2026 National Fire Service Staff and Command Course
March 1-6, 2026, Annapolis Maryland
This in-depth course is designed for senior administrative personnel, chief officers, and senior company-level officers aiming to advance their careers. For five days, the nation’s top emergency services experts will address current and emerging issues facing first-responder leadership. Drawing participants from across the country, the Staff & Command Course also fosters an invaluable opportunity for networking with fellow fire colleagues.
Topics
- Cancer in the Fire Service
- Culture Change Following Tragedy: In Honor of the Charleston 9
- Fire Dynamics on the Fireground
- Lithium-Ion Batteries/Electric Vehicles
- Firehouse Law for Fire Service Leaders
- Flawed Situational Awareness: The Stealth Killer of First Responders
- Leveraging Intelligence to Improve Fire / EMS Preparedness, Operations, and Safety
- Public Information: Tell Your Story or Someone Else Will
Location and Travel
The DoubleTree Hotel in Annapolis, MD is the host site for the seminar. Air travelers should fly into BWI Airport. Please arrive at the hotel by 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Certification
Completion of course certifications will be awarded to those who successfully complete and actively participate in the course.
Attendance Fee
$2,075 per person, includes six nights lodging at the hotel. $1,355 per person if hotel is not needed. Both fees include all class materials, morning & afternoon refreshments, and off-site activities.
Registration
- Closes February 16, 2026
- Space is limited to 100 attendees
- Cancellations received after February 27, 2026 will incur a $125 processing fee
- For more information email: sac@mfri.org or call: 301-226-9960
Speakers
Public Information Officer Mark Brady
With 50 years of fire/EMS experience and 27 years as a chief spokesperson and public information officer (PIO), Mark is a partner at PIO Academy, a comprehensive training program for fire, EMS, and emergency management agencies. His expertise spans crisis management, government, public speaking, and emergency management.
Lieutenant Paramedic Amy Dant
Amy Dant is a Lieutenant Paramedic with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service in MD. Drawing from personal experience, she raises awareness about cancer in the fire service and advocates for prevention, aiming to change the industry's culture.
Dr. Richard Gasaway
Richard is the founder of “Situational Awareness Matters!” an organization dedicated to improving how individuals, teams, and organizations make decisions in stressful situations.
Dr. David Griffin
David is an internationally recognized speaker, instructor, and author of In Honor of the Charleston 9 – A Study of Change Following Tragedy. He is also assistant chief of administration in Charleston, SC.
Dr. Daniel Madrzykowski
Dan is the Senior Director of Research for the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institute. With 32 years of experience, he is renowned for working to improve fire safety by conducting research and development in areas of: fire dynamics, fire-test methods, fire control, and fire investigation.
John Rukavina, JD, EFO
John Rukavina is the Director of Public Fire Safety Services, specializing in executive consulting and teaching. He earned his law degree from University of Minnesota School of Law and was a charter participant in the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program. He was also named a FEMA Fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Public Information Officer Dave Statter
Dave Statter is founder and partner of PIO Academy, a comprehensive communications training program for fire, EMS, and emergency management agencies. Dave also leads STATter911 Communications, where he specializes in video production and assisting public safety agencies with crisis communication. Dave honed his communications expertise during his 40-year career as a reporter.