Redmond Health and Safety Symposium /
Barbera EMS Conference
New York City • Aug. 21-24, 2023
Our motto this year – Excellence in Action – reflects who we are. When we attend our Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, we honor our brothers and sisters that lost their lives in the line of duty. At our Health and Safety Symposium and EMS Conference, we honor those same members by putting evidence, science, and lessons learned into action.
Redmond/Barbera is where we gather to prevent future line-of-duty deaths – whether by fire, cancer, workplace violence, or suicide. The job is dangerous, and your IAFF is committed to making sure you are as safe as possible – every day, on every call.
The event also highlights the opportunities and advancements in emergency medical response in the U.S. and Canada. We will learn from the success of our peers how to best serve our communities while protecting our brothers and sisters on the ground.
We encourage you to join us in putting our Excellence into Action at Redmond/Barbera in New York City.

Sunday, Aug. 20
3-5 p.m. | Registration Open: Badge Pick-Up/Onsite Registration for Pre-Conference and Workshops |
Monday, Aug. 21
7 a.m.-5 p.m. | Registration Open: Badge Pick-Up & Onsite Registration for Pre-Conferences and Workshops |
8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Exhibit Set-Up/Install Pre-Conference Workshops |
1-5 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open |
Tuesday, Aug. 22
6:30 a.m. | IAFF Recovery Meeting* |
7-9 a.m. | Breakfast |
7 a.m.-5 p.m. | Registration Open: Badge Pick-Up/Onsite Registration for Workshops |
7 a.m.-5 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open |
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | General Session |
12-1 p.m. | Lunch |
1-3 p.m. | Workshop Session 1 Breakouts |
5 p.m. | IAFF Behavioral Health Support Group |
5 p.m. | IAFF Recovery Meeting |
5 p.m. | IAFF Family/Spouse Support Group |
6-7:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
Wednesday, Aug. 23
6:30 a.m. | IAFF Recovery Meeting* |
7-8 a.m. | Breakfast |
8-10 a.m. | Workshop Session 2 Breakouts |
8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Open/Followed by Breakdown |
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Workshop Session 3 Breakouts |
12:30-2 p.m. | Lunch |
2-4 p.m. | Workshop Session 4 Breakouts |
5 p.m. | IAFF Behavioral Health Support Group* |
5 p.m. | IAFF Recovery Meeting* |
5 p.m. | IAFF Family/Spouse Support Group* |
Thursday, Aug. 24
6:30 a.m. | IAFF Recovery Meeting* |
7-8 a.m. | Breakfast |
8-10 a.m. | Workshop Session 5 Breakouts |
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Workshop Session 6 Breakouts |
*IAFF Recovery Meeting
The IAFF Recovery Meeting is for any IAFF member coping with or in recovery from an alcohol or substance abuse problem. Formerly known as Friends of Bill, this peer-led meeting is intended to provide a supportive space for individuals to share their experience with other brothers and sisters interested in recovery.
*IAFF Behavioral Health Support Group
The IAFF Behavioral Health Support Group is for any IAFF member who may be coping with or in recovery from behavioral health challenges, including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, or challenging life stressors. This is NOT an information session on IAFF behavioral health programming, but is a safe space designed for members who would like to share their personal experience or give support to others. The group will be cofacilitated by a licensed mental health clinician and a seasoned trained peer. Discussion may explore signs and symptoms of emotional distress, how to cope with stigma, how to build resilience through self-care, and options for receiving help.
*IAFF Spouse and Family Support Group
The IAFF Spouse and Family Support Group meeting is intended for spouses and family members of IAFF members who are seeking emotional and social support. Having a loved one in the fire service is stressful and places strain on the emotional and mental well-being of family members. This group is a safe and confidential space to explore these challenges and get support from others who understand. This group will be cofacilitated by a licensed mental health clinician.
Monday, Aug. 21
All pre-conference workshops are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS)
ABLS is a course designed to provide first responders (fire fighters, paramedics, EMTs) with the ability to assess and stabilize patients with burn injuries during the first critical hours following injury and to identify patients requiring transfer to a burn center. ABLS programs support emergency preparedness needs for disaster management. The quality of care during the first hours after a burn injury has a major impact on long-term outcome; however, most initial burn care is provided outside of the burn center environment.
Advanced HazMat Life Support (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Become an Advanced HazMat Life Support (AHLS) provider, ready to face the medical challenges of hazmat incidents, such as chemical spills and toxic terrorism. This specialized course teaches healthcare professionals to medically manage chemical burns and toxic inhalation injuries, including carbon monoxide and cyanide poisoning.
Building a Fit To Thrive (F2T) Program That Lasts
Regular exercise can help and is recommended as one of the first options for treating and preventing the chronic conditions afflicting too many fire fighters. However, education and mandated fitness programs are not the answer. Emerging evidence highlights the need for behavioral solutions to improve the physical activity habits of fire fighters. The IAFF is leading an innovative charge to improve fire fighter health and wellness with the FIT TO THRIVE program. This interactive, full-day workshop includes a series of complementary modules that address the unique implementation needs of the fire service (creating a comprehensive plan, becoming an influential leader, assessment considerations, self-care, etc.). Attendees will be provided with a series of practical resources to assist with their own F2T program implementation (8 F2T CECs).
DrugIQ: Synthetic Opioid Risk-Based Response
This preconference session is a comprehensive course that includes three lab sessions focused on safe response to opioids, particularly fentanyl. Attendees will be able to identify the substance, reduce the risk of exposure and negative consequences, and safely manage the patient and the scene when fentanyl is present. This course includes lab sessions that discuss decontamination, detection, how pills are made, and what causes large-batch overdoses.
FDNY Fire Training Academy Tours (offered 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 5 p.m.)
Staff-led tours of the famous FDNY Training Academy, aka “The Rock,” will be conducted in shifts with multiple stations.
IAFF Resiliency Training: How to Bend, Not Break
IAFF Resiliency Training is a one-day classroom program delivered by IAFF master peer support instructors. This training experience is intended to foster individual and organizational resiliency through personal assessment, practical skill building, break out exercises, and action planning. Affiliate leaders will gain an essential foundation for personal resiliency on and off the job.
Introduction to Tactical Medicine Interventions
This class will give EMS responders a didactic and practical introduction to the following: history and evolution of civilian tactical medicine, the need to advance and place EMS responders in harms’ way, law enforcement’s duties and responsibilities as an EMS protective element, tactical maneuvering as a team while in constant 360-degree situational awareness, and basic life-saving interventions skills to be deployed in a hostile environment.
Motivational Interviewing: Essential Skills for Trained Peers
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based therapy approach that empowers an individual to examine their own reasons, capacity, and willingness to change a problem behavior that is interfering with their quality of life. While MI is traditionally used in clinical settings, peers in the fire service can also be trained to use this approach with their brothers or sisters in distress. This training will provide an introduction to the motivational interviewing approach, while building on foundational skills taught in IAFF Peer Support Training (a prerequisite to this course).
Workplace Violence Prevention
During this session, you will participate in evaluative exercises including analyses of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT), and focus group discussions on the policies and practices recommended in the course. You will leave with tips and strategies to assist with implementation of the course and its recommendations in your department. Come share your experience and perspectives in this forum while you contribute to violence prevention training for the fire and rescue service.
Tuesday, Aug. 22
Session 1 • 1-3 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 23
Session 2 • 8-10 a.m.
Session 3 • 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Session 4 • 2-4 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 24
Session 5 • 8-10 a.m.
Session 6 • 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Host Hotel
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
811 7th Avenue 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 581-1000
Rate: $319/night + taxes
Cutoff date: Friday, July 28
Airlines
United – ZMRK254340ZMRK254340. Or you may call the United Reservations Meetings Desk (Monday-Friday) at 800.426.1122 for booking assistance.
We are pleased to partner with United Airlines for air travel to our upcoming event. To make flight reservations online, please click the discount code:Delta – NY257click here to book your flights. You may also call Delta Meeting Network® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (CT) and refer to meeting event code NY257. *Please note, there is no service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.
Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for IAFF events. PleaseAir Canada – FC7B8X31
To book a flight using this promotion code, access aircanada.com and enter your promotion code in the search panel. Valid for arrivals at all New York airports
Car Rental
Hertz – CV# 022Q9339
When booking at Hertz.com, click “add a discount code” and under Convention, add the CV code above.
To apply to sponsor and/or exhibit at Redmond/Barbera, review the sponsorship opportunities, then fill out the application and rules/regulations PDFs below and email them to [email protected].
Exhibits will be housed in Central Park East/West in the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
Monday, Aug. 21
- Set-up: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Hours: 1 – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 22
- 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 23
- 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (followed by breakdown)
If you are presenting at this event, visit the speaker page for important information, including travel details and other instructions.