Fire Instructors and Training Officers Association of Minnesota (FITOAM) Conference Make Plans Now!!

January 17 - 18, 2009

St Cloud Technical College
and the Radisson Hotel
St Cloud, Minnesota

Click here for brochure Acrobat Reader (large file) Click here to register online

Conference Exhibitors Click here for Exhibitors and Sponsors brochure (large file)

MnSCU Vouchers will be generated and you can also pay
for the registration with your vouchers.

Fire Instructors and Training Officers of Minnesota (FITOM) Conference - St Cloud, MN
(this is not the same conference in Alexandria)

Planning is underway to bring the conference back with a fresh format, content and focus. This conference will focus on providing continuing education and professional development for all levels of instructors.

Our keynote speaker and presenter will be Tim Sendelbach, President of International Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI). Tim was a keynote speaker at the 2007 FDIC in Indianapolis this past year.

Tim is a 21 year student and educator of the fire & emergency services currently serving as the President of the International Society of Fire Services Instructors (ISFSI) having previously served as the Chief of Fire Training for Savannah Fire & Emergency Services, GA, Assistant Fire Chief for Missouri City Fire & Rescue Services, TX and as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department. Tim has earned B.S. degrees in Fire Administration, Arson and an A.S. degree in Emergency Medical Care from Eastern Kentucky University.

Tim is the editor of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) publication The Instructor and a contributing author to numerous other publications including: The Volunteer Voice, Firehouse.com Members Zone, National Fire & Rescue, The Atlantic Firefighter, Fire Rescue and the Fire & Emergency Television Network (FETN) in which he is the writer/developer of the featured SURVIVAL program. In addition to his numerous accomplishments as a writer, Tim has been a featured speaker in more than twenty-five US states and five Canadian provinces.

In July 2002, Tim was awarded the prestigious Innovator of the Year Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) for his innovative training ideas and concepts in the area of firefighter safety & survival. In 2001, Tim was awarded the George Hughes Award from the Texas Association of Fire Educators for his accomplishments as a speaker and trainer in the state of Texas. Most recently, Tim has been selected to present the keynote address for the 2007 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana.

A wide variety of programs are planned ranging from lessons learned from training accidents and how to become more effective instructors to how to receive the maximum benefit from Institute programs. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

We believe the new, invigorated Instructor Conference will become a gotta be there event for every fire and emergency services instructor in the state.

Watch your mailbox for further information--coming soon.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Fire Department Training Officers
Fire Department Instructors
College Fire & Safety Instructors
Senior Firefighters
Company Officers
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE A BETTER FIRE INSTRUCTOR OR TRAINING OFFICER!!!!

Agenda

Saturday January 17th

7:00am - 8:00am Registration and Coffee

8:00 - 10:00 Those Who Teach, Lead!

Tim Sendelbach, Keynote Speaker, Training and Educational Services
Change in the fire service continues to be one of the most monumental tasks facing the next generation of leaders. The initiation and implementation of change is seldom if ever welcomed with open arms. The ingredient for success lies in putting the right people in training; vision oriented leaders who exemplify the willingness to share their knowledge, skills, and abilities while supporting a freedom based approach inclusive of organizational values, individual empowerment and progressive change. This high-energy, high impact program will provide attendees with a step by- step action plan on how to build an organization receptive to change with specific emphasis on leadership, professional development/training, and core values related to safety and organizational progression

10:15 - 12:15

Power Point Basics for the Fire Instructor

John Theis, Executive Director, CTEC St. Cloud Technical College
The purpose of this basic Microsoft PowerPoint session is to provide each participant an overview of the basic features and functions program.
Upon completion of this session, each participant will be able to:

• Create a 10 slide presentation
• Use basic design templates
•Use basic transitions
• Use basic animations
• Understand saving and transporting options

Extrication – What You Need to Teach

Brian Staska, Riverland Community College
Your teaching extrication but are you giving the most up to date information? Are you giving them as many options as possible or just going over the same way it’s been done for years? This class will cover the info you NEED to be passing along. Receive the latest airbag, pretentioners and safety information. Receive new steel info and options for dealing with this challenge. Be able to pass along 4 different ways to open the hood, 10 different ways to open doors and the latest info on Hybrids and what we will be teaching in the near future.

High and Low Tech Simulation Exercise Development and Delivery

Dan Roeglin, State Fire EMS Safety Center
This session will focus on the design and use of both low and high tech training exercise development and delivery. Basics on needs assessment, exercise writing, exercise delivery, and evaluation will be covered for the four types of simulations. The main focus on this session will be the use of 3D/Simulation software program “Wildland / Urban Interface 3D Simulation/Scenario Editor” software program. While originally designed for wildland training this program can also be utilized for ICS, Haz-mat, and other fire training. The features of the program and system requirements will be covered along with scenario options and designs. The new version of this course is to be released in the fall of 2008.

12:15 - 1:00pm Lunch - (included in registration fee) Guest Speaker (15 min): Tim Sendelbach, International Society of Fire Service Instructors

1:00 - 3:00

Intermediate Power Point for the Fire Instructor

John Theis, Executive Director, CTEC St. Cloud Technical College
The purpose of this intermediate Microsoft PowerPoint session is to provide each participant an opportunity to integrate advanced features, design concepts, and presentation strategies to deliver a professional presentation. Upon completion of this session, each participant will be able to:
• Create a 10 slide presentation
• Edit design templates to meet specific organization criteria
• List 10 key components for delivering a professional presentation
• Integrate advanced multimedia features

ISFSI Tool Kit

Tim Zehnder, South Central College and Tim Sendelbach
1) Instructor’s Resource Kit
This program will cover ways to find information to use for training programs. We will also cover internet locations that are helpful. We will also discuss ways to build & implement a training program that will keep firefighter smiling.
2) Problems We Face Today
The culture of the fire service: How do we change it? Why is it the way it is? Tradition, health, and safety issues.

Developing a Driver Training Program

Larry Nadeau, St. Cloud Technical College
This two hour session will address the industry need for a driver training program within the fire department. Industry trends, NFPA standards and MN Statutes related to Fire Apparatus will be discussed. Also, helpful hints will be provided on how to establish and maintain a driver training program.

3:15 - 5:15 KEYNOTE Are You the Best of the Best or Just Like the Rest?

Tim Sendelbach, Keynote Speaker, Training and Educational Services
How does your organization compare when it comes to national best practices?” A re you meeting minimum standards or are you simply working to get by? This high-impact, multi-media presentation is designed to provide departmental leaders and company officers with a road map for organizational change including discussions related to: fire administration/management, training, equipment and fireground operations. Using recent events from across the nation this program will demonstrate how effective leadership, training, and individual empowerment can support organizational change and forward progression supportive of firefighter safety and operational effectiveness.

5:30 - 9:30 Vendor Night at the Radisson

Saturday Night, January 17 Radisson Hotel Vendor displays Hors d’oeuvres and Cash Bar

Sunday January 18th

7:30am - 8:00am Coffee

8:00 - 10:00

Round Table Discussion for Training Officers

Fire Program Managers / Tim Sendelbach

The ROUND TABLE Discussion is an open, moderated forum for use by the participants to pose questions and comments about training-related issues arising in training situations. The round table will include an open forum discussion with the participants and agency personnel to answer questions on a variety of topics to include, MPCA, OSHA, MBFTE, DNR and others. Bring your questions and suggestions.

State Firefighter Certification Program

Theresa Zykmund, State Certification Board, Executive Director
Rep from State Board of Firefighter Training and Education
1) Why certify, How, Preparing for & Fire Department Training Funding Discussion on why we need to be state certified, How to become state certified, How to prepare for state certification, and what certifications are available. In addition, we will try to cover some of the funding sources for training in the fire service.
2) Preparing for Certification Testing
Discussion and handouts will answer the following questions: What is certification? What certifications are offered in Minnesota? What are the costs? What are the benefits? for students? for departments? How can I best prepare for certification testing? Where do I find resources for preparation for the tests? What are the prerequisites for the test? When and where are the tests offered? What are the requirements for setting up a specific test for my department or class?

Scenario Based Training - Training that Means Something

Dave Klocek, Hennepin Technical College
Scenario-Based Training will cover recognizing the benefits of employing scenario-based training methods in teaching, how to choose appropriate learning strategies from the full range of scenario-based training options, develop training scenarios that address course competencies and performance objectives for the subjects they teach, implement scenario based training strategies in their teaching, and effectively coaching and/or evaluating students participating in scenario-based training. This course for fire instructors will be designed to prepare instructors to use scenario-based training to enhance their teaching of any firefighting topic. Participants will learn what scenario-based training encompasses, why it is effective, and how to incorporate it into their own teaching. Students will learn practical hands-on techniques for developing and implementing scenario-based training and testing and how to teach other instructors in the use of scenario-based training.

10:15 - 12:15 KEYNOTE High-Impact, High-Energy Training

Tim Sendelbach, Keynote Speaker, Training and Educational Services
Training is considered the backbone of a progressive department. Fire Departments that lack high-quality, high-impact training are faced with operational deficiencies, cultural stagnation and general dissatisfaction amongst its members. This HIGH-ENERGY multi-media presentation will provide an overview of the skills and personal characteristics necessary to develop and deliver a HIGH-IMPACT training program for your department. Included in this program are numerous examples of innovative training ideas and high-impact forms of delivery that will increase firefighter safety and operational effectiveness on the fireground.