowledge necessary for first-arriving firefighters, officers, and chief officers to determine the fire's location and progression "from the seat" before seeing any flame. Through the extensive use of actual fireground videos, first-time students will develop, and return students will refine their knowledge and skills to become INTELLECTUALLY aggressive firefighters, rather than ARBITRARILY aggressive. The Instructor Rob Backer is a 20-year veteran of the fire service and currently serves as a Battalion Chief for Thornton (CO) Fire Department. He has written for Fire Engineering and fire service blogs, and delivers The Art of Reading Smoke and The Art of the First Due nationally. He can be contacted at [email protected]