Basic FAST Board Operations (BFBO) 4 Hour
This is the cornerstone presentation for the FAST Rescue Board. In this presentation, the student will learn the history of and reasons why the FAST Board was invented. Our “Five or Die” culture and our “Saving Your Own, FAST” mindset are discussed so that you know your investment is in your agency's best interest.
The class is structured as follows:
Lecture section
- Introduction to the FAST Rescue Board, including the reasons for its invention
- Explanation of our “Five or Die” and “Saving Your Own, FAST” culture
- Specifications and nomenclature of the FAST Board
H.O.T section
- Single and multiple patient loadouts
- Board package movements up and down stairs
- Blackout/zero visibility movements using BA Shields SCBA visibility impairment devices
- ‘How and Why’ of Firefighter Down CPR integration with the FAST Board
We strongly recommend that all students take this course and can show command of the lessons taught before moving on to future course outlines below. The instructor-to-student ratio is 10:1. Each student will receive a certificate of completion.
Firefighter Rescue 4 Hour
This presentation aims to take you to the next level in Firefighter Rescue. There is a very high likelihood that a member of a fire crew working on the interior will need to start, and possibly complete, the rescue of a downed firefighter. Our goal is to demonstrate a systematic approach to a variety of conventional (and not-so-conventional) firefighter rescue techniques t0 assist in making that rescue swiftly and safely. Our instructors will provide you with a full suite of rescue strategies including how to do a rapid assessment, drags & carries, movements up & down stairs, and much more. The instructor-to-student ratio is 10:1. Each student will receive a certificate of completion.
“Saving Your Own, FAST” 8 Hour
This presentation is the next level in Rescue. It is highly likely that a firefighter working on the interior will start, and hopefully complete, the rescue of a downed firefighter. We will go over a systematic approach to some conventional (and not-so-conventional) techniques to increase the chances of a quick and successful rescue. These will include techniques for:
- How to do a rapid assessment
- Various drags and carries
- Movements up and down stairs, and much more
These techniques will set up the transition of rescue by an interior crew member to the interception point where an HRD like the FAST Board comes into play. This session will then lead to the Basic FAST Board Operations (BFBO) training module (above). The instructor-to-student ratio is 10:1. Each student will receive a certificate of completion.
Lectures
THE “FIVE OR DIE” Culture - 90 minutes
Sadly, the fire service averages around 100 Line of Duty Deaths (LODD) each year. FAST Rescue Solutions, LLC is committed to being a part of reducing that number. This 90-minute presentation is a discussion of the MAYDAY event and firefighter rescue. Using statistics from Chief Don Abbotts PROJECT MAYDAY we review identified causes of the MAYDAY and discuss measures for prevention. Special attention is given to the current status of NFPA 1407 and thoughts on its effects on fire department operations.
The focus will shift to what we refer to as the “Five or Die” - One of the fire chief’s worst-case scenarios: one of their own, down, unconscious, and not breathing in an IDLH environment. We will explore how to be better prepared through a candid self-assessment and how to train to defeat those worst-case scenarios. We stress that the rescue of a down firefighter starts with the firefighter next to them. Rescue techniques used with, and without, an HRD like the FAST Board will be discussed. We hope to allow the attendants to learn how to solve the common firefighter rescue obstacles of weight, force, and friction. Finally, we engage in a candid discussion on how an organization can perform a self-assessment to determine how well they will handle an ‘incident-within-an-incident’ when one of their own is in a real-life “Five or Die” scenario. This presentation is suited for all levels of the fire service but is particularly important for officers and leadership.