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Tuesday, September 28, 2021
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Night (T)
Meet & Greet Event
Skyline Room, Centennial Hotel
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM All Day (W)
Breaking our Silence
jona olsson
When good people are silent, they allow racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Islam, and all other forms of oppression to persist unchallenged. Fire service personnel should be inspired and equipped to provide respectful support and advocacy, rooted in justice, for their colleagues and all communities they serve. Personnel must also be trained and empowered to intervene in oppressive or hurtful behaviors they witness. In this session, participants will practice their skills of intervening in oppressive behaviors while working to re-build trust, using real-life, fire service scenarios.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Morning Session (W)
Challenging Sexism & Racism
jona olssonAudubon/Manito
The fire service culture still struggles with the legacy of its all-male history. Sexism looks different in 2020, but sexist attitudes, behaviors and policies still discourage, demean, and oppress women. Today racism still divides our nation, our communities and our departments. Racism and sexism, the prejudices and stereotypes have predictable results: many firefighters of color and women are harasses, isolated and unsupported, while many white and male firefighters feel threatened. Sexism and racism take a daily toll on personnel health and mission effectiveness. Participants will practice their skills of intervening in oppressive behaviors using real-life, fire service scenarios.
Respect Our House; Extinguishing Bullying
Alisa ArnoffFinch
What's in Your InBox? Promotional Prep Tools to Manage Your Inbox
Heidi SimonGrant
Are you ready to become an officer? Do you have the tools not only to test but to manage your day effectively and efficiently?? THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU! Simple methods to triage your day and ensure you are covering all bases; and how to present those in a succinct method during the testing process. This class includes instruction, application and presentation practice. Gain real-life tools that you can apply to your everyday station management and leadership!
Building Resilience
Taylor MonteyRiverfront A
This workshop examines how life in the firehouse can affect your psychological, physiological, social, and emotional health. It will give you tools for building resilience and reducing stress. Discussion goes beyond post-traumatic stress disorder and firefighter suicide. We will also examine an in-depth look into the stressors of the job; such as interpersonal relationships, pressures of performance, and the effects of shift work. The workshop helps participants recognizes areas of stress in their own lives, and walks participants through activities that help them recognize areas for improvement and implement resiliency techniques. This class offers a fun workout (for all abilities) to experience and reinforce what is learned in class Please, bring or wear your workout clothes and get ready to have fun and get stronger mentally and physically!
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch (W)
Lunch
Riverfront C & D
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Session (W)
Train the Trainer
Finch
Health & Fitness for the Female Firefighter
Jennifer MacallairGrant
It is no secret women face unique physical and mental obstacles when it comes to choosing a career in the fire service. As a personal trainer and an instructor, I find myself giving advice, tips, or techniques, to women frequently, that they had never considered prior. Chances are, they either trained or worked with men, who had the brute strength to do the same movement and no other alternatives were given to them, leaving a lot of us to figure it out on our own, or worse, being injured utilizing. Instead of blending in or finding ways to avoid certain areas of the job, this program provides functional movements, specific to the challenges women face in the fire service today.
Building on Peer Support
Dena AliRiverfront A
This presentation is designed to teach members and leaders the components of a working peer support program. We explain how we developed the North Carolina Peer Support Team and how we built resources for the team. We also discuss partnerships with other national leading peer support programs. Peer Support Training provides an introduction to the techniques of emergency responder psychological first aid as it is provided to firefighters by firefighters. It is in line with the National Fallen Firefighters’ Foundation’s Everyone Goes Home project and the 13 the Life Safety Initiative: Firefighters and their families must have access to counseling and psychological support services.
Students learn the components of behavioral health and the commonality of behavioral health disorders. They learn how to actively listen and be there for other members in need, but more importantly, they learn resources available for themselves and others. Peer supporters recognize that their job is not to counsel or solve another member’s problem, but to simply be there, nonjudgmentally, and know the resources available.
First Alarm Strategies
Riverfront B
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Night (W)
Networking Event
McGinnity Room, 116 W. Pacific Avenue, Spokane
Thursday, September 30, 2021
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Opening Ceremony (Th)
Opening Ceremony
Riverfront C & D
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Morning Session (Th)
Addressing Suicide: A Proactive Approach to First Responder Mental Wellness
Dena AliAudubon/Manito
Students learn the importance of proactive mental health as a means to combat the many mental health disorders that are common among first responders. These include depression, addiction, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms. Tragically, when not addressed, the end result of each of these can be suicide. As first responders, when we think of mental health disorders, we often think in terms of us vs them. We believe that our responsibility to our community means we can never show any sort of weakness. This misperception can lead members to suppress emotions and fail to address the underlying causes that can build into crisis.
Utilizing Data to Justify Organization Growth
Allen G. LewisGrant
How do you convince the decision makers to which you report that you need additional staff, funding, or equipment to carry out your organization's mission? Multiple examples are used from the presenter's own department in which he has been able to facilitate almost doubling the number of employees while generating an additional one million in EMS revenue annually. Participants will be shown why knowing your audience and developing personal relationships with your city manager, city councilors, mayor, or other decision making body are key to successful funding requests. The attendees will be challenged to view their own funding requests from the perspective of a decision maker in order to make the most compelling argument.
7 Deadly Sins of the Situationally Unaware
Mike GaglianoRiverfront A
Resolving Internal Discriminatory Conflict
John MurphyRiverfront B
Conflict is a part of everyday life whereas harassment and discrimination should not be a part of that life. Conflict ranges from the simple question of what to wear or what to eat to the more complex conflicts of dealing with personnel or organizational issues that seem to slow the organization down and could be destructive to the organization if not resolved. There are adequate laws in place to prevent discriminatory conflict and the department’s obligation to the safety of its firefighters is to develop a set of enforceable policies that mirror’s applicable state and federal laws that prevent discrimination and harassment. All too often, the anti-discriminatory laws are known to fire department leadership who unknowingly or knowingly fail to address the issues of conflict in the department. This class is designed to assist Chiefs, staff officers and firefighters understand how harassment and discrimination create conflict in their organizations and steps to take to identify, prevent and mitigate workplace conflict dealing with discriminatory actions.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch (Th)
Lunch
Riverfront C & D
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon Session 1 (Th)
When I Doubt Myself and Other Women
jona olssonAudubon/Manito
Leadership in the fire service, regardless of rank or role, demands self-confidence, a trust of one’s own knowledge, judgment and capabilities. While most women have successfully challenged sexist comments, behaviors, policies and organizational structures to get to their positions, the impact of internalized sexism often still holds us back - since a lifetime of sexist messages causes us to doubt our judgment, our competence, our leadership capacity. We’ll examine how our doubt affects our leadership, training, support of other women firefighters. Strategies will be offered to identify and to confront internalized sexism — to help every woman, at any level of the fire service, perform her very best.
FSU Research
Finch
She Wins, You Win: 7 Surefire Ways to Score in Leadership
Tiffanye Boyd-WesleyFinch
Utilizing the RESHAPE 911 model of winning, the instructor will deliver powerful and game changing steps to score big in the game of leadership. The class will explore seven pivotal topics to winning in a male dominated field including: being a Role model, setting Expectations, letting go of the fear to Shift, having Honest conversations, holding people Accountable, setting Plans and goals and being intentional with Execution. Class participants will be challenged in mindset and behavior in real life scenarios.
Creating a Peer Support Team in Your Organization
Jennifer BurrierGrant
Based on a hybrid model between ICISF’s debriefing and defusing, IAFF’s Peer Support Training, and NFFF’s Stress First Aid. Our Department has had great success implementing this type of Team, and I would be interested in sharing this information with other Departments to ensure care for firefighters and EMT’s internationally. Workshop would allow participants a planning session to get started on their organization’s unique challenges.
Buildings on Fire: Tactical Risks for the First Due
Christopher NaumRiverfront A
Arriving companies and personnel at today’s structure fires must be able to rapidly and accurately identify key elements of a building, process that data based upon a widening field of variables present on today’s evolving fireground and implement timely actions that address prioritized actions requiring intervention. This program will present tactical risks and key considerations for the First-Due Company, Company Officer and Commander affecting and influencing operational risk management, command and tactical safety and tactical protocols based upon occupancy risks, reading the building and adaptive management principles. Integrated into the program are key LODD lessons and learnings for today’s demanding fireground
Civil Treatment: Creating a Civil, Inclusive and Productive Work Environment
Mallary TytelRiverfront B
Our rights are designed to protect individuals from unfair treatment whenever and wherever it occurs; and employees must have the resources to address the destructive issues that workplaces face every day. That’s where Civil Treatment comes in, recognizing that civility, belonging, and respect are a professional necessity, not a professional nicety. This workshop will address your organizations’ urgent priorities: sexual harassment, bullying, and inclusion. At the end of this presentation you will be able to:
1. Understand how professional and fair conduct furthers your mission and goals.
2. Articulate law versus policy and your own responsibility to prevent, correct and detect issues as they arise.
3. Identify two concepts of Civil Treatment that affect the work of your own teams
3:45 PM - 5:15 PM Afternoon Session 2 (Th)
Nutrition 101
Kevin GeorgeAudubon/Manito
Learn about the Macros, Building a Meal Plan, and Implementation
FSU Research
Finch
Developing Your Social Media Brand
William DelaneyGrant
In this day and age, a Chief level officer needs to have a social media presence. Many jurisdictions and political leaders are seeking Fire Chief candidates who understand and know how to leverage social media. Developing an effective social media “brand” will serve as a fantastic marketing/promotional instrument that will add to the professional tool box. In addition to enhancing professional opportunities, understanding how to leverage this tool will assist with external and internal communication in the community you serve.
Women in Fire — Worldwidely
Mira LeinonenRiverfront A
We will go through what is happening worldwidely for women in fire and rescue services. The questions to be answered are: what is the number of women in the services in different countries? What are the challengies? How about the best practices? Is there something that we van learn from each other? Which countries have a network for women in fire and rescue? Participants will be able to ask questions and participate in discussions.
Ignite the Conversation; Extinguish the Fire
Shelly CarterRiverfront B
This class is an interactive, open and honest conversation about women in the fire service. Too many times, we find that people (male and female) rarely have an opportunity to freely talk about their experiences with discrimination, sexism, fear and ignorance regarding women in the perverbial boys club known as the fire service. This class will allow a safe place to have the conversation and clear up some myths about female firefighters.
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Reception & Auction (Th)
Reception & Auction
Riverfront C & D, Centennial Hotel
Friday, October 1, 2021
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Fun Run (F)
Fun Run
Spokane City Park
A fun run to support a non-profit chosen by the Spokane Fire Department.
- Rate $30
- Bib numbers and T-shirts for all registered
- Spokane City Park: beginning on the back deck of the Centennial
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Morning Session (F)
Beyond the Burns: Lessons Learned
Angela HughesAudubon/Manito
Developing a Digital Public Information Presence
William DelaneyFinch
As more and more news organizations across the country cut staff and streamline, they will seek cost effective and simple ways to collate and distribute newsworthy items. The reality is fire departments that can produce, promote and distribute their own video, photo, audio, and written content can communicate directly with residents as well as get priority placement on digital news platforms.
Achieving Behavior Change in Your Community Through a Multidisciplinary Approach
Jamie McIntyreGrant
Leadership Revival with CPR
Jamie HowarthRiverfront A
Fire Service culture is changing. The view of "be seen and not heard" is no longer accepted as a "best practice" for training and mentoring of new firefighters. Making the junior officers of today into tomorrow’s organizational leaders requires a new approach. By using "(C)ourtesy", "(P)rofessionalism", and "(R)esponsibility" we can change the culture, develop our members, and create exceptional leaders for the organization. This class will explain how this can be achieved and why C.P.R can be used effectively in the changing culture of today’s fire service.
Ante Up Your Membership
Valerie SolanoRiverfront B
You will always need to invest something to win the pot. If you are fortunate, the more you have to invest, the greater the reward. If you are the most fortunate, you may be able to invest an ante for someone else to win the pot. What are you doing to invest in the people that surround you for your time at work? Why is it important that you do so?
Studies show that mentorship increases employee engagement, retention, commitment and inclusion. Mentorship has contributed to the success of businesses, militaries, professional sports teams, and yes, even your local fire station. But how do you know when you are ready to be a mentor? How do you know when you need a mentor? Come learn how mentoring, championing, and investing in the future of others will develop yourself into your highest potential.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch (F)
Lunch
Riverfront C & D
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon Session 1 (F)
Leading and Communicating Across Gender Lines
Rachelle StrawtherAudubon/Manito
Know Yourself, Know Your Value — The Oral Resume
Heidi SimonFinch
"So, you think this class is about assessment center stuff? Yes, and SO much more! Oral resume and presentations are coming back as standards in promotional testing, are you ready? Regardless of your promotional status, it’s time to take a good self-inventory and recognize your strengths and accomplishments.
This class will give you tools to help prepare yourself for an oral resume/presentation but more importantly, it will help you see your own unique and wonderful self in a different way. Not many of us are comfortable talking about ourselves and our talents, but we all need to recognize our value to the job/community/world. Come take a look at your strengths and abilities that have molded you into the person you are. Present yourself with poise, pride and a new sense of confidence and share the value you add to the fire service and beyond!"
Leading the Search: Evolving Your Department's Search Culture
Ashley EnglerFinch
Has Search and Rescue slipped into a lower priority on your department's Fireground? Complacency kills when the mindset is assuming the structure is unoccupied, vacant or abandoned. This class will focus on how to reengage individuals to Expect Victims and Expect Fires on a daily basis. Creating a positive mindset to change your department's Search culture. Students will be given multiple examples of the class methodology on how the instructors have successfully changed the cultures within their organizations
Mentoring
Lisa BakerGrant
Fire in Command: The Art of the Size Up and Set Up of the Fire
Patricia ConnollyRiverfront A
In this fun, fast paced class students will learn the critical art of sizing up fire scenes and directing next due resources. Through sets and reps of residential, multi-occupancy, and commercial structures students will build confidence in their size-ups and command skills. The class will discuss critical fire ground factors, strategy decisions, and creating an incident action plan. The class will also examine critical fire ground issues every fire commander should recognize and address to keep crews safe when working on fire scenes.
When I Doubt Myself and Other Women
jona olssonRiverfront B
Leadership in the fire service, regardless of rank or role, demands self-confidence, a trust of one’s own knowledge, judgment and capabilities. While most women have successfully challenged sexist comments, behaviors, policies and organizational structures to get to their positions, the impact of internalized sexism often still holds us back - since a lifetime of sexist messages causes us to doubt our judgment, our competence, our leadership capacity. We’ll examine how our doubt affects our leadership, training, support of other women firefighters. Strategies will be offered to identify and to confront internalized sexism — to help every woman, at any level of the fire service, perform her very best.
3:45 PM - 5:45 PM Afternoon Session 2 (F)
The Things I Wish They Would Have Told Me
Trisha WolfordAudubon/Manito
A leadership class built on the soft skills, hard skills and a “to-do” list of what I wish I would have known before I took my next promotion. The class is focused on the rank of Lieutenants and Captains. The lecture will cover the characteristics of a leader and the tips and tricks I have learned over the last 5 years as I have moved up the ranks. The lecture closes with a lengthy to-do list, stating “if you aren’t doing these things, than you are behind on your level of preparedness for the next rank”.
Community Messaging Saves Lives
Michelle YoungFinch
How community Warnings, engagement and pre-planning saves lives in the middle of disaster. Michelle was the Operational Commander during the recent Wild fires in Queensland and while houses and infrastructure were lost in the disaster NO lives were lost! This lecture will discuss how proper valuable engagement can occur the systems and processes in place for before, during and after an incident. How volunteer community educators can assist the community to Plan, react and recover from disaster. How to overcome complacency, how municipalities have shared responsibility, what other organizations can assist in fire and emergency situations. Holding Community Consultative meeting – dealing with local issues.
Firefighter Fitness: Training the Brain to Perform Fitness
Angela TealFinch
Firefighter fitness has traditionally centered around strength and endurance, but have you ever thought about the mental component of fitness? For the muscle to move there needs to be a neural connection from the brain to the muscle nerve synapse where an action potential can be initiated to compel the muscle to move, lift and react to what is asked of the muscle group by the brain. The firefighter needs to develop these neural connections to move and learn a safe and effective body alignment for their optimal body structure which will reduce injuries. A culture of optimal physical performance can emerge from the old traditions of exercise as punishment for the rookie firefighter. In the new tradition of safety where a senior firefighter can watch rookies perform exercise and correct body structural deficits that can appear with the fatigue of performance. This session will help those that are struggling to find the fitness needed for developing their inner athlete to perform as a tactical athlete.
How Cultural Changes Can Save Our Own Lives
Susanne KlattGrant
Culture and values have a huge impact on how people decide and which actions they take. This applies to everyone, also the fire service. When comparing LODD’s and fireground injuries, the USA lead many countries in these numbers, Germany among them. Training standards and safety regulations are undoubtedly very important for fireground safety, but they won’t be effective if we don’t apply them. So, what hinders us? This workshop will investigate some cultural and psychological aspects of safety and risk-taking propensity in the fire service. We can learn by comparing our fire service cultures and we value risk-taking or risk aversion.
Recruiting for All the Right Reasons
Terri ReidRiverfront B