South Florida F.O.O.L.S. Presents: Deputy Chief Walt Lewis

The South Florida F.O.O.L.S. are proud to host Deputy Chief Walt Lewis for a lecture covering two critical areas of the fireground: Size–Up and More and Managing the Mayday.

Come ready to learn, network, and share in the traditions of the fire service. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from one of the most respected voices in the fire service today.

Size–Up and More

As the first officer arrives, they provide a size-up based on information gathered before arrival and that summed up upon arrival, in a time-compressed situation. This program will allow each student to practice providing a size-up with teaching points provided about each type of structure or emergency presented. As well, improving a consistent language for use by all agency personnel will be discussed.

Managing the Mayday

Likely the worst possible situation is having a mayday or multiple maydays while commanding an incident. This program is designed to cover the foundations and individuality of the various types of maydays, how to recognize when one may unfold, mechanisms to prevent their occurrence and tactics to employ to manage the situations, the stressors that come with them and the courses of action afterwards.

About Deputy Chief Walt Lewis:Walter Lewis is a Deputy Chief with Orlando International Airport Fire Rescue. He recently retired as an Assistant Chief from the Orlando Fire Department after 29 years of service, with his last assignment overseeing A Shift Operations. Since 1996, he has served on some of the busiest units, in the Training Division, and on US&R Florida Task Force 4.

Chief Lewis has instructed widely in the fire service, including at FDIC, the Orlando Fire Conference, Firehouse Expo, the Fire Department Safety Officer Association, and Valencia State College since 1999. He is a board member with the State Urban Search and Rescue Alliance, where he chairs the National US&R Conference Committee.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service Administration, is a CPSE-designated Chief Fire Officer, an Institute of Fire Engineer’s MiFireE, a State of Florida Fire Officer IV, Florida Instructor Level III, and is a founding member of FOOLS International, a fraternal organization for firefighters worldwide.

Most importantly, he is married with three children and a follower of Jesus Christ.

About the South Florida F.O.O.L.S.:We are committed to keeping the traditions of the fire service alive through training, brotherhood, and a passion for the craft.

Info: The first officer on scene sets the tone. This program guides students through providing a clear, effective size-up in time-compressed situations. You’ll practice delivering size-ups, review key teaching points for different structures and emergencies, and learn how to build consistent terminology across your agency.

Info: Few challenges rival the stress of a mayday. Chief Lewis will break down how to recognize when a mayday is unfolding, strategies to prevent them, and proven tactics for managing single or multiple maydays. The program also addresses the stressors of command, as well as the vital steps to take after the incident.

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