MINNESOTA FIRE/RESCUE SCHOOL
March 14th and March 15th, 2026

Lake Crystal High School
607 Knights Lane
Lake Crystal, MN 56055

12 Hour Courses (Saturday & Sunday)

CLASS IS CANCELLED – Aerial Operations – Vance Schwartz ($180.00)
This Aerial Operations class prepares operators and officers to systematically approach emergency scenes for effective aerial apparatus placement. Topics include aerial use for building access, victim rescue, ventilation, elevated master streams, and technical rescue operations.

Basic Fire Pump Operations – Jim Zwaschka / Jared Mackenthun ($180.00)
This course provides the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to operate a fire department pumper during emergency operations. Training includes classroom instruction and field evolutions covering relay pumping, drafting, foam operations, and apparatus maintenance.
Required PPE: Approved helmet, fire boots, gloves, and turnout gear.

Farm Rescue for the Next Generation – Ryan Engelmann / Josh Blair ($180.00)
A new generation of volunteer firefighters is emerging, many without agricultural backgrounds. This course prepares new and experienced responders with limited rural or agricultural experience to safely manage farm and ag-related emergencies. Topics include ag vocabulary, equipment and facility awareness, hazard recognition, and commercial agricultural operations, with 12 hours of classroom and scenario-based scale-model learning.

Fire Cause Determination – Casey Stotts ($180.00)
This 12-hour course provides a basic overview of fire investigation, focusing on fire chemistry and the critical role of the first responder. Emphasis is placed on fire scene awareness, evidence recognition, and the integration of suppression, investigation, science, and law.

Fire Chiefs Boot Camp – Jared Rozeboom (MN State Fire Marshal) ($70.00)
This State Fire Marshal Division training helps fire chiefs reduce legal risk and stay compliant, covering incident reporting, investigations, fire code, ISO, OSHA, auditing, township relations, and human resources. Topics covered include Incident reporting, Investigation requirements, Minnesota fire code, ISO evaluations, Minnesota OSHA requirements, Office of State Auditor requirements, Township relations, and Human resources.

Ice Rescue – Dan Bernardy ($180.00)
This hands-on course provides public safety and rescue personnel with foundational skills for cold water and ice surface rescue, emphasizing personal survival and rescuer safety. Topics include ice conditions, PPE, hypothermia, reach-throw-row-go techniques, and proper use of ice rescue suits.
Required PPE: Ice rescue suit (Ice Commander/Gumby) and USCG-approved Type III or V PFD.
This is an outdoor class—dress accordingly.

NFA-Supervising Emergency Medical Services – FO146 – Alana Brown (Nashville Fire Department) ($70.00) NEW
This is a National Fire Academy Course.
This 2-day course provides an introduction to the knowledge, skills and abilities required to navigate current emergency medical services (EMS) management issues and the challenges in moving from EMS provider to EMS supervisor. Course topics and activities include: The transition to leadership, Time and task management, Communication, Information and technology, Talent management, Health and safety.

CLASS IS CANCELLED – Technical Rope Rescue – Paul Seleski / Sam Jaquith ($200.00)
This course prepares emergency responders to meet NFPA 1670 (2017) Awareness-level requirements for technical rope rescue operations. Students will gain foundational knowledge and hands-on skills to safely assist at rope rescue incidents, including rope and hardware use, basic mechanical advantage systems, belay and anchor systems, and patient packaging.
A $20 materials fee is required at registration.
Required PPE: Lace-up boots with ankle support, leather gloves, approved helmet (non-fire), eye protection, and weather-appropriate clothing. Personal harnesses may be used with instructor approval.

The First 5 Minutes – Ulysses Seal – Bloomington, MN Fire Chief ($180.00) NEW
The first five minutes of a structure fire often determine the outcome. This course focuses on initial response and fireground decision-making, emphasizing size-up, radio communications, risk recognition, and early tactical priorities to establish strong command presence and set the foundation for safe, effective operations.

VEIS – Vent, Enter Isolate and Search – Josh Pearcy – Oklahoma City Fire/OK Task Force ($200.00)
In today’s fire environment, firefighters must be able to dominate the window space. This course focuses on window entries and exits, victim grabs, drags, and removals, with live-fire rescue scenarios emphasizing rapid victim management and firefighter safety.
Required PPE: Full turnout gear and SCBA with two cylinders.

CLASS IS CANCELLED – Wrecker Assisted Rescue – John Shackelford – Terre Haute, IN ($250.00) NEW

This course introduces emergency responders to heavy wrecker–assisted extrication through a brief classroom session followed by 8 hours of hands-on skill stations. Training includes heavy vehicle stabilization, struts, cribbing, and coordinated use of heavy wreckers during rescue operations.

Required PPE: Approved helmet, fire boots, gloves, and turnout gear.

8 Hour Courses (Saturday)

Advanced Pump Operations – Chris Noeldner ($180.00)
Pumping Operations are one of the most important roles on the fireground. In this course you will look at pump maintenance, troubleshooting pump issues, relay pumping, multiple drop tank operations, overcoming weak hydrants, and methods for supplying large caliber streams.
Required PPE: Participants must furnish approved helmet, fire boots or leather safety boots, gloves, coveralls or turnout gear for class.

Fire and EMS Response – Trauma in Agriculture – Matt Lange / Josh Kitzerow ($180.00)
Rural fire and EMS responders face unique challenges on the farm. This agricultural trauma and rescue course provides an overview of common farm emergencies and associated hazards, including tractor rollovers, grain bin entrapments, and equipment entanglements. Emphasis is placed on rescue challenges, scene logistics, resource management, and strategies to support safe, effective rescue or recovery operations.
Required PPE: Approved helmet, fire or leather safety boots, eye protection, gloves, and coveralls or turnout gear.

CLASS IS FULL – First Due Engine – Live Fire – Chris Gareis ($200.00)
This immersive 8-hour, scenario-based course places students in full-scale emergency responses to a variety of incidents. Participants will respond to CO calls, fire alarms, auto extrications, vehicle fires, and structure fires, while instructors provide real-time guidance to improve organization, safety, and decision-making on the emergency scene.
Required PPE: Full turnout gear and SCBA with 2 cylinders.

CLASS IS FULL – Modern Vehicle Extrication Al Ebbinga / Roger Carlson ($180.00)
This course is designed for intermediate to advanced rescue personnel, with all responders welcome. Training covers the full scope of vehicle extrication, including size-up, stabilization, hazard control, patient access, disentanglement, and scene control. Emphasis is placed on modern vehicles with advanced steels and safety systems, focusing on multi-vehicle stabilization, lifting and movement, and efficient tool selection for rapid patient access.

Required PPE: Approved helmet, fire or leather safety boots, eye protection, gloves, and coveralls or turnout gear.

CLASS IS CANCELLED – Responding to Railroad Emergencies – Railroad 101 ($70.00) NEW
Presented by CPKC and Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC).
Upon completion of this course you will receive FEMA certificate AWR-290, Rail Safety Awareness.
Railroad 101 training offers an essential introduction to rail operations safety, equipment, and emergency response, combining classroom theory with hands-on field exercises for first responders to understand trackside hazards. Hazmat placards, signaling, and safe interaction with trains and equipment.

CLASS IS CANCELLED – RF Dash – Casper Bendixsen ($70.00) NEW

RF-DASH uses a train-the-trainer model to prepare participants in farm environments, safety, and agricultural emergency prevention. The curriculum focuses on prevention and preparedness rather than rescue and response and includes five core modules: agricultural emergencies, farm pre-planning and mapping, hazard analysis, farm-specific first aid, and community outreach.

Training Officer 101 – Now What? – Chris Hultengren ($180.00)
This course is designed to aid new training officers and existing training officers with fresh ideas and methodologies to enhance their department training needs. Participants will review their existing training programs; share issues they may be experiencing and learn new ways to deliver the required topics as well as a shared discussion on keeping the training upbeat and fun.

CLASS IS FULL – Wildland Firefighting Operations – Jake Froyum (MN DNR) ($70.00) NEW
This one-day, 8-hour wildland firefighting course provides a practical introduction to strategies, tactics, ICS, and safety. Taught by MN DNR Forestry instructors, the class covers fire behavior, attack methods, wildland–urban interface considerations, aviation resources, unified command, and responder roles under Minnesota statutes, with scenario-based learning throughout.

4 Hour Courses - Saturday AM

It’s Electric! Plug into this Hybrid Learning Session to Supercharge your EV Knowledge ($80.00) NEW
Electric vehicles present new and evolving hazards for firefighters and first responders. This course begins with EV 101 classroom instruction, then transitions to hands-on training with an EV, emergency response scenarios, battery types, vehicle components, and real-world case studies—preparing responders for safe, effective EV incident operations.

Utilizing NERIS to make data-driven decisions for Community Risk Reduction – Doug Johnson (MN State Fire Marshal Division) ($70.00) NEW
The 4-hour course session will discuss how NFPA 1300 was used to create our Statewide Community Risk Reduction Plan. The participants will learn about stakeholders and partnerships and the planning process to identify hazards and mitigate risks in their own local community. This is a hands-on collaborative interactive course and class participation is required.

4 Hour Courses - Saturday PM

CLASS IS CANCELLED – Inside the Box: What First Responders Need to Know About BESS-Vehicle Response Training ($80.00) NEW
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) present unique, high-hazard fireground challenges, including high voltage, explosive off-gassing, and cascading thermal runaway. This introductory course prepares firefighters to recognize BESS hazards, establish safe standoff distances, operate defensively, coordinate with utilities, and protect crews during extended cooling and burn-out operations.

CLASS IS FULL – Modernizing Fire Incident Reporting: NERIS Core + More! –Craig Milani (MN State Fire Marshal) ($70.00) NEW!
The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is here. New modules, new fields, and new terms. A new way for the fire service to approach post-incident documentation. In this session, the Minnesota State Fire Marshal division will continue to build on the NERIS Core Training classes by discussing the first months of NERIS, the continued rollout of additional NERIS modules, and what your fire department should know. Get hands on experience with NERIS incident forms, learn about new features, and utilize scenarios to ensure you gain a better understanding of how the incident can be captured in the post-incident report.

This session is intended for any fire department officers, administrative staff, and personnel in fire department who have fire incident reporting responsibilities regardless of what specific records management system (RMS) a given fire department may use. Please plan to bring your laptop or tablet to this session.

4 Hour Courses - Sunday AM

Fireground Operations – SASCS Staff ($150.00) NEW
Using our live burn trailer, fire fighters will respond to a multitude of calls, Including an attack on a class A fire. This class involves live fire.
Required PPE: Full turnout gear and SCBA with 2 cylinders

Racetrack Crash Response – Al Ebbinga / Chris LeTendre (150.00)
Dirt Track and Asphalt racing are well known hobbies that take place in Southern MN and northern IA. This requires many organizations to provide Fire and EMS services to these facilities. Attendees will learn about the safety equipment that drivers use and how to remove it. They will learn about the different types of fuel used and how to extinguish them, they will learn about how to remove drivers from their cars, and some of the proper EMS that is provided on scene.
Required PPE: Participants must furnish approved helmet, fire boots or leather safety boots, gloves, coveralls or turnout gear for class.