Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association upcoming events

NFPA 101A - Guide to Alternative Approaches to Life Safety - 3 hrs. (September 15, 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

NFPA 101A - Guide to Alternative Approaches to Life Safety - 3 hrs.

Instructor: Steve Kowkabany - Vertex

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

Recent legislation has introduced NFPA 101A as an alternative approach to life safety compliance. The Florida Legislature recently passed, and the Governor signed Senate Bill 182 for Education. Inside this bill is information concerning micro schools and fire protection requirements for the occupancy. This course will discuss the intent of Florida Laws that push for alternative solutions for fire safety. Discussion on the provisions of the NFPA 101A Fire Safety Evaluation System will be in detail to ensure best practices in fire official management of the process. Examples of previous 101A evaluations will be discussed and the practical application for its use.

This class will:

Increase the awareness of AHJ to the fire and building codes and Florida Laws as they relate to SB182 and Micro schools and alternative means of compliance.
Provide knowledge to the students on the NFPA 101A Fire Safety Evaluation System
Give the student practice in utilizing the NFPA 101A Fire Safety Evaluation System

Three contact hours approved for Fire and Life Safety Educator, Fire Code Administrator, Fire Investigator I and II, Fire Safety Inspector I and II, and Instructor I, II, III with these courses.

Instructor:

Steve Kowkabany

Steve Kowkabany is the founder and president of Neptune Fire Protection Engineering in Atlantic Beach, Florida, which he founded in June of 2005. Mr. Kowkabany has been a practicing engineer for over 20 years. Mr. Kowkabany began his career as a project engineer and process system designer in the pulp & paper, power generation, and photographic film manufacturing sectors. He transitioned into the field of fire protection after working closely with a variety of industrial fire protection systems in a manufacturing environment. In addition to his extensive experience in heavy industrial and petrochemical fire protection, Mr. Kowkabany has extensive experience in the arenas of residential and commercial fire protection and has designed fire protection systems for over 500 facilities and has provided expert witness and third-party review services for a wide variety of projects. Mr. Kowkabany is a licensed fire protection engineer in the states of Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Outside of his corporate efforts, Mr. Kowkabany is passionate about advancing the field of fire protection and civic involvement. He serves as the vice-chairman of the board of the Florida Engineering Management Corporation and was recently appointed to the Florida Fire Code Advisory Council. He also currently serves as the founder and president of the Northeast Florida Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, as well as serving on the board of directors of the National Fire Sprinkler Association Florida Region

Date: September 15th, 2026, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 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:

Ken McCann, Fire Marshal Marion County Fire Rescue, 1 st Vice President FFMIA 352-291-8066 or ken.mccann@marionfl.org

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

RN: 21636

Class: 321003

Professional Fire Watch & Life Safety Compliance - 1 hr. (September 16, 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

Professional Fire Watch & Life Safety Compliance - 1 hr.

Instructor: Shane Hughes REDLINE Fire Watch

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

This course provides a comprehensive overview of fire watch responsibilities, regulations, and best practices in the State of Florida. Developed for fire service professionals, building officials, and life safety personnel, the course focuses on how trained third-party fire watch providers support local authorities in maintaining code compliance and reducing risk during impaired fire protection scenarios.

Attendees will review Florida-specific requirements as outlined in the Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC), learn proper emergency procedures, and study real-world lessons from recent fire watch failures. The course will conclude with a knowledge check to assess retention and application of key principles.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

Understand the role and legal responsibilities of third-party fire watch providers.
Identify when a fire watch must be implemented under Florida law.
Apply appropriate fire watch safety procedures and emergency response protocols.
Recognize essential documentation and communication requirements.
Learn from case studies involving improper fire watch implementation.

Instructor:

Presenter Bio – Shane Hughes

Shane Hughes is an experienced public safety professional currently serving with REDLINE Fire WatchTM, where he performs fire watch operations and leads community outreach efforts. Prior to joining Redline in 2024, Mr. Hughes served over two decades as a certified law enforcement officer in both Florida and Maine. He holds more than 1,500 hours of advanced training and was certified as a Florida Department of Law Enforcement instructor in multiple disciplines.

Mr. Hughes earned a Master’s degree in Behavioral Studies from Saint Leo University and has presented for the university's Criminal Justice Association. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Keiser University, where he taught courses in Criminal Justice, Forensics, and Legal Studies. His combined field experience and academic background make him uniquely equipped to train others in fire watch compliance and life safety procedures.

Date: September 16th, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

Location: Okaloosa Island Fire Department
104 Santa Rosa Island Blvd.
Fort Walton Beach, FL

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:

Matt Taylor, Division Chief / Fire Marshal
Destin Fire Control District
Cell 850-685-3367
Office 850-837-8413

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

RN: 21578

Class: 336006

Innovative Performance Based Fire Treatments for Life Safety and Property Protection - 3 hrs. (September 24, 2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 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: September 24, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location:
Alan C Macallaster Training Building, 3335 Cord Ave, St. Cloud, FL 34772

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:

Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal
1685 Providence Blvd.
Deltona, FL 32725
Office: 386.575.6909
Fax: 386.575.6500

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

RN: 21279

Class: 345005

NFPA 1221/1225 ERCES Impact and New Technologies - 2.5 hrs. (September 29, 2026)

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

NFPA 1221/1225 ERCES Impact and New Technologies - 2.5 hrs

Instructor: Kevin Pershing - GUGLI Corporation

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

This interactive Lunch and Learn 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 also equips code officials and system designers with plan check and site inspection best practices grounded in NFPA 1221, reinforcing the interplay between code enforcement and radio infrastructure to ensure reliable public safety communications.

Objectives:

Contextualize code-based ERCES within FCC-licensed macro radio networks.
Recognize the critical need for active collaboration between code enforcers and radio infrastructure stakeholders.
Identify need to mitigate or minimize RF noise of an ERCES installation.
Explore technologies available to help lessen the impact on the public safety radio infrastructure within a building 24/7.
Understand monitoring and control tools available ahead of the 2027 NFPA changes to enhance system reliability.
Apply NFPA 1221 plan check best practices to evaluate ERCES design submittals for coverage, power, pathway survivability, and monitoring compliance.

Apply NFPA 1221 site inspection best

Instructors:

Kevin Persing brings over 20 years of experience in radio communications and emergency response systems, specializing in ERCES training and compliance. He has worked extensively with AHJs and RF infrastructure teams to integrate code requirements with practical technology solutions.

Date: September 29, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Location:
Alan C Macallaster Training Building, 3335 Cord Ave, St. Cloud, FL 34772

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:

Sharon Shivers
Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal
1685 Providence Blvd.
Deltona, FL 32725
Office: 386.575.6909
Fax: 386.575.6500

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

RN: 21648

Class: 345005

A Systematic Approach and Review of Fire Investigations - 1 hr. (October 06, 2026)

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

A Systematic Approach and Review of Fire Investigations - 1 hr.

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

The course will present a comprehensive review of recently completed fire investigation. It will employ a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate a systematic approach, detailing documentation and analytical reasoning throughout the process. At the end of the presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session to address any questions.

Course Objectives:

Analyzing Fire Dynamics
Interpret Fire Patterns
Digitally Examine Fire Debris

Instructors:

Randle Temple is a dedicated Firefighter and Paramedic who currently serves as a Fire Inspector and Fire Investigator within the Bureau of Fire Prevention. His professional expertise encompasses fire prevention, code enforcement, and origin-and-cause investigations. Mr. Temple is esteemed for his professionalism, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment to serving and safeguarding his community. With over 26 years of experience at the West Palm Beach Fire Department, Mr. Temple has assumed a variety of responsibilities. These responsibilities include conducting plan reviews, performing permit inspections, participating in Special Magistrate hearings, leading public education initiatives, and executing fire investigations. Mr. Temple holds fire investigation certifications from the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), including Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and Certified Fire Investigator (CFI). He is also a State of Florida Certified Fire Investigator. His professional work reflects a comprehensive, practical understanding of fire safety gained through extensive field experience.

Date: Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

Time: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Location:

Riviera Beach Fire Station 88
1920 W Blue Heron Boulevard
Riviera Beach, FL. 33404

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:
Shadrick W. Fields, M.S.
Senior Fire Inspector/Fire Investigator
City of Delray Beach
501 W. Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33444
fieldss@delraybeach.com
Office 561-243-7428
Cell 561-690-4855

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

RN: 21712

Class: 347056

A Day of Learning - 2 classes - 5 CEUs (October 19, 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

A Day of Training - 2 Classes

Professional Fire Watch & Life Safety Compliance - 1 hr. 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
IFC Firestop 104 – Firestop Inspection/Plan Review - 4 hrs. 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Instructors: Shane Hughes REDLINE Fire Watch, and Scott Morris IFC

(5 Contact hours with all classes approved for Fire Code Administrator and Fire Safety Inspector)

Breakfast will be provided by Redline FireWatch

Professional Fire Watch & Life Safety Compliance - Course Description

IFC Firestop 104 – Firestop Inspection/Plan Review

This Class provides a comprehensive overview of firestopping systems and the critical role of inspection in ensuring life safety and code compliance. Attendees will gain a solid understanding of the purpose of firestopping, key IBC code requirements, and the various types of firestop systems, including through-penetrations, membrane penetrations, joints, perimeter containment, and duct enclosures. The course also explores firestop installation methods, the use of engineering judgments, and the responsibilities of special inspectors under Chapter 17 of the IBC. Ideal for AHJs, inspectors, and construction professionals, this seminar equips participants with the knowledge needed to evaluate firestop applications confidently and consistently.

Shane Hughes

Shane Hughes is an experienced public safety professional currently serving with REDLINE Fire Watch, where he performs fire watch operations and leads community outreach efforts. Prior to joining Redline in 2024, Mr. Hughes served over two decades as a certified law enforcement officer in both Florida and Maine. He holds more than 1,500 hours of advanced training and was certified as a Florida Department of Law Enforcement instructor in multiple disciplines.

Date: October 19th, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Location:

Charlotte County Fire & EMS Headquarters
26571 Airport Road
Punta Gorda, Florida 33982

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:

Scott P. Morris
Fire Marshal
Charlotte County Fire & EMS
Office: 941-833-5600

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

RN: 21578, 16740

Class: 347057, 347058

Risk, Resources, Results: NFPA 1730 and the Blueprint for Bureau Effectiveness - 3 hrs. (October 23, 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

Risk, Resources, Results: NFPA 1730 and the Blueprint for Bureau Effectiveness - 3 hrs.

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

This 3-hour training equips fire inspectors, code administrators, and prevention personnel with a practical understanding of NFPA 1730. Participants will learn how to evaluate bureau staffing needs, measure workload, and integrate community risk reduction (CRR) initiatives into daily operations. Using real bureau staff-hour data, attendees will assess current workloads, identify gaps, and apply NFPA 1730 methodologies to enhance organizational effectiveness.

Instructor: Rodney Kwiatkowski, MS, CFPS, CFO, FM, MIFireE

Instructors:

Rodney Kwiatkowski has been with West Manatee Fire Rescue since 2008 and has served as Fire Marshal since 2019. He earned his A.S. Degree in Fire Science from State College of Florida, a B.A. Degree from the University of South Florida, and a Master of Science Degree in Fire Executive Leadership and Public Administration from Columbia Southern University. He holds Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Fire Marshal (FM) designations through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Rodney also holds Florida state certifications in Fire Code Administration, Fire Officer IV, Fire Safety Inspector III, Instructor III, Fire and Life Safety Educator, Fire Investigator, and Firefighter II. Additionally, he is an NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) and Certified Fire Plans Examiner (CFPE).

As Fire Marshal, Rodney is the primary advocate for public and first-responder safety, a duty he is honored to perform. He can be contacted at Rod@wmfr.org.

Date: Friday, October 23rd, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location:
Brevard County Emergency Operations Center (Green Room)
1751 Huntington Ln.
Rockledge, FL 32955

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:
Rodney Kwiatkowski
Fire Marshal, West Manatee Fire Rescue
941-201-7904
rod@wmfr.org

Sharon Shivers
Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal
1685 Providence Blvd.
Deltona, FL 32725
Office: 386.575.6909
Fax: 386.575.6500
www.deltonafl.gov

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

RN: 20969

Class: 332108

SPEARS FlameGuard CPVC Inspector Training - 4 hr. (November 03, 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association Presents

SPEARS FlameGuard CPVC Inspector Training - 4 hr.

Instructor: Kevin Dellinger, Technical Service Representative, Spears Manufacturing

This program will cover all aspects of CPVC systems for light hazard applications. We will discuss different procedures for installation based whether they are a 13, 13D or 13R classification. We will look at proper design, installation, approved products as well as other considerations for plan review and inspections of these systems. There will be a review at the end of the power point presentation and a hands-on training on assembling CPVC correctly using the proper procedures. There will all be an open forum for questions and answers throughout the program.

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

Instructors:

Kevin Dellinger

Kevin Dellinger is a Field Technical Representative for SPEARS Manufacturing the producer of the FlameGuard CPVC. His role is to assist engineers with design, train contractors on proper installation and to train fire inspectors on inspection/plan review of CPVC fire sprinkler systems. He has been in this role with the company since 2013 and in his current assignment he covers most of the state of Florida. He has trained contractors and inspectors in California, Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. He has completed over 250 of these training for interested parties throughout the country.

His goal is to develop strong relationships with contractors, engineers and inspectors and to make himself a valuable resource through education for information related to CPVC fire sprinkler systems.

Date: November 3rd, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location:
Islamorada Fire Rescue
86800 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, Florida 33036

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:

Kevin Dellinger
Technical Service Representative
Spears Manufacturing
Cell 714-338-9572
kdellinger@spearsmfg.net

Terry L. Abel - Fire Chief
Cell: 305-360-1917
Office: 305-664-6490
email: terry.abel@islamorada.fl.us

Philip Oakes, Training Coordinator, phil@oakes.pro, or 407-232-2807

RN: 21182

Class: 329009