CTEX Preview: Dialing in on Lessons for Leadership and Operations

With fewer than two months remaining until the collaborative effort between Firehouse and the California State Firefighters’ Association (CSFA) for the second annual CSFA Training & Education Expo (CTEX), now is the time to register. The event is open to firefighters from around the country, not just California, providing an opportunity to network with key leaders in wildland incidents, fireground operations, firefighter health and wellness, and leadership.

Fire service mentoring
CSFA President and Fire Chief Eddie Sell will focus on the hot topic of fire department mentoring on Feb. 28. With a focus on fire service-based mentoring programs, Sell will highlight how key leaders and various departments embraced mentoring to ensure that current and future leaders and firefighters are prepared for challenges.

Sell will stress to attendees of his program how important it is to embrace the practice of paying it forward and long-term knowledge and guidance.

Engine boss workshop
This two-day class includes a California State Fire Training certificate for the Engine Boss, Single Resource training program. The class will cover numerous scenarios that pertain to rural and wildland urban interfaces.

Registrants of the class will learn the skills that are necessary to lead an engine company during a wildland incident, including fire attack, communications and scene size-up.

As a leader, you will leave CTEX with an understanding of the capabilities of engines and their crews and knowledge about common limitations that are based on various scenarios.

Company officer preparation
CTEX offers a unique, two-day class that’s designed for acting and newly promoted company officers. Elements that will be coverd will prepare them for critical decision-making at fire and emergency scenes.

Join Fire Chief Dan Perkins for this in-depth class for those who ride the right front seat in regard to the  initial command decisions that they make.

Attendees of the class will learn various techniques as they add tools to their size-up, incident command and tactical toolboxes, to ensure that proper resources are ordered and proper strategies are employed. Perkins will guide you to lead via the use of strategic thinking and to understand how your tactical decisions will affect the situation.

Products & technologies
As of press time, manufacturers and distributors continue to sign up to showcase their new and proven equipment and technology. Visits to their booths will help CTEX attendees to make informed decisions on their upcoming purchases.

Health & Wellness
Several sessions that will convene during CTEX focus on health and wellness and how to navigate workers’ compensation, should the need arise.

FDNY Deputy Chief Frank Leeb will provide an update on the latest findings that are related to firefighter cancer and how you can lead the education efforts in your department. Join Leeb for “Tackling Cancer in Today’s Fire Service,” during which he will provide tips to help to protect you and your crews from exposures. Notably, this session isn’t a scientific class. It’s an eye-opening, firefighter-level program to increase awareness and create positive actions.

“First To Respond, Last to Seek Help” is designed to help firefighters to recognize the signs of post traumatic stress injuries and how they can affect them and their families. You’ll learn about the new “brain health” culture, resiliency and how to receive essential tools to navigate the challenges of the job.

On Feb. 26, the “Workers’ Comp Update” session will provide practical advice to help to protect you and your rights following on- and off-the-job injuries. The presenters will share how you can obtain and preserve medical treatment compensation when you are injured and take you through the complex process of disability retirement.

Registration and the full conference lineup are available at https://ctex.csfa.net/.