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Tuesday, September 28, 2021
6:45 AM - 7:00 AM Early Morning (T)
HOT Buses Loading
Outside Registration Area
Depart at 7:15 AM
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM All Day (T)
Nozzle Forward (HOT)
Vehicle Extrication (HOT)
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Morning Session (T)
Forcible Entry (HOT)
Ladders (HOT)
This 4 hour class is your chance to practice the art of “throwing” ladders! Instructors will go over tips and tricks for all body types and allow time for practice on all sizes of ladders. If you’re new to the fire service, or simply just want more time handling ladders, this class will allow you to work on your skills. Everything from straight ladders to extension ladders will be available! Equipment required: bunker gear and helmet, structure gloves.
Search & Rescue (HOT)
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Session (T)
Forcible Entry (HOT)
Ladders (HOT)
This 4 hour class is your chance to practice the art of “throwing” ladders! Instructors will go over tips and tricks for all body types and allow time for practice on all sizes of ladders. If you’re new to the fire service, or simply just want more time handling ladders, this class will allow you to work on your skills. Everything from straight ladders to extension ladders will be available! Equipment required: bunker gear and helmet, structure gloves.
Saws & Ventilation (HOT)
4 hour sessions of hands on training with chainsaws and proper roof ventilation technique. We will discuss the basics of roof vent, standard vent saw handling and cut technique, and pitched and flat roof operations. Equipment required: bunker gear, safety glasses, helmet, hearing protection, gloves; leather, extrication, or structure.
Search & Rescue (HOT)
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Night (T)
Meet & Greet Event
Skyline Room, Centennial Hotel
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
6:45 AM - 7:00 AM Early Morning (W)
HOT Buses Loading
Outside Registration Area
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM All Day (W)
Nozzle Forward (HOT)
Vehicle Extrication (HOT)
FSU Research
Corbin
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Morning Session (W)
Forcible Entry (HOT)
Ladders (HOT)
This 4 hour class is your chance to practice the art of “throwing” ladders! Instructors will go over tips and tricks for all body types and allow time for practice on all sizes of ladders. If you’re new to the fire service, or simply just want more time handling ladders, this class will allow you to work on your skills. Everything from straight ladders to extension ladders will be available! Equipment required: bunker gear and helmet, structure gloves.
Search & Rescue (HOT)
Challenging Sexism & Racism
Audubon/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 Arnoff, Carol Brown, Shely Carter, Dr. Sabrina RicksGrant
Everyone in fire and EMS is entitled to work in a safe and respectful environment. However, there are a few members who do not portray the values of the service and bully others. Are you prepared to stand up for yourself or a co-worker when a bully strikes? This participatory class will help you understand the real impacts of bullying, give you tools and options to combat bullying and help you become a more effective leader when dealing with unacceptable behavior. Your workplace environment is up to you; it’s up to all of us to Extinguish Bullying Now!
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!
What's in Your InBox? Promotional Prep Tools to Manage Your Inbox
Heidi SimonRiverfront B
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!
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Late Morning + Afternoon (W)
No workshops in this session.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch (W)
Lunch
Riverfront C & D
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Session (W)
Forcible Entry (HOT)
Ladders (HOT)
This 4 hour class is your chance to practice the art of “throwing” ladders! Instructors will go over tips and tricks for all body types and allow time for practice on all sizes of ladders. If you’re new to the fire service, or simply just want more time handling ladders, this class will allow you to work on your skills. Everything from straight ladders to extension ladders will be available! Equipment required: bunker gear and helmet, structure gloves.
Saws & Ventilation (HOT)
4 hour sessions of hands on training with chainsaws and proper roof ventilation technique. We will discuss the basics of roof vent, standard vent saw handling and cut technique, and pitched and flat roof operations. Equipment required: bunker gear, safety glasses, helmet, hearing protection, gloves; leather, extrication, or structure.
Search & Rescue (HOT)
Respect Our House; Extinguishing Bullying Train-the-Trainer
Alisa Arnoff, Carol Brown, Shely Carter, Dr. Sabrina RicksGrant
This 4-hour workshop accompanies the Respect Our House course and allows you to become an instructor for the IAFC Bullying, Harassment and Workplace Violence Task Group. This interactive class gives you the foundation on how to prepare to teach the Respect Our House class as well as all the class materials you need to instruct on your own. The Task Group has simple requirements and guidelines that we will ask you to follow once you become one of our Trainers. Due to the nature of Respect Our House, we also encourage you (but not required) to get a ‘buddy instructor’ from a nearby department in order to help get this important message on ‘Extinguish the Bullying’ out to the fire service. When you leave this class, you will have not only all the information you need to instruct it, but will also get practice teaching portions of the class. You will learn to successfully manage your time as an instructor, answer student questions and feel confident to teach an important and much needed topic. Note: Attending the entire Respect Our House - Extinguish Bullying class is required prior to attending the Train The Trainer course. We also require a minimum of the Fire Instructor 1 certificate as well as previous teaching experience (we do not recommend that this class become one of your first to instruct). Come help us make a difference in the fire service!
Health & Fitness for the Female Firefighter
Jennifer Macallair, David ChenRiverfront A
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.
JENNIFER MACALLAIR, Lieutenant, Anne Arundel County Fire Department — Lt. Jennifer Macallair has over 19 years of experience between the Anne Arundel County Police and Fire Department. For the past two years she has overseen the Fire Recruit Training Program, to include the recruit physical fitness program. Lt. Jennifer Macallair is an ACE certified personal trainer with several specialty certifications, Lead PFT (Peer Fitness Trainer) for the AAFD and Lead Mentor for the AAFD CPAT process (IAFF licensed Candidate Physical Ability Test). Lt. Jennifer Macallair is, to date, the only female to ever hold a position with AAPD QRT (Quick Response Team or SWAT) team.
DAVID CHEN, Battalion Chief, Anne Arundel County Fire Department — Battalion Chief David Chen currently oversees the Anne Arundel County Fire Department’s Special Operations Division. He has over 30 years in the fire service - serving in many roles including firefighter, driver, recruit training officer, marine lieutenant, tech rescue captain, and dive captain. His commitment to fitness in the fire service has been demonstrated throughout his career – assisting as a CPAT mentor and proctor, peer fitness trainer, and coach. He also led the Department’s firefighter combat challenge team to 4 world challenges.
Adaptive Fireground Management
Christopher J. NaumRiverfront B
Today more than ever, understanding the complexity and variations of building construction, the effects of fire dynamics on fire suppression operations while monitoring structural integrity and compartment safety is a must. Building Construction, Occupancy Risks along with Building Anatomy and the Predictability of Building Performance under fire conditions have a profound influence on the management of operations, identification of tactical protocols and deployment of resources. Understanding key inherent performance characteristics, their variables and influence on command decision-making methodologies incorporating an Adaptive Fireground Management (AFM) model will be presented.
6:15 PM - 6:45 PM Evening (W)
Buses Loading
By Registration Area
7:00 PM - 9:00 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 - 5:00 PM Late Morning + Afternoon (Th)
FSU Research
Corbin
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Morning Session (Th)
Know Yourself, Know Your Value — The Oral Resume
Heidi SimonAudubob/Manitou
"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!"
Critical Incident Stress Management
Ali RothrockFinch
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
This is a situational awareness class like none you've ever taken. Derived from the instructor’s 33 years of going to fires, this presentation examines some of the common reasons well-intentioned firefighters make mistakes on the fireground. The insights are not complex scientific theories or long problem-solving algorithms and allow the students to use their own experiences to solidify the knowledge. Learning some of the key reasons our ability to read the situation gets cloudy is the best place to start. This training will open your eyes to some things you are doing wrong and didn't even realize were happening. Students will be challenged to honestly evaluate how they approach their mission and will be asked hard questions about their priorities as firefighters. Most importantly, the information gained in this class can be immediately applied at fires and easily shared with others on the crew. Getting better at evaluating the situation accurately is a skill that can be improved. We'll enhance that skill and have a great time doing so.
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.
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch (Th)
Lunch
Lunch on your own.
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon Session 1 (Th)
When I Doubt Myself and Other Women
Angela HughesAudubon/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.
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.
Today's Buildings on Fire: Tactical Risks for the First-Due
Christopher J. NaumRiverfront A
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
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.
Strategies for Leading Work Environment Diversity in the Fire Service
Dr. Kwame CooperRiverfront A
The purpose of this presentation is to explore how the increase in diversity within the Los Angeles City Fire Department has affected the organizational learning dynamics about diversity among firefighters. The presentation will present an overview of a recent doctoral study of diverse firefighters and will include research findings and strategies to lead a diverse workforce. Participants will deepen their understanding about the importance of race, gender, sexual orientation, cultural values, beliefs, and perspectives while discovering new opportunities to create critical dialogue and develop courageous fire service leadership acumens in the work environment. An in-depth discussion will follow the presentation to allow for feedback and further development of organizational learning about diversity opportunities for fire service leaders.
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)
5K 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)
Developing a Digital Public Information Presence
William DelaneyAudubon/Manito
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 McIntyre, Sarah FoleyGrant
Requests of the fire service have changed over the years. Fire departments are now called to serve increasingly diverse populations. Spokane Fire Department social workers delve into a program 12 years in the making, social workers embedded in the first responder network. Learn models for achieving behavior change on the client and community level including wrap around services to address frequent utilizers of emergency services, and Community Risk Reduction intervention stratgies informed by our Community Risk Assessment (CRA).
Beyond the Burns: Lessons Learned
Angela HughesRiverfront A
This class is based on a near miss that could have cost two firefighters their lives. A simple incident that started with a chair on fire lead to a fully involved basement. The firefighters were put into a situation where they were a part of the flow path. The interior crew experienced all the warning signs of high heat and low visibility. The nozzle firefighter suffered second degree burns to her neck, ears and face. The back up firefighter suffered first degree burns. Why did they stay in? This part of the lecture goes beyond strategy and tactics. They were working with a group that believed in firefighting tactics of long ago. They felt they had something to prove-something to prove, especially being women. The lessons learned go far beyond that of general fire behavior and changing tactics on the fireground. Feeling the need to prove yourself, to be aggressive could be a fatal mistake.
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
In male-dominated environments, it's important to consider how gender not only influences communication and leadership styles, but impacts perceptions, trust and credibility. In this interactive workshop, Rachelle Strawther, co-founder of the WOMEN LEAD initiative at Gonzaga University, will highlight common verbal and non-verbal communication patterns, how these impact perceptions, and how to communicate effectively in mixed-gender groups. Participants will leave with tools and strategies to lead and communicate authentically as women, while being strategic and intentional at the same time.
Chief's Panel
Finch
Mentoring
Lisa Baker, Khalila YanceyGrant
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
Angela HughesRiverfront 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”.
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.
Firefighter Fitness: Training the Brain to Perform Fitness
Angela TealRiverfront A
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.
Recruiting for All the Right Reasons
Terri ReidRiverfront B
Nearly fifty percent of the population in the United States is Women. Why does the fire service struggle to recruit and retain the right women for the job? This program will review the most current statistics of women in fire and emergency services based on data from the 2015 NFPA Needs Assessment and compare to data over the past several years. We will discuss the challenges that women face that may be different from their male counterparts. We will discuss public perception as it relates to why women don’t believe they have what it takes. The class will introduce proven strategies to recruit and retain a more diverse fire service.