MSFA Convention & Conference 2025
June 15 - June 19, 20252023 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.
360° Leadership
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United States360° 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.
Call to Order; Third Session/Awards Ceremony 0830
Bay Front Ballroom, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean CityThe Awards Ceremony will take place at the Ocean City Convention Center in the Bay Front Ball Room on Tuesday, June 20th, 2023.
Air Monitoring for First Responders
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United Stateshis 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!
Exhibits Open
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesCANCELED: Emergency Response to Electric Vehicle Incidents
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesEmergency 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.
Bridging the Gap; Generational Discussion
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThe 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.
Never Forget Where It Started
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThe 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.
Moral Injury; Is Your Organization Guilty?
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThis 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.
American Fire Culture Needs Gene Therapy
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThe 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.
Cancer Reduction in the Fire Service
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThe 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.
How Safe Is Too Safe?
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesOver 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.
Surviving PTSD; A Success Story
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThe 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.
Firefighters Insurance and Benefits
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesFire/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.
Creating a Psychologically Healthy Fire Department
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThis 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.
Exhibits Close
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesCall to Order; Fourth Session
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesCANCELED: 5th Annual Hair of the Dalmatian 5K
Firefighter Memorial Boardwalk & North Division Street, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThe 5th Annual Hair of the Dalmatian 5k, sponsored by O.C. FOOLS, starts at the Firefighters Memorial, located at the Boardwalk & North Division Street on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
MSFA Executive Committee Meeting
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesJoint Memorial Service Request Deadline
For a department member to be included in the current year's Convention Joint Memorial Service, the request for inclusion needs to be submitted by March 1. Requests after March 1 will be included in the following year's Convention Joint Memorial Service.
2024 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.
Maryland EMT Skills Recertification (1st of 2 sessions)
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThis is the 12-hour psychomotor skills session required for Maryland EMT recertification.
Fire and EMS Memorabilia Flea Market
Performing Arts Center, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD, United StatesLocation: Convention Center Performing Arts Center Lobby
Department Registration
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesLocation: Convention Center Room 208 Upper Level
Executive Committee Meeting
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesLocation: Convention Center Room 201 Upper Level
PDI Sunday, “Teaching Strategies for Introverted Learners”
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresenter: 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 […]
Maryland EMT Skills Recertification (2nd of 2 sessions)
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThis 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.
Sunday Morning Worship Service
Performing Arts Center, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD, United StatesMSFA/LAMSFA Bingo
Convention Center Dockside Hall 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, United StatesLocation: Dockside Hall, Convention Center
Miss Fire Prevention Contest
Performing Arts Center, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThe Miss Fire Prevention Contest will take place at the Ocean City Convention Center on Sunday, June 16, 2024
Instructor PDI; Interactive Classroom and Gamificatiom
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
MSFA/LAMSFA Joint Memorial Service
Bay Front Ballroom, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean CityThe MSFA/LAMSFA Joint Memorial Service will take place at the Ocean City Convention Center in the Bay Front Ball Room on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
Firefighters Nite
Fish Tales Bar & Grill 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, MD, United StatesMaryland Fire-Rescue Services will be hosting Firefighters Nite at Fish Tales Bar & Grill on June 16th at 7:00 PM!
Department Registration
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesLocation: Convention Center Room 208 Upper Level
Babysitting Safety Workshop (4 hours)
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
Call to Order; First Session/Opening Ceremonies 0830
Bay Front Ballroom, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean CityOpening Ceremonies will take place at the Ocean City Convention Center in the Bay Front Ball Room on Monday, June 17, 2024.
Maryland Recruitment Showcase
Performing Arts Center, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD, United StatesLocation: Convention Center Performing Arts Center Lobby
Traffic Incident Management and Post Crash Care for EMS – National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS)
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
College Degrees: What, When, How
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
Neurodiversity & the First Responder
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
Ready, Set, Go-Team
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
Death During Search
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
CSST Awareness and Safety: Lessons from Two Maryland LODDs
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesRoom 206 Presented by: Celeste Flynn and Sara Laird Celeste Flynn and Sara Laird, wives of fallen firefighters LT Nate Flynn and BC Josh Laird, will discuss the hidden dangers […]
Call to Order; Second Session
Performing Arts Center, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD, United StatesLocation: Bay Front Ballroom, Convention Center
Lithium-Ion Battery Fires, a Challenge for the Fire Service
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
It’s Ok to Say I’m Not Ok
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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, […]
Building Communication Skills
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
Commercial Fireground FACTS
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesCANCELED 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 […]
Volunteer Fire Department Non-Profit Management
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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 […]
Critical Assessment; Thinking About the Call Before It Happens
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented 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, […]
LODD Planning Considerations and Lessons Learned from the Family Perspective
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesRoom 206 Presented by: Celeste Flynn and Sara Laird Celeste Flynn and Sara Laird, wives of fallen firefighters, will share their experiences navigating the LODD paperwork and processes in the […]
Family Night at Jolly Roger Amusement Park
Jolly Roger Amusement Park 2901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesFamily Night at Jolly Roger Amusement Park will take place in Ocean City, Maryland on Monday, June 17th
Voting Opens
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPet First Aid and CPR
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: Mark Driscoll; Rescue Encore, LLC This is a hybrid course that offers a blended curriculum of Pet CPR & First Aid and Wag’N’s pet oxygen mask training. Because […]
Call to Order; Third Session/AWARDS CEREMONY
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesMaryland Recruitment Showcase
Performing Arts Center, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD, United StatesVictims, Firefighters, When They Are One and the Same
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: Phil Davis Phil Davis is a Clinical Education and Resource Manager for MASIMO Corporation Room 201 This classes focus on firefighter safety and rehab, with an emphasis on […]
Pediatric Medical Calls; Beyond the ABCs
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: Danielle Joy, Paramedic; EMSC Education Specialist Room 201 Pediatric Medical Calls: Beyond the A-B-Cs. Through the presentation of case studies focused on childhood illness at different ages, this […]
Commanding the Mayday
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: Douglas Brinkley, Division Fire Chief at BWI Airport Fire-Rescue Department, Fire Chief at Lansdowne VFD in Baltimore County Room 203 This presentation raises conversation and thought about how […]
Leadership Personnel Development
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: Dustin Housewright, CFO, CEMSO, MIFireE Room 206 Organizations have ignored the responsibility to develop personnel for succession planning, and prepare their leaders to lead rather than manage. Often […]
The Art of the Company Chauffer
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: Brian Edwards, Career Apparatus Technician: Fairfax County Fire Rescue Department, VA; Volunteer Firefighter/EMS; Warrenton Volunteer Fire Department Engineer, Driver, Technician, Chauffer, Wheelman. Call it what you want, but […]
Call to Order; Second Session
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesNot Your Garden Variety Fire: Multi-Family Operations
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: Kevin Manhardt, Captain; Squad Co 8, Horry County FD Myrtle Beach, SC Room 201 With rapid changes to today’s socioeconomical landscape and the rapid growth of suburban communities, […]
Reading the Building: Building FACTS and the Size-up on Today’s Fireground for Officers and Commanders
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesCANCELED Presented by: Chief Christopher J. Naum, SFPE; Chief of Training, Command Institute, Center for Fireground Leadership Room 202 Today’s buildings and occupancies continue to present unique challenges to command […]
Vehicle Crash Scene Cues; Size Up Through the Eyes of a Mechanical Engineer
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: Dr. Janet Bahouth D.Sc. BMW and Hyundai Accident Research Program Room 203 Automotive vehicles are different today. Roadways are different today. Crashes continue to happen and if you […]
Insurance 101 for Fire and EMS Leaders
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: David Snyder; Risk Management Program Specialist at ESIP Room 204 Fire and EMS agencies have unique challenges when it comes to insurance. As leaders in these organizations, it […]
Implementing a Babysitting Safety Program
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPresented by: Lisa Wilson BA EMT is the Family Advisory Network (FAN) Chair for the Maryland EMSC Department and State Partnership Grant Room 205 This 90-minute didactic presentation is intended […]
Joint Installation of Officers
Bay Front Ballroom, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean CityThe Joint Installation of Officers will take place at the Ocean City Convention Center in the Bay Front Ball Room on Tuesday, June 18th
17th Annual Brotherhood Block Party with the OC FOOLS
Fish Tales Bar & Grill 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, MD, United StatesPrayer Breakfast
American Legion Post 166 2308 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City, United StatesThe Prayer Breakfast will take place at the American Legion Post 166 at 7:30 am on Wednesday, June 19th!
Call to Order; Fourth Session
Performing Arts Center, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD, United States$10,000 Raffle Drawing
Bay Front Ballroom, Convention Center 4001 Coastal Hwy, Ocean CityThe $10,000 Raffle Drawing will take place at the Ocean City Convention Center in the Bay Front Ball Room on Wednesday, June 19th.
MSFA 2024 Parade & Awards
Baltimore Avenue, Downtown Ocean City Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD, United StatesLocation: Downtown Ocean City, Baltimore Avenue, Line-up at Inlet Parking Lot *Parade route between 16th & 30th Street on Baltimore Avenue 1300-MSFA Parade 1700-Awarding of Parade Prizes & Trophies - […]
Annual Hair of the Dalmatian 5K
Firefighter Memorial Boardwalk & North Division Street, Ocean City, MD, United StatesThe 6th Annual Hair of the Dalmatian 5k, sponsored by O.C. FOOLS, starts at the Firefighters Memorial, located at the Boardwalk & North Division Street on Thursday, June 20
Executive Committee Meeting
Ocean City Convention Center 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, United StatesLocation: Convention Center Room 201 Upper Level
2025 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.
2026 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.