Seeing Around Corners

Oklahoma City, OK April 1-2, 2026

About The Conference

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The Fire Officer & Ranking Chief Executive (FORCE) Conference is an exclusive, invitation-only forum designed as a high-level, intimate gathering for chief executive-level thinkers within the fire service. This unique event brings together some of the brightest minds in the industry for an interactive, collaborative experience focused on strategic positioning and building long-term success in organizations.

The forum’s curriculum evolves annually and covers critical areas such as technology, artificial intelligence, data leadership, leadership transition planning, and the shared challenges and successes faced by various fire departments. Participants have the opportunity to build long-term relationships and continuously share knowledge to drive organizational success. As an attendee, you will receive priority entry in future years, ensuring ongoing access to cutting-edge insights and a network of influential leaders. It is important to note that attendance at FORCE is strictly by invitation only and is not transferable.

What To Expect

FORCE is a high-level forum intentionally designed to be intimate and exclusive, aimed at chief executive-level thinkers in the fire service. As an attendee, you will be surrounded by some of the brightest minds in our industry. FORCE is extremely interactive and focused on strategic positioning and building long-term success in organizations.

The topics covered include technology, data, leadership transition planning, and department successes/challenges. Participants will have priority entry in subsequent years so that relationships, learning, sharing, and a more advanced curriculum can build year after year. There are ample opportunities throughout the conference for networking and conversation during organized events, starting with an informal Meet & Greet on March 31st, the evening before the main conference kicks off on April 1st.

Meet & Greet, March 31, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Parlor, 11 NE 6th St, Oklahoma City

Located approximately one mile from the Sheraton Downtown Oklahoma City, The Parlor offers a vibrant setting with multiple kitchens, bars, and patio spaces designed for conversation and connection.

The Missouri Valley Division FORCE Conference will have a dedicated gathering area, so be sure to look for the MVD FORCE group when you arrive.

Learn more about the venue: https://www.instagram.com/parlorokc/

Leadership Reflection Tour | Oklahoma City National Memorial

Looking Back to Lead Forward

Join us for a private Leadership Reflection Tour of the Oklahoma City National Memorial led by Oklahoma City Fire Chief Richard Kelley and Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Keith Bryant. Both leaders were in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, and will share personal reflections on that day, the response that followed, and how the lessons learned continue to shape leadership in the fire service today.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum honors the 168 people who were killed and the countless others whose lives were forever changed by the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Located on the very site of the tragedy, the outdoor memorial features powerful symbolic elements including the Field of 168 Empty Chairs, the Reflecting Pool marking the moment of the blast, and the Survivor Tree, which endured the destruction and stands today as a symbol of resilience.

Through this guided experience, attendees will have a unique opportunity to reflect on the enduring strength of community, service, and leadership in the face of unimaginable challenges.

The adjoining museum offers an immersive, self-guided experience that tells the stories of those who were killed, those who survived, and those irrevocably changed, and invites visitors to reflect on the impact of violence and the power of healing.

Speakers

Peter Antevy, MD

Founder of Handtevy & Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Antevy is a nationally recognized leader in emergency medical services. As the innovator behind the Handtevy System, he has helped transform pre-hospital emergency care and advance pediatric readiness across the nation. He serves as EMS Medical Director overseeing more than 2,500 paramedics in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida. His contributions to EMS innovation have earned national recognition, including EMS Medical Director of the Year honors.

Session: How Data Transparency Is Saving Lives in Your Community

Most fire chiefs know their response times. But do they know their OHCA neuro-intact survival rates? Their hospitals’ door-to-needle times? Their EDs’ pediatric readiness scores? Dr. Antevy shares how personal tragedy drove him to build coalitions, registries, and legislation across Florida, and gives chiefs a practical framework for demanding accountability in stroke, cardiac arrest, and pediatric care in their own jurisdictions.

Michael Baker, Fire Chief

Tulsa Fire Department | Oklahoma

Chief Baker serves as Fire Chief for the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Appointed by Mayor G.T. Bynum in June 2020, he leads a department of 734 members operating from 30 fire stations across the city. A 30-year veteran of the Tulsa Fire Department, Chief Baker has served in key leadership roles including Chief of Emergency Medical Services, Public Information Officer, and Fire Captain.

He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies (Homeland Security) from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security and a Bachelor’s degree in University Studies from Oklahoma State University, with concentrations in Political Science, Sociology, and Emergency Management. He is committed to strengthening organizational readiness, public trust, and strategic leadership in an evolving risk environment.

Session: When You Become a Meme: Seeing through the Fog of AI Technology

With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) a Fire Chief may find themselves the subject of an augmented photograph or meme. In this session, I will share personal meme and photo experiences and describe how it feels to be a part of an AI trend. I will also discuss how the leadership of fire organizations can interpret the real meaning behind these visual clues to organizational health.

Dan Curia, Fire Chief

Charleston Fire Department | South Carolina

Chief Curia has served in the fire service for 36 years and has proudly led the Charleston (SC) Fire Department as Fire Chief since July 2018. He oversees an all-hazards organization of 487 personnel across eight divisions, including Operations, Special Operations, Training, the Fire Marshal’s Office, Technical Services, Emergency Management, Administration, and Planning.

Prior to his appointment in Charleston, Chief Curia spent more than 28 years with the Durham (NC) Fire Department, where he began as a recruit firefighter and rose through the ranks to retire as Fire Chief. Throughout his career, he has emphasized organizational resilience, operational readiness, and continuous improvement—particularly in the evolving landscape of modern fire protection. He remains committed to advancing leadership, learning from hard-earned experience, and preparing departments to meet emerging risks and complex challenges.

Session: Redefining Fire Protection in the Aftermath of the 2017 Sofa Super Store Firey

In the aftermath of the June 18, 2007 Sofa Super Store fire, Charleston underwent a dramatic shift in how area fire departments coordinated response and increased interaction among agencies. Key to this initiative were two concepts – the creation of a regional automatic aid agreement and the coordinating effort of Charleston County’s Consolidated Emergency Communications Center (ECC). In the years since the fire, these concepts have strengthened and grown in the region. This session provides an overview of the key concepts involved in transforming the landscape of fire protection in Charleston, SC through cooperative agreements and best practices.

Gregory Flynn, Fire Chief

West Bloomfield Fire Department | Michigan

Chief Flynn has served in the fire service since 1998 and currently leads the West Bloomfield (MI) Fire Department. Over the course of his career, he has held progressive leadership roles including Firefighter/Paramedic, EMS Division Captain, Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief. His experience reflects a strong emphasis on operational excellence, emergency medical services, and strategic leadership within the all-hazards environment.

He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Studies. He also earned a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California, strengthening his expertise in resilience, homeland security, and complex incident management. He remains committed to advancing professional standards and preparing the fire service to meet emerging risks and evolving community expectations.

Session: The Space Between Confidence and Competence: Confident, Clueless, or Quietly Doubting

Executive fire service leaders are expected to project confidence when making complex, high-consequence decisions. This session examines the often-unseen space between confidence and competence and how both overconfidence and quiet self-doubt can influence judgment, credibility, and organizational outcomes. The discussion explores how executive roles distort self-calibration as scope expands and feedback diminishes. Participants will reflect on observable leadership behaviors, consider the organizational risks associated with miscalibrated confidence, and examine how self-awareness is a core element of executive risk management.

Tom C. Jenkins, Ret. Fire Chief

Lead Advisor – NERIS | Arkansas

Ret. Chief Jenkins serves as a Research Program Manager with the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, where he supports the advancement of the National Emergency Response Information System and data-driven improvements across the fire service.

He previously served more than 26 years in the fire service, including 15 years as Fire Chief of the Rogers (AR) Fire Department and as Deputy Chief of Operations for the Sand Springs (OK) Fire Department. Chief Jenkins is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and holds the Chief Fire Officer and Chief EMS Officer designations. He served as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (2017–2018) and continues to contribute nationally through NFPA 1710 and other leadership roles. He holds degrees from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma and is a frequent national presenter on fire service leadership and research.

Session: Seeing Around Corners: Using Data to Lead

In a world where data is the new oil, fire chiefs must know how to collect, interpret and utilize data to make decisions. In this presentation listen to the latest information about the new National Emergency Response Information System and understand this important paradigm shift facing emergency services.

Joe Sherrell, Fire Chief

Bixby Fire Department | Oklahoma

Chief Sherrell serves as Fire Chief of the Bixby (OK) Fire Department, where he has led a period of significant growth and organizational transformation. Since joining the department in 2022 as Chief of EMS, he implemented Bixby’s EMS transport program, was promoted to Deputy Chief later that year, and assumed the role of Fire Chief in 2024. Under his leadership, the department’s workforce has more than doubled, reflecting a strategic expansion to meet the community’s evolving needs.

Prior to Bixby, Chief Sherrell served 15 years with the Tulsa Fire Department, attaining the rank of Captain. He is a graduate of the IAFC’s Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) and the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program and is currently a candidate in the Executive Fire Officer Program. He holds the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Chief EMS Officer (CEMSO) designations and earned a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Session: More People, More Calls, More Responsibility: Stretching the Organization Without Breaking It

Rapid growth tests more than staffing models—it tests leadership systems. When a department expands its workforce by over 100 percent in five years and adds EMS transport to its mission, the challenge extends beyond hiring to redesigning structure, clarifying expectations, and intentionally shaping culture to support the expanded mission.

Drawing on real-world experience, this session explores how chiefs can anticipate second-and third-order impacts of sustained growth. Attendees will gain practical strategies for aligning structure, strengthening accountability, and evolving culture to build capacity without breaking the organization.

Jeremy Wade, Fire Chief

Sand Springs | Oklahoma

Fire Chief Jeremy Wade has served the citizens of Sand Springs for over 26 years. In 2022, Jeremy was selected to be Fire Chief, completing his ascension through the ranks of the department. Since then, he has led a successful transformation of the organization through alignment and acquisition of new positions and capital equipment. He has led numerous strategic initiatives during his time as chief, including a complete transition in ambulance provision and the implementation of new deployment strategies. He is a decorated and respected member of the department, receiving numerous awards and citations during his career. In addition to his service as fire chief, Jeremy serves as a consultant in a variety of formats, helping departments align processes and engaging with individuals for leadership improvement.

Session: Fire Station Detox

This course is designed to address the impact of negativity and toxic culture in the firehouse. This class equips firefighters and officers with leadership tools and communication strategies to reset the tone, build trust, and create a more positive, high-performing crew.