Training on The Mountain
June 20, 21 & 22, 2025
If you're eager to kickstart or enhance your firefighting knowledge, don’t miss the opportunity to attend the 2025 Training on the mountain in Clintwood! This event, open to aspiring and current firefighters, offers comprehensive training sessions that cover essential firefighting techniques, safety protocols, and the latest advancements in fire prevention and management. Participants will gain hands-on experience under the guidance of seasoned professionals, ensuring a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of firefighting. Beyond the invaluable skills and knowledge, attendees will also have the chance to network with peers and professionals in the field, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. Whether you’re looking to begin a career in firefighting or simply wish to enhance your existing skills, this free event is an unmissable opportunity to learn and grow. Make sure to secure your spot and take the first step toward making a difference in your community.
For more information on this free event, you can contact Chief Powers via email at [email protected] or reach out to Assistant Chief Salyer at [email protected]. They will be happy to provide you with further details and answer any questions you might have.
World Class Lectures
Voices From the Past … Why Firefighters Die
It is absolutely possible to be doing everything right and still get killed in the line of duty. In a calling that is inherently hazardous, there are risks that cannot be engineered out of the equation. Circumstances beyond the control of any firefighter, company officer, incident commander or Fire Chief can result in the most catastrophic outcome. However, all too often, those risks and circumstances are completely within our control. We can do more to reduce preventable deaths wherever possible. Killing firefighters the same ways over and over again betrays their sacrifice. This course will explore culture in the fire service, learn lessons from our past, and define a path forward that is respectful of our history without being bound by it. Participants will learn, through case studies, about the concept of Normalization of Deviance and how it claims the lives of firefighters through completely avoidable circumstances. Being a firefighter is dangerous, but it doesn’t have to be deadly. Discussions about leadership, accountability, responsibility, and integrity are included in the framework of protecting and preserving all that is good about our
fire service.
Matthew Tobia is the Fire Chief with the City of Harrisonburg (VA) Fire Department and is a 38-year student of emergency services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program at the
National Fire Academy. Matt served as a member of the Editorial Board for Fire-Rescue Magazine and has authored over 120 articles. He is also the former chair of the IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival Section, holds the Chief Fire Officer credential and is a member of the Institute of Fire Engineers. Chief Tobia has served as a contributor to NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation reports and has participated as a member of several near-miss, serious injury, and fatality investigation teams. Prior to Harrisonburg, Chief Tobia spent 23 years with the Anne Arundel County (MD) Fire Department and four years with Loudoun County (VA) Fire Rescue. Matt began volunteering in south central Pennsylvania in 1987 and is active with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Mid Atlantic Burn Camp for Children.
Friday June 20th at 6:00 pm at the Jettie Baker Center, 348 Clintwood Main Street, Clintwood, Virginia 24228
“Winning The Fireground: NO Excuses”
We will take a deep dive into hard hitting truths that leave no room for excuses as we explore our Mission, public expectation and accountability, stats from the Firefighter Rescue Survey and USFA, science from FSRI / UL and our Fire Service history best practices as to Why we go inside! Then we will discuss going beyond the door with window based searches and nuggets that will help to make the grab, not excuses! With this firm foundation of our WHY, we will then focus in on The 6 Musts 4 THEM which will have us Winning The Fireground, No Excuses!
Cody started his Fire Service career in 1995 at a small combination department in WA State. He followed his dream and was blessed to work for the FDNY, where he was assigned to Ladder 119 in Brooklyn, then Special Operations Command “SOC”, where he was assigned to Squad 1, also in Brooklyn. He left the FDNY to put his family first and returned home where he recently retired from the backstep of Portland Fire Engine 31, after 15 years He remains active in the fire service taking classes, attending conferences, is an active FOOLS member and volunteers his time in his home community with Corvallis (MT) Rural Fire District. He’s the founder of the training group Brothers In Battle, LLC and the Firemanship Conference. He's been happily married for over 25 years to his incredible wife Andrea and they have two beautiful daughters, two great son in laws and an amazing Grandson.
Saturday June 21st, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm a the Jettie Baker Center, 348 Clintwood Main Street, Clintwood, Virginia 24228
TAC Channel
ALL FIREFIGHTERS- CAREER AND VOLUNTEER
SEMINAR INFORMATION LET'S ADDRESS THE CULTURE OF TODAYS FIRE SERVICE.
COVERING TOPICS SUCH AS: WHY WE DO THE JOB, WHO ARE FIREFIGHTERS, HOW TO TRAIN, UPHOLDING THE OATH, DECISION MAKING, PERSONAL STORIES, AND MUCH MORE. WE WILL IGNITE THE LOVE OF THE JOB AND BRIDGE SOME GENERATIONAL GAPS IN YOUR DEPARTMENT. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Training is based on the Third Alarm Cowboys Podcast. Real life situations in your stations and personal life. Covering topics like leadership, promotions, relationships, and finances. We will discuss what it takes to be successful firefighter in today's fire service. Everyone attending this class will learn how important firefighters are and what the public demands from us
Heath attended fire academy in 2008 and began his fire service career in East Texas. He worked as a duty crew member and volunteer while working full time in EMS. In 2014, Heath went to work in the Houston, TX area . He was promoted through the ranks from rookie firefighter, senior firefighter, Engine Operator and Captain. He served as station Captain for 6 years. During that time he was an instructor for dozens of rookie firefighters and drivers. Heath was a ride-up Battalion Chief for 3 years performing command for many various incidents. In 2021, Heath went to work as an industrial firefighting rescue/Captain in one of the world’s largest methanol plants. Midway through 2023, Heath made the decision to return to the Houston, TX area as a firefighter. Throughout his career Heath worked with many amazing people from different backgrounds. Heath developed his own leadership style learning from good and bad examples in his career. Integrity, Honesty, and the Courage to do what’s right are what drives him to continue this mission with the Third Alarm Cowboys.
Saturday June 21st at 6:00 pm at the Jettie Baker Center, 348 Clintwood Main Street, Clintwood, Virginia 24228
Hands On Training
Sunday June 22nd at 8:00 am at Clintwood Fire Department, More Info on Class and Registration Coming Soon!
Aggressive Firefighting Engine Company
There is nothing more impactful than getting a line on the fire - but the attack line is not magic. Engine company operations may be the backbone of the fire service - but that doesn’t mean they’re simple. This program combines classroom and hands-on training to deliver street-smart, fireground proven tactics and techniques for rapidly placing attack lines in service and getting water on the fire.
Class is limited to the 1st 25 Students!
Captain Tim McCloskey
Tim currently serves as a Captain with the St. Andrews Fire Department in Charleston, SC. He spent years as a career firefighter in the Grand Strand region of South Carolina since 2015. Prior to that, he spent years with the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department in Prince George’s County, MD, where he held the ranks of a company officer for nearly eight years and was awarded multiple Medals of Valor for actions on firegrounds. Tim began his fire service career in 2001 in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA.
Captain Spencer White
Spencer is the Captain of Engine 3 for the City of Salisbury, NC. He started his career in 2012 and has a passion for all things engine company. Spencer has been a valuable instructor for CRFT for 2 years where he shares his passion through podcasts and hands-on training.
Contact Us
(276) 926-4076
206 Volunteer Ave, Clintwood Virginia 24228
Provided By:
