FCAM Professional Development Conference to be held Feb. 28 to March 2 at DCU Center in Worcester
WORCESTER — The Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) will host its Annual Professional Development Conference Feb. 28 to March 2 at the DCU Center in Worcester.
The event is the premier professional development and training conference for fire chiefs in Massachusetts and features several distinguished speakers and industry experts. Now in their 30th year of hosting the conference, FCAM also celebrates its 130th Anniversary as an organization.
Keynote speakers include Gen. John F. Kelly, Chief of Staff at the White House under President Donald Trump and former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and Dr. Denis Onieal, former Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator.
“We are pleased to announce the speaker lineup for the 2023 Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts Professional Development Conference and celebrate our 130th year as an organization serving fire chiefs in the Commonwealth,” said FCAM President James Vuona. “The Professional Development Committee has once again put together a compelling group of national leaders and top industry professionals for us all to engage with and learn from.”
The conference will open at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, with a speech by Gen. Kelly, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general who later served in two presidential cabinet positions. He also was commander of U.S. Southern Command from 2012-2016.
“General Kelly knows about leadership, a critical element to serving as a fire chief,” President Vuona said. “His dedicated service to our country mimics the dedication our chiefs exemplify every day.”
Dr. Onieal was in charge of day-to-day operations of the U.S. Fire Administration before retirement. He started his career as a firefighter in Jersey City, N.J., rising to become the department’s deputy chief and then serving as acting chief. At the USFA he was part of the agency’s response to a number of major crises, including the aftermath of 9/11 at Ground Zero and Hurricane Katrina.
Other keynote speakers include Deputy Chief Phil Jose (ret.) of the Seattle Fire Department, and Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso (ret.) of the Kearny Fire Department in New Jersey.
The conference also includes breakout seminars on a number of topics, including line-of-duty injuries, public relations and crisis management for fire departments, electric vehicles, administrative services and grant programs.
Breakout sessions include presentations by Jake Wark, Public Information Officer for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services; Dr. Henry Crowley, on the importance of simulation and cadavers in training; Tim Moore and Matt Brennan, on various grant programs; and John Guilfoil, founder and owner of John Guilfoil Public Relations, speaking about the importance of communications and PR for fire departments.
For information on registration and more, visit https://fcamseminars.com.
About the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts
The Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) is an organization designed to further the professional advancement of the fire service and assist state Chiefs in fulfilling their responsibilities. Established in 1893, the association serves as the recognized Fire Chiefs’ organization for purposes of exchanging ideas, knowledge and experience in the areas of prevention, extinguishment and safety of life and property from fire. FCAM also works to promote efficient fire administration in the towns and cities throughout Massachusetts.
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To view or download the full conference program click here
