Join us for the Western Fire Chief's Association's 3rd annual IGNITE Symposium, a premier fire conference experience, designed to empower current and future Fire Service Leaders in the West. This event will be a dynamic blend of education, innovation, and networking opportunities, all tailored to enhance leadership skills and foster cutting-edge solutions. Don’t miss this unique chance to connect with esteemed colleagues, gain invaluable insights, and drive the future of fire service.
Stay tuned for more details – this is an event you won't want to miss!
Presentation of ColorsClark County Fire Department Honor GuardNational AnthemJason Serrano, Assistant Chief, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
Keni ThomasKeni Thomas is a decorated Army Ranger and Bronze Star recipient who served in the Battle of Mogadishu, later chronicled in Black Hawk Down. Today, he is an award-winning Nashville recording artist, veterans advocate, and national spokesperson for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
Wildfire TrackGood Fire, Bad Fire - How Do We DecideKate Dargan Marquis, CA State Fire Marshal (Ret.), CAL FIRETechnology TrackEmerging EMS TechnologyWellness & Development TrackSuccession Planning
Quantifying the NegativeEric Saylors, Fire Chief, El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department (CA)
Jeremy Craft, President, WFCA
An add-on event, hosted by the WFCA Board of Directors and the IGNITE Welcome Night Sponsor.
Western Update: Mark Niemeyer, CEO, WFCA; Jeremy Craft, President, WFCAWildfire Update: Brian Fennessy, Director, USWFS; Sarah Fisher, Deputy Chief for Fire and Aviation Management, USFS; Mike Boren, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment, USDA
Wildfire TrackEMS in the Wildfire EnvironmentTechnology TrackPublic Safety Data ExchangeJoanna Zibbell, Director of Technology Advancements. WFCA; Sai Narain, Director and Industry Advisor, MicrosoftWellness & Development TrackStruggle WellJosh Goldberg, CEO, Boulder Crest Foundation
Wildfire TrackTechnology TrackFireTechU: Education, Assessment, and Practical ToolsJoanna Zibbell, Director of Technology Advancements. WFCAWellness & Development TrackLessons from the Fireline - Leadership When the Mission Becomes PersonalSarah Saarloos, Fire Staff Officer, State of Alaska DNR Division of Fire Protection
Dr. De Hicks, Founder and President of the RMC Group of Companies
All attendees are welcome to join! Attendees can also pay for a guest to attend at $50 per guest ticket.
Jason Caughey, Fire Chief, Laramie County Fire Authority (WY)
Wildfire TrackTechnology TrackHow to Prepare for the Future of Technology Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, Former U.S. Fire Administrator; Mark Smith, Partner, Mission-Centered Solutions; Kate Dargan Marquis, CA State Fire Marshal (Ret.), CAL FIREWellness & Development TrackDr. Jeff Burgess, Professor, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
From Skid Row to CEO, to Protect and ServeJoe Roberts
Registration Information
To ensure active Chief Officers have an opportunity to secure their place at this limited-capacity event, registration is currently reserved for Chief Officers only. Registration will open to all attendees on October 19, 2026.
If you register before then and do not meet the eligibility requirements, your registration will be canceled and refunded. We invite you to register once general registration opens.
Not an active fire service member? Click here to join our notification list, and we'll let you know as soon as registration opens to everyone.
Lodging Information
A link to our group rate will be be provided in your registration confirmation email.
Registration Instructions
Cancellation Policy: Full refund if canceled by December 11, 2026. No refunds if canceled after December 11, 2026.
