Safety and Health Conference

The annual Safety and Health Conference is geared towards awareness and sharing information about the hazards and risks inherent in the firefighting profession to collectively strategize on how to change, improve or curb those issues so first responders can live the healthiest and longest lives possible. Topics include but are not limited to: hazards exposure, contamination, mental health, risk of cancer, injury prevention, nutrition, physical fitness and resources available to first responders to address these various concerns.

The educational program is two full days concluding with a half-day featuring topics and speakers from a wide range of backgrounds. For a subject that may at times seem daunting, we strive through positive interaction, support and enthusiasm to emphasize firefighter well-being in the Fire Service.

The vendor opportunity at this event is a 2.5 day vendor showcase of six foot tables in the public meeting space.

NEXT:


October 9-11, 2023
Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South
4955 Kyngs Heath Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746

REGISTER NOW
Hotel Information & Booking$154/night rate ends: Sept. 7, 2023
Program Schedule
Exhibitor/Sponsorship Opportunities
Pricing
Safety, Health and Wellness Award of ExcellenceNomination closed: August 20, 2023

Hotel Information & Booking
*Please carefully review and note the terms specific to this hotel*

Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South

FFCA Group Rate

A reduced rate of $154.00 per night (plus tax) for Run of House accommodations has been negotiated for conference attendees. The group rate is subject to availability, and room types are limited. Reservations must be made on or before the cut-off date of September 7, 2023.

Terms
  • Check in time is 4:00 PM and check out time is 11:00 AM.
  • Reservations guaranteed with first night’s pre-payment or a credit card
  • Reservations cancelled within (72) hours of arrival will be charged one night and tax, including no-shows
  • No Resort Fee
  • Discounted self-parking: $8.00 inclusive per day/night
  • Room rates shown do not include 13.5% Hotel Tax per night (subject to change)
  • All overnight guests will have a two-room suite to include complimentary evening reception (5:30pm – 7:00pm) and complimentary made-to-order breakfast (Mon-Fri 6:30am-9:30am; Sat-Sun 7:00am-10:30am) in the Citrus Room at leisure
  • Complimentary basic Wi-Fi in guest suites, public area and meeting space

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Pricing

Attendee Registration
By September 7
After September 7
$200 $250
REGISTER NOW

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Safety, Health and Wellness Award of Excellence
Nominations close: August 20, 2023

This award recognizes an individual, group, department (career or volunteer), or other agency within the state of Florida who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to Safety, Health, and Wellness within the fire, rescue, and/or EMS service, or who has made significant and valuable contributions to Safety, Health, and Wellness within their organizations and service as a whole.

The winners must represent themselves by going above and beyond to improve the safety, health, and wellness of their members and organizations. Initiatives may include any or all the following areas of Safety, Health, and wellness:

  • Cancer Prevention
  • Mental Wellness
  • Health and Physical Fitness
  • Safety at Emergency Incidents

The Safety, Health, and Wellness Award of Excellence presentation will take place at the Opening Ceremony of the Safety and Health Conference.

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Schedule (subject to change)
*All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time.

PDF Program Schedule
 Sunday, October 8
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Legislative Listening Session
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Florida Firefighters Safety & Health Collaborative Meeting


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 Monday, October 9
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Registration Open
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Vendor Showcase
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM Opening Ceremony
Hosted by Chief John Whalen, Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department
9:50 AM - 10:00 AM Break
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Opening Keynote: Burning Shield
Jason Schechterle
Sponsored by 

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM  Lunch Break
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Healthy-ish Eating for Firefighters
Megan Lautz, RescueRD LLC
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM May Day Monday: Tips & Techniques for Firefighter Survival
Tony Carroll, Louisa County Department of Fire & EMS
Sponsored by
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Sizing up the Best Firefighter Workout Programs
Aaron Zamzow
3:30 PM - 3:35 PM Break
3:35 PM - 5:05 PM Begin with WHO - not What, How, or Why, for Sustainable Health, Balance and Well-Being
Dr. Donnie Hutchinson
Sponsored by 
5:05 PM - 5:35 PM Optional Fitness Q&A
Aaron Zamzow
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Networking Reception


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Tuesday, October 10
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Registration Open
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Vendor Showcase
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Morning Breathwork and Mindfulness
Tyler Gaddy
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Systematic Wellness Success: Transforming Healthy Intentions into Healthy Actions
Mandy Nice, Lexipol
Sponsored by 
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Break
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Death IN the Firehouse: Lessons Learned from a Firefighter Suicide Inside the Station
Doug McGlynn, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
Jeff Newsome, Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Local 2928
Sponsored by:

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM FFSHC Central Florida Region Meeting
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM Complimentary Lunch for Conference Attendees
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM Roadway Incident Safety & Survival
Jack Sullivan, ResponderSafety.com
Sponsored by 
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Women In the Fire Service Committee Meeting
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Knowledge & Prevention: Florida’s Heart/Lung Presumption & Other Common Firefighter Injuries
Mike Clelland
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM Break
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM Behavioral Health Access Programs (BHAP): Effective Mental Wellness Practices for the Workforce
Frank Babinec, Dr. Deborah Beidel, Dr. Kellie O’Dare, Chaplain Joe LaCognata, Chris Bator, Jeff Orrange
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM University of Miami Cancer Study Update
Sponsored by 


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Wednesday, October 11
8:00 AM - 11:30 AM Registration Open
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Vendor Showcase
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM Morning Breathwork and Mindfulness
Tyler Gaddy
8:15 AM - 10:00 AM PFAS Panel
Dr. Dan Whu, Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez, Neil McMillan, Dr. R. Bryan Ormond, Moderated by Dustin Hawkins

Sponsored by 
10:00 AM - 10:20 AM Break
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM PFAS Panel Q&A
11:20 AM - 11:30 AM Break
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM In Honor of The Charleston 9: A Study of Change Following Tragedy
Dr. David Griffin
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM Closing Remarks
Chief John Whalen, Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department


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