In March 2025, Perimeter Solutions introduced the Industrial Foam School, a comprehensive, two-day training program designed for industrial firefighters, hazmat teams and municipal firefighters who support industrial facilities. The first Industrial Foam School session was hosted at the Delaware State Fire Academy in Dover, DE, on May 28–29, 2025.
The program began with internal conversations about the need for hands-on training with fluorine-free firefighting foam, but we first had 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.
Mark Siem
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, so we intentionally priced the program to fit within the budgets of departments and facilities that might otherwise not have the opportunity.
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.
Over the course of the two-day session, participants received 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.
Mark Siem
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.
Our goal now is to continue growing the program and expanding its reach.
Mark Siem
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.
The cost to attend the Industrial Foam School at the Delaware State Fire Academy is $599 per participant, with a maximum of 30 attendees per session.
More sessions will be added to the schedule across the U.S. and Canada in 2025 and 2026. Firefighters interested in attending or fire departments that would like to have a Foam School organized at their location can contact info@perimeter-solutions.com.
