| The ABC's of Assessment Centers |
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If you have plans for promotion to officer of any rank, you can't afford to miss this class! This essential workshop emphasizes practical strategies and practice when approaching tactical scenarios, oral resumes, in-basket exercises, role-plays, and structured oral interviews.
In order to provide you with the maximum hands-on experience during the workshop, a "homework" packet will be mailed to registered attendees in advance of the class. Come prepared to learn valuable tips, perform mock presentations, play the role of evaluator and receive constructive feedback that will sharpen your assessment-center skills. We will provide you with a positive and supportive learning environment that is guaranteed to help you get that promotion! Limited to 20 participants.
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| Faculty: The workshop will be conducted by Battalion Chief Katherine Ridenhour of the Aurora, Colorado, Fire Department and Captain Angela Cook of the Denver Fire Department, the team that brought you "The ABC's of IMS." We are also proud to bring you assessment-center and testing experts Dr. Chris Hornick and Kathy Fox, President and Vice President of CWH Management Solutions. This workshop will fill up quickly -- get your conference registration in early so you don't miss out! |
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| Structural Firefighting Operations |
| This eight-hour hands-on session is dedicated to interior structural firefighting operations. We will focus on getting an effective initial attack line and backup line in place, getting an effective primary search done in a timely manner, and using resources effectively. Limited to 25 participants. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their own protective gear and SCBA; some gear will be available on site. Transportation to the training facility will be provided; be prepared for an early departure from the hotel (check at the conference for exact time). |
| Faculty: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue staff |
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| First-In Fire Officer |
| This hands-on workshop will allow participants to function as the officer of a first-in company in live fire training evolutions at the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue's training facility. Limited to 24 participants. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their own protective gear and SCBA; some gear will be available on site. Transportation will be provided; be prepared for an early departure from the hotel (check at the conference for exact time). |
| Faculty: Cheryl Horvath is a Company Officer with the Urbana, Illinois, Fire Rescue Services, and a member of the field staff of the Illinois Fire Service Institute. She was instrumental in creating training days for women firefighters at IFSI, and has taught this workshop at those events. She is a Trustee Intern for WFS for 2005. |
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| Search Procedures for RIT Operations |
| This will be a primarily hands-on session covering the essentials of search procedures in support of Rapid Intervention Team operations. The lecture portion of the workshop will be followed by opportunities to practice search methods in a semi-realistic environment. Limited to 12 participants. This is an off-site workshop: transportation will be provided. Check on-site for departure time from the hotel. |
| Faculty: Charles Bailey is a Lieutenant with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, where he developed recommendations for the department's Rapid Intervention policy and has conducted an exhaustive series of search drills. |
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| Stop "Putting Out Fires:" How to Analyze Problems and Resolve Conflict |
| Resolving interpersonal conflict is a lot like fighting fires: The best results come from good size-up and appropriate strategy and tactics. On the other hand, if you ignore conflict (or fires), it can lead to crisis that quickly overwhelms your resources. This workshop will provide a clear model for analyzing problems and will teach essential skills for effective conflict resolution in the workplace. |
| Faculty: Linda Willing is the owner of RealWorld Training & Consulting, and a retired lieutenant with the Boulder, Colorado, Fire Department. She was one of the co-founders of WFS in 1982. Linda has been presenting workshops for WFS conferences since the very beginning, and has consistently been one of the most highly regarded members of our faculty. |
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| Confronting Racism: Working Toward Racial Justice |
| Racism still divides us, our nation, our communities, and our fire departments and other agencies. This interactive workshop will look at the realities of racism and the responsibilities we all have to dismantle it. |
| Faculty: jona olsson has been a political activist and educator for almost three decades. She claims in her life (as most of us can) the experience of both privilege and oppression. She is the founder and director of Cultural Bridges, offering cultural diversity programs for college or community groups and agencies. She is also Assistant Chief of the Latir Volunteer Fire Department in New Mexico. Participants in her workshops at previous WFS conferences offer high praise and appreciation for jona's frank, open approach, her sense of humor, and -- most importantly -- their renewed commitment to the struggle for justice. We are pleased to have her on our faculty. Her workshops have become a very meaningful part of our program. |
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| Preparing for "Chiefhood" |
| This workshop is for anyone aspiring to be a chief officer, especially "the chief." |
| Faculty: Mary Beth Michos is Fire Chief of the Prince William County, Virginia, Department of Fire and Rescue |
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| Mediating Disputes: How to Assist Others in Resolving Conflict |
| As an officer or as a co-worker, every firefighter will have the opportunity to informally mediate when others are in conflict. Informal mediation is also a skill that is often measured on promotional assessment centers. How effective are you as a mediator? This workshop will present basic skills of mediation and provide opportunities for participants to practice. |
| Faculty: Linda Willing is the owner of RealWorld Training & Consulting, and a retired lieutenant with the Boulder, Colorado, Fire Department. She was one of the co-founders of WFS in 1982. Linda has been presenting workshops for WFS conferences since the very beginning, and has consistently been one of the most highly regarded members of our faculty. |
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| Communication, Culture, and Conflict |
| Clear, effective communication is crucial in the fire service. How have our family's cultural, ethnic, gender, spiritual, and class backgrounds influenced our communication styles? What are our expectations, understanding and comfort level around conflict? We'll look at our own communication / conflict styles and explore strategies for better communication. |
| Faculty: jona olsson has been a political activist and educator for almost three decades. She claims in her life (as most of us can) the experience of both privilege and oppression. She is the founder and director of Cultural Bridges, offering cultural diversity programs for college or community groups and agencies. She is also Assistant Chief of the Latir Volunteer Fire Department in New Mexico. Participants in her workshops at previous WFS conferences offer high praise and appreciation for jona's frank, open approach, her sense of humor, and -- most importantly -- their renewed commitment to the struggle for justice. We are pleased to have her on our faculty. Her workshops have become a very meaningful part of our program. |
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| The Things No One Wants to Talk About: Domestic Violence, Suicide, and Substance Abuse in the Fire Service |
| This workshop addresses three significant issues in the fire service: domestic violence, suicide, and substance abuse. Despite the increasing occurrence of these problems and their detrimental impact, many fire service professionals find themselves ill-prepared to recognize these situations, to respond to them appropriately, or to help manage the impact on families. The workshop will increase participants' awareness of these issues, and provide information about preventive actions and interventions fire departments can implement to address these challenges. |
| Faculty: Portia D. Rawles is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Regent University in Virginia. She holds a Psy. D. in Clinical Psychology from Regent University, and a bachelor's degree from Stanford. Before becoming a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Rawles worked for Norfolk, Virginia, Fire & Rescue for thirteen years, rising to the rank of captain. She continues to serve on her local CISM team and to consult with public safety agencies on diversity and CISD issues. |
