2019 GEORGIA FIRE SERVICE CONFERENCE
Separate Registration Available 
for Hands-On Classes!
Take Advantage of these Great One-Day Training Opportunities  the W eek of Sept. 9
As part of the the 2019 Georgia Fire Service Conference, a number of classes are offered that have a separate registration.  These classes provide an outstanding training opportunity for firefighters in the Albany and southwest Georgia area this year!  

Pre-registration is required for all classes.  These classes all will be taught in the Albany, Georgia area and more details on the location will be emailed to those registered by September 1.


Essentials of Chaplaincy 
Sept. 10 - 11 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost:  $50 and includes lunch

This two-day class is designed to help train new chaplains.
Instructors:  Ronnie Cowart, Cartersville Fire Department; Ashley Tyree, Hazlehurst - Jeff Davis County Fire & Rescue


Tactical Thermal Imaging
Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost:  $35 and includes lunch

Led by the Smyrna Fire Department's training crew, this class is designed to teach firefighters how to effectively use thermal imaging cameras in conventional and unconventional situations which are encountered on the fire ground.   Instructors will cover issues including 360 size up, oriented search tactics, VEIS operations and operating in hostile environments.  This will be a hands-on class that will include live fire conditions. 
Instructors:  Smyrna Fire Instructor Cadre


First Due Firemanship
Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost:  $35 and includes lunch

Hone your skills for the initial stage of an incident.  Participants will rotate through four learning stations and live fire scenarios that encompass engine company search operations, search and rescue, forcible entry and firefighter rescue. 
Instructor:  Chief Jason Hurley, Bremen Fire Department


Fire Dynamics of Modern Fire Attack
Sept. 14 - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost:  $35 and includes lunch

The course is designed to illustrate how the fire service can incorporate current research findings about fire behavior and fire fighting tactics into their operations. This program rethinks the tactics of old and incorporates the latest research into tactics and gives students an opportunity to "operationalize" fire dynamic research concepts. This program also discusses overcoming resistance to change and the lessons learned in real-world implementation. 
Instructor:  Johnny Irvin, Assistant Chief, Georgia Fire Academy

Note:   You don't have to register for the full conference in order to take a class.  Simply select the class option on the registration form.  Details on the full conference (agenda and registration fees) are also available from this link.

Questions?  Contact:

GSFA Business Manager Beth Brown
Email:  bbrown@gsffa.org
Phone:  770-262-5092

GAFC Business Manager Yalonde Tanner
Email:  ytanner@gafc.org
Phone:   678-686-6239 

We look forward to seeing you in Albany!
Interact with Fire Service Vendors:
Conference Exhibit Hall Open to All Firefighters at No Cost on Friday, September 13
The 2019 Georgia Fire Service Conference Exhibit Hall at the Albany Civic Center is open to all firefighters at no cost on Friday, September 13 from 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

Come meet the conference vendors and learn more about their products, services and programs.

Simply print the 2019 Exhibit Hall Pass and bring it to the conference registration desk.  Please note that lunch is only provided for those registered for the full conference.

Conference Hotels
The conference hotels fill up fast, so make your reservation today!  The hotel cut-off date  August 12, 2019.

Group Code:  Georgia Firefighters

Rate:  $129
Phone:  229-352-9300

Rate:  Up to $99 per night
Phone  229-435-7721

Room Rate:  $119
Phone:  229.518.6521 
Spouse Trips
The Albany Fire Department, in partnership with the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau, has planned two days of sightseeing in the Albany area for spouses that are coming to the conference with you.  Some of the sites you will see and do include:

Lunch at The Bread House & Blackbeard's
Chehaw & The Flint Riverquarium
Albany Civil Rights Institute
Paint & Sip

Registration for the Thursday and Friday trips are $25 per day and include admission fees and lunch.  Register online for one or both days when you make your conference reservations.

Check Your Bench Strength:  
Annual Firefighters Competition - Enter Teams by Aug. 15
Put your team together now and prepare to join in the fun to claim your place in the annual Firefighters Competition!  Up to ten departments from across the state can compete for bragging rights as they navigate through four obstacles.  There's plenty of time between now and September to set up the drills and practice your skills.  Each team may include up to seven members, so pick your players and get them started today!


Recognize Fallen Firefighters
Submit Information for the Annual Memorial Service
Each year as part of the Georgia Fire Service Conference, firefighters who passed away during the previous year are recognized at the annual Memorial Service, scheduled this year for Saturday, February 14 at 8 a.m.  Firefighters do not have to have been a member of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs or the Georgia State Firefighters Association to be recognized.  

If you have lost a current or retired member of your department since the last conference (August 2018), please submit their information so that they may be recognized.  All information is due by August 15, 2019.

Stay Connected
191 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 700, Atlanta, GA  30303
 For more information, contact:  Beth Brown at bbrown@gsffa.org