Safety and Health Conference
The annual Safety and Health Conference is geared towards awareness and sharing information about the hazards and risks inherent in the firefighting profession to collectively strategize on how to change, improve or curb those issues so first responders can live the healthiest and longest lives possible. Topics include but are not limited to: hazards exposure, contamination, mental health, risk of cancer, injury prevention, nutrition, physical fitness and resources available to first responders to address these various concerns.
The educational program is two full days concluding with a half-day featuring topics and speakers from a wide range of backgrounds. For a subject that may at times seem daunting, we strive through positive interaction, support and enthusiasm to emphasize firefighter well-being in the Fire Service.
The vendor opportunity at this event is a 2.5 day vendor showcase of six foot tables in the public meeting space.
2024 Safety and Health Conference
IMPORTANT EVENT UPDATE
EVENT CANCELED
Due to the projected forecast of Tropical Storm Milton, the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association and Safety and Health Conference Committee have made the difficult decision to cancel the October 7-9 conference. At this time, we are considering postponing the event to a later date in November or early December based on hotel availability.
Action Items: If you are already registered and have paid for attendance/exhibiting at the conference, you have the option of requesting a full refund OR applying the funds to the rescheduled event or to a future event within one year. Please submit these requests to us in writing to [email protected] or [email protected].
If you booked hotel accommodations under the group block at the host hotel, the hotel will automatically be canceling all reservations in the group block - no action would be required on your part. If you booked your hotel outside of the group block, you will need to cancel your own reservations.
As we finalize our plans moving forward, we will reach out to you regarding the potential rescheduling of this event.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We truly appreciate your patience. Please stay safe, and we look forward to reconnecting with you soon.
October 7-9, 2024 Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South 4955 Kyngs Heath Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Hotel Information & Booking *Please carefully review and note the terms specific to this hotel*
FFCA Group Rate
A reduced rate of $159.00 per night (plus tax) for Run of House accommodations has been negotiated for conference attendees. The group rate is subject to availability, and room types are limited. Reservations must be made on or before the cut-off date of September 5, 2024.
Terms
- Check in time is 4:00 PM and check out time is 11:00 AM.
- Reservations guaranteed with first night’s pre-payment or a credit card
- Reservations cancelled within (72) hours of arrival will be charged one night and tax, including no-shows
- No Resort Fee
- Discounted self-parking: $8.00 inclusive per day/night
- Room rates shown do not include 13.5% Hotel Tax per night (subject to change)
- All overnight guests will have a two-room suite to include complimentary evening reception (5:30pm – 7:00pm) and complimentary made-to-order breakfast (Mon-Fri 6:30am-9:30am; Sat-Sun 7:00am-10:30am) in the Citrus Room at leisure
- Complimentary basic Wi-Fi in guest suites, public area and meeting space
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Pricing |
Attendee Registration |
By September 5
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After September 5
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$200 |
$250 |
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Safety, Health and Wellness Award of Excellence Nominations close: CLOSED
This award recognizes an individual, group, department (career or volunteer), or other agency within the state of Florida who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to Safety, Health, and Wellness within the fire, rescue, and/or EMS service, or who has made significant and valuable contributions to Safety, Health, and Wellness within their organizations and service as a whole.
The winners must represent themselves by going above and beyond to improve the safety, health, and wellness of their members and organizations. Initiatives may include any or all the following areas of Safety, Health, and wellness:
- Cancer Prevention
- Mental Wellness
- Health and Physical Fitness
- Safety at Emergency Incidents
The Safety, Health, and Wellness Award of Excellence presentation will take place at the Opening Ceremony of the Safety and Health Conference.
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Schedule (subject to change) *All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time
Monday, October 7
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Registration Open |
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
Vendor Showcase |
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM |
Opening Ceremony John Whalen, Fire Chief Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department; Michael J. Choate, FFCA President, Fire Chief Immokalee Fire Control District; Wayne Bernoska, Florida Professional Firefighters; Chris Bator, Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department; JoAnne Rice, Director, Florida Division of State Fire Marshal; Susan Schell, Florida State Fire College |
9:50 AM - 10:00 AM |
Break |
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
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Opening Keynote: 28th Round in Honor of Mike Day Captain Loris "Kag" Cagnoni, U.S. Navy SEAL, (Ret.)
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10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
Peer K-9s on Deployment (Separate one day class)
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11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
Lunch |
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Organizing your Pit Crew to Save Your Life Lieutenant Jason Trainum, Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, VA (Ret.) |
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM |
Break |
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM |
UM FCI Update Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, DO, PhD, MPH CPH, FCR, Professor and Vice Chair University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine; Natasha Schaefer Solle, PhD, RN, Research Assistant Professor, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine |
3:15 PM - 3:20 PM |
Break |
3:20 PM - 4:45 PM |
Cancer & Over Exertion: The Top Two Risks to Firefighters & Risk Reduction Strategies Ryan Conley |
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM |
Networking Reception |
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Tuesday, October 8
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Registration Open |
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
Vendor Showcase |
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Cancer in the Fire Service Amy Dant, Lieutenant Montgomery County Fire Rescue, Maryland |
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM |
Division of State Fire Marshal: Energy Storage Systems Workshop |
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Break |
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Press Conference/ Announcement CFO & SFM Jimmy Patronis; JoAnne E. Rice, MPA, CFO, Director Florida Division of State Fire Marshal; John Whalen, Fire Chief Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department; Michael J. Choate, FFCA President, and FFCA E-Board Members
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11:30 AM - 12:45 PM |
State of the State: Mental Wellness in Florida EMS/Fire Rescue; UCF Restores and 2AP Updates Deborah C. Beidel, PhD, ABPP; Kellie O'Dare, PhD; Jeff Orrange, Lieutenant Orlando Fire Department, Peer Coordinator Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative
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12:45 PM - 1:45 PM |
Lunch |
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM |
Sleep Research in First Responders Joel M. Billings, PhD, Assistant Professor Department of Security and Emergency Services, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Division of the State Fire Marshal: Florida Fire and Incident Reporting System (FFIRS), Firefighters Employment, and Standards and Training Council (FFESTC) |
2:45 PM - 2:50 PM |
Break |
2:50 PM - 3:50 PM |
24/48, 48/96, or 24/72: A Shift Schedule Discussion Joel M. Billings, PhD, Assistant Professor Department of Security and Emergency Services, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; James Geering, Host and CEO, Behind the Shield Podcast; Hugh Bruder, BPA, CFO, Director of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Fire Chief Boynton Beach Fire Department, USAF Veteran; Dixon Phillips, Firefighter/Paramedic, District 3 Representative Pasco County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4420 |
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM |
Break |
4:00 PM - 5:15 PM |
It's not the Calls: Organizational Leadership and Mental Wellness Dena Ali, MPA, Battalion Chief Raleigh Fire Department, North Carolina |
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Wednesday, October 9
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8:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
Registration Open |
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
Vendor Showcase |
8:00 AM - 8:05 AM |
Morning Breathwork Tyler Gaddy, Firefighter Orlando Fire Department |
8:05 AM - 8:30 AM |
Mice Playing with Matches Bill Gustin, Captain Miami-Dade Fire Rescue |
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM |
CSST Awareness and Lessons from 2- LODDS
Celeste Flynn, Wife of Lt. Nathan Flynn; Sara Laird, Wife of Battalion Chief Josh Laird
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10:00 AM - 10:20 AM |
Break |
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM |
A Practical Approach to Reducing Injuries Lee Burton, PhD, ATC, CSCS |
11:20 AM - 11:25 AM |
Break |
11:25 AM - 12:30 PM |
Lithium Ion Panel Discussion JoAnne E. Rice, MPA, CFO, Director Florida Division of State Fire Marshal; Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, DO, PhD, MPH CPH, FCR, Professor and Vice Chair University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine; James Russo, Fire Chief Hollywood Fire Rescue; Oscar Rodriguez, Training Chief Margate Fire Department |
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM |
Lithium Ion Panel Discussion -Q & A JoAnne E. Rice, MPA, CFO, Director Florida Division of State Fire Marshal; Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, DO, PhD, MPH CPH, FCR, Professor and Vice Chair University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine; James Russo, Fire Chief Hollywood Fire Rescue; Oscar Rodriguez, Training Chief Margate Fire Department |
1:00 PM - 1:10 PM |
Closing Remarks John Whalen, Fire Chief Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department |
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
CFRFRBH (Behavioral Collaborative) Meeting |
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Fees and Cancellation
Please note all fees must be paid in full prior to the first day of the conference. Cancellations received in writing to the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association at least thirty (30) days prior to the first day of the conference may receive a full refund in the original form of payment. Cancellations received in less than 30 days prior to the first day of class may only be able to transfer their registration to another person in place of the original registrant.
Hosted by the Florida Fire Chiefs' Foundation
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