The Company Officer as the Trainer
Dave Casey
Thursday, June 11, 2026
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
From the Company Officer perspective, the program reviews the role and importance of the Company Officer in the training process. This includes determining training needs via informal company/external assessments and developing training/drill objectives. Safety is emphasized with Drill Safety Plans (training sites, weather, and operational concerns, sample forms), preparation, determining content and sources; and delivery techniques all working towards “combat readiness” at the company/station level. Also reviews current training safety issues.
Dave Casey
Dave Casey is the managing partner of Ascend Leadership LLC, which conducts training and promotional testing for fire departments across the country. He is a volunteer for the DeBary Fire Support Team (canteen/rehab unit).
He is the co-author of the textbook “Live Fire Training Principles & Practice” and the officer leadership video series “The Right Seat – Officer Development Beyond the Textbook” He served as Director of Louisiana’s Municipal fire training/certification program and as the Superintendent of Florida State Fire College, overseeing the state’s certified training, certifications and firefighter safety programs. He also served as Director of the Fire and Emergency Training Institute at Louisiana State University – then the state’s fire academy. Formerly the Fire Chief of Clay County (FL) for 11 years. For 15 years he was a career firefighter/paramedic with Sunrise Fire Rescue, rising through the ranks retiring as the Training/Personnel Division Chief. At the same time, he was a volunteer firefighter for 14 years with the Plantation Fire Dept, leaving as Assistant Fire Chief.
