The Art of Reading Smoke

Fireground smoke isn’t just a byproduct, it’s a warning system, a roadmap, and sometimes the only clue you get before conditions turn deadly. The Art of Reading Smoke is a high-impact, eye-opening class that teaches firefighters how to decode what smoke is telling them about fire location, growth, ventilation, and impending extreme fire behavior. In an era of lightweight construction and synthetic fuels, this skill is no longer optional, it’s essential for survival. This class transforms the way firefighters size up a scene, sharpening their ability to anticipate fire behavior instead of reacting to it.

Taught by Deputy Chief Phil Jose, a nationally respected instructor known for blending real-world experience with modern fire dynamics, this course delivers practical, immediately usable knowledge that translates directly to safer, smarter fireground decisions. Hosted by the Space Coast Fire Chiefs Association, this training is designed for firefighters, company officers, and command staff who want to elevate their operational awareness and tactical effectiveness. If you want to reduce close calls, improve coordination, and give your crews a critical edge on the fireground, this is a class you don’t want to miss.

Smoke tells a story — and learning how to interpret it can dramatically improve fireground decision-making, firefighter safety, and investigative accuracy.

Through dynamic instruction and real fire-ground video analysis, attendees will develop the critical skill of reading smoke to better understand fire behavior.

Participants will learn how to evaluate:

• Volume
• Velocity
• Density
• Color

You will discover how these smoke attributes reveal:

• Fire Size
• Fire Location
• Predicted Fire Behavior

• Firefighters
• Company Officers
• Chief Officers
• Fire Investigators
• Fire Inspectors
• Training Officers

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Space Coast Fire Chiefs Association