Here’s how to participate in the hands-on training social media challenge

COLUMBIA, Md. — Fire departments looking to sharpen their search and rescue skills this summer have a new opportunity to put research into practice through the new “HOT Drill Summer” hands-on training social media challenge from the UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute.

The five-week challenge encourages crews to complete a series of hands-on search and rescue training scenarios using the Fire Safety Research Institute’s recently released Search and Rescue Drill Sheets, then share photos, videos and feedback from their training. The initiative is designed to promote evidence-based decision-making and reinforce critical fireground skills.

Each week focuses on a different scenario that builds on the previous drill, helping firefighters develop and apply skills related to entry point selection, ventilation, isolation, coordination with suppression operations and victim removal. The drill sheets are based on findings from FSRI’s search and rescue research and are intended to translate fire dynamics concepts into repeatable, realistic training exercises.

The challenge schedule includes:

• Announcement (June 2): Instructor Guide
• Week 1 (June 9): Victim Removal
• Week 2 (June 16): Pre-Suppression Search with Known Victim Location
• Week 3 (June 23): Pre-Suppression Search with Unknown Victim Location
• Week 4 (June 30): During-Suppression Search with Known Victim Location
• Week 5 (July 7): During-Suppression Search with Unknown Victim Location

The drills are designed as a progressive training series, beginning with foundational concepts and gradually increasing complexity. An instructor guide is also available to help training officers adapt scenarios, facilitate debriefs and emphasize decision-making alongside task execution.

The drill sheets are part of the Fire Safety Research Institute’s updated Search and Rescue Tactics in Single-Family Single-Story Residential Structures online training program, which incorporates the latest findings from full-scale fire experiments and includes additional tactical considerations for search, suppression and ventilation operations.

Departments interested in participating can access the drill sheets and supporting resources through the Fire Safety Research Institute’s Fire Safety Academy and share their results throughout the summer challenge.

Follow #HotDrillSummer on Social

Week 1: Victim Removal

The Engine 33 crew accessed the rear of the home, advanced a 400' hoseline to the second floor and helped extinguish attic fire

June 12, 2026 06:00 AM

 · 

The study found awareness gaps among potential recruits, and highlighted mentorship and family engagement as keys to retention

June 11, 2026 05:48 PM

 · 

High winds forced crews to evacuate the structure just before the roof collapsed

Seelyville Fire Chief Harold Osborn died after a cardiovascular event hours after responding to a medical emergency

June 11, 2026 08:48 AM

 · 

The department’s transition to Pierce custom chassis pumpers reflects a commitment to firefighter safety, operational efficiency and apparatus built specifically for urban fire service demands