Tactical Fire Company™ Train-the-Trainer

 

Course Overview

The Tactical Fire Company™ concept was developed to address a critical gap in public safety operations: incidents where fire service personnel possess the training, equipment, and capabilities to support law enforcement missions beyond traditional fire suppression and EMS functions.

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In 2013, the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department conducted a needs assessment to identify ways specially trained fire companies could support tactical law enforcement operations. The assessment found that law enforcement personnel were frequently tasked with responsibilities that fire departments were often better equipped, trained, and staffed to perform. These responsibilities included heavy breaching operations, rope systems for tactical rappelling, integration with law enforcement during civil unrest, responses to fire-as-a-weapon attacks, hostage and barricade incidents, and suicidal jumper events. Similar to the development of the tactical medic concept, the Tactical Fire Company™ concept was created to provide specialized fire service capabilities during high-risk incidents.

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Fire companies were selected based on their proximity to high-risk occupancies such as downtown high-rise districts, universities, and other critical infrastructure locations. A comprehensive 40-hour training program was developed and implemented, followed by a quarterly continuing education program designed to maintain proficiency and operational readiness.

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Operationally Tested and Proven

Since its implementation in 2015, the Tactical Fire Company™ program has been tested during multiple riots and civil unrest events, active assailant incidents, National Special Security Events, SWAT operations, and numerous other high-risk responses. Since its introduction, agencies that have hosted the Tactical Fire Company™ program have responded to multiple active assailant incidents, mass shootings, school shootings, terror attacks, and other high-risk events. Several agencies have provided written feedback indicating that concepts taught during the program were successfully applied during real-world incidents and contributed to operational effectiveness. Numerous fire departments throughout the United States and internationally have requested assistance in developing similar programs. Several agencies have implemented Tactical Fire Company concepts based directly on this model.

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Train-the-Trainer Program

This course is taught by the original creators of the Tactical Fire Company™ concept. Participants receive instruction from the same 40-hour curriculum originally developed and implemented within the metropolitan fire department. The program includes approximately 16 hours of classroom instruction and 24 hours of practical training.

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In addition to operational concepts and practical skills, participants learn the challenges associated with implementing a Tactical Fire Company™ program, lessons learned from years of program management, current operational practices, and future program objectives. Agencies seeking to adopt the program may also elect to purchase the complete instructional package, which includes more than 1,000 PowerPoint slides, videos, photographs, and supporting instructional materials.

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What Makes This Program Different

This is not a Rescue Task Force course. The Tactical Fire Company™ concept teaches fire personnel to operate far beyond the traditional Rescue Task Force mission. Rather than focusing solely on casualty care and extraction, Tactical Fire Companies are trained to integrate with law enforcement during a wide variety of high-threat incidents where specialized fire service capabilities can significantly enhance operational effectiveness. The program focuses on how fire companies can safely and effectively support law enforcement operations while remaining within the scope of their training, capabilities, and mission.

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Operational Applications

The Tactical Fire Company™ program prepares fire personnel to operate during numerous high-risk and high-impact incidents. These include active assailant incidents, fire-as-a-weapon attacks, large-scale civil unrest events, explosive incidents, vehicle-as-a-weapon attacks, suicidal jumper responses, hostage and barricade situations, hot-zone breaching operations, and high-threat casualty extractions.

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The course also includes practical exercises involving law enforcement integration, casualty rescue operations, breaching concepts, and realistic scenario-based training. Participants may also observe or participate in joint exercises involving smoke and fire conditions, ballistic threats, and other operational challenges commonly encountered during high-risk incidents.

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Student Requirements

Enrollment is limited to 50 students. Participants must be recognized instructors within their department and capable of returning to their agency to assist with program implementation and future training efforts. Because of the operational nature of the curriculum, this is a physically demanding and fast-paced course. Students should be prepared to participate in extensive practical exercises and scenario-based training. The course is intentionally taught to a blended audience of fire service and law enforcement personnel to promote interagency understanding and operational integration.​

 

Course Materials and Scheduling

To download a PDF description of this training, please click the course PDF below. If you would like more information on booking this course, please email info@ThreatSuppression.com, or call 1-800-231-9106.

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Last updated June 22, 2026.