Event Calendar

Monday, May 22, 2023

2023 Washington Fire Chiefs Annual Conference

Start Date: 5/22/2023 12:00 PM PDT
End Date: 5/25/2023 12:00 PM PDT

Venue Name: Wenatchee Convention Center

Location:
121 N Wenatchee Ave
Wenatchee, WA  United States  98801

Organization Name: Washington Fire Chiefs

Contact:
Elisa Grabner
Email: elisa@washingtonfirechiefs.org
Phone: (360) 352-0161

Welcome to the Washington Fire Chiefs Annual Conference.

We are excited to see you in Wenatchee this Spring!  

Are you a vendor? Find our Expo registration here

General Session Presentations:


"Creating Reslient Leaders"
Much has been written about the stresses of the fire service and its psychological and physical impact on fire personnel. In many organizations, stress resiliency training is given to the line crews to aid in their “rebound” from stressful times. Policies and guidelines are developed to assist the organization in supporting a struggling firefighter, and after a critical incident, Peer Support Teams are often sent to check on impacted crews. Sadly, we often get so focused on the personnel at the scene that we forget about the person ultimately responsible for their welfare.

This course will discuss the intrinsic stressors of being a chief officer, and more importantly how you can enhance your resiliency to these stressors. Becoming a more resilient Chief Officer is an integral piece of you and your organization’s success. By making a commitment to foster your natural resources you can improve how you respond to the challenges of the fire service and strengthen your ability to weather any storm!

Tim W. Dietz, LPC Capt/Paramedic (retired) Founder,
CEO of Behavioral Wellness Resources

Tim retired after 30 years in the fire service and is the Founder/CEO of Behavioral Wellness Resources, a consulting/counseling firm catering to the behavioral wellness needs of emergency response organizations and individuals. He is an internationally known speaker on human emotional crisis, grief, and staying mentally healthy in the emergency service professions. He is author of the book “Scenes of Compassion.” A Responder’s Guide for Dealing with Emergency Scene Emotional Crisis and Managing A Fire Company w/ John Brunacini. He has also written several published articles addressing behavioral health issues in the fire service. Tim is the Clinical Director for the Oregon Satellite of the West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat and was the clinical advisor to the U.S. Coast Guard’s mental health response following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and to the stress management team at the Oso, Washington mud slide. In 2017 Tim received the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation’s “Pioneering Spirit” Award as an “Industry Pioneer” for his programs on emergency scene crisis control and compassion. Tim travels the Continent setting up Behavioral Health Programs in First Response Organizations, teaching employees how to better take care of themselves and each other and then developing guidelines and resources to assist those impacted by the job’s stressors. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has a small private practice – treating stress related injury in First Responders - in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley.


"Legitimate Leadership"
What do you struggle with as a leader? How do you hold people accountable while also empowering them? Does your organization turn mistakes and failures into opportunities for resilience? This course provides practical tools to help ensure that you are a legitimate and respected leader, and not merely “managing the chaos.” You will learn how to grow, train, and display assertiveness that fosters trust and improves your performance and the performance of others in all levels of your organization.
This course will provide you with tools to help others see you for the competent and compassionate leader that you are. You will also learn how to improve your work life balance, while creating a healthier organizational culture.
Training Objectives:

  • Solicit buy-in from your employees and truly lead by example
  • Turn failures into opportunities and resilience
  • Learn ethical and legal ramifications of poor management
  • Discover ways to overcome barriers to mental wellness care for those in need
  • Enhance your natural leadership style to become an assertive leader while avoiding being viewed as a micromanager
  • Bridge the cultural gap between generations and positions
  • Make your mental wellness and first responder family life a priority

Dr. Stephen Odom, Founder & Chief Clinical Officer, First Responder Wellness
Dr. Odom’s focus on First Responder Wellness was born of his family’s career backgrounds with the military, healthcare, law enforcement and public safety, and was honed as he created and led specialty programs for physicians, nurses, first responders and their families. In his distinguished and extensive career in behavioral health and addiction treatment, Dr. Odom’s empathetic and therapeutic approach has allowed him to connect not only with his clinical teams but each first responder who walks through the door.

 

 


Lodging: 

The host facility for the Conference is the: 

Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel
201 N Wenatchee Ave
Wenatchee, WA 98801

 

The Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel is located next door to the Convention Center. For room reservations call (509) 662-1234 & ask for the "Washington Fire Chiefs" room block to receive the special rates.  Book online: http://coa.st/FireChiefs 

An Overflow block is available at the Hilton Garden Inn.  For room reservations call: (509)-662-0600 and ask for the "Washington Fire Chiefs" room block to receive the special conference rate.  


Meals Included

Monday: No Meals
Tuesday: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wednesday: Breakfast, Lunch & Banquet
Banquet space is limited.  The first 140 attendees & partners to check that they are attending on the registration will receive tickets.  If you do not receive a ticket when you check in, please check back later in the week for an available ticket.

Thursday: Breakfast, To Go Boxed Lunch



The WFC is obligated to pay certain costs to the conference facility; for this event we have a 50% cancelation policy up until May 15th, no refunds offered after May 15th.  However, we are always happy to substitute a registration should someone else from your agency wish to attend.

Online Registration

Registration is Closed
Closed: 5/17/2023 9:55 AM

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WFC Motto:
To Serve Educate & Lead


WFC Mission:
Providing leadership through service, education and advocacy.