Welcome to the Second Edition of The Tactical Brief

The mission of this newsletter is simple - to provide timely information, leadership resources, training opportunities, and industry updates that help firefighters and fire officers continue to grow professionally. Whether you're looking to advance your career, improve your department's training program, or simply stay informed on changes affecting today's fire service, I hope you'll find something valuable in each edition.

Division Command Training recently had the opportunity to visit the Deptford Fire Department to present The Missing Tactical Layer: Why Firegrounds Break Down.

It was an outstanding evening with a great mix of firefighters and officers from Deptford and several surrounding departments. The discussion was engaging, the questions were thoughtful, and the feedback reinforced the importance of developing division and group supervisors on today's increasingly complex firegrounds.

A special thank you to Captain Constantine Sypsomos, Training Captain for the Deptford Fire Department, for coordinating the program. Captain Sypsomos exemplifies what proactive leadership looks like, continually seeking opportunities to improve the knowledge and capabilities of not only his own members, but neighboring departments as well. That commitment to regional training ultimately benefits every community we serve.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to a great evening of learning and discussion. I look forward to seeing many of you again soon.

The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety recently announced an important change regarding licensing and certifications.

Beginning September 1, 2026, all applications and renewals for Division of Fire Safety licenses and certifications must be submitted electronically through the My New Jersey Training & Certification Portal. Paper applications, emailed forms, scanned documents, and mailed submissions will no longer be accepted.

If you're a firefighter in New Jersey, now is the time to create your My New Jersey account and make sure your Division of Fire Safety Training & Certification profile is properly linked. The portal provides access to your certifications, course completion certificates, historical training records, and future certification applications.

For Training Officers within Division of Fire Safety eligible organizations, verify that you have administrative access to the Training Portal. Administrative access allows departments to schedule courses, manage training records, and assist members with certification and licensing activities.

Taking a few minutes to verify your account today can save a great deal of frustration when certification renewals and applications become portal-only later this year.

Fire service standards continue to evolve, and staying current has never been more important.

Many firefighters and officers may not realize that the newest editions of the NFPA standards place a much greater emphasis on thermal imaging than ever before.

NFPA 1010 identifies thermal imaging as requisite knowledge for firefighters. NFPA 1400 incorporates thermal imaging and thermal imaging camera training into the fire service training standard, while NFPA 1930 establishes the performance requirements for thermal imaging cameras used by the fire service.

The reality is that very few departments fully comply with every applicable NFPA standard, and that's understandable. Budgets, staffing, and operational priorities all influence how quickly departments can implement new recommendations.

What's important is demonstrating a commitment to meeting the recognized standard of care. Whether you agree with every provision contained within an NFPA standard or not, these documents are frequently referenced as nationally recognized benchmarks for training, equipment, and operational practices. Departments should understand what the standards require, evaluate where they currently stand, and continue moving forward.

At Division Command Training, we've intentionally aligned our programs with current industry standards.

The Missing Tactical Layer: Why Firegrounds Break Down examines the command and control concepts found within NFPA 1550 and provides practical methods for departments to strengthen incident command while exceeding the minimum expectations.

Likewise, Decoding the Thermal Environment takes an in-depth look at the thermal imaging requirements outlined in NFPA 1010, NFPA 1400, and NFPA 1930, helping firefighters understand not only how to operate a thermal imaging camera, but also how to build a comprehensive training program that keeps their department ahead of the curve.

Applications are currently being accepted for National Fire Academy resident courses scheduled between October and December 2026.

If you've never attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, I can't recommend it enough.

The Academy offers outstanding education in leadership, incident command, fire prevention, fire investigation, instructor development, hazardous materials, EMS, community risk reduction, and many other disciplines. Beyond the classroom, one of the greatest benefits is the opportunity to collaborate with firefighters and fire officers from across the country who bring different experiences and perspectives back to their own organizations.

I'll be returning to Emmitsburg August 2–7 to complete my final residency in the Executive Fire Officer Program before graduating on August 7. Every visit has challenged me to think differently, expanded my perspective on leadership, and allowed me to build relationships with some of the finest fire service professionals in the country.

If you find a course that aligns with your current assignment—or the position you hope to hold in the future, I encourage you to submit an application. It's an experience every fire service professional should have at least once during their career.

Speaking of the National Fire Academy, the International Association of Fire Chiefs Executive Fire Officer Section recently announced that applications for the next Executive Fire Officer cohort will open on August 3, 2026.

As I prepare to complete my final residency next month, I can honestly say it has been one of the most rewarding professional development experiences of my career. The coursework is demanding, the expectations are high, and the research projects require a significant commitment, but the relationships you build with fellow officers from across the country are truly second to none.

If you're considering the next step in your leadership journey and meet the program prerequisites, I encourage you to take a serious look at the Executive Fire Officer Program. It is an investment in yourself, your organization, and ultimately the future of the fire service.

Additional information can be found in the Watch Desk section below.

Division Command Training is proud to partner with the Berkeley Heights Fire Department to offer open enrollment programs throughout the year, providing firefighters and officers from across New Jersey with accessible, high-quality training opportunities.

In addition to our open enrollment courses, we also bring our programs directly to your department. Whether you're looking to strengthen your officer development program, satisfy New Jersey Division of Fire Safety prerequisite requirements, or provide continuing education for your members, we're here to help.

Our offerings include:

If your department is pursuing New Jersey Division of Fire Safety certifications, it's important to ensure your organization is recognized as a Division of Fire Safety eligible organization with an approved classroom. Doing so allows students to receive the appropriate course credit and continuing education units (CEUs) in house with qualified instructors while working toward their certifications.

Whether you're looking to host a single class, build a comprehensive officer development program, or strengthen your department's training division, Division Command Training is committed to providing practical, standards-based education that prepares today's firefighters and tomorrow's leaders.

Proactive. Engaged. Committed.

Every year brings new standards, new technologies, and new challenges. The departments that embrace continual learning and invest in their people will always be better prepared to serve their communities when the call comes.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read The Tactical Brief. If you found this edition valuable, please consider sharing it with another firefighter, company officer, chief officer, or training officer who may benefit from the information.