Mark Siem, Business Development Manager at Perimeter Solutions, shares why affordability, mobility and realism were key to designing a new model for foam education
Can you give us an overview of the Perimeter Solutions Industrial Foam School and what prompted its creation?
The idea for the Industrial Foam School started with internal conversations about the need for hands-on training with fluorine-free firefighting foam, but we needed to develop the resources and bring in the personnel to make it happen.
As we continued those discussions and spoke with people across the industry, we heard consistent feedback: most foam training programs felt more like sales pitches than educational experiences.
We also learned that travel was a barrier for many.
Not everyone can afford to fly to Texas or other centralized locations for a week of training.
So, we introduced a new model, deciding to bring the school to our customers.
By traveling to different locations, we are making high-quality, practical foam training more accessible to people who need it.
Affordability was also important to us.
We intentionally priced the program to fit within the budgets of departments and facilities that might otherwise not have the opportunity.
The first session recently took place at the Delaware State Fire Academy – how did it go, and what kind of feedback did you receive from attendees?
The first session went as well as we could have hoped, and the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
We asked participants to complete a post-course survey, and on a 10-point scale, every aspect of the training received ratings of 9 or higher.
Attendees appreciated the quality of the content, the amount of hands-on nozzle time they received, the affordable price point, and even the meals we provided.
One of the things they valued most was the smaller class size, which allowed for more one-on-one time with instructors and a better opportunity to ask questions, something that’s often missing in larger, more traditional foam schools.
The only complaint was really about the rain, which we didn’t enjoy either, but aside from that, it was a strong start and a great foundation to build on as we take the program to new locations.
What are the key skills or knowledge areas that participants walk away with after completing the program?
Over the course of the two-day session, participants receive in-depth training on four key areas: fluorine-free foam fundamentals, foam hardware, application tactics and techniques, and incident preplanning with F3.
Another advantage of our program is the hands-on experience with actual fluorine-free foam.
For a long time, traditional foam schools used training foam during their sessions.
We use SOLBERG® fluorine-free foam, and the facilities we teach at allow for their use, giving attendees the opportunity to work directly with foam used in real-world large-scale fire suppression.
How do you see this training initiative supporting broader industry efforts around the transition to fluorine-free foam solutions?
This training plays a critical role in helping the industry make a successful transition to fluorine-free foam.
By giving end users the knowledge and hands-on experience they need, we are helping them become more confident and capable with F3.
Training is essential and using F3 effectively requires a strong understanding of its properties and application tactics.
Without that, even the best product will not perform as intended in a real-world fire.
We can’t continue to fight the fires as we’ve done in the past, we need to be more mindful of how the foam is applied.
With more dates and locations on the 2025 schedule, what are your goals for the program moving forward?
Our goal is to continue growing the program and expanding its reach.
The next two sessions are set for October 9–10 at Lambton College in Sarnia, Ontario, and October 28–29 at the Fire Academy of the South in Jacksonville, Florida.
We are sticking with our model of small class sizes, hosting 30 or fewer attendees, to ensure quality instruction and personalized engagement.
Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to increase the number of sessions and bring the program to more regions around the world.
Organizations that burn liquid fuel and are interested in scheduling a session are encouraged to contact us.