Tactical Thermal Imaging & Max Fire Box Fire Behavior Training

High-speed decision-making is critical on the modern fire ground. This course integrates Tactical Thermal Imaging with Max Fire Box demonstrations to provide firefighters with the thermal data necessary to navigate ventilation-limited fires and heavy smoke conditions.

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What You’ll Master

Today’s modern fire ground demands strategy formulation at 15-20 times the speed of the past due to high heat release rate fuels. Fires develop faster and are predominantly ventilation-limited with turbulent, black smoke. Tactical Thermal Imaging enhances a firefighter’s decision-making by providing critical thermal data to locate fires, identify flow paths, and maintain situational awareness in zero-visibility environments.

Quickly locate fire location and severity

Identify hidden fires via thermal cues and clues

Detect flow path and fire direction of travel

Prevent rapid fire development via efficient access

Master enhanced stream placement through guided TIC usage

Course Specifications & Logistics

Curriculum Highlights (What you'll learn)

Fire Behavior & Stages of Fire
Fire Growth and Development
Methods of Heat Transfer for fire diagnosis
PPE limitations and heat flux/transfer
Products of Combustion & Ignition Temperatures
Reading Smoke vs. Reading Temperature
TIC Contraindications & Overcoming Limitations
Enhanced Size-up & Go/No-Go decision making
Enhanced Search Methodology & Situational Awareness
Max Fire Box Live “Burn & Learn” Demonstration

Host Requirements (What you need to provide)

Outdoor area (preferably sheltered from wind)
One metal trashcan
Access to water hose (extinguishment and hydration)
Inventory of TIC makes/models in use by students for lesson customization

Required Gear (PPE, SCBA, TIC requirements)

Thermal Imaging Cameras (Recommended 1 TIC per 2 students)
Standard training PPE as required by host agency

CEU/Certification Info (If applicable)

Pricing Considerations (Contact for details)

Domestic (US): $1,100 for one instructor for groups up to 25 within a 4-hour drive of North Carolina.

Travel Rate: Outside the 4-hour NC radius, costs range from $2,500–$3,000 per 8-hour day.

Excluded Costs: Mileage and lodging are not included in the base fee.

International: Requires a custom proposal due to extended travel and tax liabilities.

More Details (Additional information about this course)

Tactical Thermal Imaging & Max Fire Box Demonstration Specifics
This program is built around high-fidelity demonstrations using the Max Fire Box and a dedicated window prop to simulate real-world fire growth. The curriculum addresses the modern reality that strategy must be formulated 15-20 times faster than in decades past due to synthetic fuel loads. During the 2-hour Burn & Learn session, students apply classroom theory to diagnose heat transfer and fire stages in real-time.

To ensure technical proficiency, the lesson plan is customized to the specific makes and models of TICs used by the host department. We recommend a hardware ratio of one TIC for every two students to maximize hands-on time. Logistics require an outdoor area out of the wind, a metal trashcan for debris, and a standard water hose for safety and extinguishment. Pricing for this specialized training starts at $1,100 for local groups (within 4 hours of NC) and scales to $2,500–$3,000 per day for national travel, excluding mileage and lodging.