For the second time in less then 30 days, I found myself on the road, or in this case in the air, to a fire conference. This time I was off to the FireRescue Conference and Expo in Las Vegas! My poker bankroll hadn’t recovered from FDIC East in Atlantic City, and neither had I, but I was still looking forward to the conference and I am glad I went.
The FireRescue Expo ( http://www.firerescueexpo.com ) was the first conference put on by FireRescue Magazine and Reed Expo. You may be more familiar with JEMS and EMS Today but it is the same group using their experience and success in the EMS market to help the Fire market. VolunteerFD.org also had a part in the show and would be bringing our Roundtables to the FireRescue Expo.
After 3 tough flights, and a night of recuperation, I made the trek down to the expo to set up my booth. As I walked into the show, you could immediately see a difference in focus and the impact that the west coast and wildland firefighting had on the FireRescue Expo versus FDIC East. There were very few of the same exhibitors, and a lot of trucks and machinery I wouldn’t have a clue how to operate. :)
I have to say I was almost scared of the behemoth Ferrara Strong Arm. ( http://www.ferrarafire.com/ ) For those of you who haven’t seen this beast, think of what Tim Allen from “Home Improvement” would do to an aerial truck to add ‘more power’, ‘grunt, grunt, grunt’. If you are looking for a truck that can do double duty as a wrecking ball for your ex’s house, this is the one you want.
But anyway, I digress. VolunteerFD.org held six Roundtables at the conference, and while it wasn’t an overwhelming attendance, good information was shared. (http://www.firerescueexpo.com/images/100388/Volunteerfdorg/VolunteerFDschedule2.pdf ) The Roundtables were held on the exhibit floor, not far from our booth, but were overshadowed by free ice cream and lunch. Any firefighter with the choice of free food or participating in a discussion would choose the free food and I do not blame them. :)
The educational sessions that I attended were above par. Unfortunately I did not get to attend as many as I would like, but the one held on “Your 2005 Drill Schedule” by Mark Jukobski and Eddie Buchanan was a great brainstorming session. Eddie Buchanan is the author of the “Volunteer Fire Officer’s Handbook” ( http://store.yahoo.com/pennwell/voltrainofha1.html ) by Penwell, and does a good job of juggling training considerations for both paid and volunteer departments. His book is well written and a must read for volunteer training officers.
The trade show floor traffic was brisk on Friday and it was interesting to talk to people about VolunteerFD.org. I was happily surprised to hear the amount of reach the site has had and the changes that have occurred because of it. People are psyched about the cruise, and I know I am looking forward to it. ( http://cruise.volunteerfd.org ) I offered a special that firefighters could sign up for only a $100 deposit, and I want to extend it to each of you until the end of the month. Sign up early and often! ;)
As I wandered the floor on Friday, I stumbled across a very cool booth that I have to give credit to FireRescue for providing. The Third Alarm Fire Shop and California Fire Museum had the original Squad 51 from “Emergency!” on display after its frame off restoration. To add to the cool factor, they had the original equipment and turnout gear there also. I do not consider myself a ‘fire buff’, but being a Paramedic and growing up watching “Emergency”, I have to say I was very impressed. Saturday they had Randy Mantooth who played Johnny Gage there to sign autographs. I hate to admit it, but I paid the $40 to get a poster signed, and even had to go back and buy a second one for the gentleman who taught my Paramedic class.
Networking on the trade show floor was very productive and brought together VolunteerFD.org and the Rural Firefighting Institute. ( http://www.rfi411.org ) I got a chance to sit down over a round of drinks with their Executive Director, Ed McCormack and Chairman Larry Davis. It was nice to talk to these two who had more fire experience between them then half the departments in the US and hear that they are trying to help volunteers. Keep an eye out for an announcement of a partnership between VolunteerFD.org and RFI in the future.
There were many notable booths in the show, but it would be unfair to you if I did not mention the program at the Fire Service Academy of the University of Nevada, Reno. (http://fireacademy.unr.edu/ ) They have a program of live training, “Responding to Terrorist Incidents in Your Community: Flammable-Liquid Fire Fighting Techniques for Municipal and Rural Firefighters” that you can attend completely FREE of charge. The program is paid for by the DOE, and includes tuition, travel, and lodging. I hope to attend their spring class and will report back on the details.
On Saturday night I made a trip down the the mecca of poker, Binion’s Horseshoe, and while I couldn’t catch a hand, it was nice to visit the home of the World Series of Poker. The conference closed on Sunday and was an overall good experience. I am looking forward to next years conference (November 11-13 2005) and I believe that the team at Reed and FireExpo will continue to exceed expectations in the years ahead.