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

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

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

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

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

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