Registration for Fire Service Improvement Conference opens October 1.

2-day Class (Friday, January 22, 2027 & Saturday, January 23, 2027)

Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy

The Federation of Fire Chaplains’ Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy course is a comprehensive, 16-hour program designed to equip chaplains and emergency services personnel with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively serve within the fire service. The course addresses the roles and responsibilities of a fire chaplain, crisis intervention, grief and trauma care, on-scene ministry, ethical considerations, legal aspects, and support for firefighters and their families. Through interactive instruction and real-world application, participants gain the tools necessary to provide compassionate, professional support in high-stress and crisis environments.

Dr. Gary Rogers & Rev. Cathleen Cathcart

January 22-23, 2027, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia

SC OSHA 1910.156 Plan Detail Review

SC has developed its own state “Emergency Responder Regulation” in response to the federal proposed 29 CFR 1910.156 release in April of 2027. Participants in this seminar will look closely at the development process, contents of the new SC plan in detail, look at the future adoption process, and discuss methods of compliance. Participants should expect to come away with a detailed knowledge of the SC plan contents and how to apply it to their departments.

Joe Palmer

Friday, January 22, 2027, 1:00 PM – 2:45 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia

The Adaptive Fire Officer – How to survive an environment of change.

The fire service is evolving faster than ever, increasing the demands on fire service leaders to provide effective leadership. Yet tradition, human nature and the political environment make it difficult for those in leadership positions to grow and adapt. This program will discuss these challenges as well as strategies fire service leaders can use to provide effective leadership in this challenging environment.

Chief Greg Bulanow (Ret)

Friday, January 22, 2027, 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia

Searchable vs. Survivable

This class will cover many topics related to search. It will keep the focus on our primary mission of the fire service-life. With our modern fire environment, time is not a luxury we have, and it is imperative that we have a system in place designed for quick decision making. We will discuss the importance of sizing up the search upon our 360 and using the staffing we have wisely to occupy the spaces where our victims are most likely to be found. This class is about being intelligently aggressive and focusing our efforts on where we can do the greatest good at the moment. Searching is about predictable behavior patterns as well as prioritizing spaces that our victims are most likely to be found. There is no singular mode but rather multiple methods to enhance the survivability for the unprotected occupant. We must break free from the standard approach of this is how we have always done it and concentrate our efforts on what is best for our civilians trapped by fire.

Sean Duffy – Ann Arbor Fire

Saturday, January 23, 2027, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia

Follow the Leader

Despite professional development curriculums dominated by leadership, the fire service continues to face a shortage of authentic leaders. The campaign to make everyone a leader regardless of skill, merit, or desire has fallen short because the knowledge and experience gained through followership is omitted as the foundation of great leaders. This class focuses on removing the confusion between leadership and concepts like management, supervision, and authority which place individual accolades above team accomplishment. Follow the Leader aims to revive the emergence of natural leaders within our organizations by making followership the first step in our leadership journey.

BnC Marc Aloan – W. Columbia Fire

Saturday, January 23, 2027, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia