I’ve just returned from Syracuse, NY where I was assisting with running the FASNY Fire Service Leadership Conference. This was an eight hour, one-day program focusing on the needs of our current and future fire service leaders in terms of risk management decisions, the tactics and strategies used effectively by true leaders, and mindful strategic thinking on the fire ground.

The day started significantly earlier for me and the FASNY Chiefs Committee than it did for most, as we had been directed to meet with the A/V tech at 6:30. That meant getting up WAY early for me, as in 5:00 a.m., as in “is the sun even up yet?” We had gone out as a group to dinner the night before, and were out later than planned, so the alarm clock in my hotel room was a little more heart-stopping than normal. I’m not a morning person to begin with, and while coping with the early rise, I couldn’t locate the damned coffee pot anywhere. The hotel had very graciously upgraded me to a two-room, two bathroom suite, which was larger than my own apartment. I know there was a coffee pot in there somewhere, because I found the basket of coffee pods etc. but I never did locate the required brewing appliance.

Zeroing in on the freebie coffee in the atrium like a hound dog in full pursuit of prey, I loaded up and dragged myself to the presentation ballroom to meet with the A/V tech and the Chiefs Committee. The committee was in full attendance and high spirits (apparently THEY are morning people), but no A/V tech in sight. Grumbling, I marched back to the free coffee area and proceeded to overdose on caffeine.
By the time the tech arrived I was a shaking, jittery mess.

Set up and registration were uneventful, and I was pleased to see that we had very few no-shows, a solid handful of walk-ins, and everyone was prompt in arriving, despite the deluge of rain outside. I was a little perplexed at the registration numbers though. I mean, this was a heavy-duty program we were putting on with nationally recognized presenters, at the low, low, low price of $40 per person. I’ve never been able to grasp why some seminars are sellouts and others, which you would think would be a grand-slam, are reasonably well-attended, but not the “standing room only” situation one might expect. I suppose if I could predict that with any regularity I could guarantee my job security. At any rate, we had 135 attendees from every corner of New York State, including Medford FD down on Long Island, and Keeseville waaaaaaaay up there in the Adirondacks.

The morning kicked off with Deputy Chief Jim Smith (ret) from the Philadelphia Fire Department. Unfortunately, because registration reconciliation etc was in full swing, for the bulk of Jim’s presentation, I only caught a few bits and pieces. He offered up “Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground” to a rapt audience. I know they were fully engaged because I didn’t see all the usual wandering in and out of the presentation room like I normally do. And I also heard the thunderous applause at the end of his program.

After a short break, the conference resumed with Chief Richard French of the Defreestville Fire Department. I heard most of Rich’s presentation, and this is a man who is thoroughly and completely passionate about the fire service, and about fire service leadership. He enlightened the group with “Managing Risk in the Fire Department—The Health and Safety Officer’s Responsibilities”, which highlighted the principals of risk management, RIT, rehab and physical fitness on the fireground in a high-energy and at moments, hilarious delivery style. I was riveted for the full 90 minutes.

We broke for lunch, which I grabbed on the fly and was settling in to deal with the certificates when I entered into the seventh circle of A/V hell. Our final presenter, who was going to be offering the keynote presentation of the day, was having MAJOR issues with getting his laptop and our projector working together in harmony. Blank blue screen, a lot of it, and the dreaded “No Signal” flashing on the screen engendered that icy knot of fear in my stomach. “Oh shit, not with THIS guy, please Most Holy Over-Seer of All Things Audio Visual PLEASE don’t let this be happening, not with the big-shot national speaker….” went the chorus in my head. I’d been having problems recently with our line of projectors, and since we had gone all morning problem-free, I thought I had made it home scot-free. After several frantic phone calls to the A/V company, lots of booting and re-booting and some judiciously applied swearing, with the clock ticking down to start time, I finally remembered with a jolt that I had done one very smart thing before I left Albany. I had taken TWO projectors with me. I galloped down the hall to the headquarters office and back toting the backup projector….a little cable swapping and some praying and “oh thank god” we got it running. I had to go sit down in a quiet place and collect my thoughts for a little bit after that.

Chief Tim Sendelbach brought down the house with one of the best presentations I’ve had the pleasure to attend….ever. The thrust of his “Going Beyond the Status Quo” not only tied in all of the presentations, but the discussions illustrated with real life scenarios delivered management tactics and the business of running a fire department in a fascinating and thought provoking manner. The man knows what he’s talking about. He’s also funny as hell.

Tim is a 23 – year student and educator of the fire & emergency services currently serving as Editor-in-Chief for FireRescue Magazine and President of TES² Training & Education Services in Savannah, Georgia. Tim is the immediate past president of the International Society of Fire Services Instructors (ISFSI) and has served as Chief of Training for Savannah (GA) Fire & Emergency Services, as Assistant Fire Chief in Missouri City, TX and as a Firefighter/Paramedic in Kansas City, KS. I think that qualifies him as an expert, wouldn’t you agree?

After a round-table discussion with all three presenters to finish up the day, the Chiefs committee, the presenters, yours truly a couple of noted White Hats from both FFN and Western NY and some members of Chief French’s department retired to Dinosaur Barbecue for feasting, silliness, and general merriment. What happens at Dinosaur Barbecue stays at Dinosaur BBQ.