WINTER SYMPOSIUM 2027
Presented by Cenovus Energy
Elevate Your Leadership: Registration is Now Open!
The Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association is proud to announce that registration is now open for the Winter Symposium, presented by Cenovus Energy, on March 2ndand 3rd, 2027. As a premier gathering for fire and emergency services leaders, the symposium offers critical insights, management strategies, and professional networking to help you navigate the evolving challenges of modern fire service leadership.
Don't wait to secure your spot—join your peers from across the state for an immersive educational experience that elevates your department and your career.
Why You Can't Afford to Miss This Year's Symposium
- Top-Notch Sessions: Learn from national and regional experts addressing the fire service’s most pressing issues, including cancer presumption, NERIS, workforce retention, and human resource management.
- Invaluable Peer Networking: Connect with fellow Chiefs, officers, and industry partners to share best practices, exchange local solutions, and forge lasting professional relationships.
- Exclusive Legislative Reception: This event offers OFCA members an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with state legislators in the historic Statehouse Atrium. This exclusive, cocktail-style reception moves critical fire service advocacy out of the formal hearing room and into a relaxed, collaborative setting, allowing members to discuss key policy updates, funding needs, and legislative priorities face-to-face with state decision-makers.
- Actionable Leadership Takeaways: Walk away with concrete strategies and frameworks you can implement immediately within your agency.
Program & Speakers
Winter Symposium 2027 offers two informative days of education and networking, with exclusive access to state decision-makers, top-notch presenters, and hundreds of Ohio’s fire service leaders.
Tuesday, March 2: 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM (Renaissance Hotel)
- NERIS Update. Tom Jenking, UL Fire Safety Research Institute
- SFM & Division of EMS Updates. State Fire Marshal & Executive Director of EMS (TBD)
- Presumptive Cancer: Navigating the Process. Karen Turano & Chief David Jetter
- Legislative Panel Discussion. Legislators TBD
Tuesday, March 2: 4:45 PM to 6:30 PM (Statehouse Atrium)
- Group Picture
- Legislative Networking Reception
Wednesday, March 3: 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM (Renaissance Hotel)
- Networking Breakfast for Symposium Attendees
- HR Issues Update. Jonathan Downes
- OFCA/OAPFF Roundtable Discussion. President Rick Vober & President Jon Harvey, moderated by Past President Joe Kitchen
Dress Code
During sessions at the Renaissance Hotel, business casual attire or duty uniform is appropriate. Class A uniforms or business attire are required for the Legislative Reception at the Statehouse.
