Alabama Fire Service Professional Development Conference
A program designed to assist the chief officer with the ever-growing responsibilities of modern fire department management. Each year new topics are brought to the forefront through guest speakers and discussions to bring attendees up-to-date on current issues and technology involving the fire service. This program is planned and developed in conjunction with the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs.
Our Speakers
Fire Chief
Brian Marcos
Brian MarcosBrian Marcos, Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management Named one of the 50 Most Influential Hispanics in Georgia by the Georgia Hispanic Chambe...
Brian Marcos, Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management Named one of the 50 Most Influential Hispanics in Georgia by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | Named Chief Fire Officer of the Year by the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs | Cobb Life Magazines “20 under 40”. He currently serves as the Georgia State Director for the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs, Founder and President of the United Leadership Program, and is the Area 7 District Vice President for the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs. Brian has writings on public safety leadership topics that have received publication in national trade magazines. He is a graduate of Leadership Cobb (2017) and is serving as the 2023 Co-Vice Chair. He completed the Executive Leadership Program for Manager and Directors through Kennesaw State University (KSU). Marcos has an associates degree in Fire Science, a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration, and is completing his master’s in Public Administration from Columbia Southern University. Brian holds a Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFO) from the Commission on Professional Credentialing, is a Certified Emergency Manager, a Georgia Certified Paramedic, and he is a Georgia Smoke Diver.
Fire Chief
Clyde Gordon
Clyde GordonClyde Gordon is a District Chief with the City of Houston Fire Department. He has 36 years as a proven leader in the fire service and 30 years within ...
Clyde Gordon is a District Chief with the City of Houston Fire Department. He has 36 years as a proven leader in the fire service and 30 years within the Houston Fire Department. Chief Gordon offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge. He has a reputation for a strong work ethic, exceptional fire ground operations, and management, and building uncompromising integrity and responsibility in a crew. Chief Gordon believes in continuous improvement of fire ground skills and operations through regular and consistent training. He is known for his teaching through honest and personal first-hand experience. Clyde spent over 10 years as an instructor with Lone Star College in Cypress, Texas.
District Chief, Houston Fire Department
Mo Davis
Mo DavisInstructor Bio | Mo Davis is a District Chief with the City of Houston Fire Department and has over 25 years of fire service experience. Chief Davis h...
Instructor Bio | Mo Davis is a District Chief with the City of Houston Fire Department and has over 25 years of fire service experience. Chief Davis holds a Master’s Degree, is a Master Firefighter, and is a Master Fire investigator.
Fire Chief, Gulf Shores Fire Rescue
Mark Sealy
Mark SealyChief Mark Sealy began his Fire Service career in August of 1991 with the City of Mobile Fire Rescue Department. He worked his way through the ranks a...
Chief Mark Sealy began his Fire Service career in August of 1991 with the City of Mobile Fire Rescue Department. He worked his way through the ranks and was appointed as Fire Chief in May of 2017. After 29 years of service, he retired from the City of Mobile in August of 2020. Knowing that he was not ready to part ways with the fire service, he accepted the position of Fire Chief with the City of Gulf Shores. Mark is known for his discipline, attention to detail, and unconditional commitment to the success of those around him. He began his professional career as a United States Marine. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University and completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He is also a 2018 graduate of the Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy. While his professional career has been marked by many years in public service, Mark is just as dedicated to his family. He has been married for 33 years to his wife Christine, who is an educator at the University of South Alabama. Mark and Christine have two children, Alex and Riley. Alex is currently a forester in Baldwin County. His daughter Riley is a freshman at Auburn University pursuing a degree in Forestry Engineering.
President, National Fire Sprinkler Association
Shane Ray
Shane RaySaving lives and protecting property from fire through the widespread acceptance of the fire sprinkler concept is not only the mission of the National...
Saving lives and protecting property from fire through the widespread acceptance of the fire sprinkler concept is not only the mission of the National Fire Sprinkler Association, but it is my professional leadership purpose in life. I have been blessed to spend my career in the fire protection industry. All of my community, country, and organizational service has been to improving the quality of life for my fellow human-beings. It is an absolute honor to serve as the President of the National Fire Sprinkler Association and focus daily on a pure mission. The fire sprinkler industry and the fire service are two of the best professions and trades in the world. With the changing built-environment comes a more severe fire environment because of the contents, components, and configurations of buildings. We have the solution to make our buildings, old and new, safer from fire. I will spend the rest of my professional working life committed to promoting a stronger industry and a safer world. I consider it a blessing and honor to know that I have never awaken a single day in my life unwilling to serve and save.
Assistant Fire Chief
David Griffin
David GriffinDr. David Griffin is the Assistant Chief of Administration in Charleston, South Carolina. He was the operator of the first due engine on June 18, 2007...
Dr. David Griffin is the Assistant Chief of Administration in Charleston, South Carolina. He was the operator of the first due engine on June 18, 2007, when nine of his fellow firefighters perished. He has come through the ranks in Operations in every uniformed position from Firefighter to Assistant Chief during his 19-year career in Charleston. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in education from The Citadel, a Master’s Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership, and a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership and Development. He is the author of the bestseller In Honor of The Charleston 9: A Study of Change Following Tragedy, among three other books. Griffin is also an international speaker and instructor, a certified Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Chief Training Officer (CTO) with The Center for Public Safety Excellence, an IFSAC/Pro Board-certified Fire Officer IV, a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) from the National Fire Academy, a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Executive Education program: Senior Executives in State and Local Government, a graduate of the Psychology of Leadership program from Cornell University’s Samuel Curtis Johnson College of Business, and a graduate of Yale University’s School of Management Values Based Leadership program. He is currently completing the Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) through the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
Fire Chief
Dan Curia
Dan CuriaDan Curia has served as the chief of the Charleston, SC, Fire Department since July 2018. Previously, he served in the Durham, NC, Fire Department for...
Dan Curia has served as the chief of the Charleston, SC, Fire Department since July 2018. Previously, he served in the Durham, NC, Fire Department for more than 28 years. In his time in Durham, Curia served in every uniformed rank, from firefighter to fire chief. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, holds Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and has a master’s degree in leadership. He has been published in numerous trade journals and has lectured nationally.