Full Schedule

Type here to filter the list

Sunday, August 9, 2026
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Board of Directors Meeting
Location: Loews - Northland
Monday, August 10, 2026
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Board of Directors Meeting
Location: Loews - Northland
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Exhibitor Move In
Location: Convention Center - Bartle Hall B-E
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Fire Data Analysis Working Group: Defining Success in Fire Analytics Products Workshop (FireDawgs)
Location: Convention Center - 2215 C
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
NFFF-Honoring the Fallen by Serving the Living: Programs and Training of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Location: Loews - Neptune D
Speaker: Matt Hoppel – Billings Fire Department
Speaker: Terri L. Reid – Baltimore County Fire Department
Speaker: Chuck Altvater – Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control
Speaker: Clint H. Smith – Draper City Fire Department
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Reaching for the Gold
Location: Loews - Neptune AB
Speaker: Mary Beth Michos – IAFC
Sponsored By
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Wildland Fire Policy Committee Meeting (Day 1)
Location: Loews - Neptune C
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM CT
IAFC Store Open
Location: Convention Center - 2300 Lobby
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM CT
Registration Open
Location: Convention Center - 2300 Lobby
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT
IFE Pre-Con
Location: Loews - Muse
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Chief's Edge - 5 Bugle Chief
Location: Loews - Bacchus
Sponsored By
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Chief's Edge - Fire Chief Officers
Location: Loews - Northland
Sponsored By
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
Exhibitor Move In
Location: Convention Center - Bartle Hall B-E
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT
F.I.E.R.O. Pre-Con Session: Insights on Firehouse Design
Location: Loews - Neptune D
Speaker: Blake Redden – FIERO / Charlotte Fire Dept.
Speaker: Bruce Varner
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT
Wildland Fire Policy Committee Meeting (Day 2)
Location: Loews - Neptune C
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Hazmat Committee Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2104 B
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
IAFC Terrorism and Homeland Security Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2104 A
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Terrorism & Homeland Security Committee Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2104 A
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Industrial Section Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2104 B
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CT
SHS Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2206
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT
Chiefs Edge - Lunch
Location: Pomona
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
IAFC Communications Committee Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2205
12:00 PM - 4:30 PM CT
FLSS Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2102 AB
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
Constitution, Bylaws, and Resolutions Committee Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2203
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
EMS Section Board Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2204
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Division Secretaries Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2202
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
EMS Section Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2204
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Technology Council Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2105
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
IAFC Urban Search and Rescue Committee Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2104 A
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM CT
TED Committee Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2105
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CT
Election Committee Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2202
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM CT
Executive Fire Officers Annual Business Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2104 B
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM CT
Executive Fire Officers Reception
Location: Convention Center - 2215 C
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM CT
Global Friends Reception
Location: KCLive!
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM CT
Kick-Off Party at KCLive!
Location: KCLive!
Powered By
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM CT
IAFC Store Open
Location: Convention Center - 2300 Lobby
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM CT
Registration Open
Location: Convention Center - 2300 Lobby
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM CT
Speaker Ready Room
Location: Convention Center - 2504B
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM CT
Webs Edge Studio
Location: Convention Center - 2300 Lobby
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM CT
Exhibitor Move In
Location: Convention Center - Bartle Hall B-E
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM CT
GS-1: General Session
Location: Convention Center - 2501A-C
Speaker: Nick Lavery – Precision Components LLC
Powered By
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
IAFC Lithium-Ion Committee Working Group
Location: Convention Center - 2104 B
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM CT
Section Treasurer's Meeting (Invite Only)
Location: Convention Center - 2203
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Solution Session: ESRI
Sponsored By
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
ELF-101: The Apple Does Not Fall Far From the Tree
Location: Convention Center - 3501B
Speaker: Randall W. Hanifen, Ph.D, CFO,FIFireE – West Chester Fire-Rescue
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
ELF-102: Planning For Large-Scale Events
Location: Convention Center - 3501C
Speaker: Jeff Buchanan, DPP, MBA, MPA, CFO, EFO, FSEDI – FirstNet Built with AT&T
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
ELF-103: What Fire Chiefs NEED to Know: NERIS 2026 and Beyond
Location: Convention Center - 3501D
Speaker: Tom Jenkins, CFO, EFO, CEMSO – UL Fire Safety Research Institute
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
CO-101: First Due is First Due - Preparing for Large Events as a First Arriving Company
Location: Convention Center - 3501H
Speaker: Eric L. Linnenburger – Westminster Fire Department
Company Officer 1
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
CO-201: Detailed Leadership, Aggressive Tactics
Location: Convention Center - 3501G
Speaker: Micah Rains, MS Organizational Leadership – Palmetto Fire Tactics LLC / Greenville City Fire Department
Company Officer 2
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
CO-301: The Mid-Rise Challenge: Modern Fireground Operations
Location: Convention Center - 3051EF
Speaker: Ryan Meigel – Westminster Fire Department
Company Officer 3
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
CHF-101: Leadership and Team Management - Mindfully Leading from the Front
Location: Convention Center - 2505B
Speaker: Dave Emanuel, MPA, EFO, CFO, PE – Durham (NH) Fire Department
Chief Officer 1
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
CHF-201: Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders: Professional Growth Strategies for Fire Service Personnel Development and Mentorship
Location: Convention Center - 2505A
Speaker: Bill Betz, MSM – Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Chief Officer 2
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
CHF-301: Resource Allocation & Optimization
Location: Convention Center - 2504A
Speaker: Mike Cox
Speaker: Alex Temes, FESA, GISP – Applied Information
Speaker: Lauren Voelker
Chief Officer 3
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
ECO-101: Entering the Public Policy Arena: The Chief’s Guide to Effective Advocacy
Location: Convention Center - 2503AB
Speaker: Bob Horton, PhD, MPA – Oregon State University
Speaker: John Butler – Fairfax County (VA) Fire & Rescue
Executive Chief Officer 1
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
ECO-201: Career Crushers: Knock Off the Nonsense
Location: Convention Center - 2502B
Speaker: Andrew Novak – Kansas City Kansas Fire Department
Speaker: Chad Womble
Executive Chief Officer 2
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
ECO-301: What Helps Us Can Also Hurt Us: Sustainability, Green Products, and the Changing Fire Ground
Location: Convention Center - 2502A
Speaker: Bryan Norris, MBA, EFO, CFO – San Antonio Fire Department (Retired)
Speaker: Mike Clements, MPA, EFO, CFO – Cy-Fair Fire Department
Executive Chief Officer 3
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM CT
iWork Council Meeting (Invite Only)
Location: Convention Center - 2202
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
A Hustle Worth Having Campaign Review (Invite Only)
Location: Convention Center - 2206
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM CT
Exhibit Hall Open
Location: Convention Center - Bartle Hall B-E
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
Solution Session: Image Trend: AI in Fire & EMS: Beyond the Buzzwords
Location: Convention Center- 3501 A
Speaker: Doug Butler, Jr.
Sponsored By
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-201: Executive Readiness for Fire Chief: Resume Strategy and Interview Performance
Location: Convention Center - 2502A
Speaker: Jennifer L. Flaig, M.S. – Emergency Services Consulting International
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-202: Apparatus, Firefighters, Software and AI Working Together to Solve Problems
Location: Convention Center - 2502B
Speaker: Kevin Sofen – IAFC
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-203: My Best Day/Worst Day as a Fire Chief
Location: Convention Center - 2503AB
Presenter: Corey Smedley, MS, NRP, CPM, CEM – Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service
Speaker: Dennis Rubin
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-205: Principled Leadership from the Road Less Traveled
Location: Convention Center - 2505A
Speaker: David Griffin, EdD, FSEDI, EFO, CFO, CTO, MIFireE – Charleston Fire Department
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-206: How Bullying Affects Your Safety Health & Survival
Location: Convention Center - 2505B
Speaker: Dave Emanuel, MPA, EFO, CFO, PE – Durham (NH) Fire Department
Speaker: Dan King, MA, CFO, CTO – Ascend Performance Materials
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-207: Innovative Wellness Implementation on Any Budget For Any Size Department.
Location: Convention Center - 3501C
Speaker: Eric Tade – Denver Fire Department
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-208: Risky Business: The "Not So Obvious" Risks of Being A Fire Officer & Chief in 2026
Location: Convention Center - 3501D
Speaker: Gordon Graham – Lexipol
Speaker: Billy Goldfeder, EFO – Loveland-Symmes Fire Department
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-209: Building Culture by Design: The Role of Training
Location: Convention Center - 3501EF
Speaker: Brian Zaitz, MS, CTO, CFO, EFO – Kirkwood Fire Department
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-210: Carry the Fire — Command Presence & Command Resonance
Location: Convention Center - 3501G
Speaker: Kris Blume – Meridian Fire Department
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-211: The Functional Fire Company
Location: Convention Center - 3051H
Speaker: Scott Thompson – The Colony, Texas Fire
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-204: Evidence-based EV Firefighting
Location: Convention Center - 2504A
Speaker: Richard Kesler, PhD – Fire Safety Research Institute
Speaker: Christian Vogt, MS – Fire Safety Research Institute
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-212: The State of Global Fire: Risk, Response, and the Race to Scale Solutions
Location: Convention Center - 3501B
Speaker: Lori Moore-Merrell, DrPH MPH – ULRI / FSRI Chief Fire Safety Strategist
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Company Officers Section Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2215 C
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Emergency Management Committee Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2203
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ALERT Summit Report Meeting (Invite Only)
Location: Convention Center - 2205
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM CT
Discovery Stage: 9/11 Remembrance
Location: Discovery Stage Booth 1535
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM CT
Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) Annual Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2204
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM CT
Women Chiefs Council Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2104 A
Powered By
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM CT
Solution Session: GRAIL: The cancer gap in firefighter health — and how one department is closing it
Location: Convention Center - 3501A
Speaker: Tim Thompson – GRAIL
Speaker: Daniel Peterson – GRAIL
Sponsored By
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ELF-301: How Fire and Building Codes Solve some of the Fire Service’s Most Vexing Issues
Location: Convention Center - 3501B
Speaker: Michael OBrian – Brighton Area Fire Authority
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ELF-302: Modernizing Fire Department Public Protection Classification (PPC) Rating: Measuring What Really Matters
Location: Convention Center - 3501C
Speaker: Lori Moore-Merrell, DrPH MPH – ULRI / FSRI Chief Fire Safety Strategist
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ELF-303: AI from Everyday use to Strategic Planning
Location: Convention Center - 3501D
Speaker: Humaid AL ALI, DR – General Command of Civil Defense , Ministry Of Interior, United Arab Emirates
Speaker: Scott Roseberry, EFO, MPA, CFO – Garland Fire Department
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CO-102: The Firehouse HR Reality Check: Recruiting, Conflict, and Performance
Location: Convention Center - 3051H
Speaker: Joe Bynum, M.S – Brookhaven Fire Company
Company Officer 1
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CO-202: Human Resources for Professional Development
Location: Convention Center - 3501G
Speaker: Travis Ford, Master of Science University of Tennessee – Richmond Fire and Emergency Services (Retired)
Company Officer 2
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CO-302: Human Resources
Location: Convention Center - 3051EF
Speaker: Brian Edmonston, MSHS, MPA, CFO, CEMSO, NREMT-P – Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
Speaker: Ray Lankin – United Diagnostic Services
Speaker: Megan Lautz, MS RD CSCS TSAC-F – RescueRD LLC
Company Officer 3
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CHF-102: Budget and Resource Management
Location: Convention Center - 2505B
Speaker: Joe Pulvermacher, EFO, CFO, MA – Menomonee Falls Fire Department
Speaker: Mike Johansmeyer, EFO,CFO,MS – GFOA -IAFC Task Foce
Speaker: Kyle Wedberg, PhD – GFOA
Chief Officer 1
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CHF-202: The Power of Ibogaine Treatment
Location: Convention Center - 2505A
Speaker: David Griffin, EdD, FSEDI, EFO, CFO, CTO, MIFireE – Charleston Fire Department
Chief Officer 2
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CHF-302: When the Grid Fails: Command Realities and Lessons from Hurricane Helene
Location: Convention Center - 2504A
Speaker: Chris Budzinski – City of Asheville Fire Department
Speaker: Jeremy Knighton, CEM – Asheville Fire Department
Chief Officer 3
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ECO-102: Ethical Decision Making
Location: Convention Center - 2502B
Speaker: Dave Povlitz – Arlington County Fire Department
Executive Chief Officer 1
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ECO-202: Ethical and Inclusive Leadership
Location: Convention Center - 2503AB
Speaker: Matthew Caward, MBA, CFO, CTO, FO, MO, CFI-3, MIFireE – Grand Island Fire Dept.
Executive Chief Officer 2
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ECO-302: Public Health Integration & Pandemic Preparedness
Location: Convention Center - 2502A
Speaker: KC Fire Department
Executive Chief Officer 3
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM CT
Discovery Stage: Labor Management Alliance
Location: Discovery Stage Booth 1535
Speaker: Brian C. O'Neill, CFO – Louisville Fire Department
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
Emergency Vehicle Management Section (EVMS) Meeting
Location: Convention Center - 2204
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
Federal and Military Fire Services Board Meeting (Invitation Only)
Location: Convention Center - 2203
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM CT
Discovery Stage: A Hustle Worth Having
Location: Discovery Stage Booth 1535
Speaker: Anna Carrera
Speaker: Lauren Casey-Bemis
Speaker: Samantha Gray – Pence Media Group
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM CT
Happy Hour in the Exhibit Hall
Location: Convention Center - Bartle Hall B-E
Sponsored By
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM CT
3rd Year ODP CHIEF and C.O. Recognition Reception
Location: KCLive!
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CT
Company Officers of the Year Award
Location: KCLive!
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM CT
Fire Chief of the Year Reception Dinner (Invite Only)
Location: Offsite
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM CT
Fail Fest (Company Officers Only)
Location: KCLive!
Sponsored By
Thursday, August 13, 2026
6:30 AM - 8:00 AM CT
NFFF Fun Run
6:30 AM - 9:00 AM CT
Health & Wellness Experience
Health&Wellness Title Sponsor
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM CT
Speaker Ready Room
Location: Convention Center - 2504B
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM CT
Webs Edge Studio
Location: Convention Center - 2300 Lobby
7:00 AM - 6:30 PM CT
IAFC Store Open
Location: Convention Center - 2300 Lobby
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT
Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) Master Class (Invite Only)
Location: Convention Center - 2206
Sponsored By
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM CT
ELF-401: The Stories Behind The Standards: Honoring the Lessons Learned for Risk Reduction
Location: Convention Center - 3501B
Speaker: Karen Berard-Reed – National Fire Protection Association
Speaker: Elizabeth Bednarcik, MPA, EFO, CFO – Brighton Fire Rescue District
Speaker: John A. Vanatta, Jr., MS, CFO, CTO – Rogers Fire Department
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM CT
ELF-402: Exercise as Medicine - Reducing Fire Fighters' Risk of Cancer, Heart Disease, and Burnout
Location: Convention Center - 3501D
Speaker: David Frost
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM CT
ELF-403: Fire Apparatus Safety: Current Challenges and Initiatives
Location: Convention Center - 3501C
Speaker: Kevin D. Hardwick, OFE/OFC – IAFC
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
CO-103: Administration
Location: Convention Center - 3501H
Speaker: Jason Powell, MBA, CFO, CEMSO, CTO, MIFireE, CMFO, NRP – Johnson City, TN Fire Department
Company Officer 1
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
CO-203: How to Kill Micromanagement: Why Firefighters Stop Trusting Their Officers
Location: Convention Center - 3501G
Speaker: Alex Zelinski, MBA – Eli Lilly Fire Department
Company Officer 2
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
CO-303: Every Call is Not a Nail: How Fire-EMS Can Evolve Beyond the Hammer to Improve Community Health
Location: Convention Center - 3501EF
Speaker: Bryan Norris, MBA, EFO, CFO – San Antonio Fire Department (Retired)
Company Officer 3
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
CHF-103: Strategic Planning
Location: Convention Center - 2505B
Speaker: David Famum
Chief Officer 1
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
CHF-203: Public Relations & Community Engagement
Location: Convention Center - 2505A
Speaker: Pete Piringer – IAFC/Montgomery County (MD) Fire Rescue Service
Chief Officer 2
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
CHF-303: Technology Integration & Innovation
Location: Convention Center - 2504A
Speaker: Dan Munsey
Presenter: John H. Oates, MS, EFO – International Public Safety Data Institute
Chief Officer 3
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
ECO-103: Crisis Communication & Media Relations
Location: Convention Center - 2503AB
Speaker: Ashley McDonald, CPC-PIO, EPIO, MPIO – Emergency Management Association of Tennessee
Executive Chief Officer 1
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
ECO-203: Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy
Location: Convention Center - 2502B
Speaker: Kevin Sofen – IAFC
Executive Chief Officer 2
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
ECO-303: Command Presence Beyond the Incident: Leading Through High-Profile Public Adversity
Location: Convention Center - 2502A
Speaker: Tim Sendelbach, MA, CFO, CTO – TES2 - Training & Education Services
Executive Chief Officer 3
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM CT
Exhibit Hall Open
Location: Convention Center - Bartle Hall B-E
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Solution Session: MIOVISION TECH
Location: Convention Center - 3501A
Sponsored By
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM CT
Action Steps to Integrate CRR Across the Fire House
Location: Convention Center - 3501B
Speaker: Karen Berard-Reed – National Fire Protection Association
Speaker: John A. Vanatta, Jr., MS, CFO, CTO – Rogers Fire Department
Speaker: Matt Perez, Illinois State Fire Marshal (RET), IFCA Chief Emeritus – Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM CT
Emergency Vehicle Supply & Demand Report
Location: Convention Center - 3501C
Speaker: Jason Shivers
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM CT
IGNITING CHANGE – REIMAGINING THE IAFF/IAFC WELLNESS-FITNESS INITIATIVE
Location: Convention Center - 3501D
Speaker: Jason Atkin – IAFF - International Association of Fire Fighters
Speaker: Richard G. Miller – International Association of Fire Chiefs
Speaker: Constantine Poulos – Performance Redefined
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Discovery Stage: 9/11 Remembrance
Location: Discovery Stage Booth 1535
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
From Data to Action: The National GIS Recruitment & Retention Toolkit
Location: Convention Center - 2204
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CT
Future Focus Lunch
Location: Loews - Neptune E
Sponsored By
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-601: Leading Your Department One Person at A Time
Location: Convention Center - 2502A
Speaker: Ryan Scott Jekonski – Sarasota County Fire Dept
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-602: Surviving Your Worst Career Moment: Leading and Recovering Beyond Crisis Moments
Location: Convention Center - 2502B
Speaker: Raymond A. Reynolds, MA, CFO, CPM, CCP – Nevada Fire Department
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-603: What Is Wildfire Protection Worth? Quantifying Public Safety's Hidden Economic Value
Location: Convention Center - 2503AB
Speaker: Dave Waterhouse, MBA – Montreal Fire Department
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-604: Culture: It’s Time For an Adjustment!
Location: Convention Center - 2504A
Speaker: Darin Wallentine – Sarasota County Fire Department
Speaker: John Schmidt, CFO CTO – IAFC-SHS
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-605: The Hazmat Rail Summit- Moving Unified Command Down The Rail Together
Location: Convention Center - 2505A
Speaker: Pete Jensen
Speaker: Robert Bavier – Union Pacific Railroad
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-606: Lithium Ion Batteries, Updates Beyond Response
Location: Convention Center - 2505B
Speaker: Michael OBrian – Brighton Area Fire Authority
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-607: Bridging the Gap: Navigating Generational Conflict and Communication as A Company Officer
Location: Convention Center - 3501B
Speaker: Logan Helmuth, CFO, MO, NRP – Salisbury Fire Department (MD)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-608: How to Be in the Room Where It Happens: Advocacy Essentials for the Fire Service
Location: Convention Center - 3501C
Speaker: Michaela Campbell – Congressional Fire Services Institute
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-609: Interoperable by Design: How One Hazmat Team Co-Designed Its Artificial Intelligence Decision Support System
Location: Convention Center - 3501D
Speaker: Scott Ramey – Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-610: Company Officers Role in Retention of Firefighters
Location: Convention Center - 3051EF
Speaker: Jesse Schilling – Sarasota County Fire Department
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-611: Implementing Preventive Wellness Systems: The Company Officer’s Role in Building Operational Readiness
Location: Convention Center - 3501G
Speaker: Rachael Staebell
Speaker: Brandon Evans – Fire to Light Foundation
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT
ELF-612: Mastering Fireground Command: Calm the Chaos
Location: Convention Center - 3501H
Speaker: Brian Brush, EFO CTO – Midwest City Fire Department
Speaker: Anthony Kastros
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
Western Fire Chief Board Meeting (Invite Only)
Location: Convention Center - 2203
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM CT
IAFC Business Meeting
Location: Loews - Neptune E
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM CT
Solution Session: Tablet Command
Location: Convention Center - 3501A
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ELF-701: Let’s Get Real About Combination Fire Department Challenges
Location: Convention Center - 3501D
Speaker: Rich Cowger – Columbus Fire & Rescue
Speaker: Al Yancey, Jr., EFO – Minooka Fire Protection District
Speaker: Jason Caughey, CFO, EFO – Laramie County Fire Authority
Speaker: Tim Sendelbach, MA, CFO, CTO – TES2 - Training & Education Services
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ELF-702: Courage Under Fire Leadership: Personal Leadership Tips for Success
Location: Convention Center - 3501B
Speaker: Steve Prziborowski, EFO, CFO, CTO, MIFireE – Santa Clara County (CA) Fire Department
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ELF-703: GIS for the Front Right Seat
Location: Convention Center - 3501C
Speaker: Sean Cummings – Austin Fire Department
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CO-104: The Grab Analysis
Location: Convention Center - 3501H
Speaker: David Stone – South Walton Fire District
Company Officer 1
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CO-204: Emergency Services Delivery
Location: Convention Center - 3501G
Speaker: Joseph Suddarth – Eglin AFB Fire & Emergency Services
Speaker: Caroline J. Smith, PhD, FACSM – Appalachian State University
Company Officer 2
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CO-304: Front Line Leadership: Where Strategy Meets the Streets
Location: Convention Center - 3501EF
Speaker: Brian Zaitz, MS, CTO, CFO, EFO – Kirkwood Fire Department
Speaker: Michael Bazzoni
Company Officer 3
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CHF-104: From Responders to Neighbors: Community Relations for the Fire Service
Location: Convention Center - 2505B
Speaker: Evan D. Kardosh, CFO – City of Meadville Fire Department
Speaker: Travis Ford, Master of Science University of Tennessee – Richmond Fire and Emergency Services (Retired)
Chief Officer 1
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CHF-204: Modern Day Challenges Facing EMS
Location: Convention Center - 2505A
Speaker: Christopher Shipp, MBA, CFO, CEMSO, FSCEO – Tampa Fire Rescue
Chief Officer 2
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
CHF-304: Safety Isn't Enforced; It's Sold: The Salesman of Life Safety
Location: Convention Center - 2504A
Speaker: Brittany Brown, CFI, CFM, and CPSE-FM – Leawood Fire Department
Chief Officer 3
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ECO-104: Response Planning: If the Planning is Incorrect, You will Never be Successful.
Location: Convention Center - 2503AB
Speaker: Randall W. Hanifen, Ph.D, CFO,FIFireE – West Chester Fire-Rescue
Executive Chief Officer 1
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ECO-204: Government and Legislative Affairs
Location: Convention Center - 2502B
Speaker: Ken LaSala, Jr. – International Association of Fire Chiefs
Executive Chief Officer 2
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT
ECO-304: Wildfire Innovation for the All-Hazards Fire Service
Location: Convention Center - 2502A
Speaker: Mark Novak – IAFC
Speaker: Chris Anthony – FireWERX
Speaker: Mike Zupko – Wildland Fire Leadership Council
Executive Chief Officer 3
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
(Past) President's Council (Invite Only)
Location: Convention Center - 2205
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CT
Block Party in the Exhibit Hall
Location: Convention Center - Bartle Hall B-E
6:00 PM - 11:55 PM CT
Exhibitor Move Out
Location: Convention Center - Bartle Hall B-E
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM CT
IAFC Ben Franklin Award for Valor
Location: Offsite
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM CT
FSEDI Alumni Reception
Sponsored By
Friday, August 14, 2026
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM CT
IAFC Store Open
Location: Convention Center - 2300 Lobby
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM CT
Registration Open
Location: Convention Center - 2300 Lobby
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM CT
Speaker Ready Room
Location: Convention Center - 2504B
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM CT
Division Breakfast - Eastern
Location: Convention Center - 2104 A
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM CT
Division Breakfast - Great Lakes
Location: Convention Center -2103A
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM CT
Division Breakfast - Missouri Valley
Location: Convention Center - 2102 AB
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM CT
Division Breakfast - New England/Canadian
Location: Convention Center - 2104 B
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM CT
Division Breakfast - Southeastern
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM CT
Division Breakfast - Southwestern
Location: Convention Center - 2105
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM CT
Division Breakfast - Western
Location: Convention Center - 2103B
9:15 AM - 10:30 AM CT
GS-3: General Session
Location: Convention Center - 2501A-C
Speaker: Dan Chuparkoff
Sponsored By
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
ELF-801: Title To Be Determined
Location: Convention Center - 3501B
Speaker: Rachel Carlson
Speaker: Kim Stewart – Prince William County Fire and Rescue System
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
ELF-802: Could You Rescue You? Lessons Learned, or Simply Problems Identified?
Location: Convention Center - 3501C
Speaker: Marc Bashoor, FOIV – FireRescue1
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
ELF-803: Industrial Incident Command
Location: Convention Center - 3501D
Speaker: Dan King
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
CO-205: Behind the Mask – Leadership’s Role in Firefighter Wellness
Location: Convention Center - 3501G
Speaker: Donald Burns, CFO,CTO,EFO – City of Wilmington Fire Department
Company Officer 2
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
CO-305: 10 Things Firefighters Say That Should Set Off Alarms: How Everyday Statements Shape Firefighter Safety, Leadership, and Culture
Location: Convention Center - 3501EF
Speaker: Bryan Norris, MBA, EFO, CFO – San Antonio Fire Department (Retired)
Company Officer 3
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
CO-105: Emergency Responder Health & Safety
Location: Convention Center - 3501H
Speaker: Bill Betz, MSM – Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Chief Officer 1
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
CHF-105: Risk Assessment & Mitigation
Location: Convention Center - 2505B
Speaker: Elizabeth Bednarcik, MPA, EFO, CFO – Brighton Fire Rescue District
Chief Officer 1
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
CHF-205: Fire Investigation, A Link in Proactive Prevention
Location: Convention Center - 2505A
Speaker: Brittany Brown, CFI, CFM, and CPSE-FM – Leawood Fire Department
Chief Officer 2
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
CHF-305: Incident Analysis & Continuous Improvement
Location: Convention Center - 2504A
Speaker: Charlie Horne
Chief Officer 3
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
ECO-105: Cybersecurity & Data Protection
Location: Convention Center - 2503AB
Presenter: Dan Munsey
Executive Chief Officer 1
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
ECO-205: The Disaster Generation: Why We Need Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Mutual Aid More Than Ever
Location: Convention Center - 2502B
Speaker: Mark Novak – IAFC
Speaker: Mariana Ruiz-Temple – Oregon State Fire Marshal
Executive Chief Officer 2
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CT
ECO-305: Mental Health Advocacy and Support
Location: Convention Center - 2502A
Speaker: Nathan Stoermer, DSocSci, EFO, CFO, NRP – Greensburg Fire Department
Executive Chief Officer 3
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CT
ESCI Board Meeting (Invite Only)
Location: Convention Center - 3501A
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM CT
Metro Chiefs Lunch and Business Meeting
Location: Loews - Neptune E
Sponsored By
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM CT
GPSS Board Meeting (Invite Only)
Location: Convention Center - 3501A
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
ELF-901: Dying to Retire: A Guide for Chiefs
Location: Convention Center - 3501B
Speaker: Jeremy Wade – City of Sand Springs
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
ELF-902: Residential Smoke Alarm Programs: The What?, How? and Why?
Location: Convention Center - 3501C
Speaker: Cecilia Lam, PhD – National Research Council Canada
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
ELF-903: What is A PPE Manager? What is A PPE Technician? Why You Need Them!
Location: Convention Center - 3501D
Speaker: Bruce Varner
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
CO-106: Incident Management Teams (IMT) Supporting Local Governments in Disasters
Speaker: Chad Roberson, MS, CFO, EFO – St. George Fire Protection District
Speaker: Ragan Underwood – St. George Fire Protection District
Company Officer 1
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
CO-206: Emergency Management
Location: Convention Center - 3501G
Speaker: Chris Pfaff, MS – Hazmat & Rescue
Company Officer 2
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
CO-306: Command, Coordination, and Integrated Emergency Management in Complex Incidents
Location: Convention Center - 3501EF
Speaker: Ashley Engler, MS, NRP – Lincoln FIre and Rescue
Company Officer 3
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
CHF-106: Training & Professional Development
Location: Convention Center - 2505B
Speaker: Greg Bishop – Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
Chief Officer 1
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
CHF-206: Hazmat Response & Planning
Location: Convention Center - 2505A
Speaker: Pete Jensen
Chief Officer 2
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
CHF-306: What's Next? Seeing Over the Horizon to Anticipate the Next Disruption
Location: Convention Center - 2504A
Speaker: Mark Novak – IAFC
Chief Officer 3
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
ECO-106: Facility & Infrastructure Management
Location: Convention Center - 2503AB
Preconference Speaker: Alison N. Covey, MBA, MSML – City of Fresno, Fire Department
Executive Chief Officer 1
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
ECO-206: Crisis Management and Complex Incident Coordination
Location: Convention Center - 2502B
Speaker: Rob Reardon, EFO, CFO – Duxbury Fire Department
Executive Chief Officer 2
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT
ECO-306: Data Analytics and Predictive Modeling
Location: Convention Center - 2502A
Speaker: Craig Wenschenk – UL Research Institutes FSRI
Executive Chief Officer 3
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM CT
Presidential Reception (Invite Only)
Location: Marriott - Mermaid