The U. S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy, in partnership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Executive Fire Officers (EFO) Section, is pleased to invite you to the 2024 Executive Fire Officer (EFO) and Leadership Symposium that will be held on April 5-6, 2024 (Friday and Saturday) at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The symposium is free of charge – lodging provided / BWI airport transport provided to and from campus / participants must buy a meal ticket if staying on campus
This year’s two-day symposium will have something for everyone and is open to ALL. This includes NFA EFO alumni, EFO students, current and future fire and EMS leaders.
2024 Symposium presenters
Mental Health: Dena Ali, battalion chief with the Raleigh Fire Department (North Carolina)
Leadership Through Upstream Thinking: Kristopher T. Blume, fire chief of the Meridian Fire Department (Idaho)
Lessons in Leadership: Charlie Dickinson, former U.S. deputy fire administrator and former Pittsburgh Fire Department chief
DEI/Diversity Fatigue: Dr. Hezedean Smith, fire chief at Polk County Fire & Rescue (Florida)
Leadership Lessons from the Lab: Dr. Daniel Madrzykowski, senior director of research for the UL Fire Safety Research Institute
Courageous Leadership — Gaining Courage from Adverse Events: Georgina Poole, senior investigator, and trainer with ICAM Australia
Human Resources Hot Topics: Pregnancy, Drug Use, Others: John Rukavina, director of Public Fire Safety Services
Safety/Injury Reduction: Dr. Anthony Stowers, retired fire chief/emergency management director
How Important Is Mental Training to Firefighter Performance and Safety? From 50th Floor to Boots on the Ground: Dr. Jim Taylor, internationally recognized authority on the psychology of performance, personal development, and well-being
Building Resilience in Leadership: Strategies for Growth & Confidence: John Tippett, director of fire programs, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
WUI/Risk Reduction: Matt Samson, deputy fire chief of South San Francisco Fire Department and Dave Winnacker, fire chief of Moraga-Orinda Fire District (California)
You Ask the Fire Chiefs panel, with:
- Jason Caughey, fire chief at Laramie County Fire Authority (Wyoming)
- Kenneth Richard, fire chief at Old Mystic Fire Department (Connecticut)
- Dr. Hezedean Smith, fire chief at Polk County Fire & Rescue (Florida)
- Josh Waldo, fire chief at Bozeman Fire Department (Montana)
Event Details