CFSI Webinars

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Recent Webinars

Fire Sprinkler Systems 101

Seminar Description

In the wake of tragic fires in PA and NY, this panel discusses how fire sprinkler systems can help save lives and protect property.

MODERATOR: Michaela Campbell, Director of Government Affairs, Congressional Fire Services Institute

PANEL:
Vickie Pritchett
National Fire Sprinkler Association

Chief Michael O’Brian
Fire Chief, Brighton Area Fire Authority
International Association of Fire Chiefs

Lorraine Carli
National Fire Protection Association

Karl Fippinger
International Code Council

Evan Davis
International Association of Fire Fighters

Wildfire Season 2021

Seminar Description

The panel of experts discusses the 2021 wildfire season; the wildland urban interface; initiatives to reduce wildland fire risk; and the federal response to wildland fire.

MODERATOR: Michaela Campbell, Director of Government Affairs, Congressional Fire Services Institute

PANEL:

Chief Rich Elliott
Deputy Fire Chief, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue, WA
Chair, Wildland Fire Policy Committee, International Association of Fire Chiefs

Michele Steinberg
Wildfire Division Director, National Fire Protection Association
Board Member, International Association of Wildland Fire

Karl Fippinger
Vice President, Government Relations, Fire and Disaster Mitigation, International Code Council

2021 CFSI Symposium

Leadership Forum: Transforming the Way We Think and Perform as Leaders

Seminar Description

The purpose of this session is to inspire change in the way we think about the fire and emergency services. The discussions will focus on key things for future and present leaders to think about: the all-hazards agency; community risk reduction as a means to allocate limited resources; working in world where every action is now being recorded; maximizing the use of social media to market your mission; developing positive relationships with political leaders; and what leadership really means.

Moderator: Bill Webb, CFSI

Panelists:

– Chief John Butler, Fire Chief, Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue Department

– Vickie Pritchett, Vice President/Executive Officer, National Fire Sprinkler Association

– Kevin O’Connor, Founder and CEO, O’Connor CARES Solutions

– Dave Statter, President, STATter911 Communications, LLC

– Chief Stephen Hrustich, Program Manager, Vision 20/20 – Chief Dennis Compton, Past Chair of the Executive Board, IFSTA

Sponsored by: State Farm

Legislative Update: Fire and Emergency Service Priorities on Capitol Hill

Seminar Description

How do the fire and emergency services work with Congress, the White House, and federal agencies? Why should you care about federal issues? Come learn about the policy issues that major national fire and emergency services organizations work on together. This seminar will also talk about developing relationships with your representatives and discuss why your voice matters.

Moderator: Michaela Campbell, CFSI

Panelists:

– Seth Statler, Director Of Government Affairs, National Fire Protection Association

– Ken LaSala, Director of Government Relations, International Association of Fire Chiefs

– Shannon Meissner, Director of Governmental Affairs, International Association of Fire Fighters

– Dave Finger, Director of Government Relations, National Volunteer Fire Council

Education to Field Application: Learning and Performing in the Virtual Environment

Seminar Description

The current pandemic environment and the projected “new normal” demand a fresh look at how public safety trains and educates personnel and uses technology in the workplace. This session looks at the new efforts focused on remote inspection, training, and education. Discussion will focus on lessons learned from current training and education, while identifying potential models to ensure effective and efficient learning. Furthermore, attendees will learn more about standards, methods, and technologies for performing remote inspections.

Speakers:

– Kathy Francis, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management & Public Safety (MACEM&PS) at Frederick Community College (FCC)

– Stephen S. Carter, Special Projects Manager, Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management & Public Safety (MACEM&PS) at Frederick Community College (FCC)

– Terry L. Victor, Senior Manager of Industry Relations, Johnson Controls Fire Protection

Recruitment and Retention in a Disconnected World

Seminar Description

The volunteer fire and EMS service has experienced longtime challenges with recruitment and retention. The pandemic, in addition to the existing competing demands for the volunteer/potential volunteer, has introduced a new level of barriers for department leadership. COVID-19 has created a greater disconnected environment and has left many departments with a greater struggle to recruit and retain. To address the issue, panelists will offer innovative strategies and resources to improve retention and recruitment outcomes.

Moderator: Dr. Candice McDonald, 2nd Vice President, Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association

Speakers:

– John D’Alessandro, Secretary and Volunteer Programs Coordinator, Firemen’s Association of the State of New York

– Warren Jones, Executive Manager, Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association

– David W. Lewis, Emergency Services Educator, National Volunteer Fire Council

COVID-19 Update: Assessing the Current Situation and Planning Ahead

Seminar Description

For the past year, the fire and emergency services have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this challenging time, fire departments have worked with local, state, and federal partners to respond to emergency calls involving COVID-19 patients and transport affected individuals. This panel will offer its assessment on the collaborative efforts between local, state, and federal partners to date in responding to the pandemic and discuss the future needs of fire and EMS personnel to ensure that they are supported in their response efforts.

Moderator: Bill Webb, Executive Director, Congressional Fire Services Institute

Speakers:

– Dave Lang, Assistant to the General President for Governmental Affairs and Public Policy, International Association of Fire Fighters

– Thomas Miller, National Volunteer Fire Council

– Chief Gary Ludwig, International Association of Fire Chiefs

Tracking Occupational Exposures in the Fire and Emergency Services

Seminar Description

The purpose of this seminar is to highlight the increased need to track occupational exposure. From COVID to behavioral health, cardiac to cancer, the health risks to firefighters are staggering. Tracking exposures on the fire ground and other incident scenes is important for both personnel and researchers. The moderated panel will discuss how and why to track exposures, as well as explore the nexus between tracking and access to critical coverage, support, and other benefits now becoming available in many states.

Moderator: Chief Dennis Compton, Past Chair of the Executive Board, IFSTA

Speakers:

– Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, President and CEO, International Public Safety Data Institute

– Pat Morrison, Assistant General President for Health, Safety and Medicine, International Association of Fire Fighters

– Chief John Oates, Fire Chief, East Hartford Fire Department

21st Century Fire and Rescue Services

Seminar Description

In 2020, the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and International City/County Management Association (ICMA) published a white paper exploring the 21st Century Fire and Emergency Services. During the session, members of the technical working group that developed the white paper will provide an overview of the eight critical issues, strategies to address the issues, and share the successes stories of fire departments that have already addressed these issues. As local government have begun facing more challenges, many fire and emergency services have become the health and safety net for communities. The White Paper outlines how reidentification, culture, robust use of data, health & wellness, partnerships, sustainability, technology, and inclusiveness hold great potential to refine and improve how services are provided at the local level.

Moderator: Preet Bassi, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Public Excellence

Speakers:

– Chief Randy Bruegman, CFO, FIFIReE, Fire Chief (Ret.), CPSE

– Chief Trisha L. Wolford, MS, EFO, CFO, FM, NRP, Fire Chief, Anne Arundel County Fire Department

– Tom Harmer, ICMA-CM, Town Manager, Longboat Key (FL)

– Chief Michael Despain, M.A., EFO, CFO, MIFireE, Interim Fire Chief, City of Piedmont

The National Firefighter Registry: Understanding and Reducing Cancer

Seminar Description

This panel discussion will address the need for and expected benefit to the fire service from the creation of the National Firefighter Registry (NFR). Studies of cancer in firefighters have found that firefighters may have a greater risk of some types of cancer. The NFR will be a large database of health and occupational information on firefighters that can be used to analyze and track cancer and identify occupational risk factors for cancer. The goal of the NFR is to help the public safety community, researchers, scientists, and medical professionals find better ways to protect those who protect our communities and environment.
Moderator: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, President and CEO, International Public Safety Data Institute
Speakers:
– Pat Morrison, Assistant General President for Health, Safety and Medicine, International Association of Fire Fighters
– Dr. Kenneth Fent, Research Industrial Hygienist, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
– Chief John Oates, Fire Chief, East Hartford Fire Department

CRR: Advancing the Fire and Emergency Services by Understanding the Community

Seminar Description

Throughout the fire service, community risk reduction (CRR) looks and feels different in every department. In this seminar, speakers will normalize the definitions of CRR as told by NFPA 1300 to unite these diverse approaches. They’ll also discuss the importance of a Community Risk Assessment (CRA) as the critical first step to understanding the unique qualities, capacities, needs, and risks of each street corner in a community. Using two case studies, they’ll show unequivocally how CRAs can improve the future of the fire service.
Speakers:
– Chief Joe Powers, Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction, Charlottesville (VA) Fire Department
– Chelsea Rubadou, Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Strategist, National Fire Protection Association
– Kim Stouse, Community Relations/Education Specialist, Pocatello Fire Department

FirstNet Update: Where We Are and Where We're Going

Seminar Description

This session will utilize presentation and panel discussion to engage participants and provide them with the current status of FirstNet throughout the nation. Participants will discuss six areas that public safety has identified as their top priority. Input related to these priorities directly influences the reinvestment strategies of the First Responder Network’s Board of Directors. Participants will also engage in a panel discussion with FirstNet Senior Public Safety Advisors from around the country to discuss regional FirstNet status, progress, and innovations.
Speakers:
– Michael Varney, Senior Director of Stakeholder Collaboration, FirstNet
– Kevin Nida, Senior Public Safety Advisor, FirstNet
– Gary McCarraher, Senior Public Safety Advisor, FirstNet

AFG/SAFER: An Introduction

The National Fire Academy: A Mission of Educating Fire and Emergency Services Leaders

Video Archive

FirstNet: A Progress Report

FirstNet: A Progress Report

When A Firefighter Falls in the Line of Duty, PSOB Rises to Help the Survivors

A Glance at Congress 2012

Third Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Servie

Building a 21st Century Network: D block & Public Safety Spectrum

Making the Right Decisions