NJ FMBA Holds Its Inaugural Education and Training Committee Training Seminar
On May 17th, 2025, we launched the Education & Training Committee’s first-ever training event. This inaugural session took place at the Union County Fire & EMS Academy, made possible through a collaborative effort with Michael Scanio, the Director of Emergency Services for Union County, and Academy Director Michael Tomich. We sincerely thank both of you for partnering with the NJ FMBA to provide a venue that allows us to deliver high-quality training to our members.
The class, “Modern Fire Behavior: Bringing Science to the Street & Tactical Thermal Imager Use for Fireground Decision-Making,” was taught by Captain Mike Delay (retired) from Fire Service Performance Concepts, LLC, and John Dixon, Battalion Chief for the Teaneck Fire Department and Academy Director at the Sussex County Public Safety Training Academy. It focused on two primary topics: modern fire behavior and the use of thermal imaging cameras on the fireground.
Information on fire dynamics has evolved significantly over the past few decades. Today’s building construction and fire loads in our homes and businesses—largely composed of petroleum-based furnishings—mean that fires burn and react differently than in the past. Considering these factors alongside fire behavior in structures, fire flow paths, and overall fire dynamics, we open a crucial and engaging discussion relevant to today’s fire service.
Using thermal imaging technology for decision-making on the fireground is becoming increasingly vital. Combining these two subjects generates interesting conversations about the current state of firefighting. We were fortunate to have two outstanding instructors lead this class, along with various vendors who provided thermal imaging cameras for the live fire demonstration segment. This enabled students to use their department’s thermal imaging cameras and experiment with newer models available on the market—models they might not otherwise have had the chance to try or see.
Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to see demonstrations of the Seek Thermal FirePro 300, Attack Pro VRS, as well as the Bullard TXS and OXT Pro.
Combining these two topics is a logical approach. Receiving training in both classroom and fireground settings allows participants to witness the practical application of thermal imaging technology in real time under actual fire conditions, which made this training session so impactful. After completing the classroom portion, we moved to the Union County Fire Training Grounds, where students had the chance to utilize thermal imagers. This hands-on experience enabled them to apply the lessons learned in the classroom to practical fireground scenarios, observing the dynamics of flow paths and fire behavior in real-time situations. Furthermore, students utilized thermal imaging cameras from their own departments in a real fire environment, exploring the many features that they might not even realize their TICs possess.
We are excited to have completed our inaugural training session and eagerly anticipate future sessions ahead. Several additional sessions are scheduled through the Education and Training Committee, starting with the NJ DFS Hazmat On-Scene Incident Commander Course, which begins on July 15 and runs for eight nights at the Union County Fire Academy. Information about this class, along with the dates and times, is available on our website below. Furthermore, we will host an NJ DFS Drill Ground Instructor class at the Bloomfield Fire Department on August 23 and ICS-400 at the Perth Amboy Fire Department on September 6 and 7. Looking ahead to 2025, we have some exciting plans, including a live burn at the Union Fire Academy and the NFA Incident Safety Officer course. Once logistics are confirmed, we will provide further details.
All classes and information can be found online at www.njfmba.org/training.
Additionally, we are seeking instructors and presenters for our upcoming educational convention in Atlantic City in February 2026. Your feedback is invaluable, so please share your thoughts on what you would like to see in the future. We are fortunate to have a wealth of highly trained and motivated instructors within our NJ FMBA locals, and we look forward to seeing them engage in educating our members. If you are an instructor interested in the opportunity to teach our members at one of our training events, please do not hesitate to reach out.
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]. Thank you for reading this article, and I look forward to seeing everyone on the training grounds!
(Instructors Mike Delay & John Dixon teaching the importance of understanding your thermal imagers during the live fire demonstration)
Using thermal imaging technology for decision-making on the fireground is becoming increasingly vital. Combining these two subjects generates interesting conversations about the current state of firefighting. We were fortunate to have two outstanding instructors lead this class, along with various vendors who provided thermal imaging cameras for the live fire demonstration segment. This enabled students to use their department’s thermal imaging cameras and experiment with newer models available on the market—models they might not otherwise have had the chance to try or see.
We are grateful to the vendors who generously provided thermal imaging cameras for our event, including Dave Sanchez from 1st Choice Safety Equipment, LLC (contact: [email protected]), Brendan Houlihan from The Fire Store (contact: [email protected]), and Ken Hollander from Continental Fire & Safety (contact: [email protected]). They showcased a variety of TICs currently available, including models from FLIR that range from the FLIR K1 to the latest FLIR K65.
Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to see demonstrations of the Seek Thermal FirePro 300, Attack Pro VRS, as well as the Bullard TXS and OXT Pro.
(Students use their personal and sponsor-provided TICs during the live fire demonstration)
Combining these two topics is a logical approach. Receiving training in both classroom and fireground settings allows participants to witness the practical application of thermal imaging technology in real time under actual fire conditions, which made this training session so impactful. After completing the classroom portion, we moved to the Union County Fire Training Grounds, where students had the chance to utilize thermal imagers. This hands-on experience enabled them to apply the lessons learned in the classroom to practical fireground scenarios, observing the dynamics of flow paths and fire behavior in real-time situations. Furthermore, students utilized thermal imaging cameras from their own departments in a real fire environment, exploring the many features that they might not even realize their TICs possess.
We are excited to have completed our inaugural training session and eagerly anticipate future sessions ahead. Several additional sessions are scheduled through the Education and Training Committee, starting with the NJ DFS Hazmat On-Scene Incident Commander Course, which begins on July 15 and runs for eight nights at the Union County Fire Academy. Information about this class, along with the dates and times, is available on our website below. Furthermore, we will host an NJ DFS Drill Ground Instructor class at the Bloomfield Fire Department on August 23 and ICS-400 at the Perth Amboy Fire Department on September 6 and 7. Looking ahead to 2025, we have some exciting plans, including a live burn at the Union Fire Academy and the NFA Incident Safety Officer course. Once logistics are confirmed, we will provide further details.
All classes and information can be found online at www.njfmba.org/training.
We would like to express our gratitude to the New Jersey Deputy and Battalion Chiefs Association, President Charlie Lind, Alliance Orthopedics, and Michael Zoltnitsky for sponsoring the breakfast and lunch event on May 17th. Additionally, we appreciate Zoltan Bodi from bodicustomprints.com for providing items for our giveaway.
Additionally, we are seeking instructors and presenters for our upcoming educational convention in Atlantic City in February 2026. Your feedback is invaluable, so please share your thoughts on what you would like to see in the future. We are fortunate to have a wealth of highly trained and motivated instructors within our NJ FMBA locals, and we look forward to seeing them engage in educating our members. If you are an instructor interested in the opportunity to teach our members at one of our training events, please do not hesitate to reach out.
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]. Thank you for reading this article, and I look forward to seeing everyone on the training grounds!