Northeastern Fire Education Conference and Trade Show - 2026

Workshop 1: Chief Officer 101 

SOLD OUT

This four-hour workshop provides an introductory overview of key components featured in the OAFC Chief Officer 101 program. Designed for aspiring and newly appointed chief officers, the session explores fundamental leadership, operational, and administrative responsibilities essential to success in the role.

To ensure the workshop reflects the needs and interests of participants, all registered attendees will be contacted in advance and asked to select their top three preferred topics from a curated list. These selections will shape the final agenda, creating a focused, relevant, and participant-driven learning experience.

Presenters: OAFC President Fire Chief Jeremy Parkin, OAFC Director Fire Chief Gene Thompson, and OAFC Executive Director Mark MacDonald

Workshop 2: Health and Safety

This workshop provides a comprehensive look at critical health and safety considerations for fire service personnel. Topics include proper use and maintenance of PPE and bunker gear, cancer prevention strategies, and wildland fire uniform requirements as outlined by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). Attendees will gain practical guidance, best practices, and regulatory insights to enhance firefighter safety, protect against occupational hazards, and ensure compliance with current standards.

Presenters:

Ken Cox, Southern Region Fire Advisor, Ministry of Natural Resources

Fire Chief Rob Grimwood, Greater Sudbury Fire

Rob Grimwood has been a member of the fire service for the past 29 years, the past 17 in a leadership capacity and is currently the Fire Chief for the City of Greater Sudbury. 

Formerly Rob was a Deputy Chief for the City of Mississauga, a Deputy Chief for the City of Vaughan and the Fire Chief in the City of Dryden, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Haldimand County. He has also served as a Firefighter with the City of Toronto.

Rob worked as a Paramedic for 20 years and spent nine years as the Paramedic Chief in Haldimand County. He is a past President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC), Management Co-chair of the Ontario Fire Services Section 21 Committee and an NFPA Evaluator for the Ontario Fire Marshal`s Office.

Rob regularly presents and teaches a variety of topics, but is particularly passionate about reducing firefighter cancer and supporting firefighter mental health.

Inge Pudelek, President of Sani Gear Inc.

Inge Pudelek, the current President and CEO of Sani Gear Inc., took over leadership of Sani Gear from her parents in late 2015. The last decade, leading Sani Gear, has proven to be the most rewarding, challenging and fulfilling period of her career to date. Inge commits herself to being present for the US-based meetings discussing the upcoming changes in the 1851 (now 1850) standard.

Among Inge’s notable achievements is the expansion of the Sani Gear team from 13 employees at one plant to over 50 employees working across two facilities. The flagship plant is in Kitchener, Ontario, with a second facility in Gatineau, Quebec. When considering taking over Sani Gear, one of Inge’s main motivators was the potential difference that could be made in the fire industry in relation to helping firefighters stay safe in their personal protective equipment. Inge’s love of research and continuous desire to improve lend themselves perfectly to running a business with the number one goal of improving the service of maintenance of bunker gear to the fire industry daily. 

Among Inge’s key contributions is her ongoing effort to educate the fire industry on best practices for maximizing the safety and longevity of bunker gear. Her continuing research supports Sani Gear’s mission to become a recognized leader in bunker gear maintenance, cleaning protocols, and personal protective equipment safety standards for first responders. 

Upholding UL Verification as a core standard remains one of Inge’s highest priorities, guaranteeing that every process introduced within Sani Gear’s operations undergoes rigorous evaluation and continuous improvement to support the company’s commitment to quality and reliability. 

Workshop 3: Training from Start to Finish 

This comprehensive workshop brings together representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Ontario Fire College, and experienced Fire Chiefs and Training Officers to provide a full-spectrum view of fire service training. Participants will gain insights into regulatory requirements, training standards, program development, and real-world experiences from leaders in the field. The session is designed to equip attendees with practical strategies, best practices, and actionable tools to enhance training programs in their own departments, from initial planning to execution and evaluation.

Presenters: To be announced 

Workshop 4: Fire Prevention: Hoarding, Landlords vs Tenants.. How Fire Prevention Can Deal With It

Join Deputy Chief Andrea DeJong, Chair of the OAFC Fire Prevention & Public Education Committee, for an engaging workshop focused on the complex challenges of hoarding, landlord-tenant dynamics, and other housing-related issues impacting fire prevention efforts. Participants will explore practical strategies, case studies, and best practices for identifying risks, engaging residents, and implementing effective prevention measures. This session provides fire prevention professionals with actionable tools to navigate these sensitive situations while promoting safety in the community.

Presenter: Deputy Chief Jeff Bignell, Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service