Rust Belt Jakes

02/11/2026

Mark your calendars! Jimmy Ellis Training Weekend registration opens March 2! Come join us in western PA this summer 💪🏻🔥

01/16/2026

🔥Another Great Conference🔥

If any brothers or sisters are near or want to make the trip to northwestern Ohio you can check out another great Conference. While you're there check out Cadre Co-founder Drew Goings he will presenting back to back days of Farm on the Farm Addressing 1st Due Tactics for Rural and Agricultural Fires 🔥

Drew Going
Rust Belt Jake Fire Training

This Course will focus on the tactical objectives of the 1st and 2nd due rural fire companies and the challenges associated with fires involving barns, livestock, crops, and farm machinery.

Drew is currently a Fire/EMS Instructor at Apollo Career Center and the co-founder of Rust Belt Jakes Fire Training and Smooth Bore Nation.

01/16/2026

Rust Belt Jakes will be returning to the 2026 Jimmy Ellis Training Weekend! We are stoked to be bringing our Left Seat Tips and Tactics HOT program back to Western Pennsylvania! Come train with us. There will be a 100% chance of rain August 15th and August 16th. ☔️👊🏻🚒👨🏻‍🚒🔥💦

01/12/2026

Come hang with us at Firemanship in July!
👊🏻 🔥 💦

Rust Belt Jakes are making a trip south to present LEFT SEAT TIPS & TACTICS at Firemanship this July!

Presented as a 1-day HOT, expect fast-paced, hands-on work focused on the critical role of the Engineer (Driver/Operator), delivering proven techniques, real-world tips, and practical tactics you can use immediately. From incident-specific decision-making to booster, back-up, relay, tandem, and dual pumping operations, students will sharpen their ability to perform under pressure. Designed for current and aspiring Engineers, as well as company officers, this class strengthens left-seat performance and overall company effectiveness.

Class countdown: 33/35! 🔥
-- That's a variety of 35 different HOT, workshop, or spouse classes in addition to the 3-Day Main Lecture Series. There's something for anyone and everyone. No excuses.

Faith. Family. Firemanship.
www.firemanshipconference.com
Register at 11am/cst on Thursday!

01/01/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 🥳

We hope you have an amazing year filled with jobs, brotherhood and solid training!

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us here at Rust Belt Jakes!

We hope you have an amazing holiday season with your friends and family!

🎄🎁 ⛄️ 🎅🏻

09/19/2025

RBJ heading back to Michigan to deliver our Tactical Engine Live Fire HOT program at Great Lakes H.O.T! Honored to be invited back!!

🔥Great Lakes H.O.T. 2026 – H.O.T. Classes Announced! 🔥

Michigan’s Premier Fire Conference:
We’re bringing the HEAT to the fireground with a stacked lineup of hands-on classes led by some of the best cadres in the country. Mark your calendars, because this year’s two days of hands on training will push limits, sharpen skills, and prepare you to bring it back home to your crews.

👉 H.O.T. Track Lineup:
•The Non-Traditional Truck Company: LIVE FIRE – Street Smart Tactics, Build Your Culture, Truck Syndicate

•Live Fire Leadership: LIVE FIRE – Fire Life Training Cadre

•Modern Fireground Operations: LIVE FIRE – MFO Cadre

•Down and Dirty RIT – Philly Tin Helmet Cadre

•Beyond Gap, Force, Set: LIVE SMOKE – Build Your Culture, Fire Maul Tools, Forge Fire Company

•Search Academy – Build Your Culture, Brothers in Battle

•The Tactical Engine: LIVE FIRE – The Rust Belt Jakes

•Extrication Elevated – Rescue Redefined Cadre

•Spouse Track – Twisted Fire Industries & BYC

📅 SAVE THE DATE: June 10–13, 2026
🔓 Registration opens in October – stay tuned for more details.

08/19/2025

A few pics from our Left Seat Tips and Tactics HOT yesterday at the Jimmy Ellis Training Weekend. Our final scenario the students were able to achieve a flow of 4240 GPM! 💦 🚒 💦 🚒

Students reviewed first and second due operations with an emphasis on working drivers and booster backup. Additionally they reviewed standard drafting ops as well as two methods of primerless drafting. Students then reviewed tandem, relay and dual pumping and the rural hitch operation. Students went through numerous troubleshooting drills with a focus on diagnosing and overcoming them. Finally, the class reviewed big water ops. Solid job by all involved!

08/19/2025

A few pics from our Left Seat Tips and Tactics HOT yesterday at the Jimmy Ellis Training Weekend. Our final scenario the students were able to achieve a flow of 4240 GPM! 💦 🚒 💦 🚒

Students reviewed first and second due operations with an emphasis on working drivers and booster backup. Additionally they reviewed standard drafting ops as well as two methods of primerless drafting. Students then reviewed tandem, relay and dual pumping and the rural hitch operation. Students went through numerous troubleshooting drills with a focus on diagnosing and overcoming them. Finally, the class reviewed big water ops. Solid job by all involved!

08/15/2025

The Rust Belt Jakes have officially made it to Pittsburgh for the Jimmy Ellis Training Weekend! We are looking forward to training, learning and breaking bread with some amazing firefighters and fire service leaders over the next couple of days! 👊🏻 👨🏻‍🚒 🔥

Check out RBJ Co-founder Nick Peppard’s Firehouse Culture: Ideas Over Egos tomorrow morning.

We are also looking forward to flowing some serious water on Sunday at our sold out Left Seat Tips and Tactics HOT! 💦 🚒

We hope to see you all there!

06/15/2025

Rust Belt Jakes Tactical Engine HOT 🔥 class at Great Lakes H.O.T

06/15/2025

Day 2 of our Tactical Engine HOT class at Great Lakes H.O.T!