For the first time in Firehouse Expo's 29-year history, the opening ceremonies will be streamed live.
Coverage of Firehouse Expo 2012
The event will take place Thursday, July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET in the Holiday Ballroom of the Hilton Baltimore, which is connected to the Baltimore Convention Center.
John P. Farrell Jr., director of Green County Department of Emergency Services in Cairo, N.Y. is slated to give the keynote and will discuss how responders in his jurisdiction prepared and responded to Hurricane Irene last year.
Just a few hours following the event, an archived version will be made available for those who are unable to attend in person or watch the live stream.
According to Vice President of Firehouse Events Ed Nichols, there is plenty planned for the year's conference to ensure that it will be a memorable one.
"This year, there will be more hands-on interaction, opportunities to get behind the wheel of apparatus and get tools in their hands, new conference speakers and discussion-worthy topics. Then, after the hall closes, we need to show them a good time -- and continue to outperform on creating that experience year after year.
"We’ll have networking events that will bring everyone together to celebrate being part of the fire service. That’s what fire-service events have become -- or need to become -- is a celebration of the fire service. When people come to Baltimore we want them to be among friends and renew the passion and excitement that made them become firefighters."
