June 18th – June 23rd

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2023 MSFA Annual Convention & Conference

Each June, the Maryland State Firemen's Association gathers for its annual Convention and Conference to conduct the business of the association and to provide insightful training and educational sessions for its membership. The MSFA welcomes you, your department, your business to take part in this annual meeting and educational event.

Registration

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

Registration begins at 0700 on Monday, June 19, in the Convention Center Room 208, Upper Level.

Fireground Commander’s Intent: Coordinated Actions for Mission

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

The focus of this class is to illustrate the importance of a commander’s expectation on emergency scenes. This class is a work in progress and has been updated every year to reflect my continuing education on the fireground. The main purpose of the intent is to provide a framework for Company Officers to act. Fire companies are the linchpins to a successful emergency scene operation. The importance of synchronized small unit tactics following the commander’s intent is critical to a successful mission on an emergency scene. Every emergency operation outcome is the result of many small unit outcomes. The key is for each small tactical unit (engine & truck companies) to perform in a predictable way. If one small unit fails to perform their task the whole operation could have a negative end result and change the strategy of the commander. The application of this information is to provide proven basics for fire officers to be successful during emergency operations through interactive discussions and video demonstration.

OC FOOLS 8-hour H.O.T. The Art of the Educated Search; RIT Reinvented

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

Part 1: Art of the Educated Search: Strategies & Tactics for success when arriving w/ “Reports of People Trapped”. Understanding how our entry determines our path, and the methods to clear rooms of varying living space. Sizing up occupancy types & understanding residential construction to maximize our search timeline. Techniques for “clearing” compartments quickly & efficiently during the primary search, and accomplishing the “30 Seconds Out” Survivable Space Search.

Part 2: RIT; Reinvented: The most progressive approach to preplanning and producing a positive outcome following the “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY”. Understanding who will be a victim, why, and how it’s likely to occur. Then, how we mitigate the emergency w/ proper tools, access techniques, and removal tactics.

CLOSED: Maryland EMT Skills Recertification (2nd of 2 sessions)

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

This is the 12-hour psychomotor skills session required for Maryland EMT recertification. Class will be conducted in two six-hour sessions. PLEASE NOTE – The student will still need 12 hours of continuing education either online through MFRI or physical attendance at several available sessions.

Sold Out Free

Exhibits Open

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

PAIN: Pediatric Assessment Is Needed at All Ages

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

Dr. Jennifer Guyther will engage the audience in discussing pediatric pain – when it is obvious and when it may be hidden. The presentation will review the pain control treatment options – medication doses and timing, repeat assessments, and alternative treatments that work.

Elevators for the Fire Service

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

This session discusses Elevator Code requirements, both new and existing (what a first responder may see depending upon age of bldg.) NFPA, IBC and the MD State Elevator Codes. Explanation of the different types of elevators. (Traction, Hydraulic, Machine Room) Inspection process for accepting an elevator into service. Not just fire service related items but the entire elevator testing/acceptance process.

Elevator Operations. The Codes do permit the use of elevators as part of the egress paths from a building, etc. This session would outline the unique aspects associated with using elevators for egress as well as typical FD operations. The presentation includes representative(s) from the State Elevator Inspectors Office and/or Local Elevator Companies.

Using Simulation to Enhance Leadership Development

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

This presentation will discuss how utilization of simulation as part of leadership education can improve the leadership development process and support effective leadership succession in your organization

How Did We Become Scared of the Roof?

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

This presentation will look at firefighter line-of-duty deaths related to vertical ventilation on the fireground. Notice will be given to how significant deaths over decades have influenced training today and views on current practices and restrictions. It will also highlight what is made sensational and what is ignored when it comes to safety and education. Data and references will be shown in all areas to give the attendees a true picture of firefighter deaths during vertical ventilation. (2 hours)

Pet First Aid and CPR

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

More and more fire departments are carrying pet oxygen masks on their apparatus these days, making it crucial for first responders to understand how to appropriately size an oxygen mask for fit to the animal as well as what flow rates are required for different animals. Upon completing this class, first responders will feel comfortable performing CPR, applying an oxygen mask, and performing rescue breathing for both cats and dogs.

Legislative Breakout Session

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

Legislative Breakout Session hosted by John Hall, Attorney; Prince George's County in room 209 of the Upper Level of the Convention Center.

Operational Responsibility

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

This session will review the need for company officers and chief officers to understand the responsibility that comes with these positions. The discussion will address the priority of our firefighters as we make critical operational decisions. With a priority to our fire service mission of protecting lives and property. We will discuss incidents where decision making changed the outcome of a fireground, and what the affects of our decisions have on our mission and our firefighters.

Drift Towards Failure

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

This class will engage the participants in a discussion on how to address this growing issue within the modern fire service. Having a critical conversation and setting expectations are key in solving or fixing these issues. Confrontation may be difficult, but it is necessary.

Pediatric Trauma: Case Studies in Summer Injuries

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

Children explore their environments as a part of growing up – often in ways that teach them wonderful things.

Once the traditional school year has ended, the incidence of pediatric traumatic injuries typically increases. This presentation will focus on the MOI seen most often in the summer (but some year round), the key assessment signs and symptoms during triage, when to consult with a Pediatric Base Station, and transport & destination considerations – Local ED or Pediatric Trauma Center.

It’s Ok to Say I’m Not Ok

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

As individuals, we carry the weight of everyday stresses around each day: work, family, financial status, having more time to enjoy life. Couple that with the mental stresses of emergency response: witness to life and property loss, sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, and we are equal to a ticking time bomb. Come learn how to identify the signs of stress and how to combat stress in order to maintain mental wellness.

Call to Duty; Recruiter Battle Briefing

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

OBJECTIVES:

-Change the participant's mindset as to the way they address both the challenges and solutions to modern day volunteer fire and EMS recruitment and retention environments
-Engage the participants in activities and exercises that they can take back to their organization to facilitate based on local conditions
-Give participants the tools and resources to develop a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan for their emergency services organization
-Motivate the participant to seek additional and advanced recruitment and retention coordinator training

The Efficient Engine

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City

The job of an engine officer is not as simple as running inside and spraying water. The origins of a successful engine company operation often start way before the engine was rang out for the alarm. The purpose of the “Efficient Engine” class is to start from scratch and look at the systems, from machine to personnel, which contributes to the effective deployment of the Engine Company. We will start with specifications that can help the students navigate through all the different options available concentrating on the items that will increase the usefulness of the engine itself. Then we move onto layout of equipment and hose that can maximize the efficiency of the crew. Next item covered is the efficient use of the equipment including intricacies and quirks of the new electronic aids often in use on newer engines. The class will wrap up with personnel deployment and training techniques to maximize the different staffing levels found throughout the country both volunteer and career.

Exhibits Close

Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City