Seminars
New for 2026! Seminars will be held on Saturday and Sunday only. Classes are open to all ticket holders. Seating is first come, first served.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
“Practical Leadership Behaviors: Lessons Learned On the Line”
Deputy Fire Administrator (Ret.) Dr. Denis Onieal (U.S. Fire Administration)
There are as many leadership theories as there are authors and books. The challenge for most fire service leaders is translating those theories into practice – everyday behaviors. This program presents a series of practical leadership behaviors designed for the leader or those who aspire to be one. Dr. Onieal will identify the leadership practices that he found effective in rising through the fire service ranks all the way through senior executive service in federal service.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
“Leggo My Ego”
Chief Paul Haynes (East Syracuse Fire Department)
This program is a guide to assembling the building blocks of a successful fire department training program by tapping into all your members – new, old, and everyone in between.
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
“In Harm’s Way”
Lt. Michael Scotto (Fire Department City of New York)
Leadership. Not just a word, it’s a responsibility. The ability to be a leader is a privilege. It’s an unwavering devotion to your duty and your oath. The members depend on you, just the same way a child depends on a parent. You must protect your members. You are the buffer between your superiors and the public. You are, as an officer, a superior, a subordinate, and a public servant. This program will look at your obligation to your department and how you, as a firefighter, can be that person who trains and mentors your members. Guiding your members, and handling issues on and off the fireground, can be difficult. This interactive program and discussion will assist all participants by providing some sound techniques. Knowledge must be shared and evaluated.
2:15 – 3:45 p.m.
“The Dangers Lurking Below: An In-Depth Look at Basement Fire Operations”
Lt. John Lewis (Passaic Fire Department) and Chief Robert Moran (Brewster Fire Department)
Fires in below grade areas are unlike any other fire we respond to. The numerous dangers associated with advancing hoselines into these confined spaces while companies operate on the floors above have been linked to multiple firefighter fatalities, injuries, and RIC deployments over the past few years. Valuable information from recent scientific studies by UL and NIST have pointed to intensified heat release rates, increased use of lightweight wood construction, wind driven fires, improper fire suppression tactics, a lack of adequate ventilation, and inadequate water flow (gpm) as potential factors contributing to this rise in fatalities, injuries, and RIC operations. Topics to be covered include incident management, size up, search, ventilation, attack line selection and advancement, pre- and post-control overhaul, firefighter safety, and rapid intervention. “It’s in the basement” are four words that should make every firefighter immediately rethink how these fires should be approached. This program is designed to communicate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and confidence required to address these unique and dangerous incidents.
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Roundtable Discussion featuring Chiefs Vincent Dunn, Frank Leeb, John Norman, and John Salka
(Fire Department City of New York)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
"Covering Your ASSets in EMS"
Deputy Chief Paul Cousins (Syracuse Fire Department)
*Certified EMS providers will earn 1.5 CMEs for attending.
Join us for a dynamic and interactive presentation designed exclusively for EMS professionals! Dive into the fascinating world of prehospital emergency care, uncover the hidden risks that can increase liability, and discover powerful ways to protect yourself and your organization. This session celebrates excellence, integrity, and knowledge – essential qualities for delivering outstanding patient care. You’ll gain practical insights and proven strategies to minimize risk while providing exceptional patient care. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your skills, boost your confidence, and make a lasting impact in your field!
11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
“The Internal Code: The Power of Choice, Purpose, and Identifying Failures that Lead to Self-Sabotage”
Captain/Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Kory Pearn (CRACKYL Media)
“The Internal Code” is not just a presentation – it’s a transformational experience for those ready to reclaim identity, health, and purpose before it’s too late. In this deeply personal and emotionally charged message, Kory Pearn speaks the truths most avoid. After a near-death diagnosis of heart failure, he was forced to rebuild from rock bottom – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What emerged was not simply survival, but clarity, purpose, and a new way forward. Built around the philosophy he created, Kory introduces a systems-based approach to living and leading that challenges the way we define strength, success, and service. Rooted in the principles of master the chaos, command your energy, and serve with intention, his message exposes the real cost of performance-driven culture – where too many high performers end up burned out, disconnected, or silently suffering – and confronts the unspoken rules that demand sacrifice over sustainability. “Dedication without sustainability is self-destruction disguised as commitment.” Kory reveals the traps we build for ourselves and the weight of hidden expectations, showing how internal failures quietly sabotage potential and purpose. Kory offers a message rarely heard in this profession: You are already enough. You do not have to destroy yourself to serve others. You do not have to wait for crisis to start choosing better. Guided by the belief that what you’re not changing, you’re choosing, “The Internal Code” equips audiences with tools to lead and live from a place of wholeness – not depletion. It serves as a mirror, a wake-up call, and a reminder that the future can look different if we choose to live it with intention. This experience is not about becoming more – it is about recognizing the space between who you were when you began to serve and who you are now. It’s about closing that gap, staying connected to your purpose, and ensuring the mission doesn’t consume the person behind it. “The Internal Code” rewires from the inside out. Emotional, empowering, and deeply human, it delivers a breakthrough moment for anyone ready to take ownership of their choices and rewrite the story before it’s written for them. Attendees leave with renewed clarity and perspective, inspired to see their work, relationships, and purpose through a different lens.