Firehouse Expo 2010 to Offer Unprecedented Variety

July 9, 2010
Firehouse Expo, coming up this July 20-24 in Baltimore, Md., is set to offer the largest selection of fire service education classes in its history - about 120 classes -- plus some additional new features.

Firehouse Expo, coming up this July 20-24 in Baltimore, Md., is set to offer the largest selection of fire service education classes in its history - about 120 classes -- plus some additional new features.

"We're going to present a tremendous, wide variety for every firefighter, officer and chief... there's something there for everybody, no matter what your interest in the fire service," said Harvey Eisner, Conference Director for Firehouse Events and Editor-In-Chief of Firehouse Magazine.

Eisner noted that in addition to being larger and having a wider variety of material, some classes will also offer more in-depth training than ever before.

Some highlights for Firehouse Expo 2010 include:

- Expanded educational tracks to include mechanics, life safety education, mass casualty, leadership, and innovative funding.

- Family Fun & Flea Market -- A place for family members to visit while their spouse/parent conducts business on the exhibit floor. They can enjoy antique apparatus, fire safety education, inflatables for children, craft tables and a flea market.

- Experts Desk -- Instructors will be on hand to answer real-life questions that attendees need answered.

- Roundtable discussions and podcasts recorded by Radio@Firehouse. These events are open and free to all attendees.

- Keynote presentation presented by Larry Collins, Battalion Chief, USAR Task Force, LA County, FD, CA -- "Haiti Earthquake: Response of American US&R Task Forces and the Rescue of Deeply Entombed Victims"

The Haiti keynote is among Eisner's top recommendations to attendees. It will include a panel of three of the task force leaders of the earthquake response, "looking at the good, the bad and the ugly," he said. "This is the real deal from the guys who were there; it's not something you'll have heard before or seen on TV," Eisner said.

Eisner also recommended the classes in several particular topic areas:

- Fire service budgeting: "In this current state of economic turmoil that's very important," he noted.

- Engine operations: "The most important thing you can do is put water on the fire," he said. "Various officers will be imparting their knowledge from around the country."

- Training and apparatus maintenance: one Eisner favorite includes "Thirty Years of Emergency Service Vehicle Training -- What Have We Learned?"

- Documentation: "Documentation is critically important," Eisner said. One of his top recommendations in this area is the class "NFPA #1911-Apparatus Maintenance, Documentation & Records."

Eisner also highlighted the show's offerings on "How to Excel at Promotional Exams"; two tabletop exercises utilizing model cities, titled "The Return of Abbottville" and "Matchbox City"; and new classes featuring East Coast/West Coast themes. One of these focuses on high- rise firefighting, in which Denver and New York chiefs come together to discuss the best of both worlds, Eisner said. The class is titled "High-Rise Firefighting: East Meets West - Developing a Recipe for Success."

Event staff were also excited to note that this will be first time a national conference has engaged youth fire service students with their own program. The National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) National Junior Firefighter Program has partnered with Firehouse Expo, Spartan Motors, Inc. and California Casualty to provide a course specially developed for junior firefighters.

Eisner said the overall goal of the show and its many components come down to improving safety.

"Our bottom line -- so that all firefighters receive the latest in training, perform safely and return home after each alarm," he said.

"Firehouse Expo is an event that will meet and exceed your expectations," said Mary Velline, Group Show Manager. "We offer you the very best in education and exhibits."

To see the full conference program and to register, visit www.firehouseexpo.com. Watch Firehouse.com throughout the week of the show for event coverage.

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