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about us

Division Command Training, LLC was founded to provide practical, experience-driven training for today's fire service. Our mission is to help firefighters, company officers, chief officers, and instructors develop the leadership, decision-making, and operational skills needed to succeed in an increasingly complex emergency response environment.

What began with a focus on incident command and division supervision has expanded into a growing portfolio of programs covering command and control, tactical operations, thermal imaging, building construction, electric vehicle and micromobility response, fire service instruction, and officer development. We are proud to deliver National Fire Academy programs, New Jersey Division of Fire Safety-approved courses, and custom training solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of modern fire departments.

Founded by Battalion Chief Patrick Wirkus, Division Command Training draws upon decades of fire service experience in both operational and administrative leadership roles. Chief Wirkus serves as a Battalion Chief with the Elizabeth Fire Department in New Jersey, one of the busiest urban fire departments in the state, and as a Deputy Fire Mutual Aid Coordinator for Union County. He is a designated Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, a current National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) candidate, and a contributing author for Fire Engineering Magazine.

Supporting our mission is a cadre of experienced fire service instructors who bring decades of combined experience in fire suppression, incident command, rescue operations, emergency response, and firefighter training. Together, our instructional team is committed to providing relevant, realistic, and immediately applicable training that students can take back to their organizations and apply from day one.

At Division Command Training, we believe training should extend beyond the classroom. Our goal is to strengthen leadership, improve firefighter safety, enhance operational effectiveness, and help organizations build a culture of continuous professional development.

Division Command Training, LLC — Where Strategy Meets Tactics.

Courses

  • The fireground does not typically fail at the strategic level, nor at the task level. It fails in the space between them. Incident commanders establish sound strategies, and company officers aggressively execute assigned tasks, yet incidents still break down. The missing link is the tactical layer, where division and group supervisors are responsible for translating command intent into coordinated action. When this layer is underdeveloped, delayed, or absent, the result is predictable: communication breakdowns, inconsistent supervision, and a loss of control that directly impacts firefighter safety and incident outcomes. The program introduces a practical field framework for division supervisors, “the 6 Cs of Tactical Supervision,” Confirm, Connect, Check, Communicate, Control, and Cover, designed to strengthen coordination, communication, and accountability within the tactical layer. The program also presents a field-proven solution, establishing effective division-level supervision within the tactical layer where coordination is required. More importantly, this session goes beyond theory. Attendees will experience real-world incidents through first-person video and radio traffic captured from a battalion chief operating inside the hazard zone as a division supervisor, offering a rare, unfiltered view of decision-making, communication, and tactical coordination under real conditions.

  • Thermal imaging has become an important tool on today's fireground, but getting the most out of a TIC requires more than simply carrying one.

    Reading the Language of Heat is designed to help firefighters better understand the science behind thermal imaging and how that science applies to fireground operations. We'll go beyond camera operation and explore the science that drives thermal imaging, giving firefighters the knowledge they need to better understand heat, thermal signatures, and what their TIC is actually telling them on the fireground.

    This is not a thermography certification course, and it's not a deep dive into thermology. Instead, it's a practical, firefighter-focused program that provides the foundational knowledge needed to better understand what your TIC is showing you and how that information can support tactical decision-making.

  • The courses meet the requirements of NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2019 edition, utilizing the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) publication title “Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, 9th edition.” Both the Fire & Emergency Services Instructor Level 1 and 2 programs are contained in this one publication. The courses are specified in N.J.A.C. 5:73-5.2(c). The programs are also Pro Board and IFSAC accredited. Textbooks will not be provided.

  • This 8-hour course is required for anyone wishing to obtain or renew a Drill Ground Instructor Certification issued by the NJ Division of Fire Safety. The intent of this course is to ensure that instructors understand the safety issues and adopted NFPA standards inherent in SCBA/Smokehouse and live burn firefighting training. Instructors must be capable of demonstrating the proper methods of identifying and correcting an unsafe situation as it occurs.

  • The 16-hour NFPA 1550 Incident Safety Officer course is a part of the New Jersey State Fire Officer requirements and provides students with a solid foundation and knowledge to identify and analyze safety concerns. This course focuses on operations within an Incident Command System (ICS) as a Safety Officer and emphasizes response to all-hazards types of situations. This course is an incident-specific, scene oriented course that will cover topics including the role of the Incident Safety Officer; standards, policies and regulations; record keeping and documentation; risk management; and incident considerations.

  • The Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Operations (STICO) course, developed by the National Fire Academy (NFA), is designed to prepare first-line supervisors and acting officers to make effective tactical decisions at the company level during fireground operations.

    This course focuses on developing the decision-making skills necessary for safe and effective incident management, with an emphasis on initial operations, fire behavior, risk assessment, and strategic thinking in rapidly evolving environments.

    Participants will engage in scenario-based exercises and group discussions that simulate common challenges faced during initial fireground operations. Completion of this course enhances readiness for real-world incidents and aligns with national leadership and command competency standards.

  • This two-day building construction training program will provide attendees with the requisite knowledge of building construction types, methods, materials, hazards and operational considerations that Fire Officers and Firefighters need to acquire to achieve success on the fireground.

  • This program provides a practical and operationally focused overview of the Incident Command System (ICS) as it applies to initial arriving officers, chief officers, and supporting personnel. Built around the foundations of strategy, tactics, and command presence, the course breaks down the roles and responsibilities of the Incident Commander while reinforcing best practices in size-up, incident priorities, span of control, resource deployment, and progress reporting.

    Real-world fireground scenarios, command simulations, and case studies are used to reinforce decision-making, communication, and operational tempo. Whether you are new to the officer role or seeking a refresher to sharpen your command skills, this course delivers the tools and confidence needed to lead from the front and set the tone for incident operations.

  • With the rapid rise of electric vehicle (EV) ownership across the nation, fire and EMS personnel must be equipped with the knowledge and tactics necessary to safely and effectively manage EV-related incidents. This awareness-level course is designed to provide first responders with critical insights into the unique hazards, operational challenges, and response considerations associated with electric vehicles. The course integrates recent case studies, best practices from national research institutions, and aligns with emerging standards and guidance from NFPA, UL FSRI, and NHTSA. Participants will leave with actionable knowledge to support safe decision-making on the fireground and in EMS operations involving electric vehicles.

  • As the popularity of micro mobility devices—such as e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, and other small lithium-ion battery-powered units—continues to surge, so too does the frequency of related fire and EMS emergencies. This course provides essential awareness-level training for first responders tasked with mitigating incidents involving these rapidly evolving hazards. This course incorporates real-world incidents, lessons learned, and guidance from UL FSRI, NFPA, and FDNY/ATF testing initiatives. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how to recognize, respond to, and mitigate hazards associated with micro mobility devices, enhancing both responder safety and community risk reduction.

UPCOMING OPEN ENROLLMENT COURSES

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