By Frank Viscuso
I try never to make promises I cannot keep. That being understood, I’d like to share with you why you should invest your valuable time and hard-earned money to attend the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC).
FDIC is a major event for the fire service, bringing together tens of thousands of firefighters, instructors, and manufacturers to keep up with the latest developments, tactics, and equipment in the firefighting industry. The conference includes hands-on training (HOT), classroom sessions, workshops, award and remembrance ceremonies, vendor exhibits, entertainment, and special events like the 9/11 memorial stair climb. All of these provide valuable opportunities to improve yourself, bond with others in your field, and work together as a team.
Here are four specific reasons why you should attend the 2015 conference in Indianapolis, which will be known as FDIC International:
1. FDIC provides great opportunities for team building
On the surface, you may not think that a group of colleagues jumping into a vehicle or on a plane and heading to a conference is a team-building exercise. Well, think again. FDIC is a perfect opportunity to push yourself both physically and mentally (at a HOT class or physical challenge), and to improve your tactical and technical knowledge base (at classroom sessions or workshops). All of which provide an excellent opportunity to bond with others who are as passionate about our profession and you and I are.
2. FDIC is an incredible way to increases your knowledge base.
Self-education for any profession is important, but for ours it’s essential. Firefighters owe it to themselves, their community, and their profession to NOT become complacent. You don’t know what you don’t know, and what you don’t know can kill someone on the fireground. The only way to improve your situational awareness is through education and training. Trust me when I say: experience is not the best teacher. Other people’s experience is the best teacher. FDIC provides you with an opportunity to learn from the best instructors in the world, shake hands with icons in our industry, network with like-minded people, and come back with a first-class education in your chosen field. All of which will inspire you and your team to be better then you were before.
3. FDIC is where the leaders will be.
If you intend to become a leader in your field, you will have to do the things that leaders do. Leaders are readers. Leaders are influencers. Leaders never walk past a problem they can solve. Leaders are forward thinkers. Leaders attend fire conferences to network and increase their knowledge base. John Maxwell talks about ‘the Rule of Five’ which states that you are mostly influenced by the five people you spend the most of your time with. FDIC will give you the opportunity to spend time with and develop solid relationships with, true leaders within our industry. The five fire service leaders I spend the most of my time speaking with are my brother and four others whom I’ve met at FDIC over the years.
4. FDIC renews your passion for firefighting.
Is your organization consumed with negativity? If so, beware. Negative attitudes are contagious and the end result is the type of drama that will suck the life out of you and your team members. Here’s the good news: passion and enthusiasm are also contagious, and there is no shortage of either at FDIC. The passion you will hear from the leaders who will be teaching will be enough for you to increase your commitment to developing and improving your leadership ability, which in turn will help your organization function at a higher level.
When you attend a seminar on your own time with your own money, you are making a commitment to better yourself. You are doing more than you have to do–more than anyone is asking of you. There is something empowering about that. You are not sitting back and waiting for someone else to step up. Instead, you are raising your hand high and saying, “I’m in!” Once you make that type of commitment, you will no longer be considered another card carrying member of the fire service. You will become an active participant. Of course, that is if you take advantage of everything FDIC has to offer.
All that being said, there are a few dos and don’ts for FDIC attendees. Following these simple guidelines will help enhance your conference experience.
DO participate as much as possible. Attend at least one HOT class, one workshop, and several classroom sessions. Add a physical challenge to the mix and you will have achieved the ultimate conference experience.
DON’T miss the conference by 15 feet. It would be a shame to travel through five states and miss a priceless education because you were holding court in the lobby.
DO come with an open mind. Be willing to consider that there is a better way to do things than the way you are currently doing them.
DON’T miss the opening ceremony. You simply don’t know how big and how amazing our fraternity is until you see and hear what occurs during this event.
DO take notes. A person who attends an educational seminar without a pen and paper is there to be entertained, not educated.
DON’T leave without experiencing at least one of the great local restaurants with your colleagues.
DO network. The classrooms are great, but don’t underestimate the education you will receive at the meetings after the meetings. I learn as much having lunch with those I admire and asking how they do things as I do sitting in the classroom.
DON’T disrespect the host city, your organization, or your profession. Be respectful and courteous at all times. One confrontation or off-colored remark can leave a terrible impression on the people we have sworn to protect. Never forget that with social media, bad impressions reach farther and wider than ever before.
DO bring your enthusiasm back home with you. Remember, they won’t know what you will have just learned and experienced–the education, the brotherhood, the enthusiasm, etc. Your colleagues back home won’t get it until they attend. Make it a goal to come back next year with someone new.
DON’T bash your brothers or sisters back home. You are a family. You may disagree and argue with each other like family members often do, but the strength of a family lies in their loyalty towards each other. Loyalty is a key leadership trait.
DO pick up some educational materials from the PennWell booth. There will be books, videos, and DVDs on sale at the event. Make it a goal to continue your education. Just because the conference will end doesn’t mean your quest for knowledge should.
DON’T do anything your family wouldn’t be proud of. Cut loose, have some fun, but make good decisions. “Do the right thing” aren’t just four words we say at F.O.O.L.S events or post on our Facebook accounts. They are words to live by.
Lastly, FDIC is about education and camaraderie. It’s about becoming a stronger leader and better teammate, but it’s also about having fun. Your work is stressful and demanding. You have earned the right to laugh, bond with your colleagues, and enjoy yourself. If you are currently wondering if the brotherhood and sisterhood still exists within the fire service, I want to ensure you that it does. It is still very alive and very well and you will see and experience it first hand when you attend FDIC. That I can promise.
FRANK VISCUSO is a career deputy chief from Kearny, New Jersey. He is an instructor who specializes in officer and leadership development. He is the author of four books including Step Up and Lead (PennWell, 2013).
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