Company Officers Section - IAFC

Congrats, Chief Steve Locke !

🎉 Congratulations to Chief Steven Locke of the South Burlington Fire Department (VT) on being installed as the 150th President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs during Fire-Rescue International 2026 in Kansas City.

Joining him on the IAFC Executive Committee are Chief Ernest Malone (Indianapolis, IN), First Vice President, and Chief Mike Snider (Lee's Summit, MO), Second Vice President. We also extend our sincere thanks to Immediate Past President Chief Trisha Wolford for her exceptional leadership and service.

📖 Read the official press release: https://www.iafc.org

was an incredible experience!

The team at the IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs did an amazing job putting together another outstanding Fire-Rescue International. A huge thank you to everyone behind the scenes who made it happen, and to Kansas City Fire Chief Craig N. Buckley for being such a great host to everyone in attendance.

It was also a BIG year for company officers! This year’s conference featured 20 company officer-focused educational sessions, with several COS board members and members presenting, including sessions within the Officer Development Program (ODP).

🏆 We also had an incredible night recognizing Lt. Al Green as the Company Officer of the Year, followed by another unforgettable FailFest!

HUGE thank you to our sponsors and partners who helped make the Company Officer of the Year celebration and FailFest possible:

US Digital Designs, Inc. | Honeywell Technologies | General Motors / OnStar
And a special thank you to GAME Apparel for creating a classic, American-made custom jacket; Mike Jaffa for the absolutely mind-blowing custom belt buckle; and Custom Helmet Shields for the handmade helmet shield presented to Lt. Green.

We also welcomed four new members to the Company Officers Section Board! We have a great group of people committed to supporting and developing company officers, and we are really excited about what this team has ahead of us.

FRI continues to be one of the best opportunities in the fire service to learn, reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and invest in the future of our profession. As a reminder, you don't need to be a chief to be part of the IAFC!!

Already looking forward to !

Several of the Company Officers Section - IAFC members presented at FireRecue International 2026 this year. Here, Battalion Chief Sean Cummings is presenting on GIS for the Right Front Seat with Mike Cox and Esri. Great job, Sean!

🔥 The Company Officers Section is BUSY at FRI!

Our Board members have been hard at work since Saturday—meeting, connecting, sharing ideas, and getting things done for company officers across the fire service.

🎥 Keep an eye out for Chair Brian Morrison, Secretary Ashley Engler, and Board Member Jesse Schilling on IAFC TV as they talk about what’s happening within the Company Officers Section and what’s ahead!

If you’re at FRI, make sure you stop by the Company Officers Section booth and say hello. And if you see one of our Board members in the hallway, at a session, on the Expo floor, or anywhere during your FRI travels—stop us and have a conversation!

FRI is about more than classes and the Expo. It’s about connections, conversations, and bringing ideas back home that make us better company officers and better leaders.

🔥 Stop by. Say hello. Get connected. Get involved.

🚒 FIREFIGHTERS & COMPANY OFFICERS — MAKE THE MOST OF FRI 2026! 🚒

Heading to Fire-Rescue International 2026? The IAFC Company Officers Section Company Officer Task Book is your guide to getting more out of your FRI experience.

https://fri2026.eventscribe.net/aaStatic.asp?SFP=UUZHRlRWTUdAMjc0MzdAQ29tcGFueSBPZmZpY2VyIFRhc2tib29r&fbclid=IwY2xjawTmtN9wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6ECjPODMcg93lBkMRad8AZ4nNXjWmP2xtcvmudMppjui0lO32Oq3S-GHIGDQ_aem_qrFPglYJRaz94jIGM68naw

📘 WHAT IS THE COMPANY OFFICER TASK BOOK?

Designed specifically for Firefighters and Company Officers attending FRI 2026, the Task Book helps you navigate the conference and steer your experience toward courses, education, and professional development opportunities that fit your rank and your future in the fire service.

🔥 COMPLETE THE TASK BOOK — EARN FREE IAFC MEMBERSHIP!

Participants who successfully complete the Company Officer Task Book will receive:

✅ FREE International Association of Fire Chiefs Affiliate Membership through December 2026

✅ FREE membership in the IAFC Company Officers Section through December 2026

This is your opportunity to turn your FRI experience into more than just a conference. Build your knowledge. Expand your network. Invest in your leadership development. And become part of the IAFC community.

👨‍🚒 Firefighter today.
🚒 Company Officer tomorrow.
🔥 Fire service leader for the future.

Take the challenge. Complete the Task Book. Join the IAFC.

Learn more about the FRI 2026 Company Officer Task Book:
Company Officer Task Book – FRI 2026

https://fri2026.eventscribe.net/aaStatic.asp?SFP=UUZHRlRWTUdAMjc0MzdAQ29tcGFueSBPZmZpY2VyIFRhc2tib29r&fbclid=IwY2xjawTmtN9wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6ECjPODMcg93lBkMRad8AZ4nNXjWmP2xtcvmudMppjui0lO32Oq3S-GHIGDQ_aem_qrFPglYJRaz94jIGM68naw

Check out the article on page 10 in this edition of the IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs iChiefs Magazine entitled "Holistic Succession in the Fire Service" from our very own board member, Jesse Schilling! Great read, and well done Jesse!

www.iafc.org

Applications for the new Managing Officer program opens November 2-30 or until the first 500 applications are received!!

After a much-needed update, the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland is pleased to deliver the first of two pilot offerings of Managing Officer Development: Leadership, Teams, Technology and Ethics.

The NFA’s Managing Officer Program is a multiyear curriculum designed to help emerging emergency services leaders build personal and professional skills in change management, risk reduction and adaptive leadership.

This pilot offering will help NFA make any needed adjustments before the program reopens for future applicants. Applications for the Managing Officer Program will be accepted November 2-30, 2026, or until the first 500 applications have been received, whichever comes first.

In the meantime, seats are available for several upcoming resident classes on a first come, first served basis. NFA classes are free, with lodging, travel stipends and airport transportation provided. Meals on campus are at the attendee’s expense.

Learn more and apply: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/nfacourses/catalog/search?availability=2

Interested in teaching at NFA? We’re always looking for talented instructors to join the team: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/about/contract-instructors/teach-for-nfa.html

🔥 Company Officer-Focused Sessions at 🔥

The IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs has a full schedule of leadership, wellness, safety, culture, and operational education planned throughout the week. Mark your calendar and join us in Kansas City!

📅 Wednesday, August 12
10:30 AM–12:00 PM CT

• CO-201: Detailed Leadership, Aggressive Tactics — Micah Rains

• CO-101: First Due Is First Due—Preparing for Large Events as a First Arriving Company —Eric Linnenburger

• CO-301: Operations by— Ryan Meigel
1:00–2:00 PM CT

• FSRI—Case Study: EV Smoke & FRD Best Practices — Richard Kesler

• Principled Leadership from the Road Less Traveled — David Griffin

• Risky Business: The “Not So Obvious” Risks of Being a Fire Officer & Chief in 2026 — Gordon Graham and Billy Goldfeder

• The Functional Fire Company — Scott Thompson

Wednesday Evening
🏆 6:00–7:00 PM: Company Officer of the Year Award at KC Live!
🎤 7:00–10:00 PM: FailFest for company officers

📅 Thursday, August 13
9:30–10:15 AM CT

• Exercise as Medicine—Reducing Firefighters’ Risk of Cancer, Heart Disease, and Burnout — David Frost

• The Stories Behind the Standards — Karen Berard-Reed, Elizabeth Bednarcik, and John Vanatta
10:45–11:30 AM CT

• Action Steps to Integrate CRR Across the Firehouse — Karen Berard-Reed, John Vanatta, and Matt Perez

• Igniting Change—Reimagining the IAFF/IAFC Wellness-Fitness Initiative — Jason Atkin, Richard Miller, and Constantine Poulos
1:00–2:00 PM CT

• Bridging the Gap: Navigating Generational Conflict and Communication — Logan Helmuth

• Company Officers’ Role in Firefighter Retention — Jesse Schilling

• Culture: It’s Time for an Adjustment! — Darin Wallentine and John Schmidt

• Implementing Preventive Wellness Systems — Rachael Staebell and Brandon Evans

• Leading Your Department One Person at a Time — Ryan Scott Jekonski

• Mastering Fireground Command: Calm the Chaos — Brian Brush and Anthony Kastros
2:00-2:30 PM CT

• The Ex*****on Gap: Project Management in the Modern Fire Service— Peter Younes
2:30–4:00 PM CT

• Courage Under Fire Leadership: Personal Leadership Tips for Success — Steve Prziborowski

📅 Friday, August 14
11:00 AM–12:30 PM CT

• CO-205: Behind the Mask—Leadership’s Role in Firefighter Wellness — Donald Burns

• CO-305: 10 Things Firefighters Say That Should Set Off Alarms — Bryan Norris

Follow the Company Officers Section - IAFC for updates, room locations, and additional company officer-focused events throughout . We look forward to seeing you in Kansas City!

https://www.facebook.com/CompanyOfficer/posts/pfbid02odJRU3do3Qvj9N1ykoJt3NZSiLrMKRfuVzSQRhPWmd8izGCQ4fBwtKtfM3s8aC9Al

This WILL sell out! RSVP today at https://FailFestFRI2026.Eventbrite.com