FRISCO, TX — The 11th annual TEEX Leadership Development Symposium in Frisco, TX, broke previous attendance records with 1,043 emergency responders from across Texas, as well as 18 other states and Canada. The event, held Jan. 7-9, is designed to provide leadership training for personnel in emergency services and public safety.
Training sessions were led by over 30 subject-matter experts from across the state and nation. They covered topics related to leadership, safety, law and ethics, budgeting and financial management, health and nutrition, media relationships, generational differences in the workplace and more.
Keynote speakers included U.S. Army Green Beret Major Mark Nutsch (retired), FDNY Battalion Commander John Salka (retired), U.S. Marine Lt. General Jefferson Howell (retired), Shreveport, La., Chief Administrative Officer Brian Crawford, Paragon Financial Advisor Stephen McGee, and Mike Lipkin of Environics Lipkin, Inc. In addition, participants could choose among 20 breakout sessions.
In memory of the fallen firefighters from Texas, a tribute flame burned during the entire symposium, which was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center.
“Quality leadership is needed in all aspects of life, no matter one’s role,” said TEEX Training Manager Robert Barron. “You do not have to look far to see that we as a society struggle with this every day. The Leadership Symposium is designed provide attendees with the tools to improve their leadership abilities in all areas of life. Our team is dedicated to maintaining the Leadership Symposium as the premier leadership educational experience, so our attendees can obtain the knowledge and skills needed to be good leaders.”
Decatur Fire Department Deputy Chief Nathan Mara said: “The TEEX Leadership Symposium team has demonstrated the ability to successfully identify current and future risks and challenges to the fire service by the selection of speakers they recruit for the Symposium. This is unique (compared) to other fire service-related conferences, and allows me to be successful as both a leader and manager. The Symposium gives me tools to be prepared to meet the challenges of not just today, but of tomorrow.”
There was no registration fee for Texas first responders to attend the conference, which is sponsored annually by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and its Emergency Services Training Institute. The event is funded, in part, by Texas general revenue, and meets continuing education requirements for Texas emergency responders.
The next symposium is scheduled for Jan, 20-22, 2020, in San Marcos, TX.
Learn more and sign up for the newsletter at https://teex.org/leadershipsymposium.