Friday, November 9, 2012

Fire chiefs from six states attend KCKCC seminar


By ALAN HOSKINS

Fire chiefs from six Midwestern states took part in a professional development seminar hosted by the Kansas City Kansas Community College Fire Science Program Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 5-6.

Dr. Nancy Thomas, KCKCC Fire Science Coordinator, said nearly 50 fire chiefs and administrative staff members from approximately 35 fire departments from Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas took part in the two-day seminar co-hosted by KCKCC and the Kansas City Kansas Fired Department.

Curtis Varone, an attorney, author and Deputy Fire Chief in Providence, R.I., was the main presenter.

Varone is the author of “Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services,” the test book used in KCKCC’s Legal Considerations course required for an Associates in Applied Science Fire Science Degree.

Dr. Thomas said Verone spoke at length on Investigating Firefighter Misconduct and Firefighter Discipline, a subject which if handled incorrectly can divide departments, cause union problems and ruin careers, and how conducting risk management investigations can be employed by virtually any organizations interest in fostering a healthy work environment.

“Our Fire Science program was very excited to be able to bring to our campus the administrative staffs from so many of the fire departments that we serve so they can get a feel for how their employee/firefighters are treated by the staff at Kansas City Kansas Community College,” said Dr. Thomas.

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PHOTO: Members of the Kansas City Kansas Fire Department enjoyed a lighter moment with KCKCC Fire Science Coordinator Dr. Nancy Thomas and keynote presenter Curtis Varrone at a two-day professional development seminar at KCKCC Monday and Tuesday. Joining the conversation are (from left) KCK Fire Chief John Paul Jones, Assistant Chief Mark Williams and Deputy Chief Craig Duke. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)