2026 Annual Conference
October 6-8, 2026 | River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa, OK
Conference Speakers
The State of the Industry: Fire Service Leadership in the next Decade
Tom Jenkins - Fire Chief / Senior Advisor NERIS, UL FSRI
Tom Jenkins serves as a Senior Advisor / Research Manager for UL Fire Safety Research Institute on the NERIS project. Prior to joining the NERIS team, he was the Fire Chief for the City of Rogers (AR). In that capacity he led over 160 career firefighters and successfully attained accreditation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. He has served as a professor for several colleges and universities, including Drury University in Missouri and Oklahoma State University. In 2015, Chief Jenkins was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Fire Chiefs as the Second Vice President. In 2017 and 2018, he served as President and Chairman of the Board for the IAFC. He continues to serve as the Chair of the President’s Council for that association.
In addition to public service, Tom is a regular presenter at nearly all fire and emergency medical conferences. Chief Jenkins completed his master’s in public administration from the University of Oklahoma and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He has completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy and is a designated Chief Fire Officer and Chief Emergency Medical Services Officer from the Commission on Public Credentialing. He currently serves on multiple boards and committees, including the: NFPA Standard on Organization and Deployment of Career Fire Departments Standard 1710, NFPA Standard for Fire Hose Connections, Spray Nozzles, Manufacturer's Design of Fire Department Ground Ladders, Fire Hose, and Powered Rescue Tools 1960, International Fire Service Training Association Board of Directors, PulsePoint Advisory Board, and Science to the Station Board. His service also includes appointments to the Homeland Security Advisory Council, where he served from 2020-2021 and the FEMA National Advisory Council where he served from 2023-2025.
Abstract
The fire service and public safety industry is changing rapidly and undergoing significant shifts in demographic composition and service delivery. Listen to observations, thoughts, and recommendations offered in this keynote that galvanize the landscape of leadership in these organizations and help to ensure the success of leaders operating and growing in that environment.
Promoted to Lead, Trained to Fail: When Tactical Leadership Stops Working
Emilio Reyes - Division Chief, Missouri City Fire and Rescue Services
Emilio Reyes is a Division Chief with Missouri City Fire & Rescue Services and a TDSHS EMS Advanced Coordinator/Instructor, TCFP Master Instructor, and a Multi-Discipline Instructor with the American Heart Association with over 20 years of experience in fire and EMS operations. He specializes in first-line leadership, EMS administration, and practical training that bridges the gap between emergency response and people leadership. Emilio holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Fire Administration and is a graduate of the Texas A&M Fire Service Chief Executive Officer (FSCEO) Program, the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program, the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy, and the Sam Houston State University Fire Executive Training Program. Grounded in real-world experience, his instruction focuses on preparing supervisors to lead with discipline, humility, and accountability in high-risk, high-pressure environments.
PROMOTED TO LEAD, TRAINED TO FAIL-When Tactical Leadership Stops Working. The course examines why first-line EMS supervisors are often promoted with exceptional tactical and clinical skills but without preparation for people leadership and HR responsibility.
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Participants will explore how fast, decisive decision-making, critical on emergency scenes, can create long-term leadership failure when applied to personnel issues in a Supervisor Role . Through real-world scenarios and a case study, students will learn intentional leadership strategies that protect trust, credibility, and careers.
Abstract
Presentation Purpose
The fire service and public safety industry is changing rapidly and undergoing significant shifts in demographic composition and service delivery. Listen to observations, thoughts, and recommendations offered in this keynote that galvanize the landscape of leadership in these organizations and help to ensure the success of leaders operating and growing in that environment.
Recruitment is Marketing. Retention is Leadership: A Culture-Based Playbook Chiefs Can Implement in 90 Days
Dan Kramer - Owner/Principal Consultant, First Due Leadership
Dan Kramer is a senior fire and EMS leader, educator, and consultant with 15+ years of experience in fire service operations, emergency management, and leadership development. He currently serves as Assistant Chief of Operations for Caldwell County ESD #5 in Central Texas and is the Owner and Principal Consultant of First Due Leadership Consulting, where he provides leadership training, strategic consulting, and executive-level advisory services to public safety organizations nationwide. He has served at multiple levels of executive leadership, including Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Executive Director of the State Firefighters and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas. Dan is also an adjunct instructor with Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and San Antonio College, teaching fire officer development, instructor programs, and emergency management courses. He is a published author and frequent conference presenter, with work appearing in Firehouse Magazine, Firefighter Nation, and JEMS, focusing on leadership, ethics, organizational culture, and change management.
Departments are competing in a tighter labor market with higher expectations, faster burnout cycles, and more visible culture comparisons than ever before. Chiefs can't "benefits-package" their way out of a retention problem if the day-to-day experience signals that people aren't valued, developed, or heard. Drawing from executive fire/EMS leadership and workforce development experience, this session breaks staffing into two realities: recruitment is messaging; retention is leadership. Participants learn a practical framework to diagnose why people disengage, how to fix avoidable friction (training pathways, discipline inconsistency, supervision gaps, scheduling/coverage stressors), and how to equip officers to lead in ways that keep people invested. The session includes a retention early-warning checklist, a culture-to-commitment map, and a 90-day implementation plan sized for small, combination, and growing agencies.
Abstract
Presentation Purpose
To equip fire and EMS chiefs and officers with a practical, culture-based retention framework they can implement within 90 days. Participants will learn how to identify early warning signs of disengagement, remove common organizational friction points that drive turnover, and apply leadership behaviors that increase commitment, performance, and stability—without relying on gimmicks or one-time recruiting campaigns.
When You Become a Meme: Seeing through the fog of AI technology
Michael Baker - Fire Chief, Tulsa Fire Department
Michael Baker is the Fire Chief for the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Appointed by Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum in June of 2020, Chief Baker leads a department of 734 members working from 30 fire station locations.
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A 30-year veteran of the Tulsa Fire Department, Chief Baker held previous roles as Chief of Emergency Medical Services, Public Information Officer, and Fire Captain.
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Chief Baker holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies (Homeland Security) from the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security, a Bachelors in University Studies (Political Science, Sociology, and Emergency Management) from Oklahoma State University. Chief Baker is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program.
With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) a Fire Chief may find themselves the subject of an augmented photograph or meme. In this session, I will share personal meme and photo experiences and describe how it feels to be a part of an AI trend. I will also discuss how the leadership of fire organizations can interpret the real meaning behind these visual clues to organizational health.
Abstract
Presentation Purpose
The purpose of this session is to share with fire service leaders the need to ensure that they are responding appropriately to leadership challenges or hidden accolades contained within AI generated images. Helping leaders understand the intent behind this communication style and how it impacts department leadership and culture.
Why Would Anyone Want to Be Led by You?
Keith Hopkins - Fire Chief, Mesquite Fire Department
Chief Keith Hopkins serves as the Fire Chief of the Mesquite Fire Department, a 254-member department providing fire and emergency medical services to more than 157,000 citizens. The department also delivers a strong compliment of special operations services in support of the community.
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Chief Hopkins has dedicated 26 years to the Mesquite Fire Department, serving through every rank of the organization. He spent the majority of his career in Operations, where he developed a strong foundation in emergency response, leadership, and firefighter development. His passion for the fire service is evident in his commitment to training firefighters of all ranks, emphasizing professional development and the cultivation of strong, capable leaders.
Chief Hopkins is a proud graduate of Baylor University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, and he is a soon to be graduate of the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy.
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He has been married to his wife, Amy, for over 30 years. Together, they have three grown daughters who are exceptional and productive members of their communities.
Abstract
This course challenges participants to examine leadership from the inside out. Rather than focusing on titles, authority, or management techniques alone, it begins with a fundamental question: why would anyone want to be led by you?
Through reflection, discussion, and practical application, learners explore the personal behaviors, values, and habits that build credibility and trust.
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The course emphasizes situational-awareness and self-discipline as the foundation of effective leadership, helping participants understand how their actions, communication style, and decision-making impacts others.
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Participants will examine what it means to lead with authenticity, integrity, and purpose, and how these qualities influence engagement, motivation, and performance. The course also addresses the difference between managing tasks and leading people, highlighting how influence is earned through consistency, empathy, and accountability.
This course is ideal for emerging leaders, experienced managers, and anyone seeking to deepen their leadership impact by becoming more intentional, self-aware, and people-centered in how they lead.
Presentation Purpose
This class is designed specifically for firefighters.
It will teach participants how to:
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Clarify their personal leadership philosophy
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Understand how they are perceived as leader
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Strengthen trust and influence within their teams
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Take ownership of their growth as a leader that others want to follow
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Acquire the applicable skills needed to implement throughout their leadership journey
Stretching the Organization Without Breaking It
Joe Sherrell - Fire Chief, Bixby Fire Department
Chief Joe Sherrell serves as Fire Chief for the Bixby Fire Department (OK), where he leads significant organizational growth and mission expansion. Since joining Bixby in 2022 as Chief of EMS, he implemented the department’s EMS transport program, was promoted to Deputy Chief later that year, and assumed the role of Fire Chief in 2024. During this period, he has led the department through an expansion in which the workforce more than doubled while integrating new service responsibilities.
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Prior to joining Bixby, Chief Sherrell spent 15 years with the Tulsa Fire Department, attaining the rank of Captain and gaining extensive experience in EMS operations and leadership.
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He is a graduate of IAFC’s FSEDI and the NFA Managing Officer Program and is currently a candidate in the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program. He holds the CFO and CEMSO designations and earned a B.S. in Fire Protection and Safety from Oklahoma State University and an MPA from the University of Oklahoma.
Abstract
When a fire department adds a new mission such as EMS transport, the strain rarely shows up first on the fireground—it shows up in leadership. Expanded services redefine authority, increase span of control, and place new demands on company officers and command staff who may not have been prepared for fundamentally different expectations. If chiefs do not deliberately reset structure, accountability, and culture, friction between legacy identity and new responsibilities can erode performance.
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This session examines the leadership consequences of mission expansion and challenges chief officers to assess whether their current systems truly support evolving operational demands. Drawing on real-world experience, the presentation explores how to clarify expectations, strengthen supervisory alignment, and intentionally shape culture while developing officers for new roles.
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Attendees will leave with practical strategies to support emerging leaders, prevent structural drift, and ensure that new responsibilities enhance organizational effectiveness rather than fracture it.
Presentation Purpose
This session challenges chief officers to examine whether their leadership systems, accountability structures, and officer development practices are aligned with evolving mission demands. As departments expand into new service areas, intentional leadership adaptation becomes essential to supporting company officers, sustaining performance, and preventing cultural and structural drift.
High Standards Strong Support: Building Psychological Safety in the Fire Service
Nikki Penn - Licensed Counselor, Nikki Penn Counseling & Consulting, PLLC
Nikki Penn is a licensed counselor, former EMT, and trusted ally to firefighters and emergency responders. With extensive experience working alongside firefighters, she holds dual licensure in Arkansas and New York and is a certified EMDR therapist. Nikki consults with fire departments to build mental health programs that keep healthy firefighters strong, identify early warning signs, and intervene when negative patterns threaten careers, marriages, and health. She teaches at state and regional fire conferences and works alongside departments during critical incidents. She and her team oversee several fire department mental health programs, and her work has been featured in Fire Engineering Magazine. Married to a fire chief, Nikki brings both clinical expertise and lived understanding of the fire service to her work, and she is committed to keeping the people within the redline strong, healthy, and mission ready.
Abstract
High standards and strong support are essential to both operational readiness and mental wellness in the fire service. This session helps firefighters and leaders understand what psychological safety is and how it directly impacts stress, burnout, communication, and long-term well-being. Participants will learn practical strategies to foster an environment where team members feel supported, can learn from mistakes, and continue to grow—without compromising expectations. Through real-world examples and discussion, this class offers a clear path to strengthened trust, resilience, and performance.
Presentation Purpose
The purpose of this session is to equip firefighters and fire service leaders with a clear, practical understanding of psychological safety and its role in building strong, accountable, and resilient teams. This presentation aims to dispel common misconceptions by demonstrating how high standards and strong support work together—not in opposition. Ultimately, this session is designed to strengthen the department as a whole by enhancing leadership effectiveness, operational readiness, and the mental well-being of its members.
Beyond NFPA 1580: What Fire Departments Need to Know About Medical Standards and Cancer Screening
Kristin Batla - Chief Medical Officer, On Duty Health
Dr. Kristin Batla is clinically trained as a physician associate who went on to earn a doctoral degree in medical science, completing her dissertation on early detection of firefighter lung cancer. In 2020, she launched an occupational medicine and employee health practice that now serves over 10,000 first responders annually, in five states. With a master’s degree in clinical research administration, Kristin and her team continue to explore revolutionary cancer screening modalities, bringing early detection to firefighters while they are on duty at the station.
Abstract
Firefighters face unique occupational risks—yet many departments still struggle with consistent medical qualification practices, fitness benchmarks, and actionable cancer screening pathways. This presentation walks through NFPA 1580 updates relevant to occupational medicine and medical qualification, then digs into practical decision-making on aerobic capacity (VOâ‚‚) testing in the fire service. The session also reviews current and emerging cancer screening modalities, including low-dose CT lung cancer screening and multicancer early detection (MCED) blood testing, with emphasis on implementation, utility, and limitations in real-world departments.
Presentation Purpose
This session reviews updates and key concepts within NFPA 1580 related to occupational medicine and medical qualification parameters for firefighters. Participants will evaluate the role and limitations of aerobic capacity (VOâ‚‚) assessment in the fire service and discuss evidence-informed approaches to cancer screening and early detection— including lung cancer screening and emerging multicancer early detection (MCED) blood testing.
Defending Our Delivery Model - Using Data to Make a Difference
Tom Jenkins - Fire Chief / Senior Advisor NERIS, UL FSRI
Tom Jenkins serves as a Senior Advisor / Research Manager for UL Fire Safety Research Institute on the NERIS project. Prior to joining the NERIS team, he was the Fire Chief for the City of Rogers (AR). In that capacity he led over 160 career firefighters and successfully attained accreditation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. He has served as a professor for several colleges and universities, including Drury University in Missouri and Oklahoma State University. In 2015, Chief Jenkins was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Fire Chiefs as the Second Vice President. In 2017 and 2018, he served as President and Chairman of the Board for the IAFC. He continues to serve as the Chair of the President’s Council for that association.
In addition to public service, Tom is a regular presenter at nearly all fire and emergency medical conferences. Chief Jenkins completed his master’s in public administration from the University of Oklahoma and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He has completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy and is a designated Chief Fire Officer and Chief Emergency Medical Services Officer from the Commission on Public Credentialing. He currently serves on multiple boards and committees, including the: NFPA Standard on Organization and Deployment of Career Fire Departments Standard 1710, NFPA Standard for Fire Hose Connections, Spray Nozzles, Manufacturer's Design of Fire Department Ground Ladders, Fire Hose, and Powered Rescue Tools 1960, International Fire Service Training Association Board of Directors, PulsePoint Advisory Board, and Science to the Station Board. His service also includes appointments to the Homeland Security Advisory Council, where he served from 2020-2021 and the FEMA National Advisory Council where he served from 2023-2025.
Abstract
The presentation covers various arguments, methods and fundamentals surrounding the usage of data and analytics to "tell our story" and understand the risk, complexity and deployment models used to take care of our citizens in communities or various size and populations.
Presentation Purpose
Engage fire chiefs to understand the various threats to our traditional and modern delivery models and better understand resource allocation methodologies and data opportunities.