Assessing Life Safety In Buildings

Speaker: Joe Torrillo

Understanding and Assessing Life Safety in Buildings

This presentation is a must for all of those in the fire service that hold the responsibility for building inspection and life safety in their community, especially those that hold the title of “AHJ “ (The Authority that hold jurisdiction). The first step in the process is becoming more familiar with different types of building construction, the laws and codes that govern them, and the way in which they are occupied.

In New York City, there are 19 different occupancy groups, not much different than the rest of the country, that have a propensity for large loss of life due to fire. The first thing that fire officials must come to believe and accept is that fire prevention is a partnership between the local firefighting companies and the owner of buildings. It is the building owners who are the most important partner in the partnership. They are the ones who know their buildings much better than anyone else.

The building owners or their managing agents are present before the fire starts and they should have a vested interest in their own investment. Firefighters ALWAYS arrive after the fact.

This presentation clearly defines the importance of categorizing “occupancy groups”, how we derive at the differences, and how we allow people to occupy buildings and other structures. (note: structures are not necessarily buildings).

For those who assumed they knew it all, it would behoove them to attend this presentation where “construction classification” and life safety systems are described and identified. There will be an opportunity to form individual groups, for the purpose of brainstorming their ideas and knowledge in regards to important factors that guide legitimate and effective life safety planning.

Bio:

Buried alive twice on September 11, 2001, this smart, funny, and now retired FDNY Lieutenant shares his amazing stories and strong messages that attendees will never forget. Joe travels the world as a professional speaker with a quest to make our country the "Re-United States of America", resurrecting patriotism, trumpeting the men and women of the Armed Services, mentoring adolescents, and inspiring audiences of all sizes to embrace change and never give up on their dreams.

Personal Protective Equipment: Thermal & Arc Protection

Speaker: Chris Green

PPE Performance: Thermal Arc Protection and Electrical Shock Hazards - How structural firefighting PPE performs

In 2017 and 2024, Chris Greene led a research project at Kinectrics laboratory, Ontario Canada and UL research in Durham, North Carolina.

Bio:

CHRIS G. GREENE is a captain (ret.) with the Seattle (WA) Fire Department and a national speaker on energy response hazards. He is the creator of Seattle Fire's Energy Response Team and assisted in designing its "Energy One" response apparatus. He is a contributing author to Fire Engineering for energy emergencies and creator of the "Lithium-Ion Revolution" teaching platform. He was the 2017 Seattle Fire Officer of the Year and keynote speaker at the Washington State Energy Hazards and Lithium-Ion Battery Symposium. Greene is a technical panel member for UL-FSRI's Safety of Batteries and Electric Vehicles. He also represents the IAFF on the following NFPA standards committees: NFPA 30A, 850, and 12 and the NFPA 800 "proposed" Battery Safety Standards Committee.

Lithium Ion

Speaker: Chris Green

Course will cover the fundamental Hazards and Hazard Influencers of Lithium-Ion influenced fires. 

Bio:

CHRIS G. GREENE is a captain (ret.) with the Seattle (WA) Fire Department and a national speaker on energy response hazards. He is the creator of Seattle Fire's Energy Response Team and assisted in designing its "Energy One" response apparatus. He is a contributing author to Fire Engineering for energy emergencies and creator of the "Lithium-Ion Revolution" teaching platform. He was the 2017 Seattle Fire Officer of the Year and keynote speaker at the Washington State Energy Hazards and Lithium-Ion Battery Symposium. Greene is a technical panel member for UL-FSRI's Safety of Batteries and Electric Vehicles. He also represents the IAFF on the following NFPA standards committees: NFPA 30A, 850, and 12 and the NFPA 800 "proposed" Battery Safety Standards Committee.

Fire House To Fire Ground Leadership: Day 1

Speakers: Tim Hulse & Ryan Fox

Targeted professional development and personal coaching for aspiring officers and seasoned leaders

• Strategy & Tactics
• Command presence/managing the scene, Leadership (on the emergency scene and the station)
• Coaching, mentoring, commendation, correction, and (your role) in discipline
• Difficult conversations (getting them right)
• Navigating programs, policies, and procedures

BC Ryan Fox & BC Tim Hulse

• Combined more than 60 years in the Fire Service. With more than half of that time in leadership positions, including Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief.
• Real-world lessons, based on actual experiences, that can be broken down so that “next level leadership” can be practiced and perfected.
• Training that your leaders want (and need) to develop a mastery of the core principles of day-to-day leadership.
• Tools to build competence on the fireground and confidence navigating policies, procedures, and personnel issues.

EMS Data

Speakers: Dustin Waliezer & Dawn Floyd

During this two-hour session, we will explore the role AI has played in expanding data collection capabilities within the 911 center, bridging that data for use by Fire and EMS services, and demonstrating how it can be applied across reports, analyses, and system improvements.

We will also discuss our path toward a countywide single incident number for all agencies, outlining the challenges, opportunities, and benefits of this approach. This includes the ability to view Clark County as a fully connected Fire and EMS system, rather than a collection of independent agencies operating in isolation.

Dustin Waliezer is a Firefighter Paramedic with 16 years of experience across fire suppression and EMS response and currently serves as the EMS Officer for Clark County Fire District 3. His work bridges operations, clinical care, and system planning through close collaboration with the Clark County Medical Program Director’s Office, including helping implement a successful unified run number across Clark County that has improved patient care insights, supported strategic system planning, and enabled patient-centric data reporting. Dustin is passionate about collaboration and using data to support personnel, inform decision-making, and strengthen overall fire and EMS system effectiveness.

 

Dawn Floyd is the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Specialist for CRESA (Clark Regional Emergency Services) and brings more than three decades of dedicated service to the agency and the community it serves. Beginning her career with CRESA in 1991, Dawn has held numerous critical roles including dispatcher, call taker, supervisor, and training officer; each contributing to the deep operational insight and leadership she brings to her current position.

In her current role, Dawn is responsible for ensuring consistent, high-quality emergency medical dispatch guided by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS). She oversees protocol application, staff training, and continuous quality improvement, and works diligently to help every team member understand their vital impact when triaging medical calls.

Dawn collaborates closely with CRESA’s EMS partners and the Medical Program Director to align organizational goals with countywide medical objectives and evolving best practices. She is known for her forward-thinking approach, always looking ahead to emerging

 possibilities that can enhance emergency communications, elevate patient care and outcomes, improve data collection, and strengthen partnerships with user agencies.

Driven by a passion for ensuring that patient care truly begins at dispatch, Dawn continually seeks innovative ways to elevate service delivery, including the strategic use of AI. Her commitment to thinking beyond conventional boundaries allows her to identify opportunities that benefit not only responders, but also the broader EMS community and the residents they serve.

With an unwavering dedication to excellence, collaboration, and visionary leadership, Dawn remains a vital force in advancing CRESA’s mission and shaping the future of emergency medical dispatch in Clark County.

EMS Hot Topics

Speaker: Shawn Ford

EMS Hot Topics:

In this session we will discuss multiple EMS related topics in an open discussion and Q/A setting. Topics will include action and outcomes from recent legislative sessions, future of GEMT, Funding, Levies, DOH updates and current projects, opportunities to engage as an EMS stakeholder, and open topics suggested by the audience.

Bio:

Shaun Ford is the Division Chief of EMS for the Camas-Washougal Fire Department. Shaun has spent his career in all three states which comprise the PNW beginning in Idaho. Most of Shaun’s career has involved teaching and training at many different levels. Shaun is currently the EMS Section Chair for the Washington Fire Chief’s Association (WFC) and he represents the WFC on several committees including the WA DOH EMS and Trauma Steering Committee and Pre-Hospital Technical Advisory Committee. During his time in Pendleton, OR Shaun started the Eastern Oregon EMS Conference which just completed it’s 13^th year of offerings.

BESS/Data Centers

Speaker: Chris Green

Understanding the "Big Picture". Emergency response considerations and on scene hazard determination. Strategies and tactics

Bio:

Residential Energy Hazards

Speaker: Chris Green

The energy hazards associated with a residential house fire can be complicated.  These hazards are often dismissed as inconsequential to our operations, as they are considered low voltage.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The energy platforms associated with a modern home are diverse and can be lethal.  We must develop training that is specific to the energy hazards in today's home.  This course will teach you to rapidly identify the energy hazard indicators and help instill a proactive response to these concerns.  You will hear testimony from Fire Fighter Andy Allison, Lewisville Texas, who was electrocuted in 2012 during overhaul of a home that was misidentified as "de-energized".  He received a debilitating electrocution that left him unable to return to work.  Today, with energy hazard training specific to our trade, this tragedy need never happen again. 

Bio:

CARES Programs

Speaker: Mike Jackson

Class Title:   Who C.A.R.E.S. - Developing Mobile Integrated Health and Co-Response Programs aligned with community partners to serve diverse community needs and high system utilizers.

Class Description:   This class will provide an overview of different program models for fire-based mobile integrated health and co-response programs along with tools for assessing needs and developing a program for your area.   Finding public and private community partners with aligned interests will be discussed in the context of program design and funding strategies.   Various program models and experienced outcomes will be shared with tools to measure program success and impacts on emergency services and other community partners.   Mobile integrated health and co-response program discussion will include models for acute / time-of-call response and follow-up services for referred patients.   Class discussion will include how and why the fire service may be a good fit for mobile integrated health services in their community. 

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify at least three community or regional partners for potential funding and service delivery strategies.
• Participants will be able to identify at least four different models for delivering services with acute response and follow-up service programs.
• Participants will be able to identify at least five basic metrics for identifying the need for a program and measuring program success.

Bio:

Mike Jackson is the Assistant Chief of Community Risk Reduction for Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue in Southwest Washington.   The Community Risk Reduction team includes an innovative and multi-faceted mobile integrated health and co- response program along with traditional fire marshal services, investigations, technical plans review, public education, and public information and outreach.   Mike holds a BS in Fire and Safety Engineering from Eastern Kentucky University and an MPA Degree from the University of Washington along with several industry certifications.  With 27 years of experience in fire and emergency services, Mike has worked in 5 states for municipal, township, special district, and private emergency service organizations in addition to work in the health and safety field with a major airline.   Mike has served as a Chief Officer for over 19 years with leadership experience in all areas of fire service organizations, including operations, community risk reduction, logistics, and administration. 

Training Props

Speaker: Howard Scartozzi

Class Title: Maximizing Regional Training Props

Program: Fire Training Academy Regional Direct Delivery

Course Overview

The Fire Training Academy’s specialized training props are more than just equipment—they are high-fidelity simulators designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and fireground reality. This course provides a walkthrough and live demonstration of the capabilities, safety features, and diverse training activities available through our Regional Direct Delivery program.

What You Will Learn

• Prop Specifications: A comprehensive tour of the available props (e.g., FireVent: forced entry, firefighter & victim rescue w/VES, ventilation, and Max Fire Box/Thermal Imaging).
• Operational Capabilities: Understanding the limits and variables of each prop to create realistic conditions, operations and structural challenges.
• Drill Integration: Examples of training evolutions—from ventilation to some firefighter survival skills—tailored to your department's specific needs.
• Safety & Maintenance: Proper setup, tear-down, and safety protocols to ensure a controlled and productive training environment.

Key Outcomes

By the end of this four-hour session, participants will be able to identify which prop set-ups best suit their local training objectives and understand the logistical requirements for requesting and utilizing these assets within their own regions.

So You're The Training Officer, Now What?

Speaker: Andy McAfee

This class will cover the requirements of training and legal considerations for training.  What you should be doing for your training and what you should not.  Are you conducting live fire training correctly?  What training is required?  What certifications are required?  Do I need to be certified?  Who can teach?  What does the National Fire Protection (NFPA) mean to me?  Are we required to follow NFPA?  What does WAC 296.305 mean? 

Speaker Bio: Lieutenant Andrew (Andy) McAfee, has over 34 years in the fire service.  He is currently a Lieutenant in the training division at Central Pierce Fire & Rescue.  Andy is currently assigned to the Pierce County Training Consortium.   Andy has been the lead instructor for live fire training for over 25 years.  He is an instructor for fire officer classes.  He was Fire Chief at Riverside Fire & Rescue for 18 years.  He has a Bachelor’s degree from Western Governors University, an Associates degree in Fire Command Administration from Pierce College, an Associates of Technology degree in fire service from Bates Technical College.  He is a certified Live Fire Instructor for fixed facilities with the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, He has completed the NFA Executive Fire Officer Program, and was a Designated Chief Fire Officer, 2007-2022 through Center for Public Safety Excellence.        

Fire House To Fireground Leadership, Day 2

Speakers: Tim Hulse & Ryan Fox

Targeted professional development and personal coaching for aspiring officers and seasoned leaders

• Strategy & Tactics
• Command presence/managing the scene, Leadership (on the emergency scene and the station)
• Coaching, mentoring, commendation, correction, and (your role) in discipline
• Difficult conversations (getting them right)
• Navigating programs, policies, and procedures

BC Ryan Fox & BC Tim Hulse

• Combined more than 60 years in the Fire Service. With more than half of that time in leadership positions, including Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief.
• Real-world lessons, based on actual experiences, that can be broken down so that “next level leadership” can be practiced and perfected.
• Training that your leaders want (and need) to develop a mastery of the core principles of day-to-day leadership.
• Tools to build competence on the fireground and confidence navigating policies, procedures, and personnel issues.

NFPA 1400: Changes In Live Fire/ WSP

Speaker: Luke Carpenter

Class Description:  NFPA 1400, Changes and Best Practices.  A look at the upcoming NFPA 1400 Standard on Fire Service Training.  Topics include an overview of the consolidation plan that led to the new Standard.  What the new standard encompasses and what are the potential impacts on your department.

Bio:

GEMT Billing, Beginning To End

Speaker: Alissa Christenbury       

GEMT Billing, Beginning to End: Understanding the Full EMS Revenue Cycle

Fire-based EMS agencies rely on complex reimbursement systems to sustain operations, yet many leaders only see pieces of the process. This session provides a clear, leadership-level overview of the entire EMS revenue cycle – from patient contact through final payment and reconciliation. While the course includes a focused review of Washington’s Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (GEMT) program, it also explores how documentation, payer rules, compliance, and internal controls directly impact revenue. Designed for chiefs, officers, and administrative leaders, this session equips attendees with practical insight to reduce risk, prevent revenue loss, and strengthen financial oversight.

Speaker Bio: