Speakers

Program Description:

Chief Burdick introduces the S.O.S. Initiative that was instituted by the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority earlier this year as a means to provide an internal feedback mechanism to foster continuous improvement and open communications. The S.O.S. initiative was developed to share ideas, concerns and suggestion through ongoing feedback surveys which allows executive staff level officers to develop actionable plans that addresses the issues and implement new ideas.

Biography:

Mark Burdick started in the fire service in 1983 as a firefighter for the City of Glendale, AZ. Over his career promoted through the ranks, ultimately serving as fire chief for the final 12 years. During his tenure, the department initiated EMS and fire coverage to a newly built arena and stadium, which included two Super Bowl’s and numerous major events. The city also constructed a regional training facility, and Mark is proud of the multiple public/private partnerships created during his tenure.

He served two years as president, and then as a member of the executive board with the Arizona Fire Chief’s Association until his retirement. In 2011 he was chosen as “Chief Officer of the Year” and in 2017 was inducted into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame. Mark earned Chief Fire Officer (CFO) status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree, both from Ottawa University. He currently serves on the Arrowhead Hospital Board of Trustees.After retiring in 2015, he began a consulting business, where he represented a variety of interests. In July 2017 he accepted a full-time position for the newly formed Arizona Fire Medical Authority (AFMA). The Authority is the first of its kind in Maricopa County, and provides the opportunity to enhance the fire service. In 2018, Mark accepted the position of fire chief for the Buckeye Valley Fire District, where he served until May of 2022.

At that time, he worked with the Authority to bring Buckeye Valley in as the third major partner agency, and he was selected by the Fire Board to replace the retiring fire chief of AFMA. Mark has been serving in the capacity of fire chief of AFMA since then. AFMA consists of five smaller fire districts that formed three key partner agencies, and now oversees twelve fire stations, fifteen ambulances and around 300 personnel spread across Maricopa County in Arizona.

Program Description:

Today’s fire service leadership certainly has no shortage of challenges.  Besides the typical budgetary crisis’, several other pressing challenges include: 

• Recruitment & Retention Challenges
• Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion Deficiencies
• Labor Strife/Low Morale 

The ramifications of not adequately addressing these challenges can diminish your already-threatened financial resources and available response force along with the increase labor discord.  

The solution to these problems is building a shared vision driven by authentic leadership (and followership). This vision is nurtured through adhering to the shared values needed to accomplish the organizational mission.  Although all these terms can sound like corporate buzzwords and rhetoric, unlocking these powerful concepts through continual purposeful leadership and followership is possible.  

This session will present an overview of the following concepts (and ways to begin building them):

• Organizational Assessment
• Authentic Leadership and Followership (Including the Six C’s of Inclusive Leadership)
• “Living” The Mission Focus 
• Importance and Incorporation of Shared Values

Biography:

With nearly 43 years of experience in the fire service, including over 20 years as a Chief of the Department, Joe Cluchey has a solid understanding of what it takes to be an effective leader in today’s fire service.  For nearly three years, he worked as the Statewide Operations Chief for MABAS-IL (the statewide mutual aid organization).  He has also received local, county, and state recognition for his leadership.  These experiences, coupled with nearly 40 years as an instructor on the local, regional, collegiate, state, national, and international levels.  Among his educational experiences, he has served as the Department Chair of Fire Science for McHenry (IL) County College; presented multiple presentations at the International Fire Chiefs “Fire Rescue International” Conference; served a presenter at the American Association of Code Enforcement Conference; Been a repeat presenter of at least five presentations during California Fire Chiefs Training Association Annual Instructors Symposium; and a repeat presenter at the MABAS-IL Training Summit and the Illinois Municipal Clerks annual conference. 

Program Description:

Is your department prepared for a wood frame high rise fire? Chief Barrow discusses the newest construction trends in multi-family developments across the county, podium construction and its affects within the fire service. This presentation addresses some of the unique fire suppression challenges this construction presents both under construction and after occupancy.  During the session, fires in podium constructed buildings case studies and lessons learned from Jacksonville and Charlotte will be discussed. Chief Barrow will also address future changes to the International Building Codes that will affect future fireground operations.

Biography:

Trace Barrow has served the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department for the last 27 years, including the last 9 as a Chief Officer. Currently Trace serves as a Battalion Chief teaching building construction, reading smoke and ship fire tactics for JFRD personnel. He has extensive experience in building construction and ship fire tactics including having an article published in November 2023 Fire Engineering “ Response Tactics for Ship Fires.

Program Description:

Far too often, chief officers neglect the strategies and tactics necessary for navigating the political arena, for a myriad of reasons.  Perhaps its due to the other tasks and assignments that frequently fill their daily workload, or because the chief officer is ill-prepared or unable to recognize the importance of cultivating a strong mutual partnership with those in city hall, which is essential for the chief, the department, and the residents we serve.  Chief officers must realize that they are in the role as the public face of their agency, which is something they have to and should embrace.  They must be prepared to engage with both formal and informal political structures, as these interactions are among the most crucial relationships, that they must cultivate for the success of both themselves and their agency.  This interactive presentation will examine the impact of politics on internal and external stakeholders, highlighting how their support can be influenced and utilized effectively.  We will emphasize the attitudes, practices, and strategies chief officers can employ to navigate local politics effectively, and prevent either themselves or their departments from making a wrong turn, and getting lost.

Biography:

Jared has over 25 years of experience in the fire service.  He started his fire service career with the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, in South Fayette Township, PA.  He has since served with career departments in South Carolina, California, and since 2015 has been serving as the Fire Commissioner with the Western Berks Fire Department. Jared has numerous certifications to include a Bachelors Degree in Fire Service Administration, and is also designated as a Chief Fire Officer(CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.  Jared also serves as a Peer Reviewer for the CPSE, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute.  He is also a contributing author to Firehouse Magazine, and a past classroom presenter at the Northeastern Fire Summit, Fire-Rescue International, The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs Annual Conference, The South Carolina Chief Executive Officer Weekend, and Firehouse Expo.  

Program Description:

Chief DeBoard discusses the role of leadership in addressing first responder mental health and wellness, including the need for leaders to embrace and model mental health care and how to make effective resources accessible and trusted by your first responders. A focus on the use of peer resources will be highlighted, and how silos between the various first responder communities can be eliminated, resulting in a more effective and rapid response. Results from the first National Wellness Survey for Public Safety Personnel will be discussed, and a preview of the next survey will be introduced.  Lastly, the Foundation for First Responder Wellness and Resiliency will be introduced, discussing its mission to bring mental health and wellness care to our first responder community in a holistic and confidential manner.

Biography:

Chief Deboard is the President and Co-Founder of the Foundation for First Responder Wellness and Resiliency, a non-profit organization planning to build a series of FORWARD Centers, starting in Virginia, that will provide private and confidential mental health out-patient treatment to active and retired first responders, offer a variety of wellness training, and conduct research to develop evidence-based practices that can benefit our public safety communities.

Chief Maggie A. DeBoard was appointed Chief of Police for the Herndon Police Department in March 2012. She began her career in law enforcement in 1986 with the Fairfax County Police Department, where she served for more than 25 years before retiring as a deputy chief.

Chief DeBoard has extensive experience in operations, training, leadership development, and officer safety and wellness. During her 12 years as Chief, she has brought progressive programs, policies, and practices to the Herndon Police Department and the region, especially in the area of officer wellness, some of which have been recognized across the state and nationally by the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial. Chief DeBoard is a past President of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP), and was recognized by the VACP for her Outstanding Contributions to Law Enforcement as a result of her efforts to advocate for the profession and advance effective and safe policing in Virginia. In 2021, she was appointed by the governor to serve on the Criminal Justice Services Executive Board, where she is serving a four-year term.  

Chief DeBoard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from George Mason University and a Master of Arts in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense), from the Naval Postgraduate School. She is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. 

Program Description:

This session is designed for professionals seeking to navigate the complexities of difficult conversations within the workplace, particularly those that intersect with personal life challenges. Recognizing that performance at work is frequently influenced by issues beyond the station or office, this session offers insights into addressing sensitive topics with empathy and effectiveness. Attendees will learn strategies for initiating and managing conversations about performance while fostering an environment of support and understanding. The program covers conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and communication techniques tailored to the professional setting, aiming to enhance workplace harmony and individual well-being. Empower yourself to positively influence both your professional and personal life through constructive communication.

Biography:

Chief Flynn joined the fire service in 1998.  He has served West Bloomfield as a firefighter/paramedic, EMS Division Captain, Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief. Flynn has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Studies, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, and is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School – Center for Homeland Defense & Security Master’s Program.

Program Description:

The modern – day fire chief is bombarded with a multitude of forces that create challenges and stress. In order to successfully manage a fire service agency that meets the needs of its community, a “tool box” must be in place equipped with the necessary items to meet these challenges. Chief Mark Puknaitis, a 40-year fire service veteran and current Fire Chief for the Naperville Illinois Fire Department will provide you with these tools which have allowed him to propel his department over the past 17 years as Fire Chief.

Whether you manage a small volunteer or fully paid metro department, these tools are a must have. Without them, the fire department and its chief specifically are at a tremendous disadvantage. 

This presentation will discuss not only these tools but also how to put them in place correctly to ensure your department is set up for an amazing future.  

Biography:

Mark Puknaitis has been the Fire Chief for the City of Naperville Illinois for the past 16 years since 2008 prior to serving with the Oak Park Fire Department for 23 years. Mark is a 39-year veteran of the fire service and has been instrumental in professional fire service and accreditation forums over the past 29 years. Chief Puknaitis is the Past President of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and served as Chairman of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Accreditation Committee. Chief Puknaitis is Past President of the Great Lakes Fire Accreditation Managers (GLFAM) which was formed in 1997 for aiding and mentoring fire agencies pursuing accreditation. Chief Puknaitis has been the recipient of the coveted Ray Picard Award as selected by the Center for Public Safety Excellence Board of Directors and Commissioners. In 2017, Chief Puknaitis was selected as Fire Chief of the Year from the Illinois State Crime Commission. The Chief resides in Naperville with his wife of 35 years. They have two sons, one daughter and four grandchildren.

Some of the unique concepts and programs Chief Puknaitis has developed include:

• Working with the Illinois General Assembly to enact the Illinois Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) program that has generated over 200 million dollars annually of supplemental reimbursable revenue for Medicaid transports for Illinois Fire Service EMS Transport agencies.
• Created a Power Shift that utilizes maximum staffing during peak hours.
• Developed a “Dropping the Borders” program with neighboring departments to provide responses that share bordering areas of the community.
• Developed a Rescue Vehicle program that responds to calls that would otherwise require a large piece of fire apparatus.
• Creating a Medical Billing Specialist position to develop strategies that ensure the maximum dollars received through insurance and governmental billing entities.

Chief Puknaitis is committed to setting a backdrop for the modern-day fire service that will enable it to adapt to the changes that we face focusing on response and technology in a way that can allow for a sustainable means of operating well into the future.

Program Description:

Tragically, on July 4, 2022, the City of Highland Park experienced an event that no community should ever have to endure.  While celebrating patriotism and hometown pride during an Independence Day parade, a shooter on a roof rifled 83 rounds into the crowd killing 7 with 48 others wounded by bullets or shrapnel.  12 on-duty, Chief Schrage and 6 off-duty Highland Park Firefighters were in the parade.  They immediately responded to triage, treat and transport the victims.  2 additional firefighters responded to the scene from home.  Decisions and actions, early in the incident, kept the incident from being more tragic.  The quick actions of Police officers, Firefighters, and civilians saved lives.  The responding fire department members have been recognized by the City of Highland Park, Illinois Tactical Officers Association, The Hundred Club of Illinois and the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal with medals of valor.

Chief Schrage will share:

• A debrief of the incident
• Incident command considerations and use of mutual aid
• Strategies for coordinated fire/police/dispatch response and on-scene operations
• Triage, treatment and transport tactics
• Personnel care following a traumatic event
• Considerations for Community enhanced response
• Future considerations for Active Threats addressing public expectations and training models
• Other lessons learned

Biography:

Joe Schrage is a driven leader with over 27 years in the fire service.  Raised in a rural community and having served in ministry prior to a fire service career provides him a unique perspective, social conscience and a passion to serve.  

In 1997, Schrage entered the fire service as a chaplain and paid on call firefighter. He served 4 other Illinois communities before beginning his full-time fire service career in the City of Highland Park.  Serving 20+ years with the City of Highland Park, he fulfilled multiple roles, rising through the ranks to become Fire Chief.  Highland Park Fire Department has 53 career firefighter/paramedics and two civilian employees with 3 stations serving the Cities of Highland Park and Highwood including a military installation.  In 2022, with less than a year as Fire Chief, Schrage managed the Fire and EMS response to the Highland Park Mass Shooting and served as a member of the EOC staff.  He currently serves on the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Executive Board, as Vice President of Division 3 of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System and on the Executive Board of the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy.

Schrage earned an Associates in Fire Science from Southwestern Illinois College, Bachelor degree from Loyola University of Chicago and Masters of Divinity from University of Saint Mary of the Lake.  He has attained numerous State Certifications throughout his career including the completion of the Chief Fire Officer program, multiple National Fire Academy certifications, and was awarded the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He and his wife, Barb, have two children, Benjamin and Jacob.