Page 40 - In Command Volume 18 - Ohio Fire Chiefs Association

Dear OFCA Members and Vendor Friends,
It is hard to believe that it’s time to mark your calendars, make
your hotel reservations and register for the 2017 Ohio Fire and
Rescue Officer Development Conference. This year’s theme is “Leading Tomorrow’s Leaders Today”. The conference will be held on July 13-17, 2017 at the newly remodeled Hilton Columbus at Easton. PLEASE make your reservations early!
Conference registration is available at the website. You can register
online or download, complete and return your registration to the
office. Pay close attention to workshops that require separate registra-
tions both immediately before and during the conference. These
include an ISO Class, Thursday, July 13, 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and
Mobile Integrated Health Care with special instructor Dan Swayze, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania. Swayze is widely considered one of the earliest pioneers of community paramedicine. He holds a doctorate in Public Health, an MBA and a master’s degree in Emergency Medical Services. He will hold additional workshops throughout conference. On Friday, July 14th, there will be a special class for fire safety inspectors from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
OFCA Opening Ceremonies and Memorial Service will be held on Thursday evening this year.
On Friday, we will devote time to visiting with our vendor friends. During this time, we will be giving away $100.00 every hour! Winner MUST be in the vendor area! During the hours of 4:30-6:00, $100.00 will be given away on the half hour! Again, you MUST BE IN THE VENDOR AREA to win! Popcorn, pretzels and sodas will be available.
Along with workshops and committee meetings on Saturday, Chief Rick Lasky will begin a Fire Alarm Leadership series. On Saturday evening, we will enjoy entertainment by Tom Watt, a Jimmy Buffet impersonator. This is sure to be a fun evening.
Sunday includes more workshops and a partners’ program event, Wine and Canvas. Talented local artists will instruct the featured artwork step-by-step while you relax, sip wine and paint along. Cost is $35.00 and requires a separate registration. Make sure to share this information with your partners. See the website for more information.
The presidential banquet and awards ceremony will be held Sunday evening with keynote speaker, Chief Rick Lasky presenting I’m Your Firefighter.
The conference wraps up on Monday with a special workshop Sweating the Small Stuff – Keeping Your People Safe and Alive from 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Please see the schedule for all workshops, speakers, times, and locations. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
What’s important now is that you register and make your hotel reservation! Some of you have waited too long in the past and didn’t get the “blocked room fee”. Don’t wait until it is too late!
Vendor friends, I thank you for joining us at the 2017 OFCA Conference. I encourage you as well to make your hotel reservations. If you’d like to participate in any sponsorships, please contact me. Every year, you hear me say that without your support, we could not provide a quality conference for our membership. I am not saying this to be nice; you are a very vital part of our conference. I, along with our membership, appreciate your participation. Note that we are doing the $100.00 giveaways during vendor time in the hopes that you will benefit from this as well. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will assist you in any way I can.
So, there you have it folks. It is nearly conference time again. Get your registration in and your hotel room booked! Tell your partner about the wine and canvas opportunity available to them this year. Contact me if you have any questions.
Until next time, stay safe out there! Chief Tom Wallace, Chair
OFCA Conference Committee chiefwallace@station67.com 937.696.2863
40 InCommand APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2017 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org