SOUTHBRIDGE—The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services will host its annual Public Fire & Life Safety Education Conference in Southbridge on Sept. 18 and 19, offering two days of dynamic workshops and honoring the 2024 Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year.
State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, Deputy State Fire Marshal Maribel Fournier, and DFS leadership will welcome firefighters, educators, service providers, and others at the event, which is now in its 29th year. This year’s featured speakers are Dan Wells of CATCH Corp, who will present “Catch the Threat: Behavior Observation,” and Tammy Pozerycki of Clear Guidance, who will present “STIGMA: Suppressing Trauma Internally Grows Mental Anguish.”
The cornerstone of the annual conference is the presentation of the Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year award. This year’s nominees are:
- Captain Brian Tyson of the Barnstable Fire Department
- Captain William Paskiewicz of the Billerica Fire Department
- Team Billerica from the Town of Billerica
- Captain Jason Malinowski of Boxborough Fire Department
- The Seniors First Program of the Bridgewater Fire Department
- Chief Michael Cassidy of the Holliston Fire Department
- Firefighter Jason “Otis” Wilson of Millis Fire Rescue
- Ms. Becky Saucier of Mullein Hill Christian Academy in Lakeville
State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine will name the winner in a ceremony beginning at 2:30 pm on Sept. 19, capping off dozens of workshops led by professionals from the fire service, public education, public health, community risk reduction, and related fields. At least 250 fire and life safety professionals are expected to attend on each day.
The conference will be held at the Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center, located at 14 Mechanic St. in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Media are invited to attend.
