Drone NIST
XSDN
Participants will navigate a structured NIST Open Lane course. The NIST Level 1 course is a standardized drone-pilot skills test that challenges students to complete precise takeoff, navigation, and camera-based tasks used in real law-enforcement missions. This course provides a safe, controlled way for high school competitors to demonstrate foundational flight skills, follow safety procedures, and be scored on consistent, repeatable performance.
Skills Assessment
Drone Search and Rescue
XRDS
The Drone Competition Event challenges teams to demonstrate proficiency in precision drone operations and Search & Rescue (SAR) tactics. The Search and Rescue Drone Event is designed to provide students with a structured, law-enforcement–based application of drone technology for locating missing persons and assessing emergency situations. This event emphasizes professionalism, accurate decision-making, and safe drone operation within realistic search-and-rescue scenarios.
Roleplay
Facility Design
FPFD
The Fire House Design event challenges competitors to conceptualize and present a modern fire facility. Participants will showcase their designs through 3D models and tri-fold poster boards, articulating their vision to a panel of judges.
Prepared
First Responder
FRFR
The First Responder event places competitors in a simulated emergency scene. Participants will assess the situation, administer first aid, and demonstrate CPR/AED skills in a scenario designed to test their medical response acumen.
Roleplay
Job Exhibit
XPJE
The Job Exhibit event encourages competitors to research various roles within TPSA's specific career clusters. Competitors will research salary and benefits, education and training requirements, natural abilities and required skills, availability of jobs, opportunities for advancement and any additional benefits or perks that would attract potential applicants. Participants will present their findings through a tri-fold visual display, offering insights into job requirements, salary, and advancement opportunities. Participants can choose any career cluster, however, chapters are limited to 5 entries across all clusters. This is one event which will be judged together across all career clusters.
Prepared
Press Conference
FPPC
The Press Conference event casts competitors as Public Information Officers for a fire department. Participants will prepare and deliver a press release, addressing a simulated audience in a press conference setting.
Prepared
Public Service Announcement
FPPS
Competitors will create a 30 to 60-second video PSA focused on a fire safety theme, demonstrating accurate public safety information, creativity, and effective messaging.
Prepared
Search and Rescue
FSRR
The Search and Rescue event simulates a two-stage fire rescue scenario. Competitors will don fire bunker gear and navigate through a zero-visibility area to rescue a simulated victim.
Skills Assessment
Skill Challenge
FSSC
The Fire Skill Challenge is a demanding assessment of a Competitor’s physical capabilities and firefighting skills. Participants will complete four sequential challenges—dragging a fire hose over a set distance, transporting heavy fire equipment, simulating forcible entry with a sledgehammer, and performing a victim rescue by dragging a mannequin. Once the course begins, the event does not stop. Competitors must advance through each challenge in one continuous effort without pausing, resting, or breaking rhythm until the final task is complete. The course is designed to test strength, endurance, and technique under sustained physical exertion, reflecting the nonstop demands of real-world firefighting.
Skills Assessment
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Career Cluster
Competition Type
Fire PSA Submission Insrtuctions
23 days ago
If you have competitors in the Fire Service Public Service Announcement event, please read and review the below instructions on how to submit the PSA videos prior to the conference. This is a prepared event. There is no in-person presentation at the conference. All video entries are judged prior to the competition per the guidelines. Submission Timeline Specific deadlines with exact dates/times are available in myTPSA Opens: The day following the close of late registration. Closes: 7 days prior to the first day of the conference. Submission Instructions Ensure all entries are uploaded before the submission window closes. Once the window is closed, no more submissions will be accepted. Video files must be uploaded by the advisor through myTPSA: Navigate to the specific Conference page in myTPSA. Select "Submissions" in the navigation bar. Review the specific upload requirements and exact deadlines listed within the portal.
Drone Events
23 days ago
Guidelines for this year's drone events have been finalized and published. We apologize for the delay in releasing this information so close to the start of Regional Conferences. There are two separate exhibition events available this year, both are available at regional conferences and the state conference: XRDS Drone Search and Rescue (Scored) XSDN Drone NIST (Timed) Participation & Registration Chapter Limit: Each chapter may submit one (1) team of two (2) students for each event. Exhibition Status: These events do not count toward the standard two-competition limit per student. How to Register: Students must be registered in myTPSA. Select "XRDS Drone Search and Rescue" or "XSDN Drone NIST" in the competition section. State Conference: Qualification is not required for the State Conference. There is no advancement process based on Regional placement or scores. Registration for these events at State is open to all chapters. Mandatory Requirements Certification: Competitors must be FAA TRUST Certified (free). Advisors must upload these certificates for team members prior to arriving at the competition. Equipment: Teams must bring their own drones. Specific requirements are detailed in the newly published event guidelines. If you have questions or need help, reply to this email or contact [email protected].
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