Evidence-Based Structural Firefighting Course Updated to Help Firefighters Make Better Decisions on Today's Fireground
Today’s fires are changing, and firefighters have less time than ever to make critical decisions. The updated Evidence-Based Structural Firefighting course, available for free through the Fire Safety Academy, helps firefighters connect fire dynamics to real-world strategies and tactics that support safer, more effective fireground operations.
Connect Fire Dynamics Research to Fireground Operations with the Evidence-Based Structural Firefighting Course
This course helps firefighters understand how modern construction, changing fuel loads, and evolving fire behavior influence fireground operations. Rather than prescribing a single way to operate, it connects fire dynamics research to real-world strategy and tactics, providing a foundation for making safer, more effective fireground decisions that fit your department’s needs.
The course updates build on that foundation with:
- New lessons based on the 12 tactical considerations developed from our Search and Rescue research;
- Guidance on applying search and rescue tactics before, during, and after fire control;
- Guidance on how to implement NFPA 1700 (2026) using our Evidence-Based Considerations for Your Fireground Playbook; and
- Additional updates throughout that reflect the latest research and guidance on emerging hazards, such as photovoltaic systems (e.g., solar panels) and battery fires.
A major focus of the update is new search and rescue content that explores how search, rescue, suppression, and ventilation work together to influence occupant survivability and fireground outcomes.
"Prior to this, we just searched with little direction on victim removal tactics. Now, with the updated guidance, we know that elevation matters, proximity to the fire matters, and isolation matters. This gives us a clearer framework for how we're going to conduct our searches and remove victims from a building, increasing victim survivability."
—Chad Hayes
Lieutenant
Wilmington (DE) Fire Department
The Evidence-Based Structural Firefighting Course Designed for Both Firefighters and Instructors
Modern fires leave little room for hesitation. This course not only helps firefighters understand which tactics may be appropriate but also why they work and how they influence fire behavior, occupant survivability, and overall incident outcomes. By connecting fire dynamics research to real-world operations, the course helps the fire service improve how effectively they control fires within a structure.
This course also serves as a valuable resource for structural firefighting training for those responsible for training, policy development, and operational consistency. Updated implementation guidance points learners to the Playbook, which organizes evidence-based considerations into practical actions for training, SOPs/SOGs, and day-to-day operations. This resource helps departments build a more consistent approach to decision-making on the fireground and provides a scalable framework to develop their own fireground playbook tailored to their unique needs, operations, and resources.
Take the Evidence-Based Structural Firefighting Course or Refresh Your Knowledge
Whether you're taking the Evidence-Based Structural Firefighting course for the first time or revisiting it as a refresher, the course provides a practical foundation for understanding modern fire behavior and translating research into fireground action.
