The Firehouse World conference and exhibition returns to San Diego in the “Golden State” of California Feb. 17-20, 2014. The state’s nickname was made official in 1968, but traces its roots back to the discovery of gold there in 1848. Firehouse World traces its roots back a dozen years following the success of Firehouse Expo, born in 1984. This year in Baltimore, we will celebrate Firehouse Expo’s 30th anniversary.
This year, there are many reasons to attend the conference held in the San Diego Convention Center, including a special three-pronged advantage to attend the conference. Firefighters, officers, chiefs, EMTs, Paramedics and a wide variety of other personnel designated in the emergency services have a tremendous advantage of having to choose from multi-faceted training and education, including state and nationally certified classes in the fire and EMS fields. We have included a brand-new Integrated Mobile Health Care Summit among 18 EMS sessions as parts of this year’s program. All courses are available for CEUs.
Part of the excitement of the conference is a two-day exhibit hall featuring the latest and greatest apparatus, command vehicles, EMS units and the specialized equipment and protective gear that goes with it. Whether you recommend, specify or purchase, the equipment and associated products are on display in a one-stop-shop. Finally several social events where members of the fire and EMS services can meet other fellow members from around the city, state, region and country to compare, discuss and relate stories, fires and emergencies in a relaxed atmosphere. New this year is the Firefighter Throwdown, which is a new competition involving SoCal Crossfit that will bring firefighter athletes from around the Country. This exciting new competition will be held adjacent to the Exhibit Floor. (See page 16 for details about the Firefighter Throwdown.)
On Tuesday night, Feb. 18, we are partnering with the San Diego Burn Institute to hold a fundraiser on the USS Midway Museum. Two years ago, this event held on the aircraft carrier’s hangar and flight deck was a success in both attendees having a great time and a lot of money being raised for the local Burn Institute. Those who attended the evening event on the Midway before have been looking to go back. This event is sponsored by many companies, including title sponsor Avon Protection. On Wednesday night, Feb. 19, the annual party at the San Diego City Fire Museum sponsored by Fire Etc. will be held. Over the years, I have met firefighters from all over at this event and we shared our stories. The places where the firefighters come from may change, but the firefighters stay the same. Learn more about the event at http://firehouseworld.com/.
Recent headlines from Detroit concerning a judge’s ruling that the pensions of retired city workers, including firefighters, may come into question in the future. This is just the beginning and I am sure there will be much more discussion on this subject, especially in hard-hit, financially strapped cities and towns around the nation.
Retired FDNY Deputy Chief Tom Kennedy has been working with others for years to obtain federal help to bring multi-faceted training for chief fire officers around the country. This diversified training would expose commanders to all the possible scenarios that one may encounter, no matter where you work. Many unusual incidents and hazardous conditions around the country occur every day. Maybe an old idea still has merit and our commanders may still need and require this type of command training.
For comments and suggestions, please contact us at [email protected].
93
2013 firefighter line-of-duty deaths at press time
2,196
2013 civilian fire fatalities at press time
Harvey Eisner | Editor Emeritus
HARVEY EISNER was named Editor Emeritus of Firehouse® after serving 15 years as Firehouse's Editor-in-Chief. He joined the Tenafly, NJ, Fire Department in 1975 and served as chief of department for 12 years. He was a firefighter in the Stillwater, OK, Fire Department for three years while attending Oklahoma State University. Eisner was an honorary assistant chief of the FDNY and program director for the Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World and Firehouse Central conferences. He covered many major fires and disasters and interviewed numerous fire service leaders for Firehouse®
