2012 Leadership Development Symposium starts Jan. 9

TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute (ESTI) is presenting the 2012 Leadership Development Symposium on Jan. 9-11 in Frisco, Texas. A cadre of top-notch speakers will provide up-to-date information on leadership, management, safety, budgeting and other relevant topics. The theme for the symposium is “Be Accountable.”

The symposium is part of the TEEX Leadership Development Program and funded by Texas general revenue. There is no admission charge for Texas resident firefighters, and sessions are geared to meet continuing education requirements for Texas fire officers and EMS personnel. Last year, the conference drew a record 700 participants from Texas as well as 14 other states and two countries. The conference is popular with Texas fire chiefs as well as administrators from a wide spectrum of emergency services.

The keynote speaker will be Andrew H. Card Jr., acting dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service. Card has held a variety of top-level governmental positions under three U.S. presidents. He served as White House chief of staff under President George W. Bush from 2001 until 2006. John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, will address the opening session of the final day of the symposium. Sharp has served as a member of both the Texas House and Senate, as Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and as a member of the Texas Railroad Commission.

The symposium will also welcome back popular speakers such as: Retired Chief Alan Brunacini; Retired Chief Dennis Compton; Retired Chief Paul Stein; and Dr. Kelli Peck Parrott, among others. New speakers this year include: Chief Adam Thiel, Alexandria, Va, Fire Department; Retired Captain Gilbert Bennett, Houston Fire Department; and Col. John Antal, U.S. Army (Retired).