The Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs have announced that their 97th annual conference will be held at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center here in Hutchinson, October 24 -27.
This event is co-hosted by the Hutchinson Community College Fire Science Program and the Hutchinson Fire Department.
This year’s line-up includes special speakers Dr. Dennis Onieal, Superintendent of the National Fire Academy since 1995, and Cameron Bucek, Fire/EMS Clinical Educator for the Masimo Corporation.
Dr. Onieal will speak Friday afternoon on ethics in the Fire Service and the Future of Fire and Emergency Services as well as significant issues that Fire and Emergency Services will face in the Future.
Mr. Bucek will speak Saturday about Firefighter Rehabilitation. Firefighter rehabilitation at emergency scenes has been identified in past years as a critical component of operating extended emergency scenes. Randy Mantooth, who played Johnny Gage in the 1970s medical drama Emergency!, will also provide interesting insights as well as be available sign autographs.
During the conference there will also be presentations and updates provided by local and state leaders concerning what is going on in their organizations.
There will be more than 30 fire equipment vendors with the latest in firefighter safety and innovations. Attendees will have the opportunity to see demonstrations by vendors with various pieces of fire equipment.
This conference is a great professional development opportunity for fire chiefs, senior fire personnel and firefighters. It also provides networking opportunities with more than 100 fire service leaders across the State of Kansas.
“We are excited to welcome the KS State Association of Fire Chiefs for the second year in a row. The local support from the HCC Fire Science Program and the Hutchinson Fire Department played a major role in Hutchinson being able to host this conference”, said Holly Leiker, Sales Manager with the Greater Hutchinson CVB.
More information, including lodging information and conference registration, is available at the Kansas State Association of Fire Chief’s web page – www.ksafc.org.