Grit First Fire Training is a training company based out of San Diego California. The trio that makes up Grit First are some of the most solid gentlemen we’ve had the pleasure to work with. Grit First offers classes both hands on and lecture on search, tactical TIC use and fire dynamics to name a few. Keep your eye out for these guys, they’ll be offering classes at a conference near you. 

• Dave Stepp Grit First instructor with a passion for teaching search, hose management,  thermal imaging, firefighter survival, RIC and ventilation.  Has had the opportunity to split time riding both engines and trucks throughout the city.  Currently serves as a Captain on Engine and Truck 10 in the area of San Diego State University.  His approach to training is a blend of real world experiences matched up with the skillsets taken from conferences such as FDIC, Firehouse World, Firemanship, FireShows West and soon to come March Mayhem.      

• Mike Smith is an instructor with Frit First Fire Training and has been in the fire service for 18-years and holds the rank of Captain. He serves as the Departments Training Officer and stays neck-deep in training through his work with the County Training Officers and his zone partners. Mike started teaching fire academies back in 2013 and is a State Fire Training instructor for FF1/FF2 academies, Fire Control 3, Firefighter Survival, and Low Angle Rope Rescue. Mike’s passion lies in engine company work, focusing on what matters most on the fireground - putting the fire out and searching for victims. Mike’s about training that's gritty and built for the realities of the job. 

• Jesse Fournier is an instructor for Grit First Fire Training with 18 years in the fire service. He holds the rank of Training Captain with the San Miguel Fire & Rescue Fire Department. Jesse is a State Fire instructor and teaches FC3, RRAO, Firefighter Survival and  Driver Operator. He also serves as an instructor for Miramar College, an  Academy instructor for his Fire Academy, and serves on the USAR Task force. Jesse’s passion is teaching and seeing others’ love for the job grow. He is trying his hardest to bring SoCal back on the map and back to old school gritty firemanship.  More than all of that, Jesse sees himself as a student of the fire service trying his best to make it better than when he started because it has given him so much

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