OREGON FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION

 DAY ONE: MAY 1, 2024

Todd LeDuc 

Chief Todd LeDuc, MS, CFO, FIFirE retired after 30 yeas as executive assistant fire chief of Broward County, FL. , an internationally accredited metro department in S. Florida. Chief LeDuc current serves as deputy CEO of Life Scan Wellness Centers, the nations largest provider of first responder occupational early detection physicals. Chief LeDuc is a long serving elected member of the IAFC Safety, Health & Survival Section Board of Director, a member of NFPA 1582/1500 Technical Committee, advisory board member of the First Responder Center of Excellence and Editor of Fire Engineering’s book, Surviving the Fire Service. Chief LeDuc has served as a peer reviewer for both agency accreditation and professional designation with the Center for Public Safety Excellence as well as an AFG peer reviewer on behalf of the IAFC. He holds a masters degree in executive fire service leadership, is a seven time credentialed chief fire officer and holds fellow status in the Institute of Fire Engineers. Chief LeDuc is extensively published on topics of relevance to the fire service, co-hosts a regular podcast and has been recognized for his leadership by both the IAFC and IAFF. For more information or to contact Chief LeDuc, please visit www.lifescanwellness.com. 

Surviving the Fire Service

This fast paced presentation will focus on the occupational health threats of most significance to first responders: cardiometabolic events, occupational cancer and responder behavioral wellness. This presentation will highlight current state of knowledge regarding prevention and risk mitigation and explore best practices as well as emerging science. The presentation will leverage attendees own organizational best practices as well as those globally. Key actionable take aways will challenge attendees to re-examine how they approach risk mitigation and how regular enhanced early detection screenings contribute to survival.

Steve Prziborowski, Code 3 Fire Training & Education Services

Steve received the 2020 Ronny Jack Coleman Leadership Legacy Award from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and in 2008 was the California Fire Instructor of the year. Steve recently completed a five-year stint as an Executive Board Member for the California Fire Chiefs Association and is a Former President of the Northern California Training Officers Association.

He is a state-certified Chief Officer and Master Instructor, has earned a Master’s degree in Emergency Services Administration, has completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy, and has received Chief Fire Officer and Chief Training Officer Designation through the Commission on Professional Credentialing. Steve is a regular speaker and presenter at fire departments and conferences across the country, having presented or scheduled over 400 sessions, courses, and webinars in 40 states, moving closer to reaching his goal of all 50 states. 

He has authored and contributed to over 300 articles, podcasts, videos, blogs, and books in the leading fire service publications, and has published four career development books: “Reach for the Firefighter Badge,” “The Future Firefighter’s Preparation Guide,” “How to Excel at Fire Department Promotional Exams,” and most recently, “101 Tips to Ace Your Promotional Exam,” published by Fire Engineering Books & Videos. He is also finalizing another book that will be published by Fire Engineering Books & Videos soon – “Courage Under Fire Leadership,” a topic he passionately speaks and writes about to ensure today’s leaders are prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. For more information or to contact him, please visit his website at www.code3firetraining.com.

Courage Under Fire Leadership: Personal Leadership – It Starts With Us!

There has never been a more challenging time for the fire service related to leadership and followership at ALL ranks – firefighter all the way up to fire chief. The focus of this session is to have each attendee look in the mirror at some of the leadership challenges we all face as individuals, teammates, family members and friends, both on and off the job. One of the most discussed challenges I continue hearing from others around the country, is not just hiring top notch candidates, but also having to effectively lead and supervise those firefighters we are hiring and have been recently hiring.

While it’s quick to point fingers at the younger generations of personnel in the fire service or even those that are yet to join the fire service, about whatever stereotype or perception we may have of them, true leadership is not about pointing fingers. Instead, it is about each of us recognizing we are part of the solution, and also potentially a part of the problem (something I have been guilty of in the past), doing our part to ensure we indoctrinate, train, educate, lead and mentor them so that we can all successfully pass the baton once we have exceeded our shelf life. Generation gaps or perceptions are nothing new; they have been around for years and will continue to occur, long after we are retired. The key is trying to do what we can to build and maintain effective working relationships so that we can have them pass on our history, legacy and traditions, while ultimately continuing to provide the best possible service we can for our communities.

Topics to be discussed include (but are not limited to) the most important parts of leadership: succession planning (building our bench strength and training our replacements), leading by example, building, and maintaining effective working relationships will all ranks and ages, doing the right thing, and taking care of those we are fortunate to lead and serve! 

Glen Kearns, CPA, Acuity 

Glen has more than twenty-nine years of public accounting experience in a wide range of services including accounting and assurance (audits, reviews, compilations, agree-upon procedure engagements), tax planning and preparation, business consulting, and strategic planning. Glen serves clients in a variety of industries including local governments, not-for-profit organizations, manufacturing, engineering, technology, and agriculture, among others. Glen has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Oregon State University. He also served eight years as a Finance Officer in the United States Army prior to becoming a CPA. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants and is a licensed Oregon Municipal Auditor.

Oregon Audit Law Changes 2024 

All Oregon municipal corporations, as defined in ORS 297.405, are required to have their accounts and fiscal affairs audited annually in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), unless they are exempt from audit under ORS 297.435.

Audit, AUP and Financial Statements, or Form-in-Lieu Report?

An audit report is required if the government:

• Is a county school district, charter school, or education service district,
• Or, the fiscal year ended is 12/31/2023 and before and spent more than $500,000,
• Or, the fiscal year ended is 1/1/2024 and after and spent more than $1,000,000.

An AUP report and financial statements may be filed if the government meets ALL of the following:

• Fiscal year ended is 1/1/2024 and after,
• Did not spend more than $1,000,000,
• Maintained fidelity bond coverage equal to 10% of revenue, and at least $10,000,
• Is filing on time (within 180 days of the fiscal year end).

A form-in-lieu report may be filed if the government meets ALL of the following:

• Did not spend more than $250,000,
• Maintained fidelity bond coverage in an amount at least equal to the total amount of moneys received by the municipal corporation during the year,
• Is filing on time (within 90 days of the fiscal year end).

Mark Niemeyer, President: Western Fire Chiefs Association

Mark Niemeyer currently serves as the Fire Chief of the Boise Fire Department. As the largest fire department in Idaho, and one of the fastest growing cities in the country, Chief Niemeyer leads a progressive group of 300 men and women who serve the City of Boise and surrounding community.

After moving to the Treasure Valley in 1997 and spending 10 years working for Ada County Paramedics, Chief Niemeyer was hired by the Meridian Fire Department as a Deputy Chief in 2007, and in 2010 was appointed as the Fire Chief where he spent the next 10 years. In 2020 Chief Niemeyer was appointed Fire Chief for the Boise Fire Department by Mayor Lauren McLean.

In addition to leading the Boise Fire Department, he is currently the President of the Western Fire Chiefs Association. He is also active in the Treasure Valley, serving as the current chairman of the Ada County/City Emergency Services System.

Chief Niemeyer’s strength is his willingness to work with others, finding creative solutions to challenging issues, and creating partnerships to improve outcomes. He has remained a strong advocate for the continued improvement in firefighter safety and health, as well as maintained a continued focus on meeting the ever-changing needs of the community he serves.

Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer has 30 years of public safety experience and currently serves as the Fire Chief of the Boise Fire Department. As the largest fire department in Idaho, and one of the fastest growing cities in the country, Chief Niemeyer leads a mission-centered team of nearly 300 men and women who serve the City of Boise and surrounding communities. Chief Niemeyer was appointed by Mayor Lauren McLean in 2020 after serving the previous 10 years as the Fire Chief for the City of Meridian.

In addition to leading the Boise Fire Department, Chief Niemeyer has served multiple terms as the chairman of the Ada County/City Emergency Services Systems along with his work at the State level to improve firefighter health and safety as well as overall community response capabilities. He is also the host of the BFD Mission Strong podcast, and you will often hear him say “remember who we serve”.

Chief Niemeyer is also active in the broader fire service, currently serving as the President of the Western Fire Chiefs Association after serving 4 years as a board member representing the State of Idaho. The Western Fire Chiefs Association is widely recognized for their progressive work specifically in the areas of wildfire, technology, firefighter health and safety, and Chief Officer education.

Chief Niemeyer has lived in Idaho with his wife Cheryl since 1997 and have two grown children who are also serving the community as a firefighter and emergency room nurse.

Blazing Trails: An update on work being done by the Western Fire Chiefs Association.  

Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal: Office of the State Fire Marshal

Mariana Ruiz-Temple is the Oregon State Fire Marshal and has served in that positions since September 2020. She directs the agency’s fire programs, including fire code development and enforcement, fire investigation, fire data collection and analysis, the Community Right to Know Program, hazmat response teams, fire safety education, and information, youth education, and the regulation of the fireworks, explosives, propane, and non-retail gasoline dispensing industries. Her responsibilities include administering the Oregon State Fire Service Mobilization Plan, Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System, and the state fire marshal’s structural overhead teams. In partnership with the two chief deputy state fire marshals, she develops and implements organizational planning, policies, and established goals. Mariana collaboratively facilitates the development of proposed legislation affecting fire protection and the Oregon fire service. In addition, she is responsible for jointly mobilizing structural resources for wildfires and other all-hazard incidents throughout the state and the Agency Operations Center (AOC). Mariana Ruiz-Temple has served in various capacities since she began her career at the OSFM in 1995.

Throughout her career at the OSFM, she has focused on partnerships, collaboration, and cultivating relationships with the Oregon fire service and other response agencies throughout the state. She has been a leader in the Oregon Fire Service as she has promoted the state’s mutual aid system and preparedness throughout the system.

Ruiz-Temple is a member of the National Association of State Fire Marshals, the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, and the Governor’s Fire Service Policy Council. She has also served on the Pacific Northwest Coordinating Group Steering Committee from 2007-2020, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Interstate Mutual Aid Project, the National Hazmat Fusion Center Executive Board, and the National Association of SARA Title III Public Officials. She was selected to serve on the IAFC Emergency Management Committee. Most recently she was selected to serve on the Biden-Harris National Wildland Mitigation and Management Commission. Mariana’s focuses are to strengthen relationships nationally and within Oregon to strengthen Oregon’s Fire Service and improve response and community risk reduction efforts to Oregon communities.

Charting the Path Ahead: Recommendations from the Nation's First Commission on Wildfire - A Panel Discussion Hosted by the Oregon State Fire Marshall 

An insightful discussion on the recommendations put forth by the nation's inaugural commission on wildfire, aimed at safeguarding lives and property while fostering sustainable wildfire management practices for the future. Delving into the critical issues surrounding wildfire management and prevention, experts examine strategies for mitigating the devastating impact of wildfires on communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure.  

Eriks Gabliks, Superintendant, National Fire Academy, US Fire Administration

Eriks Gabliks has the honor of serving as the superintendent of the National Fire Academy (NFA). He was named to this position in November 2020. As superintendent, Eriks works with a talented team committed to developing and providing, relevant and current, professional development opportunities for career and volunteer fire and EMS providers at the NFA in Emmitsburg, Maryland, through virtual opportunities, and around the country in partnership with state fire academies. Eriks leads the NFA, which focuses on enhancing the ability of fire and emergency services and allied professionals to deal more effectively with fire, EMS, and other emergencies.

His interest in the fire service began in 1982 when he joined his neighborhood volunteer fire company in Adelphia, New Jersey and over the years he would serve with fire agencies in New Jersey (Adelphia & Howell Township) and Oregon (TVF&R and Dallas).

Eriks worked for the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) for 30 years. DPSST serves more than 30,000 public and private safety providers. Eriks served as agency director from 2010 to 2020 and is the first employee in the agency's history to have ascended to this position from the internal ranks and served under three governors.

Eriks holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Portland State University. He has also completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the NFA and the Executive Development Institute at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA.  He is a life-member of the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association.

Working for You: The United States Fire Administration and its National Fire Academy

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control, #FireServiceOneVoice, YOUR National Fire Academy (NFA), grants, and more will be shared during this special presentation for Oregon fire service leaders.  Major fire service discussions taking place nationally including cancer, mental health, recruitment & retention, codes and standards, environmental responses such as wildfires, and a list of others will be discussed. We also will look at efforts underway at the NFA which offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities to more than 70,000 career and volunteer fire and EMS personnel on an annual basis.

 DAY THREE: MAY 3, 2024

Jason Jantzi, Sr. Risk Management Consultant, Special Districts Association of Oregon

Jason Jantzi is a Sr. Risk Management Consultant for the Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO). He is the key risk management contact for SDAO’s Public Safety members. He conducts risk management assessments and assists members with safety and liability training programs. Jason is a former firefighter/EMT-Intermediate and came to SDAO from Oregon OSHA where he spent his last 8 years there as the Manager of the Public Education Section.

2024 Trends You Need to Know About 

Stay up to date on the pivotal 2024 trends you need to know about. Jason has extensive experience in public safety and risk management, and will provide invaluable insights to help fire chiefs navigate the current terrain and emerging challenges.

Dr. David Lehrfeld: Oregon Health Authority

Dr. Lehrfeld is an EMS Physician with an interest in regionalized systems of care, and using data to drive practice. He started his carrier in medicine as an EMT in 1990 and has worked as an EMT, Paramedic, and Physician both in military and civilian world. He is dual boarded in Emergency Medicine and EMS and is currently the Medical Director for EMS and Trauma for the State of Oregon. His mother says he has great character but sometimes makes questionable choices

The Future of EMS in Oregon

After years of relative stability in EMS the pandemic has set off a series of changes that have left us reeling to catch up but also presented incredible opportunities to evolve. With the Passing of the EMS Modernization act, a new workforce dynamic, and with multiple new inroads for reimbursement through CMS, what will Oregon EMS look like in 2027 and beyond?