2025 Leadership Roundtable
Cultural Change in the Fire Service
Moderator: Deputy Chief Will Vaigneur, Lady’s Island/St. Helena Fire District (Ret.)
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the fire service is experiencing significant transformations driven by new regulations, research, and cultural shifts. This session is designed to equip both emerging and established leaders with the insights and skills needed to navigate these changes effectively. Our panelist’s insights and experiences will provide deep dives into how science, regulations, and fire ground research will shape the future fire service landscape. From topics such as shift schedules and their effects on firefighter wellness to groundbreaking tactical research for operations, this roundtable promises to bring be a lively discussion.
Leadership in the fire service requires the ability to drive and embrace change. This group will also provide guidance on strategies for young firefighters in 3-man stations to initiate and sustain change, emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration as well as explore techniques for seasoned fire chiefs to adapt to and lead change, focusing on fostering an environment of innovation and continuous improvement.
Panelists
Assistant Chief Dan Shaw, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, VA (Ret.)
Dan has been a student of the fire service since 1992, starting in the fire service in Howard County, MD as a volunteer. In 1995, he was appointed to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, VA and has held every rank throughout his career. He retired in July 2024 as the Assistant Chief of Operations for the department.
Dan also delivers fire service instruction around the country and taught at many national conferences covering firefighting, leadership, and officer development. He serves on the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) Advisory Board, is the chairman of the NFPA 1403 committee, and is a panel member for the Underwriter’s Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute.
He co-authored the book “25 to Survive: Reducing Residential Injuries and LODD” that was published in 2013 and has also written several articles for Fire Engineering Magazine. Dan had the distinct honor of being the keynote speaker at FDIC International in 2022.
Dr. Sara Jahnke, Director and a Senior Scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research
Dr. Jahnke is the Director and a Senior Scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research within NDRI-USA, Inc. She also serves as the President of the Board of Science to the Station: A Health and Wellness Alliance, an organization focused on making empirical evidence more accessible and useable for frontline personnel. With nearly two decades of research experience on firefighters, she has been the Principal Investigator on several national studies and dozens of studies as a co-investigator. She has more than 100 publications to her credit. Her work has focused on a range of health concerns, including the health of women firefighters, behavioral health, risk of injury, cancer, cardiovascular risk factors, and substance use, with funding from FEMA, the National Institutes of Health, and other foundations. She has received several recognitions for her work, including the John Granito Excellence in Fire Service Research Award, the President’s Award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Chief Joseph (Joe) Harmon Palmer, Ret.
Joe is married to Marquerite Palmer and has three daughters/son-in-laws, six granddaughters and one grandson. Joe began his fire service career in high school as an explorer scout and volunteer firefighter with the Coronaca Fire Department in Greenwood County. He was a member of Northwest Volunteer Fire Department, entered college, and upon graduation from Lander College, became a paid firefighter with The City of Greenwood. While working at the City of Greenwood, he became Regional Supervisor for the SC Fire Academy for Region 7. In 1991, he moved to Columbia and became Manager of Training for the Fire Academy over industrial and regional training. In May of 1994, he accepted the position of Fire Chief with the City of Newberry. In August of 2008, Joe became the Executive Director of the SC State Firefighters’ Association (A position has repeated that now three times!). In 2006-7, Joe was the President of the Firefighters’ Association. Joe has been a member of the Methodist denomination all his life and currently attends Wightman Global Methodist Church in Prosperity SC. His hobbies include serving as a jungle gym for grandkids and spending precious time in solitude with his few cows on the family’s small farm.