🧠Welcome to the 2026 Eastern Division of the IAFC Leadership Conference:
The Art of Leadership: Inspire Action
Join fire and emergency service leaders from across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. for one of the region’s most impactful leadership events.
This annual Division Leadership Conference brings together top professionals to learn, connect, and collaborate on the future of the fire service.
🔥 Why Attend?
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Hear from industry-leading experts
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Discover the latest technologies and innovations
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Gain actionable leadership insights
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Expand your professional network
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Explore new ways to inspire action within your organization
Whether you're a department chief, a frontline leader, or an emerging professional, this conference is designed to ignite your leadership potential.
🤝 Why Exhibit or Sponsor?
If you want to:
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Launch a new product
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Grow brand visibility
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Position your organization as a thought leader
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Connect with key decision-makers
…then this is the event for you.
As a sponsor or exhibitor, you’ll be in front of the right people at the right time. Eastern Division members are committed to helping you build real relationships that create real results.
đź“Ť Get Involved
Don’t miss the 2026 opportunity to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact.
đźš’ Powered by the Eastern Division
With deep roots in service and innovation, the Eastern Division of the IAFC brings together the brightest minds in fire and emergency services. We're here to support your success—before, during, and after the conference.
Rick Dempsey, former Baltimore Orioles catcher and 1983 World Series MVP is bringing championship energy! With his electrifying storytelling and powerful presence, Rick inspires audiences with real-life lessons in leadership, teamwork, and perseverance.
Chief McGlynn is currently serving as a Fire Chief within Federal Fire and Emergency Services. Dave is a featured speaker at FDIC International and serves on the advisory board for FDIC and Fire Engineering.
Dr. Heather Pfeifer, Ph.D., is a consultant to public safety organizations, specializing in trauma-informed practices, evidence-based wellness strategies, and cultural competency training.
Chief Locke currently serves as the Fire Chief for the City of South Burlington, Vermont. In addition, he served 6 years as the IAFC Treasurer and is the current 1st Vice President of the IAFC.
Chief Silvernail currently serves as the Fire Chief for Kirkwood Fire Department in Missouri. He is the Past President of the Missouri Valley Division of the IAFC and is the current Treasurer for the IAFC.
Commissioner Thomas Cook has more than 36 years of experience in emergency services, and an extensive background in public and nonprofit administration.
Executive Director John Brenner has extensive experience in government, political and public affairs, communications, community relations, development and advocacy.
Chief Snider currently serves as the Fire Chief for the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri. In addition, he is the President of the Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs and a candidate for 2nd Vice President of the IAFC.
Chief O'Donnell is the President of the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association. Today, the PACFCA represents over 130 active career fire chiefs serving among Pennsylvania's largest to smallest cities, towns, boroughs, and townships.
Robert Brooks is the President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association who represent over 7,000 career Fire Fighters, Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Chief Rigby currently serves as the President of the Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute. PFESI is an educational, non-profit who cultivates relationships among constituents about issues effecting emergency response and life safety issues.
A seasoned Chief Fire Officer in one of Pennsylvania’s largest townships for much of his career, Commissioner McGarvey later went on to serve as State Fire Commissioner under the Wolf Administration.
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BluSky Lancaster is proud to offer a number of restoration services in Lancaster and the surrounding areas. From storm damage repair to fire and water damage restoration, we cover it all.
5-Bugle Sponsor - GLICK Fire Equipment Company, Inc.
Fire apparatus, ambulance and specialty vehicle sales and service in Pennsylvania. Proud Distributor of Pierce, Demers, Braun, Crestline, Oshkosh, BME, B.R.A.T, Frontline, FPG, River Raptor, Skeeter and Vengeant Apparatus.
REV Group® is an American manufacturer that designs and manufactures industry-leading specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services for two segments: Specialty Vehicles and Recreational Vehicles
5-Bugle Sponsor - GreenTec Group
Our team serves landlord and selective tenant clientele through a combination of self-performing project execution and captive subcontractor teams. This enables response, solutions, and accountability.
SERVPRO of Overbrook/Wynnefield - Team Fabiani and SERVPRO of Lancaster East and Southern Lancaster have become a trusted leader in the cleaning and restoration industry.
Regardless of the size, location, or nature of catastrophe, count on BELFOR to help rebuild properties, lives, and communities.
5-Bugle Sponsor - Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association
The Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association (PACFCA) is the recognized statewide organization representing over 140 active career fire chiefs serving among Pennsylvania's largest to smallest cities, towns, boroughs, and townships.
4-Bugle Sponsor - The Fire Store & MSA
At TheFireStore, we provide a wide range of essential equipment tailored to meet the unique needs of first responders.
VFIS is proud to have pioneered specialized insurance protections for America's emergency service organizations over fifty years ago. And we're just as proud of our continued dedication to first responders by providing them protections and training.
4-Bugle Sponsor - Pennsylvania Municipal League
The Pennsylvania Municipal League is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing participating Pennsylvania cities, boroughs, townships and home rule communities that all share The League’s municipal policy interests.
4-Bugle Sponsor - John Sly Grant Writing Services
John Sly Grant Writing is a consulting firm based in Chester County, Pennsylvania which specializes in funding solutions for emergency services agencies.
3-Bugle Sponsor - USA Advertising
Proud sponsor of first responder shirts since 2004, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
3-Bugle Sponsor - PA Fire Recovery Service, LLC
Largest Fire Service-specific cost recovery service in the USA with over 25 years of experience and working with over 1,000 fire departments each year.
3-Bugle Sponsor - Firefighters' Association of the State Pennsylvania
FASP advocates for improving the fire service throughout the state of Pennsylvania through legislation enactment.
2-Bugle Sponsor - Chester County Fire Chiefs Association
Representing the Fire Chiefs of Chester County, PA
Conference Host Venue Location - nestled in the heart of Lancaster County, PA.
1-Bugle Sponsor - Manheim Township Professional Fire Fighters Association
Manheim Township Fire Rescue career personnel are represented by IAFF Local 5423.
1-Bugle Sponsor - Provident Insurance
Since 1902, Provident has provided insurance coverage for paid and volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, municipal entities, and law enforcement.
1-Bugle Sponsor - Veterans Guardian
Consulting firm that can help maximize your VA disability rating earned through your honorable service to the nation.
1-Bugle Sponsor - Lancaster County Fire Chief's Association
Information based organization providing career and volunteer managers of emergency service organizations throughout Lancaster County.
1-Bugle Sponsor - Townsend Fire Company
Townsend Fire Company in Townsend, Delaware if proud to support the EDIAFC and Chief David A. Hall, Sr., the Delaware Director.
Program Ad Sponsor - Ray's Pager Sales
Offering quality pagers and safety products for firefighters, EMS, and first responders located in Lancaster County, PA
Program Ad Sponsor - West Grove Fire Company
Since 1905, the West Grove Fire Company has provided Fire and EMS services to the greater Avon Grove community in Chester County, PA.
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