Health & Wellness Symposium by New England Association of Fire Chiefs

Space is limited - Reserve your spot today!

Proudly Sponsored by: United Diagnostic Services LLC

Lunch catered by Fasano's Catering

Ray Lankin – Founder & CEO, United Diagnostic Services, LLCproviding ACR, ICAEL, and AIUM-accredited diagnostic imaging services across 42 states and Canada. UDS specializes in hospital-grade imaging services including Ultrasound, CT, MRI, Digital Mammography, and cardiovascular testing. The company serves major healthcare networks like Montefiore and NYU hospitals while pioneering early detection programs for first responders. UDS combines AI-enhanced technology with highly trained technicians to deliver accurate diagnostics in hospital, remote, and mobile settings, supported by flexible equipment leasing options.

Captain Ron Kuley (ret) Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department served 31 years with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, specializing in hazardous materials response. As President of IAFF Local 2068, he represented 2,000 firefighters and paramedics and served on Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue. A Harvard University Executive Leadership graduate, he led the IAFF-MDA program from 2000-2014, increasing annual fundraising from $6M to $30M. Currently, he serves as Executive Officer to the International Association of Fire Chiefs President and consults through Kuley Strategic Advisors, LLC, helping organizations achieve sustainable growth through strategic partnerships.

How Full is Your Bucket? mental & career survival for public safety professionals

This will be a quick hit discussion on how to mentally survive today’s public service professions. Topics covered will include but are not limited to: the unavoidable physiological and psychological impact of a long-term public safety career, the avoidable stuff you’re doing to yourself and how to start fixing it, sleep, sex, good food and other things you’re not getting enough of, healthy relationships with family, coworkers, command, etc, compassion fatigue/burnout, booze and bad habits that aren't working.

Nicole L Sawyer, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist in Exeter, New Hampshire. She has been in clinical practice since 2005 and works exclusively with public safety professionals and first responder agencies. Dr. Sawyer currently serves as the supporting psychologist for the NH State Police Peer Support Unit, she provides clinical support for various Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams across the state and is an instructor for the NAMI-NH Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program. She is the professional crisis intervention specialist for the Seacoast Emergency Response Team (SERT), the Strafford County Regional Tactical Operations Unit (SCRTOU), and the NH State Police SWAT (NHSP-CNU), responding alongside law enforcement and Crisis Negotiation Teams (CNT). In addition to her field roles, she provides psychological consultation, assessment, and evaluation for state and local agencies across NH. Dr. Sawyer is known best for her straight-talking and candid trainings and workshops; taking a direct approach to the psychological challenges faced by public safety professionals and first responders over the course of their careers, as well as the challenges of crisis intervention in the community.

Jennifer Taylor, PhD, MPH, CPPS

Director of the Center for Firefighter Injury Research and Safety Trends (FIRST)

Dr. Jennifer Taylor is the director and principal investigator for the FIRST Center. She has been trained in the field of injury prevention and control and uses its principles to address safety issues in first responder and healthcare industries. Specific to first responders, Dr. Taylor applies her surveillance and safety climate expertise to the U.S. fire and rescue service, investigating the relationship between safety culture and injury risk. Dr. Jennifer Taylor specializes in injury prevention and safety systems in healthcare and first responder industries. With a PhD from Johns Hopkins and extensive experience in public health surveillance, she leads research on safety culture's impact on injury risk in both healthcare and fire service settings. As a former consultant epidemiologist to the International Association of Fire Chiefs' National Near-Miss Reporting System, she has secured multiple FEMA grants to develop firefighter injury surveillance systems. Before academia, she served 15 years in state government and hospital quality management, including as Chief of Health Statistics for New Hampshire.

Bart McCool End Use Marketing Manager, TenCate Protective Fabrics USA . – Innovative look at Thermal Protection

Bart McCool began his career as a firefighter-paramedic with the City of Springfield Fire and Life Safety Department in 1993. Following his promotion to Captain he led the department’s PPE program, ensuring compliance with NFPA 1851 standards and advocating for firefighter education on protective gear.

After leaving the fire service, Bart continued his advocacy as a PPE Specialist for L.N. Curtis & Sons and the Department of Defense Fire Department. In 2015, he joined TenCate Protective Fabrics as a Business Development Manager, conducting risk assessments and helping fire departments select the best PPE for their operational needs. Recognized as a leading expert on firefighter protective gear, he is widely sought after for his PPE selection, maintenance, and safety presentations.

Ed Ashegh Sales Manager at Industrial Protection Services

Program Description:

This will be a brief discussion focusing on two important considerations relating to Bunker Gear Selection: Heat Stress and PFAS-free Moisture Barriers. Topics will include:

1. How Heat Stress affects the user

2. Understanding Composites Performance Metrics

3. New PFAS-free Moisture Barriers.

Ed has been with Industrial Protection Services for the past 25 years, transitioning from a service technician to a sales representative, and currently holding the position of Sales Manager. He is deeply passionate about collaborating with all members of the IPS Sales Team and delivering high-quality solutions to our valued customers.

Info: 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM Welcome & Registration - Pete & Keith Coffee and Pastries (15 minutes)
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM Keynote Presentation - Ray Lankin & Ron Kuley (45 minutes)
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Break (15 minutes)
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Keynote Speaker - Nicole Sawyer (1 hour)
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM Speaker - Ed Ashegh (30 minutes)
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM Lunch Break (1 hour)
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM Keynote Presentation - Dr. Jennifer Taylor (1 hour)
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM Break (15 minutes)
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Speaker - Bart McCool (30 minutes)

Host or Publisher New England Association of Fire Chiefs- Division of IAFC