Opening Ceremony

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“Safety, Standards, and Being Cowboy Ready”

CHIEF SCOTT THOMPSON
The Colony (TX) Fire Department

The fire service has weaponized safety, performance standards, and aggressive tactics. Referencing traditional cowboy traits such as confidence, independence, and instinct, Thompson will make the comparison to desired traits on the fireground. While the message will not endorse freelancing, or other rogue behavior, it will talk about having such capabilities as a preparedness action step. The overall focus will be on managing risks and a mindset of either risk acceptance or risk avoidance based on the situation and operational capabilities and limitations.  

Scott Thompson entered the fire service in 1982 as a volunteer and began his paid career with the Plano (TX) Fire Department in 1986. He has been the chief in The Colony (TX) Fire Department since 2009. He has a bachelor’s degree in emergency administration and planning, is a Texas certified public manager, and has presented at FDIC since 2002. Thompson has had numerous articles published on leadership, training, command and control, suburban fire operations, and firefighter rescue and survival. He is the author of The Functional Fire Company: Positioning Small Groups for Success and Survival (Fire Engineering).

"Adapt and Act!”

CHIEF JASON HOEVELMANN
Florissant Valley (MO) Fire Protection District

At no time in our history has change presented itself in our profession with such speed. New technology, scientific findings, pandemics, staffing issues, and funding shortages are creating significant challenges for the fire service. However, our mission must not be compromised: to protect life and property. President John F. Kennedy said, “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.” Those risks of inaction of our obligations to serve and protect can cost lives. Our duty to action begins before we ever set foot on an incident or cross a threshold of a burning building. Self-reflection and awareness offer us the ability to adapt and take the best and decisive actions for our mission and purpose. Purposeful action is not finite or saved just for the fireground. It must be a habit we draw on in those moments when our community most depends on us.  

Jason Hoevelmann is chief for the Florissant Valley (MO) Fire Protection District and is a 28-year career firefighter. He is a contributor to Fire Engineering and serves on the FDIC Educational Advisory Board. He is the author of The New Company Officer (Fire Engineering) and No Exceptions Leadership.