Monday, October 20

FDIC International Announces Fire Department Leadership Summits with New Schedule and Stronger Focus on Innovation and Connections

FDIC International Announces Fire Department Leadership Summits with New Schedule and Stronger Focus on Innovation and Connections

Rochelle Park, NJ – October 20, 2025 – FDIC International is excited to announce the return of two exclusive fire officer leadership events at FDIC International 2026 in Indianapolis, IN: the Metro Fire Officers Leadership & Innovation Summit and the Officers Club. 

These exclusive leadership forums bring together chiefs and senior officers to share strategies, explore proven solutions, and address the fire service’s most pressing challenges. 
 
New schedule shaped by attendee feedback: 
The Metro Officers Summit will run one day earlier to allow participants to fully engage in the summit and then take advantage of the immense benefits of North America’s largest annual fire conference throughout the rest of the week – maximizing the value of a single trip.   

  • Metro Officers Summit: Monday–Tuesday, April 20–21, 2026 

  • Officers Club: Thursday–Friday, April 23–24, 2026 

The Metro Officers Summit features: 
The Metro Fire Officers Leadership & Innovation Summit at FDIC International offers the ideal opportunity for attendees to dedicate time to professional development and building relationships. This exclusive, invitation-only event brings together Chiefs and Senior Officers from Metropolitan Departments (300+ members) in a private setting, allowing for focused discussions and valuable networking opportunities away from the hustle and bustle of the larger event. 

  • Peer-led “Tailboard Talk” presentations from metro departments, highlighting innovative, field-tested initiatives 

  • Roundtable discussions on top issues facing large departments with input and collaboration from peers 

  • Networking and social events provided by FDIC that build relationships through informal gatherings with fellow Chiefs and Senior Officers 

Officers Club Features: 
The Officers Club opens to a larger group of senior fire and EMS leaders from departments with 125+ career or volunteer personnel in an exclusive space with a dedicated lounge and networking hub where members can connect, collaborate, and recharge throughout the event. The Officers Club is the go-to destination for meaningful engagement and leadership support where officers can connect with peers and participate in meaningful discussions with department leaders and sponsors between exhibit visits and FDIC programming. 

  • Personalized peer-to-peer breakfast roundtables allow attendees to discuss pressing issues related to topics they select. 

  • Organized interactions to help expand attendees' network connections.  

  • Meet & Greets with Club Sponsors, including swag giveaways 
     

Summit Leadership 
Dan Shaw returns as Metro Officers Summit Consultant for the second year. As former Assistant Fire Chief of Operations for Fairfax County Fire & Rescue and a longtime FDIC Advisory Board member, Shaw will lead program development to ensure content remains relevant and impactful.  “The higher you ascend in a Metro Fire Department, the lonelier the position can become — isolating leaders and stifling innovation, proactive leadership, and growth,” says Shaw. “The Metro Summit provides the time and space for these leaders to engage in candid conversations, collaborate with peers, and invest in their own development and success.” 

FDIC also welcomes Amy Conover as Summit Director. Conover brings more than a decade of experience developing summits across various industries and building and activating professional communities and will lead both programs forward. “These events are entirely driven by listening to our attendees," says Conover “we’re committed to creating meaningful experiences that focus on personal growth and building trusted relationships where peers share with and learn from each other and return back to their departments as stronger, more innovative leaders.” 

Why Attend? 

✓ Connect with peers who face similar challenges.  
✓ Discover proven solutions from leading departments.  
✓ Engage in honest, collaborative discussions.  
✓ Access both exclusive summit sessions and FDIC's extensive resources.  
✓ Leave with actionable strategies and renewed inspiration.  

✓ An established four-year event boasting a 98% attendee satisfaction rate. 

The Metro Fire Officers Leadership & Innovation Summit is organized and managed by FDIC International, a Clarion Events company. Clarion Events, a global leader in the events industry, also owns and produces Fire Engineering magazine, a trusted resource for the fire service community for over 140 years. Our team holds itself to the highest standards of excellence, reflecting the unwavering dedication of first responders to our communities. 

Additional program details and registration information can be found: 
Metro Fire Officers Summit
The Officers Club

About the Summits at FDIC: 

The FDIC Summits are exclusive events that offer a unique opportunity for peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and collaboration, bringing together fire and rescue industry professionals to explore key topics across specific sectors and groups.  
 
Featuring a mix of expert speakers, peer-to-peer sharing, and dynamic discussions, each summit provides attendees with valuable insights and practical strategies that they can apply to their department or organization. Join us to connect with leading minds, share experiences, and drive innovation in the fire and emergency services community.    
 
Learn more about all the FDIC Summits here: 
https://www.fdic.com/summits-fdic

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