Pre-Conference Workshops Dig Deep into Topics

One of the greatest benefits to attending conferences is having the opportunity to hear from various speakers on a myriad of topics. The traditional Firehouse Expo sessions are less than two hours and offer focused insights on one or two themes, such as engine operations or company officer leadership skills. The four- and eight-hour sessions provide you with new thoughts and ideas with some background and examples.

Engagement is key with the more in-depth sessions, where instructors and students can interact throughout the day. The sessions often include a mix of PowerPoint presentations, videos, group discussions and polling audience members for their experiences.

A great benefit to attending a pre-conference workshop is the interaction with other attendees. It’s common during these sessions to have breakout groups examine topics and then report back to the whole group, which provides feedback and experiences, whether it regards fireground tactics, personnel management skills or the most effective means for training. You should be prepared to listen, talk and learn for the entire session.

This year, Firehouse Expo offers 20 pre-conference workshops—more than in years past—on Sept. 27.

One suggestion for attending the pre-conference workshops is to bring a means to take notes, whether pen/paper or on your phone or tablet. Also, bring your questions.

Class highlights include:

For Firefighters

The eight-hour “Compartment Fire Behavior: Bringing the Science to the Streets” includes lectures and live fire demonstrations to help attendees to understand the findings from research on fire and smoke behavior. Join Michael Daley and John Dixon for this session, where they will apply science findings to fireground operations.

With hybrid automobile and electric vehicle (EV) fires making new headlines almost daily, Dalan Zartman will lead an eight-hour program that will delve into fire department concerns for tactics, safety and response tips. “HEV Operational Response” will include a look at several hybrids and EVs that will be brought to the class.

On every run, driver/operators can hone their driving skills, but there’s more to learn for that position. In “Left Seat Tips and Tactics,” Nicholas Peppard will share tips and tricks for being an effective driver/operator as you arrive and while your crew works on scene.

Join Firehouse Health & Wellness columnist Aaron Zamzow for the full-day “Creating Effective and Functional Firefighter Workout Programs” workshop. The session not only will help you to build functional workout programs but will take you through the steps at a fire station gym.

Seats are limited for “Walking Columbus: Talking Tactics and Construction,” with Greg Lash. Attendees will walk around Columbus, looking at each building class to engage in discussions on construction and tactics.

For Fire Officers

Benjamin Martin will look at the role of human emotions in decision-making during “Intoxicated Leadership: Thinking Strategically vs. Reacting Emotionally.” The information will be of value whether you’re a seated or recently promoted officer.

Join Rick Best and his cadre from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as they dig deep into leadership using videos, group exercises and discussions to cover new practices in leadership to keep crews safe and healthy. Note: “Attributes of Leadership” has limited seating.

Jay Dixon and Rich Driscoll look at how generational differences affect leadership and training in “Kids These Days: How to Win Friends and Influence Firefighters.”

For Chief Officers

Longtime Firehouse columnist John J. Salka Jr. will lead “Chief Officers Professional Development Program,” which covers fireground decision-making for chief officers, including incident command tips, tactical considerations and communications.

Are you prepared to go live on TV and offer media briefings? Join Robert Leonard as he presents “PIO Boot Camp: Learning the Art of Dealing with Traditional and Social Media in the Fire Service,” to help you and your department to get critical and educational messages out to your community.

Volunteer fire departments face a variety of challenges today, and Brandon Fletcher’s program, “Shaping Your Volunteer Fire Department to Fit Today's Expectations,” is designed to take a hard look at what’s needed to keep the doors open into the future.

Find the full list of sessions at firehouseexpo.com/fhe2022/preconference.