Ottosen DiNolfo Attorneys to Speak at the IAFPD 78th Annual Conference

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Current Issues in Consolidation, Annexation, and Disconnections 

Speaker:  Karl Ottosen – This program will provide an update regarding how changes in District boundaries can occur whether voluntary or involuntary and how such transfers of territory impact fire protection districts as well as how they can be challenged by districts encountering involuntary boundary changes.

10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. – Dealing with Board Dissension & Dysfunction

Speaker:  Karl Ottosen – Healthy debate in the Board is beneficial to decision making, but at times boards go beyond healthy discourse to dysfunction as a result of dissension on the Board. This program will discuss how this situation develops and, when it happens, what can be done about it to restore the board to functionality.

12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Purchasing Fire Apparatus:  “Buyer Beware”

Speaker:  Jim Wargo – A practical discussion for districts who are purchasing equipment for the first time in many years. The fire apparatus purchasing process has changed as a result of Section 11k of the Fire Protection District Act. This program will discuss how to both comply with Section 11k and meet the needs and desires of the District in purchasing fire apparatus.

12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Fire Chiefs & Fire Trustees:  Getting Dogs & Cats to Lie Down Together

Speaker: Shawn Flaherty – Conflict between the board of trustees and fire chiefs is not uncommon in the fire service. The purpose of this program will be to assess how these conflicts can be resolved between the chief and the board of trustees to manage the fire protection district and its fire department more productively.

1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Firefighter Training, To Certify or Not Certify, That is the Question!

Speaker: John Motylinski – Recent changes in the certification requirements issued or proposed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal will impact how districts set their training requirements locally. This program will discuss the Program times, topic and speakers are subject to change. Please check the IAFPD mechanics of certification under the new rules and how that can be done effectively.

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Building an Effective Disciplinary Program:  Career & Non-Career Departments

Speaker:  Steve DiNolfo – Dealing with personnel matters (“people problems”) in a fire department is both a frequent and critical part of the operation of the fire department whether it is a career or non-career operation. This program will discuss how to effectively handle disciplinary matters in either setting and it will compare and contrast similarities and differences in the two structures.