Schedule Day 1
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 - 9:00 am | Registration Check-in |
| 8:30 - 4:00 pm | Exhibitor Hall is Open |
| 9:00 - 9:45 am | Opening Remarks: Welcome |
| 9:45 - 10:00 am | BREAK |
| 10:00 - 12:00 pm | Block A Workshops |
| 12:00 - 1:00 pm | LUNCH |
| 1:00 - 2:00 pm | Keynote: Aging in the Commonwealth: Resources & Tools to Support Older Adults |
| 2:00 - 2:15 pm | BREAK |
| 2:15 - 3:15 pm | Block B Workshops |
| 3:15 - 3:30 pm | BREAK |
| 3:30 - 4:30 pm | Block C Workshops |
| 4:45 - 6:00 pm | Networking Reception (cash bar) |
| 6:00 pm | Networking Dinner |
Workshop Categories
Core skills: Workshops to keep both new and experienced educators up to date on consistent messages and best practices
Partnerships: Workshops about developing and working within the partnerships that are essential to effective community risk reduction
Using the Tools: Workshops that introduce specific tools, props and curriculums that help teach fire and life safety
New Topics: Workshops about information new to the field or new to this conference
Day 1 Workshops:
Block A Workshops (10:00 am - 12:00 pm)
A1: NFPA Steps to Safety TM
Karla Klas, Fire Safety Education Specialist, NFPA
Kelly Ransdell, Director of Public Education, NFPA
Session 1 of 3. In this interactive workshop, attendees will learn about the Steps to SafetyTM - Prevent Fire and Falls at Home program. It pairs fire and EMS professionals with community partners to collaboratively reduce the impact of fires and falls among multigenerational adults in their communities. Designed to support safe aging in place, Steps to SafetyTM (S2S) emphasizes empowerment and proactive, future-proofing strategies that help individuals maintain independence as their needs change. Workshop participants will learn how to deliver the program through group presentations, home visits, and strong referral networks, and local resource connections. Rooted in fire and behavioral science and adult education principles, S2S provides practical tools to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and drive meaningful, community-wide impact. Attendees will leave with strategies to help communities foster safe, healthy aging at home across generations. Please note: You must participate in both days of the workshop, over 3 sessions (B1, C1, D1).
A2: Communicating with Deaf & Hard of Hearing Individuals
Jonathan O’Dell, Supervisor, Communication Access, Training & Technology Services, MCDHH
Zoe RajBahandary, Communication Outreach & Training Specialist, MCDHH
This training will help participants better understand Deaf and hard of hearing individuals living within their community. The session will explore Deaf culture, community demographics, and the wide range of communication preferences and challenges that may arise during an emergency. Participants will learn about alerting devices designed to improve safety at home and discover proactive strategies to better include Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in emergency planning, preparedness and response efforts. .
A3: The New SAFE Educator
Lt. Katie Harrington, Worcester Fire Department
FF/Paramedic Billy Lieb, Bridgewater Fire Department
The Massachusetts fire service needs more SAFE educators, and you may already have the skills to become one. Fire and life safety education has expanded beyond traditional fire prevention lessons to include community risk reduction topics such as mental health, substance abuse prevention and Senior SAFE. Join us for an interactive session to learn recruitment and retention strategies, share ideas, and discover practical tools that will help you become a confident and effective educator in your community.
A4: Teaching Fire Safety Through History
Chief Tim Kelly, Director of Public Safety, Devens Fire Department
The History of Fire in America is a program for grades 7-12 that uses fire history to teach fire safety by reviewing historical fires and the lessons learned from them. Students look at cases where tragic mistakes happened because history was ignored. This approach teaches critical thinking, reasoning skills, and fire safety. Bring a thumb drive so you can download the program to use in your community.
A5: Coaching Your Growth: Difficult Conversation in the Firehouse
Jennifer Anderson, Founder & CEO, First Responder Coaching
This workshop introduces participants to a "Coach Approach," emphasizing active listening, self-awareness, and transformative communication techniques. It covers core coaching skills, such as reflective inquiry and managing emotional triggers, while exploring frameworks like the DISC personality styles, the Johari Window, and the Wheel of Life to enhance interpersonal understanding and growth. Participants learn to distinguish between transactional and transformational coaching, with a focus on aligning actions with personal values and fostering deeper, value-based connections. Incorporating insights into neuroplasticity and "brain hacking," the program provides tools to reframe narratives, overcome blockers, and shift out of unproductive dynamics. The session equips attendees with actionable skills and resources to support meaningful personal and professional development.
Keynote Speaker (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm)
Aging in the Commonwealth: Resources & Tools to Support Older Adults
Joel Bartlett, Home Care Provider Coordinator, Executive Office of Aging & Independence
Shannon Turner, Home Care Program Coordinator, Executive Office of Aging & Independence
As Massachusetts’ population continues to age, fire departments play an increasingly important role in supporting the safety and well-being of older adults. This general session will introduce attendees to the wide range of resources, tools, and partnership opportunities available through the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE), formerly the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, to help fire departments better serve older adults within their communities.The session will highlight programs and services focused on reducing fire risk, preventing falls, and improving emergency preparedness for older adults. Presenters will also share practical strategies fire service professionals can immediately implement, including connecting residents with critical support services, distributing life-saving equipment, and using community-level data to better target outreach and prevention efforts.
Block B Workshops (2:15 pm - 3:15 pm)
B1: NFPA Steps to Safety TM
Karla Klas, Fire Safety Education Specialist, NFPA
Kelly Ransdell, Director of Public Education, NFPA
Session 2 of 3. This is part two of the three-part workshop on using the NFPA Steps to Safety - Prevent Fire and Falls at Home program. The program pairs fire and EMS professionals with community partners to educate older adults about home fires and fall safety through group presentations, home visits, and the creation of a local resources network. See workshop B1 for more information. Please note: You must participate in both days of the workshop, over 3 sessions (A1, B1, C1).
B2: Preventing Scald Burns in Young Children: A Community Education Guide
Rich Grady, Burn Program Coordinator, Shriners Childrens
Scald burns are a leading cause of injury among young children and often occur during everyday activities such as cooking, bathing, and handling hot beverages. This workshop provides fire and life safety educators with practical strategies to help families prevent hot-liquid and steam burns through safer home environments, supervision and hot water safety. Participants will also explore community outreach approaches, train the trainer techniques, and educational resources to support local burn prevention efforts.
B3: TRIAD/Project Lifesaver
Dep. Elizabeth Rodrigues, Hampden Country Sheriff’s Office
The TRIAD Division of the Hampden County Sheriff's Office is a cooperative agreement between the Sheriff’s office,local first responder agencies, and the senior community working to empower seniors through programs that promote safe, healthy, independent living. We will discuss the free programs offered to the Hampen County community, such as the Are You Ok? program, home safety assessments, Electronic Search & Rescue (ESAR), and many more.
B4: Just In-Case Kits for Active Shooter Situations
Capt. David Bortolotto, Scituate Fire Department
This workshop highlights the development and implementation of “Just in Case Kits” created following a personal experience during a school lockdown caused by an active shooter in a nearby wooded area. Designed for teachers and school personnel, these five-gallon pail emergency kits are intended to support classrooms during an active shooter event or prolonged school lockdown. Each kit contains Stop the Bleed kit, toilet paper, paper towels, crayons, coloring books and other items to help teachers comfort and distract students during a crisis. The presentation will discuss how the project originated, the challenges and obstacles encountered throughout the process and the role of key stakeholders who both supported and opposed the initiative. Attendees will learn strategies used to secure funding for the project and how collaboration between fire department personnel and school staff was used to provide training.
B5: Teaching Fire Life Safety with Props on a Budget
Cindy Ouellette, Retired Public Education Program Coordinator, DFS
Lt. Christie Clement, Assistant SAFE Coordinator, DFS; Marlborough Fire Department
Lt. Chris Conlon, Weston Fire Department
Capt. Asa de Roode, Wendell Fire Department
Capt. John Sjostedt, President, MA FPAM; Plympton Fire Department
Looking to add the “wow factor” to your fire and life safety education programs without stretching your budget? This interactive workshop will showcase creative, hands-on props and teaching tools that make safety messages memorable for audiences of all ages. Participants will explore DFS educational props including the hazard kitchen and hazard house, while learning practical tips for incorporating them into engaging presentations. Presenters will also share innovative, low-cost ideas for building customized props using affordable, donated, recycled and everyday materials. Leave with fresh inspiration, resource sharing ideas and ready to use strategies to bring your SAFE program to life.
Block C Workshops (3:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
C1: NFPA Steps to Safety TM
Karla Klas, Fire Safety Education Specialist, NFPA
Kelly Ransdell, Director of Public Education, NFPA
Session 3 of 3. This is part three of the three-part workshop on using the NFPA Steps to Safety - Prevent Fire and Falls at Home program. The program pairs fire and EMS professionals with community partners to educate older adults about home fires and fall safety through group presentations, home visits, and the creation of a local resources network. See workshop B1 for more information. Please note: You must participate in both days of the workshop, over 3 sessions (A1, B1, C1).
C2: A SAFE Program in Action
Chief Timothy Howe, Oakham Fire Department
A successful SAFE program must continuously evolve. Schools change, SAFE educators change, and programs are constantly challenged by budget constraints and shifting community needs. This workshop will explore strategies for staying ahead of these challenges and demonstrate how a SAFE program can successfully adapt over time. Attendees will learn approaches for maintaining a strong, sustainable SAFE program that evolves with their community while remaining relevant and engaging. The presentation will review both customized SAFE programming and several pre-developed curricula, along with practical strategies for overcoming the modern-day challenges associated with managing and sustaining a SAFE program.
C3: Cooling Conflict: Managing Safety Pushback and Non-Compliance
Matthew Morin, Emergency Management Coordinator, UMass Amherst
Safety professionals rarely struggle with understanding the rules, regulations, and codes that guide their work. The greater challenge often lies in navigating resistance, pushbacks, and emotional reactions when safety requirements collide with real world behaviors and expectations. This interactive workshop focuses on the human side of safety leadership, equipping participants with practical communication strategies to effectively manage conflict, address non-compliance and maintain trust without compromising safety standards. Through realistic scenarios, role-playing exercises, and facilitated discussion, participants will explore how to respond when safety conversations “heat up” and learn techniques to intentionally cool them down. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of when to coach, when to enforce and when to de-escalate, building confidence in handling difficult conversations while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and respect.
C4: Dementia: What First Responders Need to Know
Tammy Pozerycki, Life Care Manager & Dementia Educator, Clear Guidance
As the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias continues to rise, first responders are increasingly likely to encounter residents experiencing confusion, memory loss, wandering or other dementia related behaviors during emergencies. Understanding how dementia affects communication, decision-making and reactions to stressful situations is critical to ensuring safe and effective response. This workshop will provide practical strategies and best practices for recognizing dementia-related behaviors, communicating effectively, de-escalating challenging situations and supporting individuals and their caregivers during emergencies. Attendees will gain valuable insights and tools to enhance their response capabilities, improve outcomes, and better serve this growing and vulnerable population.
C5: Supporting Youth in Crisis: Family – Professional Partnership
Meri Viano, Associate Director, Parent/Professional Advocacy League
Beth Bergstrom, Parent/Professional Advocacy League
This workshop is designed for law enforcement, fire safety personnel, EMS professionals, dispatchers, school resource staff, and other first responders who may encounter children and adolescents experiencing emotional, behavioral, mental health or wellness crises. Participants will gain a better understanding of child and adolescent behavior, trauma responses, and family dynamics during crisis situations. The session highlights what families want first responders to know, including practical strategies to improve communication, reduce escalation and build trust during high-stress encounters. Attendees will also learn how to incorporate family knowledge and lived experience into crisis response efforts, recognize behavioral health and suicide prevention risk factors and better understand the impact of mental health and wellness challenges on emergency response situations.