• Three-day conference featured hands-on training, leadership development and expert discussions on the future of the fire service

The Detroit Fire Department brought together firefighters, EMS professionals, public safety leaders and subject-matter experts from across Michigan and beyond this week for its third annual Professional Development Conference, a three-day event focused on professional growth, leadership, innovation and the evolving needs of today's fire service.

This year’s conference held September 22–24, featured a full day of hands-on training at the Detroit Fire Department's Walter P. Harris Regional Training Center followed by two days of classroom sessions, panel discussions and professional development at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit.

The conference provided attendees with an opportunity to learn from experts both within and outside the fire service on topics ranging from leadership and communication to artificial intelligence, resilience, career development and emerging challenges facing public safety agencies.

“One of the best things about the fire service is that we never stop learning from each other,” said Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms. “It’s been great to learn from so many of our partners in public safety and hear new ideas and perspectives that can make us better at what we do. I’m proud that Detroit is hosting a conference that gives so many professionals the opportunity to learn, connect and grow together.”

Fire leaders from across Michigan and the region gathered at DFD's Walter P. Harris Regional Training Center for hands-on training during the first day of the department's annual Professional Development Conference. 

Simms also recognized Tony Watts, DFD Director of Special Projects, for leading the conference planning and coordination for a third consecutive year. “I want to thank Tony Watts for his leadership and hard work in making this conference happen again this year,” said Simms. “He’s put a tremendous amount of time and energy into making sure our members and our partners have a great experience, and we appreciate everything he’s done to make it all possible.”

Watts, who oversees numerous DFD initiatives including the department's annual Professional Development Conference, said the event reflects the fire service's longstanding tradition of sharing knowledge and experience. “A conference like this only happens because a lot of people are willing to give their time, expertise and energy,” said Watts. “I want to thank all our presenters for sharing their knowledge, everyone who attended and participated, and the DFD team that worked behind the scenes to make these three days possible. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s conference a success.”

Learning From Across the Public Safety Community

This year's conference featured presentations and panel discussions led by fire service leaders, public safety professionals and subject-matter experts from across the region and country.

Among the topics discussed were communication under stress, leadership development, preparing for promotion, building resilience, strengthening relationships within firehouse families and the growing role of artificial intelligence in public safety.

Otsego County Fire Authority Chief Todd Troxel said this was his first time attending DFD’s Professional Development Conference. “Learning from other departments which tools they’re using and how they’re managing the ever-changing business of fire service has been invaluable,” said Troxel. “There are other conferences, but this one was close and accessible for our team. The hands-on training component was especially useful; I will be implementing some of these new tools in our community.”

Artificial intelligence was a particular focus of this year's conference, with Jim Brown leading sessions on AI awareness and moving from AI policy to practice. Brown's recent work in the fire service has focused on developing practical AI competency and helping public safety organizations approach the technology with responsible governance and clearly defined applications.

"Artificial intelligence is augmented intelligence. It's not replacing our people but helping them to be more efficient and effective. AI is already changing the way the fire service works, from documentation and data analysis to decision support and training," said Brown. "The goal isn't to chase the latest technology or adopt AI simply because it's available. It's about understanding what these tools can actually do, putting the right policies and safeguards in place, and using them in ways that provide real value to the people we serve."

Jim Brown, a retired division chief from the Monterey Fire Department in California and a leading advocate for responsible artificial intelligence adoption in the fire service, leads a workshop on AI Awareness for Public Safety Professionals at Detroit's 2026 Professional Development Conference. 

Conference Made Possible Through Community Support

DFD Chief of Staff Elisa Malile credited the Detroit Public Safety Foundation and the conference's sponsors for helping make the event accessible to public safety professionals at no cost to attendees.

"Professional development is an investment in our people, and we are incredibly grateful to the Detroit Public Safety Foundation and all our generous sponsors who made it possible for us to offer this conference free of charge to attendees," said Malile. "Their support allowed us to bring in outstanding presenters and create an opportunity for public safety professionals to learn and connect without the cost becoming a barrier. We are grateful for every organization that believes in investing in the people who protect and serve Detroit."

The 2026 conference was made possible through the generous support of the Detroit Public Safety Foundation, its sponsors, as well as through the Michigan Fireworks Safety Fund, a specialized state fund created under the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act to manage safety fees collected from fireworks sales and support firefighter training.

The Stryker team is one of our vendor sponsors - their Lucas device is used by crews here in Detroit on a regular basis as a key lifesaving tool. 

A Growing Tradition of Professional Development

The Detroit Fire Department's Professional Development Conference was established to create an opportunity for public safety professionals to learn from one another, explore emerging issues and strengthen the skills they bring back to their departments.

"We're proud of what this conference has become, but we're already thinking about how we can make it even better next year," said Simms. "The fire service is always changing, and our people deserve opportunities to keep learning, keep growing and keep bringing new ideas home."