“My dad was a fire chief, entering the fire service in 1938 and retiring in 1975, one year after I started on the job. I don’t think that there was any question in my mind that I was going to continue in the family business,” says Chief Ed Hartin of Central Whidbey Island (WA) Fire and Rescue. He’s presenting the pre-conference workshop “Reading the Fire” Monday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Rooms 109-110.
A dramatic event inspired “Reading the Fire.” “In 1979, I was blown out of a building in a backdraft. Despite some rather obvious signs on the exterior, no one at the time recognized the conditions and potential for rapid fire progression. Since then I have been focused on developing the ability to recognize key fire behavior indicators and anticipating what is likely to happen next and sharing that information with others.”
Hartin traveled to Sweden in 1974 for fire behavior instructor training, substantially changing the trajectory of his fire service journey, “I became engaged with the fire service beyond the United States.” Since then, he has traveled around the world as a student and as a teacher, focusing on practical fire dynamics and firefighting operations.
He began teaching at the state fire academy shortly after completing recruit training by his mentor, then-Captain Sal Scallesse in 1975. “It was a bit unusual in that I started teaching pump operations and fireground hydraulics, but I had learned to operate a fire pump at the age of 12.” Hartin had substantial interest in hydraulics as a high school cadet and during the recruit academy.
Hartin first attended the FDIC sometime in the 1970s and has taught at the conference for the past five years. “The big draw to FDIC is the diversity of programs and the wide range of participants.”
Hartin is also is a search and rescue dog handler and works with his “hairy daughter” Freya, an air scent K-9 with Whidbey Search Dogs.
Pre-Conference Workshop: Reading the Fire
Monday, April 20, 8:00 a.m.-12 p.m.
Rooms 109-110
