PL Harper Consulting

08/24/2026

Day 4 of the Westfield Officer Development Program. Today is one of the toughest day “Difficult Conversations Day”

Today the students had their chance to practice their skills with role players. A side conversation with a subordinate who is making disparaging comments. Or a conversation with an upset back stepper.

Brandon Drieman also stopped by to discuss sleep and mental wellness.

Want more information? Contact me at my email [email protected]. We are taking names for the next offering.

08/14/2026

Still spots available:

Upcoming classes at IFD Training Academy
If you're looking to promote, two great classes to attend.
Decision Making for Initial Company Officers
Register at:
https://on.in.gov/NFA-decision-making-for-initial-company...

08/13/2026

Week 1 of the Westfield Officer Development Program is in the books.

I only managed to take a couple of pictures, but they capture an important part of what we worked on this week: students developing skills to become better leaders.

08/10/2026

Week 1 of Westfield’s Officer Development Program is about to get underway!

07/27/2026

Upcoming classes at IFD Training Academy
If you're looking to promote, two great classes to attend.

Decision Making for Initial Company Officers
Register at:
https://on.in.gov/NFA-decision-making-for-initial-company-operations-IFD-O0457

Incident Command System & Resource Management - O0376
Register at: https://on.in.gov/NFA-Incident-Command-SystemResource-Management-O0376-IFD

07/09/2026

I had a great conversation today with Doug Meyers, creator of the Scene Watcher app (available in the App Store).

If you're looking for an electronic tactical worksheet, this one is worth checking out. It's intuitive, quick to set up, and easy to use under the demands of emergency scenes

What really sets Scene Watcher apart is its visual representation of the incident. Rather than just capturing notes, it helps you organize and visualize the fireground, making it easier to document tactical decisions.

If you get a chance, download it, take it for a test drive, and spend a few of your shekels supporting a company that's building practical tools for the fire service.

As we finalize some finishing touches on version 2, we thought we would touch on some frequently asked questions we get during presentations. Don't see your question here? Feel free to email us at [email protected].

- Does this app need wifi?
- No. This app is designed to be a stand alone accountability app, without needing a tether to the mothership.

- Can you connect multiple tablets on a large scale scene?
- No, and this is by design. By keeping accountability boards separated on large scale incidents, there is no risk of multiple hands in the pot confusing the accountability process. Each tablet will be able to email to the same (or a different) email upon completion of the incident to consolidate info for post incident reporting.

- What tablets does the app run on?
- Currently(Key Word), Scene watcher is available on Apple and Android.

- Does the purchase of the app cover more than one tablet?
- That depends. If your department has 4 tablets on one account, then one purchase will cover all 4 tablets. If your department has 4 tablets on 4 different accounts, then you would need to purchase 4 apps.

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07/09/2026

National Fire Academy Course Location needed!

I'm looking for a location outside metro Indianapolis to hold a NFA Incident Command System and Resource Management course (O0376) before the end of September. Send me an email at [email protected] if you'd like to host.

Course details:
This is a 2-day National Fire Academy (NFA) program that teaches firefighters and company officers how to effectively apply the Incident Command System (ICS) and manage resources during emergency and nonemergency operations

06/20/2026

Always great to see one of our coaches do good things. Congratulations Ryan!!

In January 2025, Lafayette Fire Department Captain Ryan Altman was at his home in Brookston when he was notified that a neighbor had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Without hesitation, Captain Altman responded to the residence and immediately began CPR prior to the arrival of Brookston First Response and Monticello Fire Department personnel. His quick actions provided critical care during the patient’s most urgent moments.

Captain Altman continued to assist with patient care during transport to an area hospital. Thanks to the rapid response and coordinated efforts of everyone involved, the patient made a full recovery.

Today, Captain Altman was invited to the Monticello Fire Department, where he was recognized alongside the other responding personnel and presented with a Life Saving Award. This recognition honors the teamwork, dedication, and decisive actions that contributed to a positive outcome for the patient.

Captain Altman’s actions exemplify the professionalism, compassion, and commitment to service that Lafayette firefighters carry with them both on and off duty.

Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana
Lafayette Indiana Fire Department
City of Lafayette
Monticello Professional Firefighters Local 2278

06/11/2026

6- Day Leadership Course

Westfield Fire Department will be hosting their Officer Leadership Course this August. They have 10 seats available for members from outside departments.

The course is a six-day officer development program focused on leadership inside and outside the firehouse. Drawing from the National Fire Academy's former Leadership I, II, and III programs, as well as proven public safety leadership development models, the course provides practical leadership tools that can be immediately applied within your organization. The program also incorporates concepts from the National Fire Academy's Decision Making for Initial Company Operations (DIMCO) curriculum, emphasizing critical thinking, risk assessment, and tactical decision-making for company officers.

If you have any questions or would like to reserve seats, please shoot me an email at [email protected] or contact Westfield Fire Department (I don't monitor the messenger in facebook)

Course Dates:
August 10-12 and August 24-26

Location:
IAFF Local 4416 Union Hall

Course Length:
Approximately 8 hours per day

Cost:
$850 per student

Seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
To assist with planning and course materials, please submit your department's response no later than July 17, 2026.

06/10/2026

Immediate opening at the NFA

July 6-10, 2026

R0312 Command and Control of Incident Operations