WORCESTER — Celebrating its 130th anniversary as an organization, the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) wrapped up its Annual Professional Development Conference yesterday at the DCU Center in Worcester, with nearly 500 fire and EMS leaders and personnel from across the state and hundreds of vendors from across the nation attending the three-day event.
“It was really great to see people from so many departments throughout the Commonwealth here in one place this week. Many are friends and familiar faces, while others we were glad to meet for the first time,” FCAM President James Vuona said. “The feedback we’ve gotten from the attendees was that everyone enjoyed the many speakers and topics that were covered and the vendors were glad to make new connections with our members.”
In total, there were 475 fire and EMS attendees and 72 vendors at the conference that ran from Feb. 28 to March 2.
There were 16 speaking sessions, including keynote speakers and breakout sessions throughout the week.
Keynote speakers included Gen. John F. Kelly, Chief of Staff at the White House under President Donald Trump and former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and Dr. Denis Onieal, former Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator.
The conference opened with a speech by Gen. Kelly, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general who later served in two presidential cabinet positions. He also was commander of U.S. Southern Command from 2012-2016.
His speech was followed by a check presentation from FCAM to Fisher House of Boston, on behalf of Gen. Kelly and corporate sponsor Eversource Energy. FCAM donated $5,000 to Fisher House of Boston, which provides free lodging to the families of military members who are receiving medical treatment in Boston hospitals.
Dr. Onieal was in charge of day-to-day operations of the U.S. Fire Administration before his retirement. He started his career as a firefighter in Jersey City, N.J., rising to become the department’s deputy chief and then serving as acting chief. At the USFA he was part of the agency’s response to a number of major crises, including the aftermath of 9/11 at Ground Zero and Hurricane Katrina. He spoke to those in attendance about leadership and professional development.
Other keynote speakers included Deputy Chief Phil Jose (ret.) of the Seattle Fire Department, and Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso (ret.) of the Kearny Fire Department in New Jersey.
Breakout sessions include presentations by Jake Wark, Public Information Officer for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services; Dr. Henry Crowley, on the importance of simulation and cadavers in training; Tim Moore and Matt Brennan, on various grant programs; and John Guilfoil, founder and principal owner of John Guilfoil Public Relations, speaking about the importance of communications and PR for fire departments.
“This year was particularly special as our organization is celebrating its 130th anniversary. We want to thank everyone who attended, the vendors, the speakers, the folks at the DCU Center, and our FCAM staff who worked tirelessly to put the conference together this week and made sure everything ran as smoothly as it did,” Vuona said. “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again for next year’s conference.”
The FCAM Professional Development Conference will be held in 2024 from Feb. 27-29.
About the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts
The Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) is an organization designed to further the professional advancement of the fire service and assist state Chiefs in fulfilling their responsibilities. Established in 1893, the association serves as the recognized Fire Chiefs’ organization for purposes of exchanging ideas, knowledge and experience in the areas of prevention, extinguishment and safety of life and property from fire. FCAM also works to promote efficient fire administration in the towns and cities throughout Massachusetts.
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