Health and Safety Conference

Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

We’re excited to offer another fantastic educational opportunity for our members! The 2025 AFFI Health & Safety Conference will feature a variety of topics to help expand your knowledge and enhance your skills. This year, we are partnering with the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) to offer specialized courses tailored to this event. This year’s conference will also address a wide range of topics, including firefighter health and safety, emergency medical services education, responding to challenging incidents, and much more!

2025 AFFI Health & Safety Conference Details:

The conference will take place over two days—May 14th and 15th—at the I-Hotel & Conference Center in Champaign, IL (1900 S. First Street, Champaign, IL 61820).

Hotel accommodations are available for an additional cost. The AFFI will assist in booking your stay at our partner hotels. Conference check-in begins at 8:00 am on May 15th, with sessions starting promptly at 9:00 am.

AFFI Health/Safety & Fire/EMS Conference

Wednesday’s General Sessions will feature presentations on:

IFSI’s Research on Firefighter Cancer: Learn about the latest research into firefighter cancer and the screening program being implemented to address these health concerns.
Firefighter Nutrition: Megan Lautz, a nationally recognized expert on firefighter nutrition, will share valuable insights into maintaining optimal health and performance.
Legislative Initiatives: The AFFI will provide an update on our ongoing legislative efforts related to firefighter health and safety.

Thursday’s General Sessions will feature presentations on:

Fitness & Mental Health: Jada Hudson and Andy Scott will explore the vital connection between physical fitness and mental well-being for firefighters.
Leadership in Challenging Times: We’re excited to welcome Carl Flores, former Chief of EMS for the New Orleans Fire Department, who will present on effective leadership during challenging events.

Wednesday, May 14th and Thursday May 15th (4-Hour Block Classes)

ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT, FUNCTION, AND RESCUE CONSIDERATIONS

The Elevator Equipment, Function and Rescue Considerations course is designed for all experience levels. The class will include a brief review of elevator types, components, operations, and safety features. Instructors will address rescue options inclusive of hoist way safety concerns, elevator movement mitigation, and the de-energizing of the hoist way and cab. Topics will also include when a rescue is warranted and extraction is required, the methods to gain access to the occupants, and basic rigging considerations.

RESILIENCY DEVELOPMENT FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT

The Resiliency Development for Leadership Support course is designed to provide training for fire officers of any rank on how to provide support for first responders. The goal of this course is to present fire officers with the tools to assist with leading and responding to stressful situations on and off the job. Instructors will address how stress can affect decision making and mental health. Students will evaluate how the mental health of leaders can improve by understanding what is occurring within us and how fire officers can work to be more resilient.

RESILIENCY DEVELOPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

This Resiliency Development for First Responders course will provide first responders in any stage of their career with the necessary tools to remain resilient to the stressors that come on and off the job. Focusing on cutting-edge science, students will see how stress can damage the brain and how the brain can recover from this damage. Students will also increase their understanding of how stress and mental health impact the entire body and behaviors and mindsets that can help students to care for themselves and their families at home and work. Resiliency and Mental Health are key components to overall wellness for first responders. This course seeks to remove the stigma surrounding the discussion of mental health, trauma, and suicide.

WILDERNESS SEARCH AND RESCUE – URBAN EMPHASIS

This Wilderness Search and Rescue – Urban Emphasis course will discuss how to search for a missing person in an urban (populated) environment. The class will address techniques used for a neighborhood canvas and a building search. Students will learn how to plan the search so searchers can be dispatched quickly. Instructors will also discuss the behavior of five of the most common missing subject types in an urban setting. Real-life cases are presented for each subject type along with maps illustrating how to plan and execute the search.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

The Renewable Entry course is designed to teach renewable energy sources from hydropower, geothermal, biomass, wind, hydrogen and solar and how they support decarbonization of the planet. This class will also cover energy storage systems and how their use supports the grid and issues of the fire with safety tips for control and handling of emergencies.

ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle course introduces students to new technologies that can impact rescue efforts. Topics include hybrid or electric driven vehicles, alternative fuel systems, dangerous drive train components, hazardous mechanical and hydraulic systems. Rescue challenges associated with air bags and their deployment and detonation systems, pre-tension systems and other passive restraint devices throughout the passenger compartment will also be discussed. Instructors will explain how methods of construction, vehicle body components, and their materials of construction offer challenges not found at accident scenes in the past.

Improving Cardiac Arrest Outcomes/Behavioral Health Emergencies

Which performance metrics can make a difference?

-Presented by Scott Wiebe, EMS Supervisor from Lincoln, NE Fire & Rescue

Scott is a Medical Specialist for Nebraska Task Force 1 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Team. His primary professional interests are evidence based cardiac arrest resuscitation and post event performance analysis as well as prehospital airway management. Scott is past member of the Nebraska Board of EMS and has written numerous expert opinions on airway management.

Incorporating Urban Triage Into Any EMS System/Burn Assessment and Resuscitation Strategies.

-Presented by Carl Flores, Burn Outreach Coordinator at the University Medical Center New Orleans, formerly Charity Hospital. He has over 30 years of EMS experience, most recently serving as the Chief for EMS for the City of New Orleans for more than 27 years. His leadership played a pivotal role in the rebuilding of New Orleans EMS, following Hurricane Katrina, to being recognized as a leader in EMS quality care and practices in the industry.

Firefighter Wellness

-Presented by the AFFI Resiliency Committee

The AFFI Resiliency Committee was established by resolution at the 43rd Biennial Convention with a focus on improving, promoting, and researching the emotional wellness, behavioral health, substance abuse, suicide prevention, and overall resiliency to its members.

Health and Safety Conference

AFFI Health/Safety & Fire/EMS Conference

Wednesday’s General Sessions will feature presentations on:

Thursday’s General Sessions will feature presentations on:

Wednesday, May 14th and Thursday May 15th (4-Hour Block Classes)

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