Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association upcoming events

“Can You Hear Me Now, When You Need It” An Overview of In-Building Public Safety Communication Systems - 4 hrs. (July 07, 2026)

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

“Can You Hear Me Now, When You Need It”
An Overview of In-Building Public Safety Communication Systems - 4 hrs.

Instructor: Rick Rausch

(4 Contact hours approved for Fire Code Administrator and Fire Safety Inspector)

The Course will provide a current state Mobility, Basic understanding of RF and In-Building Solution Design approaches and a high level overview on how this relates to - NFPA 72, 1221, and NFPA 1225 Code requirements.

This training session is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of NFPA/IFC Codes applications and how In-Building Distributive Antenna Systems (DAS) work to solve the critical need for ubiquitous communications (ERCES) for the First Responders, AHJ's and Public Safety officials. Q&A opportunity at the end of each section as well.

The class has been approved for four (4) hours of CEUs for Fire Code Administrator, and Fire Safety Inspector I&II.

Instructor:

Rick Rausch is an RF/DAS Engineer with over 28 years of experience in the Telecom Industry with expertise in Wireless Carrier Networks, DAS Integration (Public Safety and Cellular), and DAS Equipment Manufacturing.

Date: Tuesday July 7th, 2026

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location:
Miller Electric
6805 Southpoint Pkwy.
Jacksonville, FL 32216

Point of Contact:

Capt. James Groff
Jacksonville Fire & Rescue.
JGroff@coj.net
904-255-8320.

Rick Rausch
rrausch12@gmail.com
772-204-4316

Philip Oakes, Training Coordinator, phil@oakes.pro, or 307-631-0016

RN: 19934

CO: 301032

Enhancing Passive Fire Protection in Buildings - 3 CEUs (July 09, 2026)

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

Enhancing Passive Fire Protection in Buildings - 3 CEUs

Instructor: Jeffery Kovach, Director of Outreach and Education
National Firestopping Solutions

(3 Contact hours approved for Fire Code Administrator and Fire Safety Inspector)

Passive fire protection plays a critical role in a building’s overall Life Safety strategy by limiting the passage of fire/smoke spread from barrier to barrier. This refresher course will provide the overall evolution of Firestopping, the three pillars of fire protection and understanding their role compartmentation.

Participants will gain clarity on Firestop systems, ratings, and listings, and how these systems must be applied to maintain rated assemblies. The presentation concludes with a visual review of compromised fire barriers, highlighting common deficiencies commonly identified during construction, renovations, inspections and surveys. Reinforcing best practices for maintaining passive fire protection systems throughout building lifecycle.

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the evolution of firestopping and passive fire protection and explain its critical role in supporting life safety strategies such as evacuation.
2. Identify common points of failure in fire and smoke compartments—including penetrations, joints, above ceiling spaces, and fire/smoke barriers—using real world examples of compromised assemblies.
3. Interpret UL firestop systems, ratings (F, T, L, and W), and system nomenclature to ensure proper selection, installation and inspection.
4. Understand how to achieve a balanced approach to fire protection by coordinating passive systems with active systems.
5. Highlight how insufficient coordination and awareness lead to incorrect firestop system selection, triggering failed inspections, costly rework, opening delays, and increased liability for project teams.

Date: Thursday, July 9th, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location:
Pasco County Safety Town
15362 Alric Pottberg Rd, Spring Hill, FL 34610

Cost: Free for members of the FFMIA

Not an FFMIA member? Complete the New Member application and pay the membership fee of $95.00 to be able to use the member rate.

Point of Contact:

James Boyette
Deputy Fire Marshal / Division Chief
Law Enforcement Officer
Fire Rescue Department
Pasco County
P 813-929-2750 ext.2645
C 727-389-1962
F 813-929-2756
4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., #208
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639
jboyette@pascocountyfl.net

Philip Oakes, Training Coordinator 307-631-0016

RN: 21568

Class: 296020

Instructor:

Jeffery Kovach
Director of Industry Outreach and Education
National Firestopping Solutions

Jeffery is a fire and life safety professional with more than 11 years of experience in the fire protection industry. He began his career with Hilti, a manufacturer of firestopping products, where he developed a comprehensive understanding of firestopping systems and their critical role in life safety and code compliance. During his tenure at Hilti, Jeffery advanced to the role of Fire Protection Specialist, focusing on industry education, technical outreach, and the promotion of fire protection best practices.

Jeffery currently serves as Director of Industry Outreach & Education at National Firestopping Solutions (NFS). In this role, he leverages his technical expertise and industry experience to support the education of building officials, AHJs, fire marshals, and facility managers. His work emphasizes closing knowledge gaps, strengthening code understanding, and advancing fire and life safety outcomes through education and collaboration.

Monitoring and Control, and Advances in AI Plan Review of ERCES Systems (July 21, 2026)

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

Monitoring and Control, and Advances in AI Plan Review
of ERCES Systems

Instructor: Kevin Persing, Director of AHJ Relations &
Compliance, GUGLI Corporation

(3 Contact hours approved for Fire Code Administrator, Fire Safety Inspector, and Fire Instructor)

This interactive session explores Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES) as mandated by fire codes, addressing current challenges, potential harms to public safety radio infrastructure, and upcoming 2027 changes. Participants will gain insights into collaboration strategies, mitigation techniques, and emerging technologies for remote monitoring and control. The session emphasizes the interplay between code enforcement and radio infrastructure to ensure reliable public safety communications.

Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES) are critical life-safety systems mandated by NFPA 1225 (2022 edition) to ensure reliable in-building two-way radio coverage for first responders. Poorly designed or non-compliant ERCES submittals lead to delays, rework, interference risks to public safety networks, and potential failures during emergencies. This session explores current plan check challenges, best-practice design/engineering approaches, and the role of collaboration between AHJs and radio system operators. Attendees will see a live demonstration of emerging AI-powered tools that can accelerate plan reviews from weeks to minutes—flagging issues, ensuring compliance, and improving visibility for all stakeholders—while reducing costs and risks.

Instructors:

Kevin Persing Director of AHJ Relations and Compliance GUGLI Corporation 1241 Fortuna Rd, Suite 140 San Marcos, TX 78666.

Contact Information: Cell: 831-325-8201 Email: kevin.persing@gugli.com

Kevin Persing brings over 20 years of specialized experience in radio communications and emergency response systems, with deep expertise in Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES) and regulatory compliance.

He has spoken at numerous industry events nationwide, including NFPA conferences as well as state and local fire and code enforcement gatherings. Kevin works closely with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), radio system administrators, and infrastructure teams to align code requirements with effective, practical technology implementations—ensuring reliable public safety radio coverage in buildings and structures.

His presentations offer valuable insights into navigating compliance challenges, code updates, and best practices for in-building emergency communications.

Date: July 21st, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Location:
Marion County Growth Services
2710 E Silver Springs, Blvd.
Ocala, FL 34471

Cost: Free for members of the FFMIA

Not an FFMIA member? Complete the New Member application and pay the membership fee of $95.00 to be able to use the member rate.

Point of Contact:

Dan Hickey
FFMIA Northeast Regional Director
352-392-1591
Daniel.hickey@ehs.ufl.edu

Philip Oakes, Training Coordinator, phil@oakes.pro, or 307-631-0016

RN: 21557

Class: 294045

Co2 Safety Monitoring - 2 hr (July 30, 2026)

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

Co2 Safety Monitoring - 2 hr.

Instructor: Josh Pringle, Vice President,
Business Development and Operations for CO2Meter, Inc.

Course is approved for 2 CEUs for Fire Inspectors and Fire Code Administrators.

CO2 is a silent killer and can render a human unconscious within seconds. Recent injuries and deaths across the globe speak directly to the gas's deadly nature. These injuries and fatalities have also caused a rapid shift in the creation and implementation of codes and requirements for the installation and use of CO2 monitors.

No matter the industry or size of an operation CO2 concentrations can always be an issue. Combining the hazardous nature of the gas with a lack of clear education about it’s dangers creates a “perfect storm”. When you add in a lack of clear oversight you have increased incident rates.

This training session will briefly discuss the science of the carbon dioxide gas itself: what is it, why does it act the way it does, and how do I know it’s there? The session will also touch on the storage of CO2 under pressure. Additionally, attendees will learn how CO2 acts and reacts in typical environments as well as what the unsafe and toxic levels are for the gas. Attendees will learn some of the uses for CO2 and how it is monitored in other applications, especially where the gas is being stored and utilized in businesses in your community. The location, placement, and typical applications of CO2 systems will be covered. We will also discuss the necessities for measuring the gas, the technology behind precise gas measurement, and some of the options in detection and monitoring.

The session will conclude with a discussion of the current and future Florida standards, as well as the as well current and upcoming changes to the International Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association code, and the National Board Inspection Code.

The class has been approved for two (2) hours of CEUs for Fire Code Administrator, and Fire Safety Inspector I&II.

Instructors:

Josh Pringle is the Vice President of Business Development and Operations for CO2Meter, Inc. CO2Meter designs and manufactures gas detection and monitoring devices.

Josh is recognized nationally as an expert in CO2 monitoring and carbon dioxide gas. He presents more than two dozen times per year on the science of CO2, codes and regulations, and monitoring to a variety of industry experts and organizations wanting to upskill and educate.

After receiving his B.S. from James Madison University Josh held roles with Costco Wholesale, Reyes Holdings, the Corporate Executive Board, and AOL.

Josh sits on the Board of Directors of the International Beverage Dispensing Equipment Association and is a member of the Compressed Gas Associations CO2 Committee, the National Fire Protection Associations Chapter 55 Committee, The Restaurant Facility Managers Vendor Voice Committee, as well as being the Chairman of the Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Board for the City of Ormond Beach, FL.

Josh now lives in Ormond Beach, FL to be close to his children, Emma and Evan, and his grandson Mark.

Date: May 13th, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Location:
Volusia County Training Center, 3889 Tiger Bay Rd, Daytona Beach, FL 32124

Cost: Free for members of the FFMIA

Not an FFMIA member? Complete the New Member application and pay the membership fee of $95.00 to be able to use the member rate.

Point of Contact:

Joshua S. Pringle
386-872-7669 office
386-523-6622 mobile
Joshua.Pringle@co2meter.com

Sharon Shivers
Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal
1685 Providence Blvd.
Deltona, FL 32725
Office: 386.575.6909
Fax: 386.860.7198
Email: sshivers@deltonafl.gov
Website: www.deltonafl.gov

Phil Oakes
FFMIA Training Corrdinator
phil@oakes.pro or
307-631-0016

RN: 19129

Class: 309020

Innovative Performance Based Fire Treatments for Life Safety and Property Protection - 3 hrs. (August 19, 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

Innovative Performance Based Fire Treatments for Life Safety and Property Protection - 3 hrs.

Instructor: Chris Birchfield - Global Fireproof Solutions, Inc.

3 Contact hours approved for Fire Code Administrator,
Fire Safety Inspector, and Fire Instructor

This 3-hour course provides an overview of the latest advancements in Intumescent Coatings and Fire-Retardant solutions for structural steel, structural and engineered wood, upgrading firewalls, interior furnishings, fabrics, plastics, and fiberglass. In addition, a live burn presentation is included to demonstrate the capabilities of Intumescent and Fire Retardants applied to various substrates, like wood, fabric, plastics, spray and rigid foam.

Objectives:

Describe the performance features of Intumescent Coating and Fire-Retardants
Explain how they work to:
o Preventing the chemical chain reaction necessary for fire ignition
o Reduce flame spread and smoke development
o Increase occupancy and building safety
•Understand the applications of Intumescent Coatings and Fire-Retardant Solutions to various substrates to meet code compliance and the GREEN building program.

Instructors:

Christopher G. Birchfield, (Chris), founded Global Fireproof Solutions, Inc. (GFS) and his goal is to continue to be an integral part of the business development, advancement and education of intumescent fireproofing and fire retardant solutions for life safety in the construction industry.

Over the course of his career, Chris has been instrumental in educating the construction industry to audiences that include, Architects, Building Officials, Fire Officials and General Contractors throughout the United States and Canada.

Chris comes from a family that is third generation in the construction industry. After receiving his BSEE in 1988, he spent several years working with cutting edge technologies being developed for the Federal Government and Fortune 500 companies.

Date: August 19th, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location:
Marion County Growth Services
2710 E Silver Springs, Blvd.
Ocala, FL 34471

Cost: Free for members of the FFMIA

Not an FFMIA member? Complete the New Member application and pay the membership fee of $95.00 to be able to use the member rate.

Point of Contact:

Dan Hickey
FFMIA Northeast Regional Director
352-392-1591
Daniel.hickey@ehs.ufl.edu

Philip Oakes, Training Coordinator, phil@oakes.pro, or 307-631-0016

RN: 21279

Class: 297007