This next series of training drills from Forest Reeder pits veteran firefighters against new recruits, forcing them to test their knowledge about common firefighting concerns in their departments.
Download the individual drills below, or check out our comprehensive drill section.
Are You Smarter Than a Rookie Firefighter? Ground Ladders
This drill pits our firefighting veterans against the rookies in identifying the lengths and application of your company’s ground ladders.
Are You Smarter Than a Rookie Firefighter? Fire Behavior
In this drill we challenge both groups to better understand fire behavior terminology and how it affects firefighting operations on the streets.
Are You Smarter Than a Rookie Firefighter? Search Methods
This drill opens a discussion of the methods used by your department to conduct search operations of a fire building using SOP methods and training information provided.
Are You Smarter Than a Rookie Firefighter? Master Streams
This recruit vs. veteran drill features a discussion of master stream devices.
Are You Smarter Than a Rookie Firefighter? Forcible Entry Tools
This drill covers forcible entry tools and terminology along with some case-based applications for forcible entry in emergency and non-emergency situations.
Are You Smarter Than a Rookie Firefighter? Roof Styles and Operations
This week’s battle between knowledge vs. experience will take us on a tour of our community discussing the styles of roofs and the operations necessary to ventilate and work on them.
Are You Smarter Than a Rookie Firefighter? Fire Attack
Methods of fire attack and proper fire stream selections are the focus of this drill in the ongoing battle of wits and knowledge between the recruit and the veteran.
Are You Smarter Than a Rookie Firefighter? Equipment Inspections
Our veteran firefighters will lead this discussion of the routine events that must take place on regular schedules to make sure we are ready for every alarm.
Are You Smarter Than a Rookie Firefighter? Ventilation Methods
Ventilation types and methods are the subject of this rookie-vs.-veteran firefighter discussion topic.
MAD Training and Response Solutions
Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1978 and retired as fire chief of the Tinley Park (IL) Fire Department in 2021. He has worked extensively in the areas of instruction, firefighter safety, and officer development and earned his Master of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration in 2004. He is the author of Fire Department Incident Safety Officer 4th edition (2025) and co-author of Fire Service Instructor Principles and Practices, now in its 3rd edition. Forest presents nationally on fire service leadership, safety, and instructor development. He was inducted into the Moraine Valley Community College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2020 and awarded the Distinguished Alumnus award in 2021. In 2008, he received the ISFSI George D. Post Instructor of the Year, considered to be the highest recognition for fire service instructors in the nation.
