October 11 - 14, 2026
IFCA Annual Conference 2026 - Attendee Registration
Illinois Fire Chiefs Association
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette
Join fire service leaders from across Illinois for the 2026 Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Annual Conference, where education, leadership, and innovation come together. This year's conference features nationally recognized speakers, timely educational sessions, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall showcasing the latest products and services for the fire service.
Whether you're a Fire Chief, Chief Officer, Company Officer, or an emerging leader, you'll gain practical strategies, valuable insights, and meaningful connections to help strengthen your department and better serve your community. We look forward to welcoming you to Peoria this October!
Hotel Information
Book your group rate for IL Fire Chiefs Association Conference
You will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event.
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette for 179.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book: Monday, September 21, 2026
Conference Schedule
Sunday, October 11
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
IFCA Executive Board Meeting
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Weary Traveler Social
Monday, October 12
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Opening Ceremony
• Presentation of Colors
• Invocation
• Welcome Remarks
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Keynote Address: Healthy-ish Eating for Fire Chiefs
Megan Lautz, MS, RD, CSCS, TSAC-F
Leading a department brings unique nutrition challenges, from long meetings and travel to administrative stress and reduced physical activity. This session explores how nutrition needs change with leadership roles and provides practical strategies to improve energy, focus, performance, and long-term health. Chiefs will also learn how to build a realistic culture of nutrition within their departments through simple, sustainable wellness initiatives and station-friendly nutrition strategies.
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Networking Break
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Firefighter Syndrome: What Every Chief Needs to Know
Chris Reese
For years, firefighter health has been viewed primarily through the lens of PTSD. This presentation introduces the Firefighter Syndrome framework, a clinically validated model that identifies 10 interconnected health domains impacted by the fire service, including cancer risk, sleep, brain injury, chronic pain, mental health, nutrition, and family well-being. Chiefs will gain a better understanding of the challenges their members face and learn how a proactive, confidential, whole-person approach can improve firefighter health, resilience, and performance.
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Lunch with Exhibitors
12:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
Tuesday, October 13
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Illinois Fire Service Updates
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Leadership Survival
Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder
Using recent real-world incidents, Chief Billy Goldfeder examines the critical lessons learned from tragic residential and commercial fire responses. Through video, audio, and discussion, this session highlights the importance of size-up, leadership, supervision, and decision-making both in the firehouse and on the fireground. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to improve safety, strengthen leadership, and help prevent history from repeating itself..
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Networking Break
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Leadership Survival (Continued)
Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch with Exhibitors
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Technology to Overcome Challenges in the Fire Service
Deputy Chief Matt Shronts
As fire service demands grow and live-fire training opportunities decline, technology is transforming how firefighters prepare for real-world incidents. This session explores how virtual training, custom content, and data-driven performance tools can enhance readiness, improve safety, and provide cost-effective training solutions for career, combination, and volunteer departments. Attendees will gain practical strategies for adopting technology to strengthen firefighter performance and operational effectiveness.
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Networking Break
2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Chief Jason Hoevelmann
Strong leadership is built through daily actions—not rank. In this practical session, Chief Jason Hoevelmann explores how small compromises can erode firehouse standards and lead to larger failures. Attendees will learn strategies to build trust, strengthen accountability, address toxic behaviors, and develop future leaders, creating a culture of professionalism, integrity, and excellence within their departments.
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Installation Banquet
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Conference Reception
Wednesday, October 14
Breakfast
Breakfast Buffet
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Special Needs Fire Academy
Hoffman Estates Fire Department
Learn how the Special Needs Fire Academy is creating meaningful experiences for individuals with disabilities while strengthening community engagement and firefighter outreach.
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
The Chief's Guide to Line of Duty Death Preparedness
Caitlyn Brennan & Chief James "Jim" Klinefelter
This session provides a practical overview of Line of Duty Death (LODD) preparedness, including key definitions, policies, and response procedures. Presented by leaders from Illinois' Local Assistance State Team (LAST), the 100 Club of Illinois, and the IFCA Funeral Committee, attendees will learn best practices for coordinated response, family support, and honoring fallen firefighters while ensuring their department is prepared.