Fire/EMS companies pay for insurance just in case something happens. When “just in case” shows up at your station, are you really covered?

Being educated in trauma-informed care strategies has numerous benefits. Knowledge in this area helps us with our day-to-day interactions with our loved ones, friends, and even strangers.

This class will teach First Responders how to use a meter properly and understand the readings they see and the implications of such on emergency response.

Utilizing facilitated conversation and a series of interactive exercises, this presentation outlines the three major phases of the “Volunteer Life Cycle”: Recruitment, Onboarding and Retention to offer a framework for sizing up the health and wellness of your organization’s culture and processes.

Presenting insights on building construction for today’s fire service, the primary objective of this program is to increase awareness and understandings and promote new skillsets in the fundamentals of building construction, architecture, engineering and design, that directly impact firefighting and command operations at structure fires

From instructing recruits to company level training there are only so many hours allotted so every drill has to count. This class will discuss how to build drill cycles so that the participants get the most out of each drill. We will break down a number of my favorite training drills and discuss how the building blocks of a “Crawl-Walk-Run” format is essential for success.

This truck essentials class will be focused on basic truck work. The HOT skills performed will be geared towards both residential and commercial fires. The goal of this class it to provide a fundamental basis for the students to build upon for their fire ground operations. Whether you are a fully staffed fire department or a volunteer department the skills we will go over are going to help you bolster your truck culture.

Mental Health First Aid® is a public education national certification course. Participants learn to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of an emerging mental health problem or crisis, to identify community resources, and to link individuals in need of support to appropriate care. This skills-based course includes a 5¬-step action plan which can be used in various types of crisis and non-crisis situations.

MHFA for Fire/EMS focuses on the unique experiences and needs of firefighters and EMS personnel. Participants learn about the importance of early intervention and how, as first responders, they can intervene in the field and provide direct assistance to someone who is experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.

The 5 Step Action Plan, ALGEE, includes:

Assess for risk of suicide or harm

Listen non-judgmentally

Give reassurance and information

Encourage appropriate professional help

Encourage self-help and other support strategies

CANCELED

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.

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.

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.

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

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The program provides leading insights on building construction systems, design configurations, and characteristics of common large area residential and mega-mansions--homes ranging from 4,000 to 40,000 square feet, with operational focus on the 6,000-18,000 SF residential footprint. A

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 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.

360° Leadership is a core class for Officer, aspiring Officer, and Member professional development. This course explores and explains the essentials of well-rounded organizational leadership and the obligations of all ranks and levels of membership. Accurate assessment of operational and administrative variables is an acquired skill that provides knowledge of which elements can be controlled or influenced. Participants in this interactive class will engage in scenario-based discussions and presentations to discover practical tools and techniques for building their leadership skills.

his class will teach First Responders how to use a meter properly and understand the readings
they see and the implications of such on an emergency response. It is estimated that 90% of first responders can
turn a meter on but have no idea what the readings mean when it alarms, nor the knowledge of the changing
situation as a meter begins to register readings putting them at significant risk.
This class will be a self-contained course which will include meters, reference materials, and chemicals. Attendees will learn why they need a meter, and how to use it!

Emergency Response to Electric Vehicle Incidents is designed to introduce first responders to the basic design and hazards of battery operated or hybrid vehicles and provides students with the advanced knowledge and skills needed respond to and address electric vehicle emergencies. Students will leave prepared to operate as a member of a team capable of responding to emergencies involving alternative fuel vehicles, where advanced vehicle rescue may be needed.

The generational differences in the area of leadership has been a topic of much discussion in recent years. As the baby boomer generation continues to age and retire, there is a growing need to understand how millennials and generation X will step up to fill leadership positions within the fire service.
There are several areas that have caused a divide between the different generations including technology, politics, and work life balance. To bridge the gap between generations, it is important to recognize and value the strengths of all generations. Departments can benefit from creating opportunities for different generations to work together and learn from each other. Mentoring programs and cross-generational training can help transfer knowledge and expertise while also fostering a more inclusive and collaborative workplace culture. Being able to understand each generation’s “Why’ will guide departments to help identify, prepare, and transition to the next phase of leadership.
It's clear that the relationship between generations in the area of leadership is complex and nuanced but that doesn't mean that it's not an area that we should focus on and build upon. By valuing the strengths of the generations and creating opportunities for cross-generational learning and development, departments can build a strong and diverse leadership pipeline that is capable of adapting to the changing demands of the modern fire service.
This class will define the differences and allow an open discussion on how to effectively communicate and prepare the next generation to lead.

The presentation will focus on the importance of never forgetting where you came from in this business as you move through the ranks, the importance of embracing your department's history, paying it back and forward, and how never forgetting the beginning followed you and helps set your leadership skills, style and values.

This presentation will discuss the differences between burnout and moral injury while exploring how an organization can unknowingly inflict moral injury on their personnel and what they do to prevent its proliferation.

The American fire culture has been a manual fire protection model based on six underlying assumptions, or DNA genes: fast, close, wet, risk, injury and death. To survive in the 21st century, fire service leadership must change our cultural paradigm to automatic fire protection that does not accept fire loss.

The Cancer Reduction in the Fire Service class is an overview of the current status of cancer in the fire service and highlights the state and federal regulations, national standards and best practices that promote the reduction of cancer in the fire service.
This class dives into the current industry data of cancer among firefighters, what state and federal regulations and national standards apply to reducing firefighter cancer and industry best practices to reduce cancer in the fire service in a practical way.

Over the last several years, there has been a push to discontinue the practice of interior fire attack or operating in the “offensive” mode on the fire ground. Historically data collection and analysis has focused on the “negatives” associated with operating on the fire ground, this being property loss, civilian fire fatalities, and firefighter line of duty death. It has not been until recent years that the fire service has begun to track “grabs” or the civilians we save. The data subset most frequently used to discourage the practice of interior fire attack is firefighter line of duty death. We are told year after year about the high number of firefighter line of duty deaths. However, data from the US Fire Administration clearly shows a decline in firefighter line of duty deaths since tracking began in the 1970’s. With a few notable exceptions such as 9/11 and the last two years due to COVID-19. Yet, there is now a push more than ever to discontinue the practice of interior fire attack. Despite this, the fire service has far more education, PPE, and tools as opposed to years prior. Throughout this course we will examine over 20 years of firefighter line of duty deaths and examine the causes of death in the line of duty to highlight the need to continue interior fire attack in the fire service.

The main objective of the presentation is to bring awareness to the mental health and PTSD crisis within the 1st responder community. To focus on getting people to talk about what we see on and off the job to bring about mental wellness and resiliency. The biggest goal is to let those out there with trauma and/or PTSD that they are not alone. Much like occupational cancer, occupational mental health needs to be addressed and this presentation does that along with offering some solutions.
The purpose for this presentation, much like the objectives, is to share a story of how unresolved trauma and PTSD can not only affect a 1st responder but their department, family, co-workers, and society. By being transparent and sharing my personal stories of struggles, failures, lows and highs, loss and even gain and then wrapping it up with how I turned it all around into a success story, it provides hope. Our job as 1st responders is thankless from the get-go and for most of us that’s ok cause it is not what we signed on for. However, not being able to or not knowing how to deal with and heal from what we see and do during our career(s), is not what we signed on for.

Fire/EMS companies pay for insurance just in case something happens. When “just in case” shows up at your station, are you really covered?
This seminar has 2 primary objectives:
• To identify the property, liability and member exposures faced by volunteer Fire/EMS companies every day – from a risk management perspective.
• To inform members on how insurance works to protect the corporations and their volunteers, and the options available to them.
This seminar is presented in everyday language and provides an interactive format for participant comments and questions.
Topics covered include apparatus valuation methods and liability, coverage for COVID-19, station buildings & contents and operational liability. The Workers Compensation and benefits policies for each county are explained.
Specific risk subjects also include firefighting foam pollution liability, theft of funds, HIPAA, Directors & Officers liability and fund-raising activities. An expanded focus this year is benefits for members, both through the station and available on an individual basis.

This course from the National Volunteer Fire Council and the American Psychological Association's Center for Organizational Excellence is designed to empower fire department leadership to promote and support healthy, high-performing fire/EMS departments. Based on the framework from the Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments initiative, this course focuses on six key practices - member involvement, health and safety, member growth and development, work-life balance, member recognition, and effective communication - to facilitate member well-being and department functioning.

This is the 12-hour psychomotor skills session required for Maryland EMT recertification.

Presenter: Bob Midkiff, MFRI Instructor Room 201 Description: Teaching Strategies for Introverted Learners will acquaint fire department instructors with the unique characteristics of introverted students, their strengths and weaknesses, and unique learning styles. Learning strategies and best practices will be demonstrated and applied for enhanced learning outcomes in the classroom. Link to register: Click here

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.

Presented by:  Ruddhi Wadadekar, Instructional Designer, MFRI Room 201 This is a 3 hour PDI. Registration is through the MFRI website. The Interactive Classroom and Gamification workshop features demonstrations of instructional tools, hands-on exercises, engaging conversations, and practical workshops. Attendees have the opportunity to explore creative ways to gamify their teaching to enhance student engagement […]

Presented by: Lisa Wilson EMT BA is the Family Advisory Network (FAN) Chair for the Maryland EMSC Department and State Partnership Grant Room 202 Child and Babysitting safety is intended for teens and young adults (13-18 years) interested in babysitting as a business, or who have responsibility for younger family members. This course gives teenagers […]

Presented by: Joseph Tebo, FHA, Office of Operations; USDOT Program Manager; Todd Leiss, Traffic Incident Management Specialist at Jacobs Engineering Room 201 Joe Tebo will cover how to enhance the survivability of crashes through expedient access to emergency medical care, while creating a safe working environment for vital first responders and preventing secondary crashes through […]

Presented by: John Todaro BA, NRP, RN, TNS, NCEE, CHSE, CHSOS Director/Principal Consultants with Eagle Emergency Education Consultants Room 203 This presentation will discuss what a degree can do to enhance an emergency services provider's career. What degree majors are available and the value they can add to an emergency services provider’s career. How to […]

Presented by: Dr. Jenelle Abnett; Professor at Neumann University in Aston, PA.; Advisor for the Neumann University Branch of the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation College Program Room 204 Neurodiverse individuals make up 15-20% of the population. This group includes people with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and processing disorders such as dyslexia and dysnomia. Unfortunately, individuals […]

Presented by: Michael Broussard, CRNA; Anesthesia Lead STC Go Team; Shannon Hagan, CRNA Room 205 The Shock Trauma Go Team exists to assist field providers with advanced care. This session will cover the training, capabilities, and the inner-workings of the Shock Trauma Go Team. There will be some case presentations and interactions from the audience.

Presented by: Bill Carey, Assistant Editor FireRescue1, EMS1 Room 207 A detailed look at line-of-duty death data involving fireground search. This presentation will cover United States Fire Administration (USFA) data regarding search and rescue on the fireground. The information shared will explain the USFA data, common misconceptions, inaccuracies and deeper, factual details. Errors regarding the […]

Presented by: Daniel Murray, Deputy Chief, Haz-Mat Operations, FDNY New York, NY Located in Room 207 NYC suffered 18 civilian fatalities from fires started by lithium-ion batteries in 2023. Chief Murray calls NYC the laboratory for this new technology and its impact on the fire service. He will cover response, safety, procedures, mitigation, removal, interagency […]

Presented By: David Lewis, Instructor; NFA, MFRI, and UMD; Susan Hilton, Damascus VFD, Maryland Room 201 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, […]

Presented by: John Todaro BA, NRP, RN, TNS, NCEE, CHSE, CHSOS; Director/Principal Consultants with Eagle Emergency Education Consultants Room 204 This presentation will discuss the concept of “Role-Play” as an educational tool and how it can be used to improve Communication Skills. Emphasizing role-play’s application in teaching communications skills to improve patient care and leadership […]

CANCELED Presented by: Chief Christopher J. Naum, SFPE; Chief of Training, Command Institute, Center for Fireground Leadership Room 204 The Buildings and Structures that provide occupancy and use for commercial functions and services continue to evolve at a rapid pace with emerging construction methods, new materials and innovated architectural treatments and emergent engineering practices. Presenting […]

Presented by: Jerry Ozog; Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute Room 205 This seminar is designed for board members, administrative, and operational leaders responsible for volunteer fire or EMS organizations. Effective nonprofit management of membership driven organizations requires a unique set of knowledge, skill, and abilities. Leaders have a legal responsibility […]

Presented by: Joe Cvach; Battalion Chief, Anne Arundel County FD Room 202 For both fire and EMS incidents, there are multiple assessment pneumonics and tricks to focus on assessment. However, the evaluation begins before the call is even dispatched. Knowledge of the area, familiarity with the community, and even previous interactions go into the assessment […]