When was the last time attendees raved about the general session or keynote speaker at the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Fire-Rescue International? It’s been a long time, but this year was different. Really different.
The first clue was the yelps and drums heard throughout the auditorium. Before you could blink, steel trash cans, plastic buckets and flying drumsticks filled the stage. Rhythm Extreme, a group of 10 high-energy musicians pounding on steel cans, filled the atmosphere with a hypnotic beat that fired up the audience.
Their finale included musicians in turnout coats and helmets (face shields safely down) with grinders on steel for a peppy rhythm that sent sparks flying to the floor. The lead white helmet was none other than IAFC President Jim Harmes, who welcomed attendees, which included 1,500 members of the Department of Defense’s fire services.
Following the flag presentation and the National Anthem, two little girls in long, white dresses lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The girls were the daughters of an Atlanta firefighter who died from a heart attack while riding to a fire call. His wife had just received word that his Public Safety Officer Benefits claims had been denied by the Department of Justice.
Honor and emotion continued through the awards presentations and to the keynote address, “Keeper of the Flame: How to Inspire Others on the Cusp of Change” by Mike Lipkin, an author and motivational speaker. Lipkin was brilliant and far superior to other keynote speakers of recent years.
Lipkin spoke about being a keeper of the flame, “someone who inspires others to be their personal best — someone like you.” Lipkin asked the audience, “How can you make every conversation the best you can have?” Scattered among the disguised clichés, Lipkin offered words of wisdom:
“First we make our habits and our habits make us.”
“The biggest fear that people have is the fear that one day somebody is going to discover they’re not that clever.”
“When we can communicate in a simple fashion, people know what to do and there is no confusion.”
“Is there anyone who has ever come to work in a bad mood? Productivity plummets. You can go to work in a bad mood one time and people question what kind of mood you will be in the next day.”
“Be kind to idiots in your life, because in somebody else’s life, you are the idiot.”
“Either you can become a model of possibility or a warning of what could happen.”
Lipkin gave out copies of the Keeper of the Flame book with 10 steps to being the keeper. Among the steps, Lipkin suggested a pertinent one for the fire service: “Tradition is a magnificent servant, but it might be a poor master.”
Intermixing personal stories with his messages, Lipkin also cautioned about treating colleagues different from family and friends. “Bring the best of yourself to the people who have given you their love and loyalty,” he said.
Actively communicating was a big part of Lipkin’s message. “Listen to every person as if what they were about to say would transform your life forever,” he said.
As the audience jumped up for a standing ovation, Rhythm Extreme returned to the stage, ushering attendees out to the exhibit hall with its rousing send-off.
Kudos to the IAFC’s 2007 Program Planning Committee, co-chaired by Chief John Buckman III and Deputy Chief Kevin Brame, and to the IAFC staff for one of the best conferences in a long time.
It appears this ain’t your father’s IAFC.
August 31st, 2007 @ 11:31 am
I agree with you 100%, this was the best opening ceremony that I have ever witnessed for a IAFC Conference. I have been a proud member of the association since 1996, and never felt prouder than this year. I really enjoyed every moment. Keep up the good work.