CONGRESSIONAL FIRE SERVICES INSTITUTE

9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.

“A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP” OPENING SESSION OF THE 24TH ANNUAL NATIONAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DINNER AND SEMINARS

Columbia Hall 5
Hilton Washington

The opening session of the 24th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars will feature introductory comments, a review of the week’s events, and a featured presentation on the program’s theme, “A Legacy of Leadership.”

10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS: Who Says They Don’t Make Sense/Cents?

Columbia Hall 5
Hilton Washington

In legislative halls across the country, including in Washington, DC, debates are taking place over measures that will have far-reaching impacts on the installation of automatic fire sprinklers.  This seminar will provide an update on recent activities and explain why public safety representatives should become more involved in these efforts.    

10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS:  It’s Time for Public Safety to Communicate Loud and Clear

Columbia Hall 7
Hilton Washington

2012 could be the year in which the federal government acts on a number of important public safety communications initiatives.  This includes the FCC’s narrowbanding mandate, the proposed change to the intrinsically safe standard for portable radios, and an update on D-block legislation needed to build a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network.  At this seminar, learn how and why public safety should lend its voice to these initiatives.

11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AND CODE DEVELOPMENT: Three Keys to Safer Communities

Columbia Hall 5
Hilton Washington

Saving lives starts with prevention and education. The seminar will cover current national public policy issues that will enhance the protection of our communities through improved funding and stronger fire prevention and public education initiatives.

11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

TReC: THE NEXT FRONTIER IS COLLABORATION

Columbia Hall 7
Hilton Washington

Emergencies, both man-made and natural, do not respect the borders of any one jurisdiction. Complex incidents show the ever-growing need for collaboration among responders before, during, and after an emergency event.  The Training for Regional Collaboration (TReC) is a free program developed by the IAFC that assists emergency services leaders in their efforts to improve their working relationships with other agencies and response partners.  The session will include a tour of the TReC Resource Center, a secure, web-based portal that houses web-based training as well as a document sharing area and user-driven forums.

12:00 noon - 12:50 p.m.

ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE FIRES

Columbia Hall 5
Hilton Washington

Suppressions costs for wildland urban interface fires are draining government coffers.  It has become increasingly clear that WUI fires will continue to exact large tolls on our nation’s economy unless greater emphasis is not placed on mitigation and prevention.   National leaders will discuss policies and initiatives being implemented to prevent, mitigate and suppress WUI fires.    

12:00 noon - 12:50 p.m.

RESPONDING TO THE CALL DURING THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

Columbia Hall 7
Hilton Washington

Even though many fire departments have been forced to reduce their budgets because of the poor economy, the fire service is expected to perform its mission without compromising its level of service.  This seminar will feature a frank discussion about the chronic fiscal challenges facing the nation’s fire and emergency services and how some departments are responding.

1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

FIRE SERVICE-BASED EMS: Educating Policy Leaders about the Critical Role of Fire Departments in Delivering Emergency Medical Services 

Columbia Hall 5
Hilton Washington

Fire Service-Based EMS is strategically positioned in communities throughout the nation to deliver time critical response and effective patient care.  In Washington, not all elected officials understand the critical role of fire service-based EMS and as a consequence, proposals have been considered that would negatively impact fire service-based EMS in this country.  Leading advocates for fire service-based EMS will share information on federal initiatives and proposals that would impact the delivery of share information and how to become involved in advocating for fire service-based EMS on Capitol Hill. 

1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

PROTECTING OUR HOMELAND: The Role of FEMA & USFA in Homeland Security

Columbia Hall 7
Hilton Washington

Federal officials will discuss the roles of FEMA and USFA in our nation’s homeland security strategy, the steps the federal government is taking to improve our preparedness and response capabilities, and future initiatives of the agencies. 

2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

PROTECTING OUR OWN: Firefighter Roadside Safety

Columbia Hall 5
Hilton Washington

Firefighters are increasingly falling victim to incidents that occur as they respond to emergency situations. Though these incidents can take any number of forms, they often involve emergency responders being struck by vehicles. Victims of these incidents come from the ranks of both the career and volunteer services, and have included police officers and sheriff’s deputies, fire police and auxiliary police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.  Leading experts on first responder safety will discuss their efforts to address this critical issue. 

2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

LEADING THE TRANSITION IN VOLUNTEER AND COMBINATION FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Columbia Hall 7
Hilton Washington

How a community is going to meet its emergency services needs today and in the future is one of the most daunting challenges facing local governments and fire service leaders from coast to coast. As a result, transitioning from volunteer to combination departments, or from combination to full career departments, is one of the fastest growing topic of concern among fire departments and emergency service agencies.  This session offers an in-depth and interactive look at potential reasons for transitioning, and explores the avenues available and the challenges that are likely to arise.

3:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: Working Together on Capitol Hill

Columbia Hall 5
Hilton Washington

On average, Congress considers 4,000 pieces of legislation each session and only about 200 are signed into law.  This is why building coalitions is so important for any legislative initiative.  The fire service has prevailed on a number of issues in recent years because of the willingness on the part of the national organizations to work together.  Featuring the top fire service representatives on Capitol Hill, this session will include a discussion on how the fire service and elected officials can work together to advance policy. 

3:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

ADOPTING THE LATEST MODEL CODES AND STANDARDS:  HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

Columbia Hall 7
Hilton Washington

This session will explore the benefits of adopting the latest editions of un-amended model codes and standards in terms of public safety, cost, and economic incentives.  Additionally, the session will look at some of the unintended consequences of amending the model codes, including conflicts, additional costs, and other issues that may arise.

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

CFSI BARBECUE BASH

TBD

Join your peers at this fourth annual event which provides an opportunity to relax, catch-up with old friends and engage in casual conversation. Once again, the menu of barbecue favorites will be prepared by the award winning DCFD BBQ Team. For ticket information call 202-371-1277.

8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

CFSI CONGRESSIONAL ROUNDTABLE

Capitol Hill
Room TBD

What’s the outlook for the fire service’s legislative agenda during 2012? Congress will consider several important pieces of legislation, including the reauthorization of the FIRE/SAFER grant programs.  Members of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus will offer their assessments on important issues and recommend how the fire service can play a key role in advancing these issues. 

10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

ESTABLISHING BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR DHS PROGRAMS:  Insight into the Process

Capitol Hill
Room TBD

So how does the Administration derive at budget figures each year for the various grant programs that benefit public safety?  This is a good question and the answers will help the fire and emergency services to understand what it needs to do to ensure the continued support of the Administration for these programs.  This seminar will look into the budget process within Department of Homeland Security and the types of key factors taken into account when Congress sets funding levels for programs such as AFG and SAFER. 

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

EVERYONE GOES HOME: NFFF TOWN HALL MEETING

Capitol Hill
Room TBD

This “town hall” meeting will feature an open discussion about how the fire service can become actively engaged in safety initiatives implemented by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and how the federal government is assisting families of firefighters who become disabled or die in the line of duty.

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Heights Courtyard
Washington Hilton

GENERAL RECEPTION

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
International Ballroom
Washington Hilton

24th ANNUAL NATIONAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DINNER
“A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP”