0900 – 1200
IFCA Executive Board Meeting
2026 Conference Schedule
Browse the complete program by day. Session descriptions and presenter details are included below.
Sunday, October 11
Pere Marquette1900 – 2100
Social
"Weary Traveler" Social
Monday, October 12
Civic Center0830 – 0900
Ceremony
Conference Welcome Ceremony
Welcome • Colors Presentation • Invocation • Welcome Remarks
0900 – 0945
Keynote
Healthy-ish Eating for Fire Chiefs
Megan Lautz, MS, RD, CSCS, TSAC-F
Leadership changes the demands placed on your body. This session explores how nutrition needs shift as firefighters move into chief officer roles, where long meetings, administrative stress, travel, and skipped meals often replace physically demanding fireground work. Learn practical strategies to improve energy, focus, long-term health, and how to build a realistic culture of nutrition and wellness throughout your department with sustainable station nutrition, hydration, recruit education, and wellness initiatives.
0945 – 1000
Break
Break
1000 – 1130
General Session #1
Firefighter Syndrome: What Every Chief Needs to Know
Chris Reese & Maxwell Bush, Former Navy SEAL
Firefighter health extends far beyond PTSD. This presentation introduces the clinically validated Firefighter Syndrome framework, which identifies ten interconnected areas affecting firefighters, including cancer risk, sleep disorders, chronic pain, PTSD, substance abuse, cognitive decline, nutrition, and family wellness. Chiefs will gain a better understanding of why members struggle, the cost of ignoring these issues, and how proactive, confidential coaching can improve firefighter performance and resilience.
1215 – 1315
Meal
Lunch with Vendors
1215 – 1700
Exhibits
Exhibits Open
Tuesday, October 13
Civic Center0800 – 0900
Refreshments
Morning Refreshments
0900 – 1000
Keynote
Leadership Survival
Billy Goldfeder
Using real fireground incidents, videos, and case studies, Chief Goldfeder examines leadership, supervision, and firefighter survival both on the fireground and in the station. The program focuses on lessons learned from tragic incidents, emphasizing size-up, decision-making, leadership responsibilities, and ensuring history does not repeat itself. Attendees will leave with practical lessons that can immediately improve safety and leadership within their departments.
1000 – 1015
Break
Break
1015 – 1130
General Session #2
Leadership Survival (Continued)
Billy Goldfeder
Continuation of the keynote with additional case studies and leadership lessons focused on firefighter survival, operational decision-making, and improving organizational culture through lessons learned.
1130 – 1230
Meal
Lunch with Vendors
1130 – 1400
Exhibits
Exhibits Open
1330 – 1430
General Session #3
Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Technology to Overcome Challenges in the Fire Service
Deputy Chief Matt Shronts
As live-fire training opportunities decline and training demands increase, this session explores how technology—including virtual instruction, custom content, and performance measurement tools—can supplement traditional training. Learn how departments of all sizes can improve firefighter readiness, safety, and operational effectiveness while reducing costs and logistical barriers.
1430 – 1445
Break
Break
1445 – 1600
General Session #4
Fire Service Leadership Isn't About the Bugles on Your Collar—It's About the Actions You Take Every Single Day
Chief Jason Hoevelmann
This practical leadership session examines how standards slowly erode through the normalization of deviance and how chiefs can prevent it. Topics include behavioral integrity, building trust, identifying toxic personalities, maintaining professional standards, and developing future leaders through intentional succession planning and visionary leadership.
1700 – 2000
Dinner
Installation Dinner
2000 – 2200
Reception
General Reception
Wednesday, October 14
Pere MarquetteBreakfast
Meal
Breakfast Buffet
0800 – 1130
General Session #5
The Chief's Guide to Line of Duty Death Preparedness
Caitlyn Brennan & Chief James Klinefelter
An essential session covering the policies, procedures, and planning involved in responding to a Line of Duty Death (LODD). Presented by leaders from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Local Assistance State Team (LAST), the 100 Club of Illinois, and the IFCA Funeral Committee, attendees will learn best practices for coordinated response, family support, organizational preparedness, and honoring fallen firefighters with professionalism and compassion.