Critical Issues Briefings are held in locations around the state to address the most important topics impacting fire service leaders. Subject matter experts present on a variety of topics and share information you need you to know.

Date: May 13
Location: Rock Room, Red Rocks Amphitheater
Time: 10 am - 3 pm

AGENDA

10:00am - Welcome and Introductions

10:05am - Platinum Partner Introductions

10:15 am – Working Together for Roadway Safety: - Bob Fifer, Deputy Director of Operations, Colorado Department of Transportation 

10:45am - FirstNet Authority Coverage Enhancement Project: - Kim Coleman, Sr. Public Safety Advisor, FirstNet Authority

11:00am –Federal Wildfire Update – Brant Porter, Fire Communications & Education Coordinator, U.S. Wildland Fire Service and Paul Hohn, Rocky Mountain Geographic Area Chief, U.S. Wildland Fire Service

11:30am - Whole Blood Programs: Benefits, Biases, and Results from the Field: Panel discussion with Jonathan Apfelbaum, Medical Director, South Metro Fire Rescue, Jeff Beckman, Medical Director, Arvada Fire Protection District, Matt Angelidis, Medical Director, Colorado Springs Fire Department, Scott Braney, Colorado Whole Blood Coalition and Medical Director, Clear Creek EMS

12:15pm – 1:00pm – Lunch Provided

1:00pm - Building Moral Resilience: Understanding and Mitigating Moral Distress in the Fire Service- Rachel Topazian, Assistant Professor and Gianna Morales, Clinical Ethicist, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

1:30pm - Wildland Fire Hotspot Mapping and Monitoring: – Steve Maisonet, OroraTech, Melissa Hanson, Pano AI, Debra Deininger, N5 Sensors

2:00pm – 2026 Legislative Session Review: Amanda Gall, Partner, Adeline Hodge, Partner, and Kris Grant, Sr. Associate, Meridian Public Affairs

2:20pm – Firefighter Sleep Deprivation: Mike Binney, Battalion Chief, West Metro Fire Protection District  

3:00pm – Wrap Up and Adjourn

*Agenda Subject to Change.