133rd Pennsylvania State

Firemen’s Association

Convention and Parade

CONVENTION TRAINING

Registration for training classes will open on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 5:00pm at the Fire Academy, and will continue until the time of the class, or until all seats are filled. Certificates will be issued for all classes, with the exception of the keynote presentation.

Thursday Training Sessions

Social Media Presentation –10:30am – 12:00pm (*Seating limited to 200)

Don’t be a STATter911 headline. Reputation management in the digital age.
Presented by Dave Statter (News assignment reporter, ret. focusing on Fire and EMS issues worldwide)

It usually isn’t good news when your department becomes a must see story on STATter911.com. For more than five years Dave Statter has been using his website to show us the good, bad and the ugly of the nation’s fire service. Statter’s critics will tell you it’s mostly the bad and the ugly. Since his retirement from broadcast news in 2010, Dave has been giving advice on how members of the fire service can protect their department’s image. In the age of social media a reputation can be destroyed at the speed of light. In some cases misuse of social media by firefighters has been the cause, but social media is also an important way for a fire department to connect with the public and build reputation equity on a daily basis. Dave has lessons on image building and protection for you and your department and some crucial steps to take if bad news does happen.

Keynote Presentation – 2:30pm – 4:00pm

"What is Important?" A fast paced look at what firefighter's do, emphasizing firefighter safety.

Presented by Deputy Chief James P. Smith, ret. Philadelphia Fire Department

Deputy Chief James P. Smith, ret. was a member of the Philadelphia Fire Dept. for 41 years. He held the highest civil service rank of Deputy Chief for over 20 years. His last assignment was commanding a field division involving operations for one half of the city. Chief Smith previously was assigned as director of the Philadelphia Fire Academy and Departmental Safety Officer; and adjunct instructor at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md. since 1984.

Chief Smith has researched and developed programs on building construction, building collapse, firefighter safety, incident command, high rise firefighting operations, church fires and strategy & tactics and is currently presenting seminars nationwide.

He has published over 175 articles in various national publications; and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine, Fire Studies Column since 1988. He is the author of the book “Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground, Third Edition” published by Brady/Prentice Hall, and Study Guide.

Friday Training Sessions

Ethanol/Foam Update Tech Level 1 Presentation- 8:00am – 2:00pm

Presented by Jim Cottrell of Cottrell Assoc, Inc.

Jim is Task Force Tips and National Foam’s eastern, US factory agent and product development consultant. He has 30 years of firefighting industry experience. Jim has written extensively on the subject of firefighting foam chemicals, large caliber fire stream management and foam application. Jim is an accomplished speaker and a nationally recognized instructor.

This is a 6 hour class, including a 1 hour ethanol burn in the field. (Participants will only observe burn) It will instruct firefighters on what they should know about E-10, E-15, E-85 and E-95 ethanol gasoline blends and bio-diesel. How to manage ignited/un-ignited gasoline blends and solvent spills at crash scenes; how to develop effective foam fire streams for firefighting and long term vapor suppression; and demystifying foam educators and around the pump foam (ATP) systems. Jim will share a guaranteed “KIS” approach to making your foam systems work – every time.

Emergency Response to Chemical Suicide Incidents – 8:30am – 10:00am (*Seating limited to 40)

Presented by Chris Feder (Montgomery County Hazardous Material Response Team)

This is an awareness program to alert first responders to growing suicide trends, started in Japan that uses an extremely poisonous gas (hydrogen sulfide) as the means of ending life. These chemical suicides are initiated by using common household cleaning products to cause the chemical reaction that produces hydrogen sulfide. These suicides have commonly occurred in vehicles and buildings.

These incidents pose a dangerous threat to first responders unless response & identification is completely understood. Most recently, four incidents have occurred in the Delaware valley including Bucks, Chester, and Lehigh. This is a must program for ALL First Responders.

The State of Health of the US Fire Service – 10:30am – 12:00pm (*Seating limited to 40)

Presented by David Wurtzel (Founder/Executive Director of The First Twenty)

Poor health is an increasing problem in our country, and it is now a life-threatening situation for firefighters and a serious risk to publicsafety. Heart attack has beenthebiggest killer of firefighters for decades. New studies reveal that the health of Americans as well asour firefighters appears to be getting worse. Compounding our poor physical health is the incredible mental stress Americans are nowunder.
David will share his research into the state of health of the US fire service as well as what is happening to health of Americans ingeneral. He will explore what is happening to us both physically and mentally and simple ways to counterbalance these problemsand keep today's firefighter moving forward.

The First Twenty is a Nonprofit Organization committed to improving the health of the American firefighter. Led by over 200 years offirefighting experience, The First Twenty mission is to radically reduce heart-attack-related Line of Duty Deaths.David also works as aconsultant tothe United States Air Force Fire Emergency Services, wherehe is currently working on thedesign, implementation and communication oftheir health and fitness programs. David has over 13 years experience in thefire service. Hisbegancareerwiththe Nevada Division of Forestryasa wildland firefighterand hasspent the last 10 years as a volunteer firefighter in Montgomery County, PA. Hecurrently volunteers at the Narberth FireDept.

Electrical Safety for Emergency Responders – 10:30am – 12:00pm (*Seating limited to 40)

Presented by

Electrical equipment and power lines may pose significant hazards to emergency responders. Responders must be able to recognize and control electrical hazards to avoid bodily injury before taking other emergency actions. Upon completion of this course, Emergency Responders will be able to describe the fundamentals safety rules for operating on the scene of a utility emergency, what the effects of electricity can be on scene, and its effect on the body, recognize electrical hazards to avoid becoming a victim, make informed decisions regarding the appropriate actions to take during an electrical emergency, and provide medical treatment for persons exposed to electricity.

Impacts of the 2012 Engine Emission Changes on Fire Apparatus – 8:30am – 10:00am (*Seating limited to 40)

Presented by Mark Kopunek (KME Factory Direct Sales Manager)

With 32 years in the business with KME, and being actively involved in vehicle design and research & development of apparatus, Mark Kopunek will present a 1 ½ hour classroom, cab and chassis review on emission changes. The class will focus on the two different engine emission solutions for the 2010 EPA Standard, SCR and Non-SCR configurations, and the impacts on the apparatus cab and chassis from the perspective of an apparatus manufacturer.

September 26-29, 2012

Norristown, Pennsylvania